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Warlock Builds

Rotations & Guide · PvE · PvP · Builds · Abilities · Talent Calculator · Macros · Changes vs Classic

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: Instant Corruption and stronger drains (level 20)

The easiest way to level a Warlock to 20. Five points make Corruption instant, Improved Drains makes Drain Life heal 20% more, and Improved Life Tap gets 20% more Mana out of every tap, so you chain pulls with very little rest.

Improved Corruption 5/5: Each rank takes 0.4 sec off Corruption's cast and adds 2% damage. At 5/5 it cuts 2 sec, which makes Corruption instant, and adds 10% damage. An instant Corruption is what this build is built around: you can put it on a mob as it runs in, or on the next mob while the first is still dying.
Improved Life Tap 2/2: Life Tap gives 10% more Mana at rank 1 and 20% more at rank 2. Life Tap is your main Mana source while leveling, so both points pay off on every pull.
Improved Drains 3/3: Drain Life, Drain Soul and Wrack drain or deal 7%, 13% and 20% more at ranks 1 to 3. Drain Life is how you win back the health Life Tap costs, so the full 20% means less eating between pulls.
Fel Concentration 1/3: One point gives a 23% chance that damage doesn't interrupt Drain Life or Drain Soul. Tier 3 needs one point from this build, and ranks 2 and 3 (47% and 70%) are the first points to take after 20.

Send the Voidwalker in, then put instant Corruption, Bane of Agony and a curse on the mob. Curses and Banes are separate in Forever, so Bane of Agony sits alongside Curse of Weakness, the best solo curse against melee mobs. Fill with Shadow Bolt, Life Tap when Mana runs low, and Drain Life the health back: Improved Drains makes every tick count. Finish mobs with Drain Soul when you need Soul Shards. Because Corruption is instant, you can put it on the next mob while the first one is still dying. Soul Siphon, which boosts your drains for each of your effects on the target, now sits in tier 5 and opens at 30.

Affliction: Hit and low threat for groups (level 20)

A group build for level 20 dungeons: Suppression adds 5% hit and cuts your threat by 20%, Improved Corruption makes Corruption instant for quick multi-dotting, and Amplify Curse makes Bane of Agony 50% stronger on bosses.

Suppression 5/5: Each rank adds 1% chance to hit and cuts all threat you generate by 4%, up to 5% hit and 20% less threat at 5/5. Dungeon mobs are often higher level than you, so the hit keeps your DoTs landing, and the threat cut lets you dot a whole pack without pulling it off the tank.
Improved Corruption 5/5: At 5/5 it cuts 2 sec from Corruption's cast, making it instant, and adds 10% damage, so you can put Corruption on every mob in a pull without stopping to cast.
Amplify Curse 1/1: Makes your next Bane of Agony or Curse of Weakness 50% stronger if you cast it within 30 sec. Press it just before Bane of Agony on bosses and big elites.

Put Curse of the Elements on the main target, since it makes the target take more magic damage from every caster, not only you. Your Bane is separate from your curse, so Bane of Agony goes on as well, boosted by Amplify Curse on bosses. Spread instant Corruption over the pack, then fill with Shadow Bolt. Suppression lowers your threat, but DoTs on several mobs still add up, so give the tank a moment before you start dotting. Keep Life Tap for quiet moments, when the healer can top you up.

Affliction: Siphon Life and Nightfall (level 30)

The level 20 leveling build carried on to Siphon Life: Fel Concentration in full so you can drain while you're hit, Soul Harvest for Mana after every Drain Soul kill, a stronger Bane of Agony and Nightfall's free instant Shadow Bolts.

Improved Corruption 5/5: At 5/5 Corruption is instant (2 sec off its cast) and deals 10% more damage.
Improved Life Tap 2/2: Life Tap gives 20% more Mana at 2/2.
Improved Drains 3/3: Drain Life, Drain Soul and Wrack drain or deal 20% more at 3/3.
Soul Harvest 2/2: Killing a non-trivial target while your Drain Soul is on it raises your Mana regeneration by 100% for 10 sec at 2/2, and 100% of normal Mana regeneration keeps going while you cast. The 1 October build renamed the talent from Soul Harvesting and fixed it so it really grants this Mana regeneration. Finish mobs with Drain Soul and you start the next pull with more Mana and a Soul Shard.
Fel Concentration 3/3: At 3/3, a 70% chance that damage doesn't interrupt Drain Life, Drain Soul or Drain Mana, so you can keep draining while a mob hits you.
Amplify Curse 1/1: Your next Bane of Agony or Curse of Weakness is 50% stronger if cast within 30 sec. Use it on elites and tough quest mobs.
Improved Bane of Agony 2/2: Bane of Agony deals 5% more damage at rank 1 and 10% at rank 2. It is the cheapest useful way to fill tier 3 on the way to Nightfall.
Nightfall 2/2: Corruption, Drain Soul, Drain Life and Wrack get a 2% (rank 1) or 4% (rank 2) chance to make your next Shadow Bolt instant. Corruption ticks all fight long, so the procs come often enough to notice.
Siphon Life 1/1: Steals 11 health every 3 sec for 30 sec: steady healing between Drain Lifes. It is also the arrow that leads to Wrack at 40.

