Destruction Warlock DPS Guide — Dragonflight 10.2
Welcome to our Destruction Warlock guide for World of Warcraft — Dragonflight 10.2. Here, you will learn how to play as a Destruction Warlock in both raids and Mythic+ dungeons: from the very beginning to maximizing your DPS.
If you were looking for WotLK Classic content, please refer to our WotLK Classic Destruction Warlock guide.
Destruction Warlock Overview
Destruction Warlock is a very flexible specialization that can find ways to excel in a variety of environments. Destruction can deal a lot of bursts to a single target and also efficiently cleave and AoE several targets at once.
Destruction is almost always a viable candidate for progression fights, as
it has the least ramp-up time of any Warlock specialization. It can pressure
priority targets easily and also has strong cleave through Havoc.
Like all Warlock specializations, Destruction brings
Demonic Gateway, a powerful raid cooldown that can transport your
entire group 40 yards instantly.
Strengths and Weaknesses
High single-target and two-target damage
Low ramp-up time
Good burst on-demand
Efficient cleave
Flexible gameplay
Amazing AoE potential
Single 3 minutes cooldown
Low AoE burst
Low mobility can significantly penalise damage output
Destruction Warlock and Guide Changes for Patch 10.2
In this patch Destruction Warlock received two major talents changes:
Grand Warlock's Design was changed from requiring an active participation to instead provide a flat cooldown reduction.
Madness of the Azj'Aqir was removed in favor of a new talent
Chaosbringer, which offers a similar damage increase to Destruction spender spells
Chaos Bolt
Rain of Fire and
Soulburn but passively instead.
Alongside these
changes, Chaos Bolt,
Rain of Fire,
Shadowburn
and
Summon Infernal damage were buffed accordingly.
For a full breakdown of all Class Changes in Patch 10.2, check out our dedicated page below.
Being a major patch with a new tier set focused around specific talents has also been introduced, requiring a whole revisit on both Talents Page and Rotation Page.
A new Season means new gear from new and returning Mythic+ Dungeons alongside a new raid Amirdrassil. As such, Gear Page has been updated with new BiS lists, weapon and trinkets recommendations, and different embellishments to craft.
Leveling a Destruction Warlock
We have a dedicated leveling guide to help you get your Destruction Warlock to max level, complete with many tips and suggestions.
While playing with the default UI for the leveling is entirely possible, transitioning to a max level rotation with a substantially different UI layout can feel overwhelming and ultimately disorient or frustrate the player. We recommend instead to implement Layout changes gradually in order to allow yourself to acclimate to a more effective and personal UI. The Addon page below offers some recommended options.
Basics of Destruction Warlock Gameplay
Destruction Warlock is a fairly straightforward spec, leaning towards hard-hitting direct damage spells, strong and long-lasting cooldowns, and a relative amount of pet management. At its core, the gameplay is about generating and spending the Warlock's iconic resource: Soul Shards.
The basics are simple: maintain Immolate on the target(s), spend
your shards on
Chaos Bolts or
Rain of Fire; cast
Conflagrate on cooldown and
Incinerate in the downtime.
If you are a newcomer to the spec but would like to learn the basics, start browsing the Spell Summary and head over to the page linked below.
For those more familiar with Warlocks, we invite you to check out the Talents and Rotation pages to have access to more detailed and in-depth information.
How to Gear Up as Destruction Warlock
Due to the increased number of variables and additional systems, picking gear has become a much less intuitive and immediate process. Nevertheless, you can find guidelines on how to best equip your Destruction Warlock on our dedicated gearing page, including the current Best in Slot equipment for the current tier.
Equipping gear is not enough, as you also need to choose the right consumables and gear augments to maximize your character potential. The pages below can guide you through those choices and help you better understand the implications each stat has on your Warlock.
End-Game as a Destruction Warlock
Being geared and well-equipped is only half of the journey, as the end game activities require each a different approach to the spec. In order to find out more information regarding how to better tackle these challenges, check out the pages below.
Improving as a Destruction Warlock
Understanding your errors and refining your performance is a constant exercise, which can be frustrating or confounding at times. Below are listed some pages that offer tools and can point to and help correct those mistakes.
Destruction Warlock Viability in the Current Patch
DISCLAIMER: As with every new tier, the first two weeks will see noticeable tuning changes, as such the information provided below is a snapshot of the balance at the time of writing and will get updated as more changes happen.
