World of Warcraft: Rolling a Warlock

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Jack of all trades, master of none pretty much describes a warlock in most people’s minds. The last part of the saying that is often omitted, according to Adam Sage, is “though often better than a master of one”. I think the figure of speech really sums up what a warlock truly is and what it adds to the game. I started playing a warlock when some of my friends that had picked all of the other classes asked me to join World of Warcraft and start a warlock so they could have one of every class in the guild. I soon thought they were more enemies than friends.

Soloing a warlock is probably the hardest thing to do, because you die all the time, well at least in the beginning. Besides, that is why you get a soul stone to revive yourself. It is not a character for the feint of heart, or someone looking for a toon that can use one spell or swing of sword to lay waste to all of WoW. It is a learning curve that can be fun, frustrating, exhilarating, and sometimes a little trying. I admit the constant running back to my body every five seconds because another mob appeared from nowhere to obliterate me, often made me wonder why I played a warlock. Then again, there are benefits for all the work required in leveling a warlock.

One advantage that a warlock has is its ability to use a wide array of weapons. Granted you cannot do any damage if you try to swing it, but the amount of plus spell damage weapons you can use make every other caster class envious, not to mention you look pretty bad ass with some of them. Do not overlook the ability to use wands. For a warlock, you can generally deal more damage with a wand than a weapon, especially at low levels. You also get nifty little spells that can add fire damage to your weapon and it gives the weapon a very cool look. Weapons for warlocks are very important because they can give you an edge. Warlock class gear is also amazing, and I would argue the best looking gear in the game. Depending on your talent spec., you can adjust your damage level with class gear by interchanging other plus damage gear. You very rarely have competition for class gear or weapons, except from the occasional shadow priest or the “all daggers are rouge weapons” players.

The demons (or pets as all the uneducated like to call them), add a level to the game that is even hard for most hunters to mimic. Warlocks are some of the best at demon/pet management because we die every time we make a mistake. This hard earned knowledge allows warlocks to succeed using their pets in raids where even hunters fail. An experienced warlock that rolls an alt hunter will have a blast because it’s like playing WoW in easy mode after leveling your warlock. If you ever have the opportunity to use your succubus to seduce a rogue in PvP, you will have the most fun ever listening to him cry that you’re overpowered. Another advantage of Demons and them being agro magnets is that they can off tank additional mobs while the main tank does his dirty work, remember this for solo play. The vastness of each of the demons spells not only complement your abilities, they allow you to adapt to every situation in a unique way. The free horse spell is summon Felstead at 30 and Dreadsteed at 60, which allows you to level up while everyone else is spending eons mining to raise gold for a horse. Did I mention how cool warlocks look tearing across landscape on a horse with flaming hoofs?

Spells! Spells! Spells! This is where warlocks truly shine. After playing a warlock I am certain that the first line of code in every nasty creature’s attack pattern is kill the warlock. A warlock can steal agro from almost anyone in the game. While this is certain suicide in most situations, you can provide that extra few seconds for your tank to get a late heal from the priest who was drinking water. Stealing agro at just the right time can save a raid from wiping. A good player will use his collection of spells to meet the situation and warlocks have depth when it comes to spells. Warlocks have two suicide spells Life Tap and Hellfire, and yes it is as cool as it sounds. Life Tap lets you trade life for mana to cast another spell: fun, dangerous, and very useful. Good communication with your priest can help you live thru Hellfire, but is there really any fun in that? I have used hellfire after the tank, hunter and rouge went down and it was just me and the priest left standing, it prevented a wipe but of course I still died. You can spec Affliction, Demonology, Destruction, or a hybrid, all of which will result in a very powerful toon when played well. The other added benefit of having a set of spells that do not have talent points is that you have an arsenal that won’t create agro as well as one that will. Where you place your talent points can make you very versatile and deadly.

I did my cost benefit analysis on playing a warlock, and the list of reasons for is significantly higher than the list against. As you level up, your ability to solo also increases and you can outperform many other players who leveled so much quicker than you did. Health stones, Soul stones, Summoning, and a lack of warlocks will always make you a target for higher end raids. Free Felstead and Dreadstead with flaming hooves, did I mention that? Other players tired of wiping eventually read what warlocks can add to a party, and you will soon find yourself turning down invitations for raids. PvP with a warlock is also fantastic because it forces players to learn how to fight a demon as well as a mob. Warlocks are probably the most unique, challenging, and fun class in the game. It takes a lot more time, effort, and learning than other classes but it is worth the investment. So exactly how much do I like playing a warlock? Well I rolled both an alliance and a horde, taking that much time means it has to be worth it.

* mana consumption is a % of your total mana