The loop is the same as at 20, with more to apply. Put Corruption, Bane of Agony and Siphon Life on the target, add a curse on anything that lives a while, then Shadow Bolt, and cast it at once whenever Nightfall's Shadow Trance makes it instant. Siphon Life and Drain Life win back the health Life Tap costs, and finishing mobs with Drain Soul starts Soul Harvest, so you rest far less. Fel Concentration at 3/3 lets you stand and drain while a mob hits you. Your next points after 30 go into Soul Siphon, which makes your drains stronger for each of your other Affliction effects on the target.

Affliction: Affliction for groups at 30 (level 30)

The level 20 group build taken to Siphon Life. Malediction adds 5% to all your periodic damage, Improved Bane of Agony and Amplify Curse strengthen Bane of Agony on bosses, and Nightfall gives free instant Shadow Bolts. Suppression keeps your hit up and your threat down the whole way.

Suppression 5/5: 5% more chance to hit and 20% less threat at 5/5, both worth more against dungeon elites.
Improved Corruption 5/5: Instant Corruption with 10% more damage at 5/5, so dotting a pack costs no cast time.
Malediction 5/5: Each rank adds 1% to all periodic damage from your Warlock spells, 5% at 5/5. Corruption, Bane of Agony, Siphon Life, Immolate's burn and your drains all deal periodic damage, so it boosts much of what you cast.
Amplify Curse 1/1: Your next Bane of Agony is 50% stronger if cast within 30 sec. Save it for bosses.
Improved Bane of Agony 2/2: Bane of Agony deals 10% more damage at 2/2. It runs its full length on bosses, which is where the bonus shows.
Nightfall 2/2: A 4% chance at 2/2 that Corruption or a drain makes your next Shadow Bolt instant.
Siphon Life 1/1: Another DoT for bosses that also heals you 11 health every 3 sec for 30 sec, so you need less from the healer after Life Tap.

On bosses, keep up Curse of the Elements, Corruption, Bane of Agony (after Amplify Curse) and Siphon Life, then Shadow Bolt. Take Nightfall's instant Shadow Bolts as they come. On trash, instant Corruption on each mob is your best tool. Bane of Agony and Siphon Life only pay off on mobs that live a while. Suppression keeps your threat down, but wait for the tank's first few hits before dotting a whole pack. Life Tap when the healer has room, and let Siphon Life earn some of it back. After 30, Soul Siphon and Shadow Mastery (35) are the next steps, and Wrack arrives at 40.

Affliction: Instant DoTs and drain-tanking (level 20)

A level 20 PvP build around instant Corruption and Drain Life. Improved Corruption lets you apply Corruption while you move, Improved Drains makes Drain Life heal 20% more while a melee player hits you, and two ranks of Suppression make fewer of your Fears and curses miss. Compared with the dungeon build you give up three ranks of Suppression and Amplify Curse for stronger drains and a first rank of Fel Concentration.

Improved Corruption 5/5: At 5/5 Corruption's cast is 2 sec shorter, which makes it instant, and it deals 10% more damage. An instant DoT is the one spell you can put out while running from a Warrior or kiting a Rogue.
Suppression 2/5: 2% more chance to hit at rank 2. A missed Fear or Corruption can lose a fight; the threat cut does nothing against players.
Improved Drains 3/3: Drain Life and Drain Soul drain 20% more at 3/3. Drain Life is your heal in PvP, so these are the survival points of the build.
Fel Concentration 1/3: A 23% chance that damage doesn't interrupt Drain Life or Drain Soul. At 30 the build takes it to 3/3 for 70%.

