Destruction Warlock leveling guide
Destruction is the Warlock with the biggest hits. Immolate sets an enemy on fire, Conflagrate turns that fire into a burst of damage and gives Backdraft, and Chaos Bolt then hits with a force that nothing can resist. Incinerate hits harder while Immolate is active, and Soul Leech returns health and mana with every hit, so you can go from one enemy to the next without stopping.
Strengths and weaknesses
- Very high burst: many enemies die before they reach you.
- Soul Leech and Improved Soul Leech return health and mana with every hit.
- Rain of Fire and Seed of Corruption help against groups, but not as well as with Affliction.
- Your pet is weaker than with Demonology, and long casts are interrupted by enemies that hit you.
Talents by level
At level 70
- In Destruction: Improved Shadow Bolt 5/5, Bane 5/5, Aftermath 2/2, Cataclysm 3/3, Demonic Power 2/2, Ruin 5/5, Improved Immolate 3/3 and Devastation.
- Emberstorm 5/5, Conflagrate, Soul Leech 3/3, Shadow and Flame 5/5, Improved Soul Leech 2/2 and Backdraft 3/3.
- Fire and Brimstone 5/5 and Chaos Bolt, for 51 points. In Demonology: Improved Healthstone 2/2, Improved Imp 3/3 and Demonic Embrace 5/5.
Level 71 to 80
- Fel Synergy 2/2, Fel Vitality 3/3 and Soul Link.
- Demonic Aegis 3/3 and Fel Domination, for 20 points in Demonology.
Rotation
One enemy
- Send your pet in, then Immolate and Corruption.
- Conflagrate, then Chaos Bolt and Incinerate while Backdraft is active.
- Incinerate until the enemy dies.
Groups of enemies
- Seed of Corruption on the enemy in the middle, and Rain of Fire on a group standing still.
- Shadowflame from level 75 when enemies reach you, and Howl of Terror to scatter them.
Staying alive
- Soul Link with your Voidwalker or Felhunter, and Fel Armor always active.
- Death Coil as an instant heal and fear, and a Healthstone when your health drops.
- Life Tap when mana runs low, and Demonic Circle from level 80 to get away.
Leveling route
| Level | Alliance | Horde |
|---|---|---|
| 70-72 | Borean Tundra (Valiance Keep), Howling Fjord (Valgarde) | Borean Tundra (Warsong Hold), Howling Fjord (Vengeance Landing) |
| 72-74 | Dragonblight (Wintergarde Keep) | Dragonblight (Agmar’s Hammer) |
| 74-75 | Grizzly Hills (Amberpine Lodge) | Grizzly Hills (Conquest Hold) |
| 75-76 | Zul’Drak (Zim’Torga) | Zul’Drak (Zim’Torga) |
| 76-78 | Sholazar Basin (Nesingwary Base Camp) | Sholazar Basin (Nesingwary Base Camp) |
| 78-80 | The Storm Peaks (K3), Icecrown (Argent Vanguard) | The Storm Peaks (K3), Icecrown (Argent Vanguard) |
Dungeons worth the detour: Utgarde Keep and The Nexus from level 70, Azjol-Nerub and Ahn’kahet: The Old Kingdom around 72, and Drak’Tharon Keep and The Violet Hold from 74.
Stats, weapons and tradeskills
- Spell Power first, then Hit, Haste, Crit and Spirit.
- A staff, or a one-handed weapon with an off-hand item, and a wand with Spell Power.
- Enchants: Mighty Spellpower on the weapon, Exceptional Spellpower on the gloves and Superior Spellpower on the bracers.
- Tradeskills: Tailoring for caster cloth and Lightweave Embroidery, with Enchanting to disenchant what you replace.