Right tactics, wrong build?

Sebek · June 19, 2008, 05:07 AM

Note: If this post lacks coherence, it's because I lack sleep.

I've got a level 38 lock that I've been running through the Arathi Basin BG a LOT. I'm planning on switching battlegrounds as soon as I get 20 more honor marks to buy a PvP belt (Highlander somethingorother).

Anyway, even when I topped the damage chart on Alliance, I noticed that I'm doing about half as much damage as the Horde players. That got me wondering - my original plan for this character was to go Affliction, but I got to playing Affliction on off-server alt (that doesn't get played any more), and I went Destruction with this guy.

My basic tactics (not including pet tactics) are to dot up the target, run, and then drain (life/mana/soul) or pop a quick Shadowburn if they're near dead. I don't really use shadowbolt much since I'm usually on the move (I HATE ROGUES ... ahem). As I understand it, SB is the bread-and-butter of Destro locks, but I don't use it much.

So, (finally), my question: are my tactics/playstyle more suited for Affliction than destruction? As a destro lock, should I be using more AoEs? I've followed the basic outline of the gearing you warlock thread, and I've got good gear (I think), but is that for Affliction locks or all locks?

Bear in mind that this is a PvP/PvE mixed lock. I do a lot of PvE soloing to level (hence the 11 points in Demo), but I like running battlegrounds and I intend to PvP a lot when I hit 70 (BG, 5v5 & 3v3 arena)

Should I consider going affliction for soloing and low-level battleground PvP? I plan on doing a lot of it to get good gear for soloing up to the endgame. And I want the black war tiger at 60, too (after reading how often the Dreadsteed makes you a target in the battlegrounds).

OK - gotta sleep now. Ramble over.

mcgee84 · June 19, 2008, 08:38 AM

Keep in mind that outside of BGs, the dreadsteed's well worth getting anyways, since it frees up a slot in your bag.

But yeah, if you aren't shadowbolting.. I dunno. Do you think it's worth not having the better drains and tap and instant corruption in exchange for shadowburn?

Hrm. Looks like you've already switched into some Aff/Demo. Tbh, while leveling, I wouldn't recommend splitting points into Demo, not when you're -just- moving into things like grim reach and nightfall.

DrkSnpr14 · June 19, 2008, 08:43 AM

Destruction doesn't shine as a pvp build until you can go really deep into it. I'd say backlash is more the bread an butter of pvp destro then anything.

Aflic, or later sl/sl is not a damage output build. Out of all the usual suspects it's the least damaging one. This path is to build up survivability. Sure, your not pew pewing them, but your outlasting the other guy, which is all that counts.

If your looking to improve your damage as aflic, dot EVERYTHING. Just run and dot and run and dot. All those dots spread out increase your personal dps, as well as help your team out, by bringing down multiple target's life. I'd say out of all of them, afflic is best at assaulting masses of enemies.

And on a side note, yes, most destro locks do like shaddow bolts. But I prefer insinerate :D Imolate, incinerate incinerate and if need be conflag+shaddowburn tears through most targets for me

Sebek · June 19, 2008, 11:42 AM

Well, I couldn't sleep, so I paid the piper and respeced to Affliction. It really fits my PvE playstyle much better than Destro. However, I have yet to play in a battleground. I'll find out how the changeover works later today.

As for the battleground damage meters; well, I only really want to be in the top damage producers because I keep reading how 'locks dominate (and I want to be a good 'lock). Truthfully, I'd prefer to do mediocre damage and win the BG rather than top the damage charts and lose. Victory > Glory, IMHO.