Keep Demon Armor up and the Voidwalker out: its Sacrifice is your shield when someone jumps you. Open from as far away as you can with instant Corruption, Bane of Agony and a curse. Use Curse of Weakness on melee players and Curse of the Elements on casters. Fear the first melee player who reaches you, then use the time for Shadow Bolt, Immolate or your Healthstone. With DoTs ticking, the Fear may break early, so Fear again when it does. When a melee player sticks to you anyway, stand and Drain Life: Improved Drains makes every tick heal more. Life Tap only when nobody is attacking you.

Affliction: Curse of Exhaustion kiting (level 30)

The level 20 PvP build taken to Curse of Exhaustion and Siphon Life. You keep instant Corruption and drain-tanking, add Nightfall's instant Shadow Bolts and a 30% slow that lets you walk away from melee players while your DoTs tick, and Siphon Life heals you through the fight. Compared with the dungeon build you take Improved Drains, Fel Concentration and Curse of Exhaustion instead of Malediction and two ranks of Suppression.

Improved Corruption 5/5: Instant Corruption (2 sec off the cast at 5/5) with 10% more damage, so you can apply it while you kite.
Suppression 3/5: 3% more chance to hit at rank 3, so fewer Fears and curses miss.
Improved Drains 3/3: Drain Life and Drain Soul drain 20% more at 3/3.
Fel Concentration 3/3: A 70% chance at 3/3 that damage doesn't interrupt Drain Life, Drain Soul or Drain Mana, so a Rogue's attacks don't cut your Drain Life short.
Amplify Curse 1/1: Makes your next Curse of Exhaustion 20% stronger, or your next Curse of Weakness or Bane of Agony 50% stronger, if you cast it within 30 sec. It is also required for Curse of Exhaustion.
Improved Bane of Agony 2/2: Bane of Agony deals 10% more damage at 2/2. It fills tier 3 on the way to Nightfall and Curse of Exhaustion.
Nightfall 2/2: A 4% chance at 2/2 that Corruption, Drain Life or Drain Soul makes your next Shadow Bolt instant. An instant Shadow Bolt is burst that a Kick can't interrupt.
Curse of Exhaustion 1/1: Slows the target's movement speed by 30% for 12 sec, and it is your curse on that target. Put it on a melee player, walk away, and let Corruption and Bane of Agony tick. It takes the curse slot, so that target loses Curse of Weakness.
Siphon Life 1/1: Steals 11 health every 3 sec for 30 sec, so it keeps healing you while you kite, Fear or run.

Open with instant Corruption, Bane of Agony and Siphon Life, then put Curse of Exhaustion on a melee player and walk away while your DoTs tick. Press Amplify Curse first when it is ready, for a stronger slow. When the slow runs out or they close in anyway, Fear them and curse them again. Spend every Shadow Trance from Nightfall at once: an instant Shadow Bolt can't be interrupted. Against a player who sticks to you, switch to Curse of Weakness and stand in Drain Life with your DoTs up; Fel Concentration keeps it going through their hits. Against casters, Curse of Tongues (26) is the better curse.

Demonology: Tough Voidwalker leveling (level 20)

A safe, low-downtime leveling build. Demonic Embrace adds 15% Stamina, Improved Voidwalker makes the Voidwalker hold mobs and heal better, Demonic Energies heals it for part of your damage and shares your Life Tap Mana with it, and Master Summoner makes re-summoning quicker.

Demonic Embrace 5/5: Each rank adds 3% to your total Stamina, 15% at 5/5, with no Spirit penalty in Forever. More health means more room for Life Tap and fewer deaths.
Improved Voidwalker 3/3: Torment, Consume Shadows, Sacrifice and Suffering are 10%, 20% and 30% more effective at ranks 1 to 3, so the Voidwalker holds mobs and survives better.
Demonic Energies 2/2: At 2/2 you heal your demon for 15% of all spell damage you deal, and it gains 100% of the Mana you get from Life Tap. Every Shadow Bolt tops up the Voidwalker while it tanks, and Life Tap refills its Mana too.
Master Summoner 1/2: One point cuts 2 sec and 20% of the Mana cost from every demon summon, so a Voidwalker that dies is back sooner.

Let the Voidwalker pull and hold the mob, then put Bane of Agony, Corruption and a curse on it and fill with Shadow Bolt. Curse of Weakness is a good standing curse here, since it also lowers the damage your Voidwalker takes. Demonic Energies heals the Voidwalker with every spell you land, so you rarely need Health Funnel; channel it only when the Voidwalker gets low. With the extra Stamina you can Life Tap freely, and each tap refills your demon's Mana too. Corruption keeps its cast time in this build, so cast it while the Voidwalker takes the first hits.

