Warlock

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Other classes: Warrior, Paladin, Hunter, Rogue, Priest, Shaman, Mage, Druid

Warlocks are DoT and shadow casters with demon pets and strong self-sustain via Life Tap. Forever splits Curses and Banes (Bane of Agony and Bane of Doom can stack with a Curse like Curse of the Elements), adds Wrack as the channelled Affliction capstone, and gives Destruction the Conflagrate, Bane of Havoc and Incinerate talents.

Affliction (Caster DPS)

Affliction stacks Corruption, Bane of Agony, Siphon Life and a Curse, then channels Forever's Wrack, which deals shadow damage and makes your other shadow DoTs 10% stronger. Soul Siphon boosts Wrack and drains per active Affliction effect, and Nightfall procs instant Shadow Bolts.

Demonology (Caster DPS)

Demonology is a durable pet spec that either keeps a demon out with Soul Link, Demonic Knowledge and Master Demonologist, or sacrifices it with Demonic Sacrifice for a large personal damage buff. Demonic Pact, the tier 7 talent, lets the sacrifice buff survive summoning a different demon, so the endgame build can sacrifice the Imp for Shadow damage and still fight beside the Succubus or Incubus, spamming Shadow Bolt. Very strong for solo play thanks to Soul Link, which opens at 30.

Destruction (Caster DPS)

Destruction in Forever is a fire spec: Immolate, then Conflagrate (tier 4, from level 25) to consume Immolate for burst before re-applying it, and from level 40 Incinerate, the tier 7 talent, which deals 25% more to Immolated targets. Agonizing Flames adds up to 10% damage to all Destruction spells, Ruin doubles the crit bonus at 5/5, Fire and Brimstone raises Conflagrate's crit chance, and Bane of Havoc copies 15% of your damage onto a second target.

Tips & tricks: what ForeverDB learned

Affliction

Updated 8 October 2026 for build 1.60.1.70205 · From the DPS simulator, the game client

Simulator: Use Life Tap when your mana drops under 35%: that is where the simulator uses it at level 30. (level 30)
Simulator: Amplify Curse (3 min cooldown): the simulator uses it right before Bane of Agony at level 30. (level 30)
Simulator: Shadow Trance (from Nightfall): Your next Shadow Bolt becomes an instant cast spell. Cast Shadow Bolt within 10 sec, before it fades. In the simulator it comes 1.36 times a 60 s fight. (level 30)
Simulator: Best consumable at level 30: Lesser Arcane Elixir (+5% DPS in the simulator); then Briny Seafood Stew (+4.7%). (level 30)
Simulator: The party buff that helps you most at level 30 is Blessing of Wisdom from a Paladin: +1.2% DPS in the simulator. (level 30)
Simulator: Keep your Imp out: without it the simulator's fight does 9% less damage at level 30. (level 30)
Simulator: Where your damage comes from at level 30: Shadow Bolt 34%, Corruption 20%, Bane of Agony 20% (simulator: recommended build, best gear for the level, 60 s single-target fight). (level 30)
Simulator: Bane of Agony is worth 13.5% of your DPS at level 30: the simulator's fight without it did that much less damage. It kept it on the target 86% of the time. (level 30)
Simulator: Corruption is worth 12.8% of your DPS at level 30: the simulator's fight without it did that much less damage. It kept it on the target 85% of the time. (level 30)
Simulator: Use Life Tap when your mana drops under 35%: that is where the simulator uses it at levels 20-29. (levels 20–29)
Simulator: Amplify Curse (3 min cooldown): the simulator uses it right before Bane of Agony at levels 20-29. (levels 20–29)
Simulator: Best consumable at levels 20-29: Lesser Arcane Elixir (+7.3% DPS in the simulator); then Briny Seafood Stew (+6.8%). (levels 20–29)
Simulator: The party buff that helps you most at levels 20-29 is Blessing of Wisdom from a Paladin: +3.7% DPS in the simulator. (levels 20–29)
Simulator: Keep your Imp out: without it the simulator's fight does 10.4% less damage at levels 20-29. (levels 20–29)
Simulator: Where your damage comes from at levels 20-29: Shadow Bolt 40%, Bane of Agony 19%, Corruption 18% (simulator: recommended build, best gear for the level, 60 s single-target fight). (levels 20–29)
Simulator: Bane of Agony is worth 13% of your DPS at levels 20-29: the simulator's fight without it did that much less damage. It kept it on the target 87% of the time. (levels 20–29)
Simulator: Corruption is worth 9.9% of your DPS at levels 20-29: the simulator's fight without it did that much less damage. It kept it on the target 78% of the time. (levels 20–29)

How to play it at level 30: priority, procs and cooldowns

What to press, in order. Cast the first one that is ready and whose condition holds.

