Raiding: Where to go from here?

Phenix · August 14, 2008, 11:09 AM

Character Name: Phenix
Armory Link: The World of Warcraft Armory
Talent Build: 31/9/21

Quick Info
Health:8660 (unbuffed)
Mana:8980
+Damage:951 (Shadow w/Fel)
+Hit:205
+Crit:211 (16%)
Have you read the gearing guide? It has been my bible thus far.

Items/Slots in need of immediate upgrade:

Boots
Rings
Head

Upgrades you are currently working on:
List any upgrades you are currently working on and where you are at. For example:

Badge boots (Incantations)

Raiding SSC and TK for Head

All about you:
I spend 90% of my time raiding. My guild is 5/6 SSC and 3/4 TK so I get opportunities there but so far haven't won any rolls. I just feel like my spell damage should be higher. Should I change to Desto yet? I guess I am not seeing the big increases I have seen up until now.

Phenix · August 26, 2008, 10:24 AM

Got some new boots and the Merciless 2H staff.

My typical raiding stats are ~12k health, ~10k mana, ~1150 shadow dam, ~21% crit.

We are now working on High Warlord in BT and Anetheron in MH. Despite being hit capped, I am seeing other Locks in my guild doing better DPS than I am even though they have much lower hit. I am seriously considering regemming to get 24 less hit and 36 more damage (4 gems). That would put my hit at 181.

My usual spell rotation is Corr, CoD or Curse of Agony, SB. I don't bother with Immo or SL. Any ideas?

RiiZ · August 26, 2008, 11:54 AM

why not cast siphon life or immolate? you're an affliction lock, why spec into the spell if you're not going to use it? I also might try a new spec, just to mix things us, maybe dig down to get UA, or try destro. You might see better results with a more focused talent distribution. Just mixing it up and trying a new rotation might key you into a perferred playstyle or give you a new perspective on how to improve your current rotation.

Also, consider group make-up when comparting dps. Do the other casters have a shadow priest, ele shaman or boomkin? Do they get to cast damage curses while you're stuck on coe? Those things can mean 200-300 dps shift.

As far a gear goes, i would focus on picking up spell damage while not losing your hit. This can be in a couple ways.

Grind exaulted with scyers - you're not far now, so spend some time grinding or just buy it, the new shoulder chant would help.

Grind exaulted with violet eye - upgrade the ring and get some badges - or just upgrade the violet eye ring with the badge ring which is amazing. You would get more damage and free up 4 gems slots.

Replace your +6 spell hit gems - you have 7, even if you just replace them with +8 gems you can free up 2 gems slots for an extra 18 damage and still be above the cap. If you're swimming in badges, start putting epic gems in items you'll keep in bt and hyjal, like the belt of blasting, 2 10 hit gems there will give you a lot of flexability.

If you don't mind the grind, you can pick up the s2 weapon and grab the orb of the soul eater or the haste offhand from badges. The blade and staff have the same amount of damage so your offhand would be a pure upgrade, you could even mix it up with the kara offhand that has spell hit on it.

Start hitting up za on offnights, aim for the hex shruken head and the caster ring from the third timed event. You guild should be able to consistantly make it to 3 chests if you're progressing into early t6, plus you might get a bear in the mean time. The helm from there is pretty much equal to the cowl from void reaver, and both are upgrades.

Phenix · August 29, 2008, 04:03 PM

Riiz- Thanks for the advice.

I respecced a couple nights ago 21/40 Destro and was amazed at the results. We ran Heroic MgT and was much higher DPS wise. Plus I didn't have to worry about spell rotations. I think this is the way to go.

I like the advice on gems. I am working on some and have already swapped out some of the hit for crit and SD and will swap in some better hit gems to make up the difference as I obtain the resources needed.

