warlock specs

[Kamisai]

im leveling a warlock and i was just wondering what is the best affliction raiding spec? 41/0/20 or 40/0/21. i dont really know what ends up doing more damage in the end, the unstable affliction or shadowbolt crits, so if someone can help me it would be awesome! :D and yeah i know destro is probably the best but my GM is anti anything but affliction

[x]

i would tell your GM to go read about warlocks.

but aside from that, 41/0/20 if you MUST go anything but destro

[Manistic]

If you are leveling a lock, then Affliction/Demo, or Visa versa would be best for leveling.
For raiding the best spec period is Destro/Sac. Up to Fire for max personal dps. Or Just shadowbolt spamming for shadow class synergy.

For Afflic raiding, the only real point to it is the raid assist build. With the 5% dmg reduc, and maybe Malediction.

With those in mind, the elitistjerks website has a good breakdown of the different specs to try. http://elitistjerks.com/f31/t17008-warlock_pve_raiding_compendium/

[Kamisai]

thanks for the replies :) and ill try and talk to my gm about getting the locks to go destro >_>

[x]

well i would say ONE affliction lock is great, 5% reduced melee damage is nice. but other than that one. they just do so much less than destro its not worth it.

[dormer]

Actually, it largely depends on what level of raiding you're doing. The general wisdom I've heard in most places is that when you're just starting out, it's easiest to go affliction because of the suppression talent, which makes it much easier to get your affliction spells hit-capped. Once you have enough hit gear to be capped without talents and a decent amount of crit gear in the bank, you can switch to the lovely and wonderful demo. sac / destro build that everyone loves so much.

Yes, demo. sac / destro is an amazing build, but keep in mind that you have a 16% chance to be resisted when fighting a raid boss, which requires 202 spell hit rating to negate. From what I've heard from other warlocks that have actually progressed in their raids, late T5 is roughly about the stage at which they have enough gear to make a 0/21/40 build really work. So until you've been through most of SSC / TK, you'll probably be better off with affliction.

As always, ESID, YMMV, etc etc.

[Baldassar]

When you just hit 70 the deep affliction will probably be the best spec, considering the items at your disposal.
Later on, as your crit chance gets higher and higher, when it's close to 20% 40/0/21 will be better.
Destro is the best only when past t5 level. (even Felguard is competitive @ TK/SSC)

[DropsDruid]

http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IVMdiRfzqtMo0xZxx0p
41/5/15

When u just started doing stuff at lvl 70 you will stil lbe soloing alot, and the stamina boost is FERY NAIC to have. ( the 5 points in demonology ).

Most gear up till t5~ raiding instances doesnt have that much crit, so speccing 40/0/21 would be a waste. After you get some T4 items, or some other random epix, you could try 41/0/20 or something close to that
(For Example: http://www.wowhead.com/?talent=IVMdiRfzqtMobZxx0tM - 41/2/18 (imp hs and less threat on ur destruction spells) )

[Semtex_Jack]

41/0/20, until you have at least 13% spell hit and 20% crit, then 40/0/21

But by the time you have 13% hit and 20% crit, you should start thinking about going destro anyway.

That 20% is non inclusive of devastation, so i'm saying you need 25% including devastation for ruin to beat unstable affliction :P

[Deeganlock]

Just make sure you have plenty of gold to respec.....most guilds require you to do that at a drop of a dime ....>< Depends on the raid too or whats needed !

[Tjubang]

When you got the gear for Ruin to beat Unstable Affliction it's time to spec 0/21/40 anyway. Don't bother with Ruin until then.