Demonology: Imp damage for groups (level 20)

A group build around the Imp, which stays at range where it rarely dies. Improved Imp adds 30% to its Firebolt and Fire Shield, Unholy Power 10% to all its damage, and Demonic Energies keeps it healed and gives it your Life Tap Mana, so it keeps casting through long fights.

Improved Imp 3/3: Firebolt deals 10%, 20% and 30% more damage, and Fire Shield is 10%, 20% and 30% stronger, at ranks 1 to 3. The Imp casts Firebolt all fight, so this is the core of the build.
Unholy Power 5/5: Each rank adds 2% to all damage your demons deal, 10% at 5/5, the Imp's Firebolt included.
Demonic Energies 2/2: At 2/2 the Imp gains 100% of the Mana you get from Life Tap, so it keeps casting Firebolt through long fights, and you heal it for 15% of your spell damage when area damage catches it.
Fel Vitality 1/3: One point gives you 5% more maximum Mana and the Imp 5% more health and Mana. Ranks 2 and 3 are the first points to take at 21 and 22.

Keep the Imp out and let it cast Firebolt at the tank's target from range. Improved Imp and Unholy Power make it a real part of your damage, and its Fire Shield on the tank is stronger too. Put Curse of the Elements on the main target, since it helps you, the Imp and every other caster, then Bane of Agony, Corruption and Immolate, and fill with Shadow Bolt. When you Life Tap, Demonic Energies gives the Imp the same Mana, so it doesn't run dry. Keep the Imp away from pack pulls where it could take area damage, since re-summoning takes a long cast.

Demonology: Soul Link leveling (level 30)

The level 20 leveling build taken to Soul Link: 30% of the damage you take goes to your demon, and you both deal 3% more. Fel Vitality and Demonic Aegis make you and the Voidwalker tougher, and Master Summoner with Fel Domination brings a new demon out almost at once. Demonic Sacrifice is taken only because Soul Link needs it.

Demonic Embrace 5/5: 15% more total Stamina at 5/5.
Improved Health Funnel 1/2: One point makes Health Funnel transfer 20% more health for 15% less health cost, cuts its threat by 50% and lets you use it at any demon health. With Soul Link sending damage to your demon, you will funnel more often than at 20.
Improved Voidwalker 3/3: Torment, Consume Shadows, Sacrifice and Suffering are 30% more effective at 3/3.
Fel Vitality 3/3: At 3/3 your demons have 15% more health and Mana and you have 15% more maximum Mana. With Soul Link the Voidwalker takes part of every hit meant for you, so its extra health matters.
Demonic Energies 2/2: At 2/2 you heal your demon for 15% of your spell damage, and it gains 100% of the Mana you get from Life Tap.
Demonic Aegis 2/2: Demon Skin and Demon Armor are 15% more effective at rank 1 and 30% at rank 2: more armor and health regeneration from the buff you keep up anyway.
Demonic Sacrifice 1/1: Taken because Soul Link requires it. Don't use it in this build: sacrificing the demon also ends Soul Link.
Master Summoner 2/2: At 2/2 every demon summon is 4 sec faster and costs 40% less Mana, and it opens Fel Domination.
Fel Domination 1/1: Your next summon is 5.5 sec faster and costs 50% less Mana. With Master Summoner a summon becomes almost instant, so a demon that dies mid-fight is back at once.
Soul Link 1/1: 30% of all damage you take goes to your demon instead, and you both inflict 3% more damage, for as long as the demon is out. This is the best leveling talent you can reach at 30.

Summon the Voidwalker, cast Soul Link and keep both up. Let the Voidwalker pull, then Bane of Agony, Corruption and a curse, and fill with Shadow Bolt. Soul Link moves part of the damage you take onto the Voidwalker, so watch its health as well as yours: Demonic Energies heals it for part of your damage, and Health Funnel covers the rest. If it dies, press Fel Domination, summon again and recast Soul Link. Demonic Sacrifice is on your bar only because Soul Link needs it; using it would throw both away. Unholy Power and Demonic Knowledge are good places for the points after 30.

Demonology: Imp and Demonic Knowledge at 30 (level 30)

The level 20 Imp build taken to Demonic Knowledge, which adds spell damage to you and the Imp while it is out. Decimation makes Shadow Bolt stronger on low-health targets, Fel Domination gets the Imp back after a wipe, and Fel Vitality gives you a deeper Mana pool. It keeps the Imp instead of using Demonic Sacrifice, which would give it up.