Curse of the Elements: When it's missing from the target: Keep it on the target: up 100% of the sim's fight; worth 3% of your DPS (Simulator, Forever client, ForeverDB guide)
Bane of Agony: When it's missing from the target: Keep it on the target: up 86% of the sim's fight; worth 13.5% of your DPS (Simulator, Forever client, ForeverDB guide)
Corruption: When it's missing from the target: Keep it on the target: up 85% of the sim's fight; worth 12.8% of your DPS (Simulator, Forever client, ForeverDB guide)
Siphon Life: When it's missing from the target: Keep it on the target: up 88% of the sim's fight; worth 1.1% of your DPS (Simulator, Forever client, ForeverDB guide)
Immolate: When it's missing from the target: Keep it on the target: up 68% of the sim's fight; the sim gains little from it (Simulator, Forever client, ForeverDB guide)
Shadow Bolt: Fill the gaps with it: Your filler: cast it when nothing above is ready; worth 12.2% of your DPS (Simulator, Forever client, ForeverDB guide)

React to:

Under 35% mana: Life Tap: The sim uses Life Tap when your mana is under 35% (Simulator, Forever client, ForeverDB guide)
When Shadow Trance procs: Shadow Bolt within 10 sec: Your next Shadow Bolt becomes an instant cast spell. (Simulator, Forever client)

Keep up:

Curse of the Elements on the target, at least 95% of the time (Simulator, Forever client)
Bane of Agony on the target, at least 85% of the time (Simulator, Forever client)
Corruption on the target, at least 80% of the time (Simulator, Forever client)
Siphon Life on the target, at least 85% of the time (Simulator, Forever client)
Immolate on the target, at least 65% of the time (Simulator, Forever client)

Cooldowns:

Amplify Curse: with:Bane of Agony (Simulator, Forever client, ForeverDB guide)

Before the pull:

Imp (Simulator)
Lesser Arcane Elixir (Simulator, Forever client)
Briny Seafood Stew (Simulator, Forever client)
Blessing of Wisdom (Simulator, Forever client)
Arcane Intellect (Simulator, Forever client)

Latest changes:

8 October 2026: First profile (first study)

Demonology

Updated 8 October 2026 for build 1.60.1.70205 · From the DPS simulator, the game client

Simulator: Use Life Tap when your mana drops under 35%: that is where the simulator uses it at level 30. (level 30)
Simulator: Best consumable at level 30: Lesser Arcane Elixir (+4.5% DPS in the simulator); then Briny Seafood Stew (+4.2%). (level 30)
Simulator: The party buff that helps you most at level 30 is Blessing of Wisdom from a Paladin: +2.6% DPS in the simulator. (level 30)
Simulator: Keep your Imp out: without it the simulator's fight does 17.5% less damage at level 30. (level 30)
Simulator: Where your damage comes from at level 30: Shadow Bolt 39%, Imp: Firebolt 17%, Bane of Agony 17% (simulator: recommended build, best gear for the level, 60 s single-target fight). (level 30)
Simulator: Bane of Agony is worth 10.4% of your DPS at level 30: the simulator's fight without it did that much less damage. It kept it on the target 84% of the time. (level 30)
Simulator: Corruption is worth 5.8% of your DPS at level 30: the simulator's fight without it did that much less damage. It kept it on the target 75% of the time. (level 30)
Simulator: Stat values at level 30 (simulator, 1 spell power = 1): Intellect 0.64, hit rating 0.23. (level 30)
Simulator: Use Life Tap when your mana drops under 35%: that is where the simulator uses it at levels 20-29. (levels 20–29)
Simulator: Best consumable at levels 20-29: Lesser Arcane Elixir (+6.9% DPS in the simulator); then Briny Seafood Stew (+6.5%). (levels 20–29)
Simulator: The party buff that helps you most at levels 20-29 is Blessing of Wisdom from a Paladin: +3.8% DPS in the simulator. (levels 20–29)
Simulator: Keep your Imp out: without it the simulator's fight does 15.3% less damage at levels 20-29. (levels 20–29)
Simulator: Where your damage comes from at levels 20-29: Shadow Bolt 38%, Bane of Agony 20%, Imp: Firebolt 15% (simulator: recommended build, best gear for the level, 60 s single-target fight). (levels 20–29)
Simulator: Bane of Agony is worth 13.8% of your DPS at levels 20-29: the simulator's fight without it did that much less damage. It kept it on the target 92% of the time. (levels 20–29)
Simulator: Corruption is worth 6.6% of your DPS at levels 20-29: the simulator's fight without it did that much less damage. It kept it on the target 71% of the time. (levels 20–29)

How to play it at level 30: priority, procs and cooldowns

What to press, in order. Cast the first one that is ready and whose condition holds.

