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For additional lore, see Warlock (lore).
In the face of demonic power, most heroes see death. Warlocks see only opportunity. Dominance is their aim, and they have found a path to it in the dark arts. These voracious spellcasters summon demonic minions to fight beside them.

At first, they command only the service of Imps, but as a warlock’s knowledge grows, seductive Succubi, loyal Voidwalkers, and horrific Felhunters join the dark sorcerer’s ranks to wreak havoc on anyone who stands in their master’s way.

Warlock crest

Warlocks are unimaginably powerful[1] gods known as demons or channelers[2] that can channel the Light and Void powers known as fel powers on behalf of the demon god known as Sargeras, who created a demonic army known as the Burning Legion to push the godlike beings known as titans to oblivion. Fel energy is essentially (Light and Void) energy once described by Chris Metzen as a demonic as well as entropic death energy.[3] Despite the fact that energy cannot be created or destroyed, there are those that claim that fictional fel energy is created all the while maintaining that it isn't created as an entropic death energy. Still, fel magic — which currently represents fel disorder — is the brutal energy fueled by drawing life from living beings[4] and thus works in the favor of Sargeras when fueled by drawing life because Sargeras wants life drawn from the universe. Fel spells do exactly what Sargeras wants them to do and warlocks bring things to oblivion using them.

As channelers that do what all warlocks do, following the burning legion that Sargeras created to push things to oblivion as acolyte followers that seek to understand fel-based magics or use fel magics, warlocks are essentially magical practitioners[5] known as necromancers. Warlocks can govern a death titan such as Argus, command demonic minions to police arcane magics, harvest souls, invoke the nether-will of the dark demon master Sargeras, make but an insignificant sacrifice -- a living necrolyte or two, obliterate the land around them, raise the dead with soulstones, spread contagion such as fel plague, and use the chaotic fel powers to transform things into aberrations (e.g. liches).

Overview[]

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Warlocks can ignite distant enemies in searing flame, send them fleeing in terror and pain, or afflict them with corrupting diseases and curses that steal the victim's vitality.

These practitioners of the profane are feared across Azeroth, and many who have felt their wrath now prefer to fight alongside a warlock than against one.

Warlocks burn and destroy weakened foes with a combination of crippling illnesses and dark magic. While their demon pets protect and enhance them, warlocks strike at their enemies from a distance. As physically weak spellcasters bereft of heavy armor, cunning warlocks allow their minions to take the brunt of enemy attacks in order to save their own skin.

Warcraft I description[]

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Warlock

A warlock from Warcraft I.

Warlocks are the most powerful of the Orcish sects (religions), leading necrolytes through the Dark Portal during the search for ultimate power, OR the necrolytes of the Orcish cults themselves. They use the destructive power of the underworld Helheim in their incantations and rituals. These dark brethren of Hades go where none others dare in search of ultimate power. Their Towers hold the keys to unleashing the very essence of evil upon those they see as a threat to their devious plans. Spells that channel the fire and brimstone of hell through their bodies, or can summon forth great creatures - even daemons - are theirs to use.

History[]

Demonology2

A warlock and his demons.

The eredar of the Burning Legion are credited as the original warlocks and wielders of dark magics, corrupted from the powerful and magically attuned eredar of Argus.

In most societies warlocks live on the fringe of civilization, tolerated but not trusted. Human warlocks meet in secret in the basement of a bar in Stormwind. Within the Horde, Thrall expressed discomfort with the warlocks; understanding their utility, he allowed them to work within the Cleft of Shadow. Conventional spell casters often see the warlock's magic as a vain attempt at increasing their own power.

Although many that consort with demons fall to darkness, warlocks of the Horde and Alliance advocate bending demonic forces to one's will without succumbing to complete corruption. These spell casters can summon demons to serve them and they can cast many painful spells that slowly eat at the life of their enemies.

Warlocks are physically weak compared to other classes, but they compensate with their potent array of spells and their demonic minions. Compared to other spell casters, warlocks are among the strongest and often depend on the sacrifice of their own blood to fuel their magical powers.

Notable warlocks[]

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Races[]

Main article: Warlock races

The warlock class can be played by the following races:

Race Strength Agility Stamina Intellect Spirit Armor Health Mana
Alliance DwarfDwarf Dwarf Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found.[6] 25 16 22 21 21 33 123 50
Alliance GnomeGnome Gnome 15 22 21 25 22 33 113 52
Alliance HumanHuman Human 20 20 21 22 22 33 113 50
Alliance Unknown race Race (Void Elf) unknown Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. -- -- -- -- -- -- --- --
Alliance WorgenWorgen Worgen Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. 23 22 21 18 21 33 113 50
Horde Blood elfBlood elf Blood elf Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. 17 22 21 25 20 33 113 50
Horde ForsakenForsaken Forsaken 19 18 21 20 27 33 113 50
Horde GoblinGoblin Goblin Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. 17 22 21 25 20 33 113 50
Horde Unknown race Race (Nightborne) unknown Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. -- -- -- -- -- -- --- --
Horde OrcOrc Orc 23 17 22 19 24 24 123 50
Horde TrollTroll Troll Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found.[6] 21 22 21 18 23 24 113 50

