• Added Phase 2 BiS Equipment
• Added Phase 3 BiS Equipment
• Reviewed Talent Builds, Consumables, and Rotations

Human racials do not boost Warlock's PvE capabilities at all. This makes Gnome the best choice if you want to capitalize on every minor advantage available. His Intellect Racial is very strong as it provides additional Mana and Spell Critical Strike Chance. Engineering Specialization is surprisingly valuable because Engi is a go-to PvE profession, and Escape Artist will allow you to escape death from AoE damage from time to time.

1. Spell Damage/Shadow Damage - Increases your Damage done with Spells. The damage bonus from Spell Damage is calculated differently for different Spells and their Ranks, but in general, this is the best statistic for Warlocks.

2. Spell Critical Chance - Gives you a chance to do additional (Critical) Damage with your offensive Spells. This statistic has a lot of value for Warlocks thanks to Talents, like Improved Shadow Bolt and Ruin, which are staples of competitive Warlock builds.

3. Spell Hit Chance -  Increases your chance to hit with all your offensive Spells. You need a total of 16% Hit Rating. Getting Hit-Capped should be your one of your priorities while gearing up for Raids.

4. Spell Penetration - Allows your spells to bypass some of the Target's Spell Resistance. This statistic allows you to deal more damage against Shadow-resistant Bosses.

5. Intellect - Increases your total Mana Pool and provides you with additional Spell Critical Chance (59,5 Int = 1% Spell Critical Strike Chance).

Statistic Priority for a Warlock:

Spell Damage/Shadow Damage ⇒ Spell Critical Chance ⇒ Spell Hit Cap ⇒ Spell Penetration ⇒Intellect

Note: Because of the Life Tap ability and the Demonic Embrace Talent, Stamina is more valuable than Spirit, but these stats should not be prioritized.

DS/Ruin Warlock PvE DPS Build

Affliction Tree:

• 2/5 Suppression - Provides you with 4% additional Affliction Spell Hit Chance. Ideally, you'd want 6%, but other Talents are more important.
• 5/5 Improved Corruption - This makes your Corruption instant-to-cast. Even if you won't be allowed to cast Corruption on bosses, this Talent will make your AoE/trash mob rotations smoother.
• 2/2 Improved Life Tap - This is a must-have Talent as Life Tap is your main Sustain source. Note: Just remember that Healers don't like it when you use Life Tap too liberally (during an AoE damage-heavy phase, for example...)

Demonology Tree:

• 2/2 Improved Healthstone - 20% extra Health from a Healthstone can save your life. Pretty much every Raid member will want an Improved Healthstone, so be prepared.
• 5/5 Demonic Embrace - Extra Health at the cost of decreased regeneration. Worth it as it allows you to use Life Tap more.
• 3/3 Improved Voidwalker - As previously mentioned, we take this to make Sacrifice shield stronger. 
• 1/1 Fel Domination - A component of DS/Ruin Warlock's defensive shield combo.
• 5/5 Fel Stamina - Treat these 5 points liberally.
• 2/2 Master Summoner - Another component of DS/Ruin Warlock's defensive shield combo.
• 2/5 Unholy Power - Another 2 points that can be placed liberally. Putting them here is good if you farm/grind solo from time to time.
• 1/1 Demonic Sacrifice - The only reason you go this far up the Demonology tree. It allows you to sacrifice your demonic pet to gain a pet-specific buff. You will want to sacrifice a Succubus to receive a 15% Increase in Shadow Damage dealt.

Destruction Tree:

• 5/5 Improved Shadow Bolt - Your rotation consists of, well... only a Shadow Bolt and this Talent makes it better.
• 2/5 Cataclysm - Makes your Destruction spells more efficient. You might consider putting 4 points here (at the cost of Suppression), but Life Tap should be enough to sustain you without that.
• 5/5 Bane - Faster Shadow Bolt casts = more DPS.
• 5/5 Devastation. 
• 1/1 Shadowburn - Gives you an Instant-cast damaging Spell that can be used when you are relocating to optimize your DPS by minimizing downtime.
• 2/2 Destructive Reach - More range on your Shadow Bolt will provide you with additional room for maneuvers.
• 1/1 Ruin - Makes your Destruction Spell Critical Strikes deal 200% instead of standard 150% Damage.