August 14, 2008, 11:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
Phenix Lurker Character Info Phenix 70 Gnome Warlock Nordrassil US PvE Guild: By the Light Profile: Blizzard Armory Talent Spec: ?/?/?	Where to go from here? Character Name: Phenix *Armory Link:* The World of Warcraft Armory *Talent Build:* 31/9/21 Quick Info Health:8660 (unbuffed) Mana:8980 +Damage:951 (Shadow w/Fel) +Hit:205 +Crit:211 (16%) Have you read the gearing guide? It has been my bible thus far. Items/Slots in need of immediate upgrade: Boots Rings Head Upgrades you are currently working on: List any upgrades you are currently working on and where you are at. For example: Badge boots (Incantations) Raiding SSC and TK for Head All about you: I spend 90% of my time raiding. My guild is 5/6 SSC and 3/4 TK so I get opportunities there but so far haven't won any rolls. I just feel like my spell damage should be higher. Should I change to Desto yet? I guess I am not seeing the big increases I have seen up until now.

August 26, 2008, 10:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
Phenix Lurker Character Info Phenix 70 Gnome Warlock Nordrassil US PvE Guild: By the Light Profile: Blizzard Armory Talent Spec: ?/?/?	Re: Where to go from here? Got some new boots and the Merciless 2H staff. My typical raiding stats are ~12k health, ~10k mana, ~1150 shadow dam, ~21% crit. We are now working on High Warlord in BT and Anetheron in MH. Despite being hit capped, I am seeing other Locks in my guild doing better DPS than I am even though they have much lower hit. I am seriously considering regemming to get 24 less hit and 36 more damage (4 gems). That would put my hit at 181. My usual spell rotation is Corr, CoD or Curse of Agony, SB. I don't bother with Immo or SL. Any ideas?

August 26, 2008, 11:54 AM	#3 (permalink)
RiiZ Lurker Character Info Leogere 70 Orc Warlock Mok'Nathal US PvE Guild: Clarity Profile: Blizzard Armory Talent Spec: 0/21/40	Re: Where to go from here? why not cast siphon life or immolate? you're an affliction lock, why spec into the spell if you're not going to use it? I also might try a new spec, just to mix things us, maybe dig down to get UA, or try destro. You might see better results with a more focused talent distribution. Just mixing it up and trying a new rotation might key you into a perferred playstyle or give you a new perspective on how to improve your current rotation. Also, consider group make-up when comparting dps. Do the other casters have a shadow priest, ele shaman or boomkin? Do they get to cast damage curses while you're stuck on coe? Those things can mean 200-300 dps shift. As far a gear goes, i would focus on picking up spell damage while not losing your hit. This can be in a couple ways. Grind exaulted with scyers - you're not far now, so spend some time grinding or just buy it, the new shoulder chant would help. Grind exaulted with violet eye - upgrade the ring and get some badges - or just upgrade the violet eye ring with the badge ring which is amazing. You would get more damage and free up 4 gems slots. Replace your +6 spell hit gems - you have 7, even if you just replace them with +8 gems you can free up 2 gems slots for an extra 18 damage and still be above the cap. If you're swimming in badges, start putting epic gems in items you'll keep in bt and hyjal, like the belt of blasting, 2 10 hit gems there will give you a lot of flexability. If you don't mind the grind, you can pick up the s2 weapon and grab the orb of the soul eater or the haste offhand from badges. The blade and staff have the same amount of damage so your offhand would be a pure upgrade, you could even mix it up with the kara offhand that has spell hit on it. Start hitting up za on offnights, aim for the hex shruken head and the caster ring from the third timed event. You guild should be able to consistantly make it to 3 chests if you're progressing into early t6, plus you might get a bear in the mean time. The helm from there is pretty much equal to the cowl from void reaver, and both are upgrades.

August 29, 2008, 04:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
Phenix Lurker Character Info Phenix 70 Gnome Warlock Nordrassil US PvE Guild: By the Light Profile: Blizzard Armory Talent Spec: ?/?/?	Re: Where to go from here? Riiz- Thanks for the advice. I respecced a couple nights ago 21/40 Destro and was amazed at the results. We ran Heroic MgT and was much higher DPS wise. Plus I didn't have to worry about spell rotations. I think this is the way to go. I like the advice on gems. I am working on some and have already swapped out some of the hit for crit and SD and will swap in some better hit gems to make up the difference as I obtain the resources needed.