Specializations and abilities[]

A master of shadow magic who specializes in drains and damage-over-time spells.
- Official description
Stat priority
  • Mastery
  • Intellect
  • Haste
  • Critical Strike
  • Versatility
Note: Keep in mind that Affliction warlocks retain Corruption and Agony after choosing their specialization.
Ability Min Level
Agony 10
Drain Soul 13
Unstable Affliction 14
Unstable Affliction (2) 26
Ability Min Level
Seed of Corruption 38
Shadow Bite (2) 48
Agony (2) 52
Mastery: Potent Afflictions 78
A master of demons who compels demonic powers to aid her/him.
- Official description
Stat priority
  • Haste
  • Intellect
  • Critical Strike
  • Mastery
  • Versatility
Ability Min Level
Hand of Gul'dan 10
Summon Felguard 10
Demonic Empowerment 12
Drain Life 13
Call Dreadstalkers 14
Ability Min Level
Doom 26
Demonwrath 48
Soul Link 52
Mastery: Master Demonologist 78
A master of chaos who calls down fire to burn and demolish enemies.
- Official description
Stat priority
  • Intellect
  • Haste
  • Critical Strike
  • Versatility
  • Mastery
Incinerate1TCG

Incinerate

ImmolateTCG

Immolate

Ability Min Level
Immolate 10
Conflagrate 10
Chaos Bolt 12
Drain Life 13
Incinerate 14
Rain of Fire 26
Ability Min Level
Havoc 40
Firebolt (2) 48
Conflagrate (2) 52
Unending Resolve (2) 63
Mastery: Chaotic Energies 78

Skills and glyphs[]

Note: Players technically start in Affliction spec; if a player chooses another specialization at level 10, Destruction and Demonology lose Corruption; Destruction also loses Shadow Bolt.
Ability Min Level
Shadow Bolt Starts with
Corruption 3
Summon Imp 5
Life Tap 8
Fear 16
Create Healthstone 18
Summon Voidwalker 20
Felsteed 20
Health Funnel 22
Eye of Kilrogg 24
Unending Breath 24
Summon Succubus 28
Banish 32
Ability Min Level
Soul Leech 34
Summon Felhunter 36
Command Demon 38
Dreadsteed 40
Ritual of Summoning 42
Soulstone 44
Summon Doomguard 50
Unending Resolve 54
Enslave Demon 56
Summon Infernal 58
Create Soulwell 66
Soulstone (2) 70
Demonic Gateway 80

Basic minions[]

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Imp
Ability Min Level
Firebolt Starts with
Flee 33
Cauterize Master 31
Singe Magic 68
Voidwalker
Ability Min Level
Torment 10
Suffering 15
Shadow Shield 28
Shadow Bulwark 55
Succubus
Ability Min Level
Lash of Pain 20
Seduction 20
Whiplash 31
Lesser Invisibility 32
Felhunter
Ability Min Level
Shadow Bite 30
Devour Magic 35
Spell Lock 35

Talented minions[]

The following minions are the permanent versions of the guardians, gained via the talent [Grimoire of Supremacy].

Infernal
Ability
Torch Magic
Burning Presence
Meteor Strike (infernal)
Seethe (infernal)
Doomguard
Ability
Doom Bolt
Shadow Lock
Level Abilities (choose one)
15 Affliction Haunt
Demonology Shadowy Inspiration
Destruction Backdraft
Affliction Writhe in Agony
Demonology Shadowflame
Destruction Roaring Blaze
Affliction Drain Soul
Demonology Demonic Calling
Destruction Shadowburn
30 Affliction Contagion (warlock talent)
Demonology Impending Doom
Destruction Reverse Entropy
Affliction Absolute Corruption
Demonology Improved Dreadstalkers
Destruction Cataclysm (warlock talent)
AfflictionDestruction Empowered Life Tap
Demonology Implosion
45 Demon Skin Mortal Coil Affliction Howl of Terror
DemonologyDestruction Shadowfury
60 Affliction Siphon Life
Demonology Hand of Doom (warlock talent)
Destruction Eradication
Affliction Sow the Seeds
Demonology Power Trip
Destruction Fire and Brimstone
Soul Harvest
75 Demonic Circle Burning Rush Dark Pact
90 Grimoire of Supremacy Grimoire of Service AfflictionDestruction Grimoire of Sacrifice
Demonology Grimoire of Synergy
100 Affliction Soul Effigy
Demonology Summon Darkglare
Destruction Wreak Havoc
Affliction Phantom Singularity
Demonology Demonbolt
Destruction Channel Demonfire
Soul Conduit
Name Specialization
Glyph of Crimson Banish All
Glyph of Fel Imp All
Glyph of Felguard All
Glyph of Soulwell All
Glyph of the Inquisitor's Eye All
Glyph of the Observer All
Glyph of the Shivarra All
Glyph of the Voidlord All
Honor Level Talent
1 Gladiator's Medallion
2 Train of Thought (honor talent)
4 Curse of Tongues
6 Essence Drain
8 Affliction Endless Affliction, Demonology Pleasure through Pain, Destruction Incineration (honor talent)
10 Affliction Amplify Afflictions, Demonology Master Summoner, Destruction Burning Legion (honor talent)
13 Adaptation (honor talent)
16 Mind Quickness
19 Curse of Weakness
22 Casting Circle
25 Affliction Soulburn, Demonology Call Felhunter, Destruction Fel Fissure
28 Affliction Rot and Decay, Demonology Call Fel Lord, Destruction Firestone (honor talent)
31 Relentless (honor talent)
34 Initiation
37 Curse of Fragility
40 Nether Ward
43 Affliction Siphon Soul, Demonology Singe Magic (honor talent), Destruction Cremation
46 Affliction Soul Swap, Demonology Call Observer, Destruction Bane of Havoc