Improved Imp 3/3: 30% more Firebolt damage and a 30% stronger Fire Shield at 3/3.
Unholy Power 5/5: 10% more damage from all your demons at 5/5, the Imp's Firebolt included.
Demonic Embrace 2/5: 6% more total Stamina at rank 2, which keeps you safer through Life Taps and stray hits. It fills tier 1 cheaply.
Demonic Energies 2/2: At 2/2 the Imp gains 100% of your Life Tap Mana and you heal it for 15% of your spell damage.
Fel Vitality 3/3: 15% more maximum Mana for you and 15% more health and Mana for the Imp at 3/3.
Master Summoner 2/2: Every summon is 4 sec faster and 40% cheaper at 2/2, and it opens Fel Domination.
Decimation 2/2: When you cast Shadow Bolt or Searing Pain on an enemy below 35% health, the tooltip gives 6% increased damage at 2/2, so your filler hits harder while a boss or elite is dying. It also cuts Soul Fire's cooldown by 90%, but Soul Fire is a level 48 spell.
Fel Domination 1/1: Your next summon is 5.5 sec faster and costs 50% less Mana, for getting the Imp back after a wipe or a stray area attack.
Demonic Knowledge 1/3: Adds spell damage equal to 33% of your level to you and your demon at rank 1, while a demon is out. Rank 1 is all 21 points allow at 30; ranks 2 and 3 (67% and 100%) are the next points.

Keep the Imp out and attacking the tank's target, with Curse of the Elements up so both of you deal more damage. Apply Bane of Agony, Corruption and Immolate, and fill with Shadow Bolt; once the target drops below 35% health, Decimation makes each Shadow Bolt hit harder. Demonic Knowledge only works while a demon is out, which is one more reason to keep the Imp alive. If it dies mid-pull, Fel Domination gets it back quickly. Demonic Sacrifice (tier 3) is left out: in Forever, sacrificing the Imp gives 15% Shadow damage, but you lose everything Improved Imp, Unholy Power and Demonic Knowledge give.

Demonology: Tough Warlock with a Voidwalker shield (level 20)

The hardest Warlock to kill at 20. Demonic Embrace adds 15% Stamina, Demonic Aegis makes Demon Armor 30% stronger, Improved Voidwalker makes the Voidwalker's Sacrifice shield 30% more effective, and Master Summoner shortens the summon you need after using it. Compared with the dungeon build you give up the Imp talents for survival, since the Voidwalker is the demon that protects you.

Demonic Embrace 5/5: 15% more total Stamina at 5/5, with no Spirit penalty in Forever. More health is the biggest single thing that keeps a caster alive in PvP.
Improved Voidwalker 3/3: Torment, Consume Shadows, Sacrifice and Suffering are 30% more effective at 3/3. Sacrifice is the one that matters in PvP: it turns the Voidwalker into a damage shield for you.
Demonic Aegis 2/2: Demon Skin and Demon Armor are 30% more effective at 2/2: more armor against melee players and more health regeneration from a buff you keep up anyway.
Master Summoner 1/2: One point cuts 2 sec and 20% of the Mana cost from every summon, so after a Sacrifice you have a demon again sooner.

Keep the Voidwalker out and Demon Armor up, and carry a Healthstone. Open with Bane of Agony and a curse, Curse of Weakness on melee players; Corruption keeps its cast time in this build, so cast it from range. Then Shadow Bolt or Immolate while the Voidwalker gets in the way. When you start taking real damage, use the Voidwalker's Sacrifice: you get a damage shield, and while it holds, damage doesn't interrupt your casting. Fear the attacker, Drain Life, and use your Healthstone when you are low. You deal less damage than an Affliction or Destruction Warlock at this level, so you win by outlasting the other player rather than out-damaging them.

Demonology: Soul Link and fast summons (level 30)

The level 20 PvP build taken to Soul Link. Your demon takes 30% of the damage meant for you, Fel Vitality makes it last longer, and Fel Domination with Master Summoner makes a summon almost instant, so after the Voidwalker's Sacrifice you can bring out a new demon mid-fight. Improved Sayaad makes Seduction last 30% longer. Compared with the dungeon build you trade the Imp's damage talents for survival, summoning and crowd control.

