Destruction Warlock DPS Stat Priority — The War Within (11.1.5)

The stat priority for a Destruction Warlock is as follows:

1. Haste ≅ Critical Strike;
2. Intellect;
3. Mastery;
4. Versatility.

This stat priority was determined using a SimulationCraft profile in standard BiS gear with normalized stats. It was meant to simulate a very "average" set of player gear, but you should refer to this information with care. It is highly recommended you sim yourself to determine which stats your character gets maximum benefit out of, as this is subject to change depending on your ratios.

Most players will notice their stat priority shifts as they acquire higher item levels due to the variance in scaling.

These statistics have been obtained by combining common sense, in-game testing, and simulations using SimulationCraft.

At the Shadowlands release, a diminishing return system was put in place with different tiers that will incur an increased penalty in the overall stat amount. With access to a higher total amount of secondary stats in this tier, players can now feel the effect, and it could alter some gearing choices.

• From 0 to 30%, there is no penalty.
• From 30% to 39%, there is a 10% penalty.
• From 39% to 47%, there is a 20% penalty.
• From 47% to 54%, there is a 30% penalty.
• From 54% to 66%, there is a 40% penalty.
• From 66% to 126%, there is a 50% penalty.
• You can not get more than 126% from gear rating.

In practical terms, it should not have much of an impact when using SimulationCraft/Raidbot, as the tools, are already accounting for it.

Your stat priority has a direct impact on your gem, enchant, and consumable choices, and you can find recommendations for all 3 on our dedicated page below.

Intellect is your primary stat. You should look for this stat in all of your upgrades. It provides you with Spell Power, which increases the damage of your spells.

Haste influences the cast speed of your spells. The tick rate of Immolate is also increased, and the cooldown of Conflagrate is decreased. This contributes to significantly higher Soul Shard generation at higher levels of Haste. Your demons also scale with Haste.

Critical Strike increases your chance to critically hit with all spells and abilities. Chaos Bolt always critically hits, and its damage is increased by your Critical Strike at a rate of 1% damage per 1% Critical Strike. Immolate criticals have a doubled chance to produce a Soul Shard. Incinerate criticals produce an extra Shard bit. Decimation makes critical hits from direct damage spells have a chance to reset Soul Fire. Your demons also scale with Critical Strike.

Mastery, through Mastery: Chaotic Energies increases your damage dealt by a random amount within the specificed range. This does not affect pet damage.

Versatility is a flat-out damage done increase and damage taken reduction. Your demons also scale with Versatility.