At the time of writing (Patch 10.2), the current situation is the following:
Destruction Warlock enters the tier in a slightly weaker state,
mainly due set bonuses being on the weaker side numerically speaking, and not
really providing much increase in AoE (although a spec with Inferno
arguably did not need any help in that regard). The bright side is that the
new set inherently provides a higher degree of mobility to a spec that is
fairly immobile otherwise.
All being said Destruction Warlock remains a very solid spec which
has been somewhat simplified (for better or worse) with the removal
of Madness of the Azj'Aqir. It can still perform in any scenario but could
definitely use a tier set buff to be in a great state instead.
Changelog
- 12 Nov. 2023 (Amirdrassil page): Updated talents for bosses available on PTR testing.
- 07 Nov. 2023 (gear page): Embellishment recommendations updated after Undulating Sporecloak has been annihilated.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (FAQ page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (how to improve page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (simulations page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (gear page): Updated Gear recommendations for Patch 10.2 and Season 3.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (addons page): Reviewed for Patch 10.2.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (enchants page): Updated for Patch 10.2.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (stats page): Updated for Patch 10.2.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (Amirdrassil page): Page Added.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (mythic+ page): Updated for Patch 10.2 and Season 3.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 10.2.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (talents page): Talents updated for Patch 10.2.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (spells page): Updated for Patch 10.2
- 06 Nov. 2023 (easy mode page): Updated talents for Patch 10.2.
- 06 Nov. 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 10.2.
- 04 Sep. 2023 (FAQ page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7
- 04 Sep. 2023 (how to improve page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7
- 04 Sep. 2023 (simulations page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7
- 04 Sep. 2023 (gear page): Reformat of the page with BiS tables and section updates.
- 04 Sep. 2023 (addons page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7
- 04 Sep. 2023 (enchants page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7
- 04 Sep. 2023 (stats page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7
- 04 Sep. 2023 (Aberrus, the Shadowed Crucible page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7
- 04 Sep. 2023 (mythic+ page): Restructured Talent section.
- 04 Sep. 2023 (rotation page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7
- 04 Sep. 2023 (talents page): Updated for Patch 10.1.7
- 04 Sep. 2023 (spells page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7
- 04 Sep. 2023 (easy mode page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7
- 04 Sep. 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 10.1.7
- 10 Jul. 2023 (FAQ page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (how to improve page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (simulations page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (gear page): Updated for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (addons page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (enchants page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (stats page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (Aberrus, the Shadowed Crucible page): Talents updated for patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (mythic+ page): Talents updated for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (talents page): Updated talents for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (spells page): Updated for talent changes in Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (easy mode page): Updated talents for Patch 10.1.5.
- 10 Jul. 2023 (this page): Added Patch 10.1.5 and updated the viability sections.
- 06 May 2023 (Aberrus, the Shadowed Crucible page): Page added.
- 01 May 2023 (FAQ page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.
- 01 May 2023 (how to improve page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.
- 01 May 2023 (simulations page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.
- 01 May 2023 (gear page): Updated for Patch 10.1.
- 01 May 2023 (enchants page): Updated Phial recommendation after Corrupted Rage buff.
- 01 May 2023 (stats page): Updated for Patch 10.1
- 01 May 2023 (Vault of the Incarnates page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.
- 01 May 2023 (mythic+ page): Talents updated for Patch 10.1.
- 01 May 2023 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 10.1.
- 01 May 2023 (talents page): Updated talents for Patch 10.1.
- 01 May 2023 (spells page): Reviewed for Patch 10.1.
- 01 May 2023 (easy mode page): Reviewed for patch 10.1.
- 01 May 2023 (this page): Added a new section for patch 10.1 and updated the viability section.
- 24 Mar. 2023 (gear page): Updated Onyx Annulet section to account for live hotfixes.
- 24 Mar. 2023 (enchants page): Updated Primordial Stones recommendations to account for the additional live hotfixes.
- 22 Mar. 2023 (enchants page): Updated Primordial Stones recommendations to account for 25% buff hotfix.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (Legendaries): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (FAQ page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (how to improve page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (simulations page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (gear page): Added Patch 10.0.7 new ring section. .