Demonic Embrace 5/5: 15% more total Stamina at 5/5, which is what keeps you alive against burst.
Improved Voidwalker 3/3: Sacrifice, Torment, Consume Shadows and Suffering are 30% more effective at 3/3. Sacrifice is the shield you will use in almost every fight.
Demonic Aegis 2/2: Demon Skin and Demon Armor are 30% more effective at 2/2.
Fel Vitality 3/3: Your demons have 15% more health and Mana and you have 15% more maximum Mana at 3/3. With Soul Link your demon absorbs part of every hit, so its health is part of yours.
Master Summoner 2/2: Every summon is 4 sec faster and costs 40% less Mana at 2/2, and it opens Fel Domination.
Demonic Sacrifice 1/1: Taken because Soul Link requires it. Sacrificing your demon ends Soul Link, so treat it as a last resort.
Improved Sayaad 3/3: Lash of Pain and Soothing Kiss are 30% stronger, and Seduction and Lesser Invisibility last 30% longer, at 3/3. Seduction is the extra crowd control this build wants.
Fel Domination 1/1: Your next summon is 5.5 sec faster and costs 50% less Mana. With Master Summoner a summon takes almost no time, so you can replace a sacrificed or killed demon mid-fight.
Soul Link 1/1: 30% of all damage you take goes to your demon instead, and you both inflict 3% more damage while it is out.

Start fights with the Voidwalker out and Soul Link on: DoT the target, curse melee players with Curse of Weakness, and let the Voidwalker soak part of every hit. When it is about to die, use its Sacrifice for the shield, then press Fel Domination and summon again; with Master Summoner the summon is almost instant. Recast Soul Link on the new demon. Bring back a Voidwalker for another Sacrifice, or the Succubus: the client lists Seduction at level 26, and Improved Sayaad makes it last longer. Seduction works only on Humanoids and any damage breaks it, so don't DoT that target while it lasts. Against casters, the Felhunter (30) brings Devour Magic, which can strip a buff from an enemy or a harmful magic effect from you. Your damage is still modest; your edge is that you almost never fight without a demon.

Destruction: Fast casts, cheap spells (level 20)

A nuking leveling build. Bane takes 0.5 sec off Shadow Bolt and Immolate, Cataclysm makes your Destruction spells 10% cheaper, Molten Skin cuts the damage you take, and Shadowburn gives you an instant finisher that also collects Soul Shards.

Bane 5/5: Each rank takes 0.1 sec off Shadow Bolt, Immolate and Incinerate and 0.4 sec off Soul Fire, so 5/5 cuts 0.5 sec from every Shadow Bolt and Immolate. They are most of your casts, so every rank speeds up every kill.
Cataclysm 3/3: Your Destruction spells cost 3%, 6% and 10% less Mana at ranks 1 to 3. Shadow Bolt, Immolate and Searing Pain are all Destruction spells, so you Life Tap less often.
Molten Skin 2/5: You take 2% less damage from everything per rank, 4% at rank 2. It is the most useful way for a solo Warlock to finish tier 2; ranks 3 to 5 come first after 20.
Shadowburn 1/1: Instantly blasts the target for 62 to 70 Shadow damage, and if a non-trivial target dies within 8 sec you gain a Soul Shard. An instant finisher that saves you a Drain Soul channel for shards.

Open with Immolate, add Bane of Agony and Corruption, and finish with Shadow Bolt, which Bane makes faster to cast. When a mob is almost dead, Shadowburn finishes it instantly and gives you a Soul Shard; Searing Pain is the quick cast when Shadowburn is on cooldown. Cataclysm stretches your Mana, so you Life Tap less often, and Molten Skin makes the hits that get through a little softer. Corruption keeps its cast time in this build, so it is worth casting only on mobs that will live through its ticks. The Voidwalker is the safest demon to keep out while you level.

Destruction: Fast Shadow Bolts for groups (level 20)

The strongest personal damage at 20. Bane makes Shadow Bolt and Immolate cast 0.5 sec faster, Cataclysm makes them 10% cheaper, Improved Shadow Bolt's crits make the target take more Shadow damage, and Shadowburn adds an instant hit on a short cooldown.

Bane 5/5: 0.5 sec off every Shadow Bolt and Immolate cast at 5/5, the biggest damage gain you can reach at this level.
Cataclysm 3/3: Your Destruction spells cost 10% less Mana at 3/3, so you can cast through a whole pull before Life Tap.
Improved Shadow Bolt 2/5: After a Shadow Bolt critical strike, the target takes 4% more Shadow damage from your attacks per rank for 12 sec, 8% at rank 2. It fills tier 1, and every Shadow Bolt you cast can trigger it.
Shadowburn 1/1: Instantly blasts the target for 62 to 70 Shadow damage. Weave it between Shadow Bolts whenever it is ready: it costs no cast time, and a kill within 8 sec gives you a Soul Shard.