SM/Ruin Warlock PvE DPS Build

Affliction Tree:

• 5/5 Suppression.
• 5/5 Improved Corruption.
• 2/2 Improved Drain Soul - treat these two points liberally; you can allocate them to Improved Curse of Weakness if needed.
• 2/2 Improved Life Tap.
• 3/3 Improved Curse of Agony - good Talent if you are allowed to use CoA.
• 1/5 Fel Concentration - treat this Talent point liberally. You can transfer it to the Improved Curse of Weakness Talent if needed.
• 1/1 Amplify Curse - a handy tool that improves your next Curse cast. This will definitely find a lot of uses in a Raid.
• 2/2 Grim Reach - additional range on your spells is always welcome.
• 2/2 Nightfall - this Talent will visibly increase your DPS if you are allowed to use Corruption, that is.
• 1/1 Siphon Life - Solid damage over time effect that also heals you. It increases the build's PvP viability by a lot.
• 1/1 Curse of Exhaustion - useful for kiting adds, especially when combined with Amplify Curse, but there are must stronger slow effects out there.
• 5/5 Shadow Mastery - Increases damage dealt by your Shadow spells by 10%; 5% less than Demonic Sacrifice, but you are allowed to keep your Pet.

Destruction Tree:

• 5/5 Improved Shadow Bolt.
• 5/5 Bane
• 2/2 Improved Firebolt - Increases your Imp's DPS; if you manage to keep it alive which is quite a feat in some engagements.
• 5/5 Devastation. 
• 1/1 Shadowburn.
• 2/2 Destructive Reach.
• 1/1 Ruin.

• Pre-Raid - Dire Nail of Shadow Wrath (Drop from Shade of Eranikus, Sunken Temple)
• Phase 1 - Azuresong Mageblade (drop from Golemagg the Incinerator, Molten Core)
• Phase 2 - High Warlord's Spellblade (Rank 14 PvP Reward)
• Phase 3 - High Warlord's Spellblade / Staff of the Shadow Flame (Drop from Nefarian, Blackwing Lair) / Shadow Wing Focus Staff (Drop from Flamegor, Firemaw, and Ebonroc, Blackwing Lair) 
• Phase 4 - TBA
• Phase 5 - TBA
• Phase 6 - TBA

• Pre-Raid - Drakestone of Shadow Wrath (Drop from Weaver, Dreamscythe, and Hazzas, Sunken Temple; note: The item has a Random Enchantment)
• Phase 1 - Drakestone of Shadow Wrath
• Phase 2 - Tome of Shadow Force (Alterac Valley Reputation Reward - Exalted) 
• Phase 3 - Tome of Shadow Force / Master Dragonslayer's Orb (Quest Reward from "The Lord of Blackrock" / "The Lord of Blackrock", Blackwing Lair) 
• Phase 4 - TBA
• Phase 5 - TBA
• Phase 6 - TBA

• Pre-Raid - Lunar Wand of Shadow Wrath (BoE World Drop; can be purchased on AH; note: The item has a Random Enchantment) / Skul's Ghastly Touch (Drop from Skul, Stratcholme) 
• Phase 1 - Lunar Wand of Shadow Wrath
• Phase 2 - Lunar Wand of Shadow Wrath / Skul's Ghastly Touch 
• Phase 3 - Lunar Wand of Shadow Wrath / Skul's Ghastly Touch 
• Phase 4 - TBA
• Phase 5 - TBA
• Phase 6 - TBA

• Pre-Raid - Eye of the Beast  (Quest Reward from "For the Horde!" / "General Drakkisath's Demise", Upper Blackrock Spire)
• Phase 1 - Eye of the Beast
• Phase 2 - Briarwood Reed
• Phase 3 - Neltharion's Tear (Drop from Nefarian, Blackwing Lair) 
• Phase 4 - TBA
• Phase 5 - TBA
• Phase 6 - TBA