Resources[]

Warlocks use both Soul Shards and mana. Warlocks typically start with all five of their shard slots empty; once filled, they degenerate slowly. Certain abilities will generate shards, while certain other abilities - such as summoning demons - cost shards.

Conjured items[]

UndeadWarlock

Undead warlock

Another powerful ability of the warlock is to create healthstones and soulstones. These conjured items are used from the inventory and only one each can be created and held at one time. Healthstones and soulstones will disappear if the player logs off from the warlock character for more than 15 minutes.

A warlock is by no means a healer. However, healthstones can be given to party members and soulstones can be cast on party members.

To heal others (or themselves), warlocks can create a healthstone and hand it to another friendly player via Trade. Create Soulwell creates a Soul Well from which healthstones can be extracted by members of the party or raid group.

Warlocks may use a soulstone on a friendly player (or themselves) before they die, allowing them to resurrect on death without having to use a Graveyard. If a warlock uses a soulstone on another member of their party and the warlock or that member leaves the party, the buff is dismissed.

Escaping melee[]

When an opponent gets within melee range, the warlock's best bet is to use disabling spells to get away or try to distract opponents with minions.

If acquiring range is not possible, a warlock is by no means helpless. Defensively, warlocks can [Drain Life] to heal while doing minor damage, absorb damage with [Soul Leech], reduce damage with [Unending Resolve], sometimes scare away enemies with [Fear], and Demonology warlocks can share damage taken with their minions via [Soul Link].

Suggested professions[]

Tailoring and Enchanting
Other primary professions
  • The remaining professions do not offer anything particularly warlock-specific, but depending on server economy, may provide significantly more income.
Secondary professions
  • It is highly recommended that warlocks learn the secondary profession, First Aid [First Aid]. This is to mitigate the mana a healer may have to use to heal party members; this is especially true for warlocks, who can use their own health to heal their minions.

End-game expectations[]

Elfwarlock

A warlock in art.[7]

Warlocks are taken to raids for their incredible DPS and their raid utility. Warlocks' abilities can bring a lot of support to parties and they are usually the biggest source of ranged DPS. Seed of Corruption, when properly used, makes a warlock extremely effective AOE DPS without putting the raid at risk. Using summon in order to teleport latecomers, conjuring soulstones for raid recovery, and distributing healthstones are extremely beneficial. Warlocks are also well-known for their unique CC abilities such as Fear, Banish, Enslave Demon, Shadowfury, and Howl of Terror.

The Burning Crusade brought more utility to warlocks. The addition of the soul well made distributing healthstones a much simpler and convenient process. With Patch 2.4, warlocks finally were able to summon through instance barriers. This made replacing players in a mid-raid scenario significantly more convenient.

Wrath of the Lich King changes[]

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Dread

An undead warlock mounted on a Dreadsteed.

Warlocks deal impressive damage through the careful combination of damage spells, dots, and pets, and their new talents and abilities reflected this role. In many cases abilities had their damage increased or their mana cost reduced, making them more efficient for the warlock to use. Talents were consolidated and moved in the tree to give access to some important talents earlier on. In addition, summoning a dreadsteed or felsteed no longer cost any mana and does not affect the global cooldown so that mounts work just like everyone else's.

The most significant change to the warlock was the way pets were handled. All of the demon master trainers were removed; instead, all demon abilities and spells were automatically learned as pets gained levels.

There were some changes to the demon abilities. For example, they automatically learn avoidance at level 10. Blood pact works for the entire raid, making it unnecessary to stick a warlock in a particular group. Consume Shadows greatly increases nearby allies' stealth detection. Some abilities were removed completely and new ones put in their place, like Fel Intelligence and Shadow Bite replacing Paranoia and Tainted Blood on felhunters. Overall, pets received the same love given to the other classes in the game, making them better, stronger and more fearsome.

Notes[]

Media[]

Videos[]

Patch changes[]

References[]

See also[]

External links[]

Official


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Guides
Lore


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