Put Curse of the Elements on the kill target, Immolate anything that will survive its burn, then chain Shadow Bolts and use Shadowburn whenever it's ready. There is no threat reduction in this tree. Let the tank get a few hits in first, and don't use Searing Pain in groups, since it causes a lot of threat. Rain of Fire handles packs of three or more once the tank has them.

Destruction: Conflagrate leveling at 30 (level 30)

The level 20 leveling build carried to Conflagrate, which consumes your Immolate for an instant burst of Fire damage. Agonizing Flames adds 10% to all your Destruction spells, full Molten Skin cuts the damage you take by 10%, and Intensity keeps your casts going when a mob reaches you.

Bane 5/5: 0.5 sec off every Shadow Bolt and Immolate cast at 5/5.
Cataclysm 3/3: Destruction spells cost 10% less Mana at 3/3.
Molten Skin 5/5: You take 10% less damage from everything at 5/5, which adds up over hundreds of fights.
Shadowburn 1/1: An instant finisher for 62 to 70 Shadow damage at rank 1, or 75 to 85 with rank 2 from the trainer at 24, with a Soul Shard if the target dies within 8 sec.
Ruin 1/5: Rank 1 raises the critical strike damage bonus of your Destruction spells by 20%. It is the cheapest way to reach the 15 points tier 4 needs.
Agonizing Flames 3/3: All your Destruction spells deal 3%, 7% and 10% more damage at ranks 1 to 3, and Searing Pain gains the same amount of critical strike chance. The best damage talent you can reach at 30.
Conflagrate 1/1: Consumes your Immolate on the target to deal 84 to 106 Fire damage at once. Immolate a mob, Conflagrate it and Shadow Bolt the rest: faster kills with less standing still.
Intensity 2/3: A 47% chance at rank 2 that damage doesn't interrupt your Destruction spells, so a mob that gets past your Voidwalker doesn't stall your Shadow Bolts.

Open with Immolate, then Conflagrate it for an instant burst and follow with Shadow Bolt. On a mob that will live a while, let Immolate tick first and Conflagrate when it is nearly done. Re-apply Immolate after each Conflagrate on anything still standing. Shadowburn finishes a nearly dead mob and gives you a Soul Shard. Agonizing Flames makes all of this 10% stronger, and Molten Skin and Intensity keep you casting when a mob reaches you. After 30, Bane of Havoc and Fire and Brimstone (tier 5) are the next steps.

Destruction: Conflagrate and Bane of Havoc for groups (level 30)

All 21 points in Destruction for the most personal damage at 30: Agonizing Flames adds 10% to all your Destruction spells, full Improved Shadow Bolt makes the target take 20% more Shadow damage after your crits, Conflagrate adds an instant Fire burst, and Bane of Havoc copies 15% of your damage onto a second mob.

Bane 5/5: 0.5 sec off every Shadow Bolt and Immolate cast at 5/5.
Improved Shadow Bolt 5/5: After a Shadow Bolt critical strike the target takes 20% more Shadow damage from your attacks for 12 sec at 5/5, which boosts the Shadow Bolts and Shadowburns that follow.
Cataclysm 3/3: Destruction spells cost 10% less Mana at 3/3.
Ruin 2/5: The critical strike damage bonus of your Destruction spells is 40% higher at rank 2. Two points reach the 15 points tier 4 needs.
Shadowburn 1/1: An instant 62 to 70 Shadow damage, or 75 to 85 with rank 2 from the trainer at 24, to weave between casts. A kill within 8 sec gives a Soul Shard.
Agonizing Flames 3/3: All your Destruction spells deal 10% more damage at 3/3, Shadow Bolt, Immolate, Conflagrate and Rain of Fire included.
Conflagrate 1/1: Consumes your Immolate for an instant 84 to 106 Fire damage at rank 1. Use it when Immolate is about to run out, then re-apply Immolate.
Bane of Havoc 1/1: For 5 min, 15% of all damage you deal to other targets is also dealt to the target with this Bane. Put it on a second mob that will live a while, and part of every Shadow Bolt on the kill target hits it too. It is also the arrow to Incinerate at 40.