- 20 Mar. 2023 (addons page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (enchants page): Added Primordial Stones section for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (stats page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (Vault of the Incarnates page): Talents updated for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (mythic+ page): Talents updated for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (rotation page): Added Madness section.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (talents page): Updated talents for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (spells page): Updated talent trees to reflect class changes for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (easy mode page): Updated talents for Patch 10.0.7.
- 20 Mar. 2023 (this page): Added Patch 10.0.7 and updated the viability sections.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (FAQ page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (how to improve page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (simulations page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (gear page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (addons page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (enchants page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (stats page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (Vault of the Incarnates page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (mythic+ page): Added an Inferno section, and updated the talent recommendation.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (rotation page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (talents page): Updated talent selection for single target and 2 targets for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (spells page): Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (easy mode page): Updated talent selection for patch 10.0.5.
- 24 Jan. 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 10.0.5.
- 07 Jan. 2023 (enchants page): Updated dungeon phial to a more reliable Phial of Tepid Versatility.
- 24 Dec. 2022 (Vault of the Incarnates page): Updated talent suggestions.
- 24 Dec. 2022 (talents page): Updated talent selection for single target.
- 14 Dec. 2022 (enchants page): Updated Weapon Runes.
- 13 Dec. 2022 (gear page): Updated Embellishment recommendations.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (FAQ page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (how to improve page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (simulations page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (gear page): Updated for Season 1 launch.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (addons page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (enchants page): Updated for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (stats page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (Vault of the Incarnates page): Page added.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (mythic+ page): Updated recommended build.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (rotation page): Updated selectors for the openers and priority lists.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (talents page): Updated for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (spells page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (easy mode page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 11 Dec. 2022 (this page): Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (FAQ page): Reviewed for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (how to improve page): Reviewed for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (simulations page): Reviewed for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (gear page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (addons page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (enchants page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (stats page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (mythic+ page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (rotation page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (talents page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (spells page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (easy mode page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 28 Nov. 2022 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight launch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (Legendaries): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (Torghast): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (Covenants and Soulbinds): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (FAQ page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (how to improve page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (simulations page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (gear page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (addons page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (enchants page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (stats page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (Castle Nathria page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (Sanctum of Domination page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (Sepulcher of the First Ones page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (mythic+ page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (rotation page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (talents page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (spells page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (easy mode page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 25 Oct. 2022 (this page): Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
- 30 Jul. 2022 (Patch 9.2 Analysis): Updated for Season 4 tuning pass.
- 22 Feb. 2022 (Patch 9.2 Analysis): Updated to reflect Patch 9.2 launch.
- 15 Jan. 2022 (Patch 9.2 Analysis): Page added with initial thoughts and information.
- 01 Nov. 2021 (Patch 9.1 Analysis): Updated for Patch 9.1.5.
- 13 Jul. 2021 (Patch 9.1 Analysis): Removed PTR disclaimer.
- 27 Jun. 2021 (Patch 9.1 Analysis): baseline changes, legendary and covenant recommendations updated.
- 05 May 2021 (Patch 9.1 Analysis): Page created.
- 12 Oct. 2020 (Ny'alotha page): Page updated for the Shadowlands pre-patch.
- 14 Jul. 2019 (The Eternal Palace page): Updated Boss Tips and Talent/Essences selection.
- 09 Jul. 2019 (The Eternal Palace page): Guide added.
- 25 Jun. 2019 (Uldir page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
- 25 Jun. 2019 (Battle of Dazar'alor page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
- 25 Jun. 2019 (Crucible of Storms page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
- 14 Apr. 2019 (Battle of Dazar'alor page): Updated after recent raid nerfs.
- 14 Apr. 2019 (Crucible of Storms page): Guide added.
- 11 Feb. 2019 (Battle of Dazar'alor page): Updated with better talent choices, and more tips.
- 05 Feb. 2019 (Battle of Dazar'alor page): Updated for Battle of Dazar'alor Heroic week fixes.
- 21 Jan. 2019 (Battle of Dazar'alor page): Page added.
- 10 Dec. 2018 (Uldir page): Updated for Patch 8.1. Reviewed talent advice for all bosses.
- 09 Nov. 2018 (Uldir page): Updated boss guide.
- 07 Sep. 2018 (Uldir page): Updated for Uldir.
More Warlock Guides
Guides from Other Classes
This guide has been written by Motoko, Warlock main since The Burning Crusade, co-admin in the Warlock Discord, and theorycrafter and contributor for LockOneStopShop.
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