Curse of the Elements: When it's missing from the target: Keep it on the target: up 100% of the sim's fight; worth 2.1% of your DPS (Simulator, Forever client, ForeverDB guide)
Bane of Agony: When it's missing from the target: Keep it on the target: up 84% of the sim's fight; worth 10.4% of your DPS (Simulator, Forever client, ForeverDB guide)
Corruption: When it's missing from the target: Keep it on the target: up 75% of the sim's fight; worth 5.8% of your DPS (Simulator, Forever client, ForeverDB guide)
Immolate: When it's missing from the target: Keep it on the target: up 60% of the sim's fight; the sim gains little from it (Simulator, Forever client, ForeverDB guide)
Shadow Bolt: Fill the gaps with it: Your filler: cast it when nothing above is ready; worth 15.4% of your DPS (Simulator, Forever client, ForeverDB guide)

React to:

Under 35% mana: Life Tap: The sim uses Life Tap when your mana is under 35% (Simulator, Forever client, ForeverDB guide)

Keep up:

Curse of the Elements on the target, at least 95% of the time (Simulator, Forever client)
Bane of Agony on the target, at least 80% of the time (Simulator, Forever client)
Corruption on the target, at least 70% of the time (Simulator, Forever client)
Immolate on the target, at least 60% of the time (Simulator, Forever client)

Before the pull:

Imp (Simulator)
Lesser Arcane Elixir (Simulator, Forever client)
Briny Seafood Stew (Simulator, Forever client)
Blessing of Wisdom (Simulator, Forever client)
Arcane Intellect (Simulator, Forever client)
Blessing of Kings (Simulator, Forever client)
Scroll of Intellect II (Simulator, Forever client)
Mark of the Wild (Simulator, Forever client)
Elixir of Wisdom (Simulator, Forever client)

Latest changes:

8 October 2026: First profile (first study)

Destruction

Updated 8 October 2026 for build 1.60.1.70205 · From the DPS simulator, the game client

Simulator: Use Life Tap when your mana drops under 35%: that is where the simulator uses it at level 30. (level 30)
Simulator: Best consumable at level 30: Lesser Arcane Elixir (+5.2% DPS in the simulator); then Briny Seafood Stew (+4.9%). (level 30)
Simulator: The party buff that helps you most at level 30 is Blessing of Wisdom from a Paladin: +3.1% DPS in the simulator. (level 30)
Simulator: Keep your Imp out: without it the simulator's fight does 10.6% less damage at level 30. (level 30)
Simulator: Where your damage comes from at level 30: Conflagrate 19%, Immolate 18%, Shadow Bolt 17% (simulator: recommended build, best gear for the level, 60 s single-target fight). (level 30)
Simulator: Immolate is worth 9.7% of your DPS at level 30: the simulator's fight without it did that much less damage. It kept it on the target 50% of the time. (level 30)
Simulator: Bane of Agony is worth 7% of your DPS at level 30: the simulator's fight without it did that much less damage. It kept it on the target 85% of the time. (level 30)
Simulator: Stat values at level 30 (simulator, 1 spell power = 1): Intellect 0.46, hit rating 0.26. (level 30)
Simulator: Use Life Tap when your mana drops under 35%: that is where the simulator uses it at levels 20-29. (levels 20–29)
Simulator: Best consumable at levels 20-29: Lesser Arcane Elixir (+8.3% DPS in the simulator); then Briny Seafood Stew (+7.7%). (levels 20–29)
Simulator: The party buff that helps you most at levels 20-29 is Blessing of Wisdom from a Paladin: +4.6% DPS in the simulator. (levels 20–29)
Simulator: Keep your Imp out: without it the simulator's fight does 11.6% less damage at levels 20-29. (levels 20–29)
Simulator: Where your damage comes from at levels 20-29: Shadow Bolt 32%, Bane of Agony 17%, Immolate 17% (simulator: recommended build, best gear for the level, 60 s single-target fight). (levels 20–29)
Simulator: Bane of Agony is worth 10.4% of your DPS at levels 20-29: the simulator's fight without it did that much less damage. It kept it on the target 90% of the time. (levels 20–29)
Simulator: Immolate is worth 8.7% of your DPS at levels 20-29: the simulator's fight without it did that much less damage. It kept it on the target 69% of the time. (levels 20–29)

How to play it at level 30: priority, procs and cooldowns

What to press, in order. Cast the first one that is ready and whose condition holds.