Curse of the Elements on the kill target, Bane of Havoc on a second mob that will live a while, Immolate on anything that will last its burn, then Shadow Bolt. Conflagrate when Immolate is nearly done and re-apply Immolate, and weave Shadowburn in whenever it is ready. Your damage is high and this tree has nothing to lower threat, so start a little after the tank and stop casting for a moment if a mob turns toward you. Use Rain of Fire on packs, and Hellfire only when the healer is ready for it.

Destruction: Shadowburn burst (level 20)

A burst build for level 20 PvP. Bane makes Shadow Bolt and Immolate cast 0.5 sec faster, Molten Skin cuts all damage you take by 10%, and Shadowburn gives you an instant finisher for a player who is running or about to heal. Compared with the dungeon build you take Molten Skin instead of Cataclysm and Improved Shadow Bolt: in a short fight, taking less damage is worth more than saving Mana.

Bane 5/5: 0.5 sec off every Shadow Bolt and Immolate cast at 5/5, so you spend less time standing still for a Rogue to Kick or a Warrior to reach.
Molten Skin 5/5: You take 2% less damage from everything per rank, 10% at 5/5. Cloth casters die to burst, and this works against every attack: melee, spells and damage over time.
Shadowburn 1/1: Instantly blasts the target for 62 to 70 Shadow damage. Use it to finish a player who is running or about to heal, or when you have to move. If a non-trivial target dies within 8 sec, you also get a Soul Shard.

Keep the Voidwalker out and Demon Armor up. Its Sacrifice gives you a shield, and while the shield holds, damage doesn't interrupt your casting, which is what a Shadow Bolt caster needs. Open with Curse of the Elements (Curse of Weakness on melee players), then Immolate and Shadow Bolt, which Bane speeds up. Put Bane of Agony on anyone who will be around for a while. When the target drops low or runs, Shadowburn. Searing Pain is your quick cast when there's no time for a Shadow Bolt; its high threat doesn't matter against players. Corruption has its full cast time in this build, so rely on instant Bane of Agony, curses and Shadowburn when you have to move. Fear anyone who reaches melee range before you start a long cast. This build hits hardest but lasts the least of the three, even with Molten Skin, so pick fights you can finish fast.

Destruction: Conflagrate daze and Intensity (level 30)

The level 20 PvP build taken to Conflagrate. Aftermath at 5/5 makes Immolate's first hit 50% stronger and makes every Conflagrate daze the target, slowing it by 50%; Intensity lets you finish casts while you are hit; and Shadowburn still finishes runners. Compared with the dungeon build you trade Cataclysm, Improved Shadow Bolt, Ruin, Bane of Havoc and two ranks of Agonizing Flames for Molten Skin, Aftermath and Intensity.

Bane 5/5: 0.5 sec off every Shadow Bolt and Immolate cast at 5/5.
Molten Skin 5/5: 10% less damage taken from everything at 5/5.
Aftermath 5/5: At 5/5 Immolate's initial damage is 50% higher and Conflagrate has a 100% chance to Daze the target, reducing its movement speed by 50% for 5 sec. Conflagrate is instant, so you can slow a melee player every time it is ready and walk back to range.
Shadowburn 1/1: Instantly blasts the target for 62 to 70 Shadow damage, or 75 to 85 with rank 2 from the trainer at 24: your finisher for a runner or a player about to heal.
Intensity 3/3: A 70% chance at 3/3 that damage doesn't interrupt your Destruction spells, so Shadow Bolt goes off while a Rogue or Warrior hits you. It doesn't stop a Kick or Shield Bash.
Conflagrate 1/1: Consumes your Immolate for an instant 84 to 106 Fire damage. With Aftermath it also dazes the target, which makes it your kiting tool.
Agonizing Flames 1/3: One point: 3% more damage for all your Destruction spells and 3% more critical strike chance for Searing Pain, your fast cast under pressure.

Open with Curse of Weakness on melee players (Curse of the Elements on casters), then Immolate, which Aftermath front-loads. Conflagrate for burst and a daze, and walk back to range while they are slowed; re-apply Immolate so Conflagrate has something to consume next time. Shadow Bolt when you have room, Shadowburn when they drop low or run. Intensity lets you finish a Shadow Bolt while a melee player hits you, but it doesn't stop a Kick or Shield Bash, so Fear them first when you can. A Firestone (28) adds spell crit and Fire damage, and Curse of Tongues (26) slows an enemy healer's casts.

Checked against WoW Forever beta build 1.60.1.70170.

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)