Demonology Warlock PvE Guide - Cataclysm Classic

These guides are based on simulation data, tools, and theorycrafting from original Cataclysm. We'll be sure to update them when modern sims are finished. Rotations are likely to get optimized via sims, but it should already give you a very strong starting point.

Introduction

    Demonology Warlocks are only 1 of 2 specializations that bring 10% Spell Power with
    Demonic Pact
    to raids, and also bring a Max Mana and MP5 buff with their
    Summon Felhunter
    's
    Fel Intelligence
    to raids. They also bring 5% Crit for spells with
    Shadow and Flame
    and 8% Magic Damage taken with
    Curse of the Elements
    . Their
    Soulstone
    is now also a Combat Resurrection just like Druid 's
    Rebirth
    ability.

Cataclysm Classic Demonology Warlock Rotation

    Demonology Warlocks gain a new spell called
    Hand of Gul'dan
    , which will automatically refresh
    Immolate
    thanks to the talent
    Cremation
    . All Warlocks gain a new cooldown
    Demon Soul
    as well as a new buff
    Dark Intent
    . This is particularly interesting for Demonology Warlocks because the buff
    Demon Soul
    provides will be different based on what Demon you have summoned.
    Summon Felguard
    provides the most powerful
    Demon Soul
    buff, but
    Summon Felhunter
    does higher single target DPS. For optimal DPS, you will perform something called Pet Twisting, which just means you will switch your pet during the encounter.

Opener

  1. Whenever all or most of your procs align in your opener, cast
    Summon Doomguard
    for single target fights, or
    Summon Infernal
    for aoe fights.
  2. Have your
    Summon Felguard
    out.
  3. Cast
    Soulburn
    pre-pull if it's a single target fight. You will have 15 seconds to use this buff.
  4. Cast
    Soul Harvest
    pre-pull.
  5. Pre-pot
    Volcanic Potion
    .
  6. Pre-cast
    Incinerate
    .
  7. Cast
    Curse of the Elements
    if assigned while running at boss.
  8. Cast
    Felstorm
    when your
    Summon Felguard
    is in melee range.
  9. Cast
    Demon Soul
    .
  10. Cast
    Metamorphosis
    .
  11. Cast
    Immolate
    .
  12. Cast
    Bane of Doom
    while running at boss.
  13. Cast
    Corruption
    while running at boss.
  14. Cast
    Summon Felhunter
    if
    Soulburn
    was used pre-pull.
  15. Cast
    Immolation Aura
    if you are in melee range.
  16. Cast
    Shadowflame
    if you are in melee range.
  17. Cast
    Hand of Gul'dan
    .
  18. Proceed with single target rotation.

Single Target

  1. Maintain
    Shadow and Flame
    debuff if assigned.
  2. Maintain
    Curse of the Elements
    if assigned.
  3. Cast
    Summon Doomguard
    (single) or
    Summon Infernal
    (aoe). Try your best to snapshot it with your Spellpower/Intellect trinket procs.
  4. Cast
    Metamorphosis
    . Try to align with
    Bloodlust
    , trinket procs, and on-use effects.
  5. Cast
    Immolation Aura
    if you are in melee range.
  6. Cast
    Demon Soul
    when you have
    Summon Felguard
    out.
  7. Cast
    Felstorm
    from
    Summon Felguard
    .
  8. Cast
    Soulburn
    with
    Summon Felhunter
    after
    Felstorm
    finishes channeling.
  9. Cast
    Soulburn
    with
    Summon Felguard
    shortly before
    Demon Soul
    comes off cooldown.
  10. Maintain
    Immolate
    .
    Hand of Gul'dan
    will take care of this.
  11. Maintain
    Bane of Doom
    . Refresh in between the second to last and last tick.
  12. Maintain
    Corruption
    . Refresh in between the second to last and last tick.
  13. Cast
    Shadowflame
    if you are in melee range.
  14. Cast
    Hand of Gul'dan
    .
  15. Cast
    Incinerate
    with
    Molten Core
    procs.
  16. Cast
    Soul Fire
    if target is below 25% because of
    Decimation
    .
  17. Cast
    Incinerate
    .

AoE

    2 targets:

  • Use
    Summon Felguard
  • Cast
    Felstorm
    from
    Summon Felguard
    .
  • Maintain
    Immolate
    and
    Corruption
    on all of them.
  • Maintain
    Bane of Doom
    on the highest priority target, and
    Bane of Agony
    on the second highest.
  • Cast
    Shadowflame
    if you are in melee range.
  • Cast
    Incinerate
    . Alternate casts between each target to maintain
    Shadow and Flame
    debuff if assigned.
  • 3 - 5 targets:

    Cast ,[object Object], from ,[object Object],.
  • Maintain
    Immolate
    and
    Corruption
    on all of them.
  • Cast
    Shadowflame
    if you are in melee range.
  • Cast
    Hellfire
    .
  • 6+ targets:

  • Cast
    Felstorm
    from
    Summon Felguard
    .
  • Cast
    Shadowflame
    if you are in melee range.
  • Cast
    Hellfire
    .

Cataclysm Classic Demonology Warlock Talents

Standard Build

0
Affliction
0
Demonology
0
Destruction

Cataclysm Classic Demonology Warlock Glyphs

  1. Prime:
    ImmolateImmolate
    ,
    IncinerateIncinerate
    ,
    MetamorphosisMetamorphosis
  2. Major:
    Life TapLife Tap
    ,
    SoulstoneSoulstone
  3. Minor:
    Drain SoulDrain Soul

Cataclysm Classic Demonology Warlock Best Consumables

Flasks and Elixirs

    Best:
  • Flask of the Draconic Mind

Food

    Best:
  • Seafood Magnifique Feast
    ,
  • Severed Sagefish Head
    ,
  • Fortune Cookie
    Alternatives:
  • Broiled Dragon Feast
    ,
  • Pickled Guppy

Potions

    Best:
  • Volcanic Potion

Cataclysm Classic Demonology Warlock Best Races

Alliance

  1. Worgen:
    Viciousness
    and
    Darkflight
  2. Gnome:
    Expansive Mind

Horde

  1. Orc:
    Blood Fury
    and
    Command
  2. Goblin:
    Time is Money
    ,
    Rocket Barrage
    , and
    Rocket Jump
  3. Troll:
    Berserking
  4. Blood Elf:
    Arcane Torrent

Cataclysm Classic Demonology Warlock Best Professions

  1. Engineering:
    Synapse Springs
    .
  2. Tailoring:
    Lightweave Embroidery
    .
  3. Blacksmithing:
    Socket Bracer
    and
    Socket Gloves
    . Becomes 2nd best in T13.
  4. The rest of the Crafting Professions provide nearly identical benefits.