What is the role of a warlock in a raid?

[Grandorf]

What is the role of a warlock in a raid. I see everyone talking about dps, but i also thought it was crowd control, also whats the big deal about being the highest dps in a raid when isn't the final object just finishing.
Does it really matter who has the highest?

[Vaell]

A warlock's role is multifaceted.

• Healthstones for raid
• Summoning to raid
• Soulstoning healers
• Debuff Curse: CoR, CoE, CoS to assist other classes boost personal and raid DPS.
• ISB Debuff for the SPriests and other Warlocks
• Tanking some magic based resistance fights
• Balancing Aggro while DPSing
• Some CC (chain fearing), but usually left to mages because of 21/40 saccing
• Any number of specified roles (adds for example)

Finally, bringing as much DPS as possible in order to beat enrage timers and to make the fight last as realistically short as possible. Healers don't want to go OOM otherwise it could be a wipe.

The main thing *is* finishing, but finishing happens when everyone does their job well. That includes the inherently decent DPS warlocks can put out.

Some people are more competitive than others and will strive to be number one on the meters. It matters to them. If it's achieved sensibly it helps the raid overall so it's not a bad thing.

That said, rampant egos are not ftw and everyone has a role.

[MassDaddy]

A warlock's role in a raid... or any instance run for that matter... is very rarely CC. Fear/HoT are awful CC solutions outside of PVP, Banish applies to an overall very small mob audience and Enslave is usually more grief and pet juggling than it's worth. Bottom line: 99% of the time, DPS is our bag.

Glad to see that there are still people out there who actually understand that a raid/dungeon is not a 5/10/25-man race to the best DPS but is actually intended to be a joint team effort to show every mean overlord in Azeroth and Outland that we won't stand for their tyranny and oppression anymore and we'll stand up for the little guy... yes, even the gnome that came with us.

As far as the DPS race is concerned, there are several reasons:

1. Personal improvement/skill honing.
2. Competitiveness.
3. ePeen stroking.

[Debuff]

Originally Posted by Grandorf

What is the role of a warlock in a raid. I see everyone talking about dps, but i also thought it was crowd control, also whats the big deal about being the highest dps in a raid when isn't the final object just finishing.
Does it really matter who has the highest?

The bolded portions generally do not go together. Fear is usually too high risk (and frequently does not work) to be used in a raid. Therefore, as many have said before, mechanics frequently dictate that a certain amount of raid dps be achieved so that either the raid does not run out of mana or an enrage timer is beat (nearly all bosses have one of these). Also, of a warlock's roles this one is the hardest to master yet easiest to quantify and make concrete steps towards improving.

[Grandorf]

So is shadow bolt better than a wand, and except for CC mobs do you dot everything that is being engaged at the moment?

[Svirfneblin]

Originally Posted by Grandorf

What is the role of a warlock in a raid?

easy answer this

/target <a mage of your choice*>
/laugh
/stroke DPS


*you can usually find the mage laying face down dead after being 1 shot by his/her sheep target breaks and smacks them upside the head - if this is the case you can add /cuddle Stamina at the end of the list

[Devicus]

Originally Posted by Grandorf

So is shadow bolt better than a wand, and except for CC mobs do you dot everything that is being engaged at the moment?

Remember the basic rules of DPS, the unspoken but logical ones. While you do as much damage as possible, you are obliged not to do so at the cost of total group damage (ie using CoD on a boss in a 5 man when with a shadow priest and arcane mage, for example) and not pulling aggro unless that's the plan. (also try to avoid putting unnecessary stress on others. Which as a lock means life tapping at the right times, being ready to drain back up if the healers are struggling, and avoiding things which jeopardise other players in their roles)

Shadowbolt has better DPS, and it's threat/damage is never worse than a wand, and sometimes better. If you're threat capped, and have the 10% threat reduction on destro wanding is actually bad. It's better to hold fire and nuke when it's safe. Basically though, constaints aside, you DPS as hard as you can, timers and healer mana aside, more DPS means more time for the next enemy means faster progress.

Also, lock CC, it's rare but at times it's vital. Void reaver's trash without 2 locks is nearly impossible, for example. With two it's just an exercise in chain CC and healers paying attention to the group.