Curse of the Elements: When it's missing from the target: Keep it on the target: up 100% of the sim's fight; worth 2% of your DPS (Simulator, Forever client, ForeverDB guide)
Bane of Agony: When it's missing from the target: Keep it on the target: up 85% of the sim's fight; worth 7% of your DPS (Simulator, Forever client, ForeverDB guide)
Corruption: When it's missing from the target: Keep it on the target: up 78% of the sim's fight; worth 2.3% of your DPS (Simulator, Forever client, ForeverDB guide)
Conflagrate: Whenever it's ready: Cast it when it's ready (10 s cooldown); the sim gains little from it (Simulator, Forever client, ForeverDB guide)
Immolate: When it's missing from the target: Keep it on the target: up 50% of the sim's fight; worth 9.7% of your DPS (Simulator, Forever client, ForeverDB guide)
Shadowburn: Whenever it's ready: Cast it when it's ready (15 s cooldown); worth 1.6% of your DPS (Simulator, Forever client, ForeverDB guide)
Shadow Bolt: Fill the gaps with it: Your filler: cast it when nothing above is ready; worth 5.2% of your DPS (Simulator, Forever client, ForeverDB guide)

React to:

Under 35% mana: Life Tap: The sim uses Life Tap when your mana is under 35% (Simulator, Forever client, ForeverDB guide)

Keep up:

Curse of the Elements on the target, at least 95% of the time (Simulator, Forever client)
Bane of Agony on the target, at least 85% of the time (Simulator, Forever client)
Corruption on the target, at least 75% of the time (Simulator, Forever client)
Immolate on the target, at least 50% of the time (Simulator, Forever client)

Before the pull:

Imp (Simulator)
Lesser Arcane Elixir (Simulator, Forever client)
Briny Seafood Stew (Simulator, Forever client)
Blessing of Wisdom (Simulator, Forever client)
Arcane Intellect (Simulator, Forever client)
Blessing of Kings (Simulator, Forever client)
Scroll of Intellect II (Simulator, Forever client)
Mark of the Wild (Simulator, Forever client)
Elixir of Wisdom (Simulator, Forever client)

Latest changes:

8 October 2026: First profile (first study)

Every spec's latest changes. Re-studied every week and after each new game build.

Best in slot gear at any level: Affliction, Demonology, Destruction

Warlock abilities

Demon Skin (level 1)
Immolate (level 1)
Shadow Bolt (level 1)
Summon Imp (level 1, from the Classic class quest Piercing the Veil)
Corruption (level 4)
Curse of Weakness (level 4)
Life Tap (level 6)
Bane of Agony (level 8)
Fear (level 8)
Create Healthstone (level 10)
Drain Soul (level 10)
Summon Voidwalker (level 10, from the Classic class quest The Binding)
Health Funnel (level 12)
Curse of Recklessness (level 14)
Drain Life (level 14)
Unending Breath (level 16)
Create Soulstone (level 18)
Searing Pain (level 18)
Curse of the Elements (level 20)
Demon Armor (level 20)
Rain of Fire (level 20)
Ritual of Summoning (level 20)
Summon Incubus (level 20)
Summon Succubus (level 20, from the Classic class quest The Binding)
Eye of Kilrogg (level 22)
Drain Mana (level 24)
Sense Demons (level 24)
Curse of Tongues (level 26)
Detect Invisibility (level 26)
Banish (level 28)
Create Firestone (level 28)
Hellfire (level 30)
Hellfire Effect (level 30)
Subjugate Demon (level 30)
Summon Felhunter (level 30, from the Classic class quest The Binding)
Shadow Ward (level 32)
Create Spellstone (level 36)
Curse of Idiocy (level 38)
Howl of Terror (level 40)
Death Coil (level 42)
Soul Fire (level 48)
Inferno (level 50, from the Classic class quest Kroshius' Infernal Core)
Bane of Doom (level 60)
Bane of Doom Effect (level 60)
Portal of Summoning (level 60)
Ritual of Doom (level 60, from the Classic class quest Suppression)
Ritual of Doom Effect (level 60)

Data from the WoW Forever beta client, build 1.60.1.70205, extracted 2026-10-04.