June 19, 2008, 05:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
Sebek Registered Character Info Kishindo 48 Human Warlock Sen'Jin US PvE Guild: Drunks of Sen'Jin Profile: Blizzard Armory Talent Spec: 25/8/0	Right tactics, wrong build? Note: If this post lacks coherence, it's because I lack sleep. I've got a level 38 lock that I've been running through the Arathi Basin BG a LOT. I'm planning on switching battlegrounds as soon as I get 20 more honor marks to buy a PvP belt (Highlander somethingorother). Anyway, even when I topped the damage chart on Alliance, I noticed that I'm doing about half as much damage as the Horde players. That got me wondering - my original plan for this character was to go Affliction, but I got to playing Affliction on off-server alt (that doesn't get played any more), and I went Destruction with this guy. My basic tactics (not including pet tactics) are to dot up the target, run, and then drain (life/mana/soul) or pop a quick Shadowburn if they're near dead. I don't really use shadowbolt much since I'm usually on the move (I HATE ROGUES ... ahem). As I understand it, SB is the bread-and-butter of Destro locks, but I don't use it much. So, (finally), my question: are my tactics/playstyle more suited for Affliction than destruction? As a destro lock, should I be using more AoEs? I've followed the basic outline of the gearing you warlock thread, and I've got good gear (I think), but is that for Affliction locks or all locks? Bear in mind that this is a PvP/PvE mixed lock. I do a lot of PvE soloing to level (hence the 11 points in Demo), but I like running battlegrounds and I intend to PvP a lot when I hit 70 (BG, 5v5 & 3v3 arena) Should I consider going affliction for soloing and low-level battleground PvP? I plan on doing a lot of it to get good gear for soloing up to the endgame. And I want the black war tiger at 60, too (after reading how often the Dreadsteed makes you a target in the battlegrounds). OK - gotta sleep now. Ramble over.

June 19, 2008, 08:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
mcgee84 Member Character Info Seton Human Warlock Arygos US PvE Guild: Supplemental Wrath Talent Spec: 41/3/17	Re: Right tactics, wrong build? Keep in mind that outside of BGs, the dreadsteed's well worth getting anyways, since it frees up a slot in your bag. But yeah, if you aren't shadowbolting.. I dunno. Do you think it's worth not having the better drains and tap and instant corruption in exchange for shadowburn? Hrm. Looks like you've already switched into some Aff/Demo. Tbh, while leveling, I wouldn't recommend splitting points into Demo, not when you're -just- moving into things like grim reach and nightfall.

June 19, 2008, 08:43 AM	#3 (permalink)
DrkSnpr14 Your Overlord Character Info Gallaira 73 Undead Warlock Galakrond US PvP Guild: Death and Destruction Profile: Blizzard Armory Talent Spec: 0/5/59	Re: Right tactics, wrong build? Destruction doesn't shine as a pvp build until you can go really deep into it. I'd say backlash is more the bread an butter of pvp destro then anything. Aflic, or later sl/sl is not a damage output build. Out of all the usual suspects it's the least damaging one. This path is to build up survivability. Sure, your not pew pewing them, but your outlasting the other guy, which is all that counts. If your looking to improve your damage as aflic, dot EVERYTHING. Just run and dot and run and dot. All those dots spread out increase your personal dps, as well as help your team out, by bringing down multiple target's life. I'd say out of all of them, afflic is best at assaulting masses of enemies. And on a side note, yes, most destro locks do like shaddow bolts. But I prefer insinerate :D Imolate, incinerate incinerate and if need be conflag+shaddowburn tears through most targets for me

June 19, 2008, 11:42 AM	#4 (permalink)
Sebek Registered Character Info Kishindo 48 Human Warlock Sen'Jin US PvE Guild: Drunks of Sen'Jin Profile: Blizzard Armory Talent Spec: 25/8/0	Re: Right tactics, wrong build? Well, I couldn't sleep, so I paid the piper and respeced to Affliction. It really fits my PvE playstyle much better than Destro. However, I have yet to play in a battleground. I'll find out how the changeover works later today. As for the battleground damage meters; well, I only really want to be in the top damage producers because I keep reading how 'locks dominate (and I want to be a good 'lock). Truthfully, I'd prefer to do mediocre damage and win the BG rather than top the damage charts and lose. Victory > Glory, IMHO.