• Pre-Raid - Briarwood Reed (Drop from Jed Runewatcher, Upper Blackrock Spire)
• Phase 1 - Talisman of Ephemeral Power (drop from Baron Geddon, Gaar, Golemagg the Incinerator, and Magmadar, Molten Core)
• Phase 2 - Talisman of Ephemeral Power
• Phase 3 - Talisman of Ephemeral Power
• Phase 4 - TBA
• Phase 5 - TBA
• Phase 6 - TBA

• Pre-Raid - Star of Mystaria (Drop from Balnazzar, Stratcholme)
• Phase 1 - Choker of the Fire Lord (drop from Ragnaros, Molten Core)
• Phase 2 - Choker of the Fire Lord
• Phase 3 - Choker of the Fire Lord
• Phase 4 - TBA
• Phase 5 - TBA
• Phase 6 - TBA

• Pre-Raid - Songstone of Ironforge (Quest Reward from "The Princess's Surprise", Blackrock Depths) / Eye of Orgrimmar (Quest Reward from "The Princess Saved?", Blackrock Depths)
• Phase 1 - Ring of Spell Power (drop from Shazzrah, Lucifron, Gehennas, and Sulfuron Harbinger, Molten Core)
• Phase 2 - Ring of Spell Power
• Phase 3 - Band of Forced Concentration (Drop from Ebonroc, Blackwing Lair) 
• Phase 4 - TBA
• Phase 5 - TBA
• Phase 6 - TBA

• Pre-Raid - Maiden's Circle (BoE World Drop; can be purchased on AH)
• Phase 1 - Maiden's Circle
• Phase 2 - Maiden's Circle
• Phase 3 - Band of Dark Dominion (Drop from trash mobs, Blackwing Lair) 
• Phase 4 - TBA
• Phase 5 - TBA
• Phase 6 - TBA

• Pre-Raid - Crimson Felt Hat (Drop from Magistrate Barthilas, Stratcholme)
• Phase 1 - Nemesis Skullcap (drop from Onyxia, Onyxia's Lair)
• Phase 2 - Nemesis Skullcap
• Phase 3 - Mish'undare, Circlet of the Mind Flayer (Drop from Nefarian, Blackwing Lair) 
• Phase 4 - TBA
• Phase 5 - TBA
• Phase 6 - TBA

• Pre-Raid -  Robe of the Archmage (Tailoring Recipe that drops from Darkmaster Gandling, Scholomance; note: the robe is Bind on Pickup, which means that you have to craft it yourself. It does not require Tailoring Skill to use, however)
• Phase 1 - Robe of Volatile Power (drop from Lucifron, Shazzrah, Sulfuron Harbinger, and Gehennas, Molten Core)
• Phase 2 - Robe of Volatile Power
• Phase 3 - Nemesis Robes (Drop from Nefarian, Blackwing Lair) 
• Phase 4 - TBA
• Phase 5 - TBA
• Phase 6 - TBA

• Pre-Raid - Skyshroud Leggings (drop from Highlord Omokk, Lower Blackrock Spire)
• Phase 1 - Nemesis Leggings (drop from Ragnaros, Molten Core)
• Phase 2 -  Nemesis Leggings / Fel Infused Leggings (Lord Kazzak, Blasted Lands World Boss) 
• Phase 3 - Nemesis Leggings / Fel Infused Leggings
• Phase 4 - TBA
• Phase 5 - TBA
• Phase 6 - TBA

• Pre-Raid - Hands of Power (drop from Quartermaster Zigris, Lower Blackrock Spire)
• Phase 1 - Hands of Power
• Phase 2 - Hands of Power
• Phase 3 - Ebony Flame Gloves (Drop from Ebonroc, Blackwing Lair) 
• Phase 4 - TBA
• Phase 5 - TBA
• Phase 6 - TBA

• Pre-Raid - Master's Boots of Shadow Wrath (BoE World Drop; can be purchased on AH; note: The item has a Random Enchantment) / Omnicast Boots (drop from Golem Lord Ardelmach, Blackrock Depths)
• Phase 1 - Master's Boots of Shadow Wrath
• Phase 2 - Snowblind Shoes (Drop from Azuregos, Azshara World Boss) 
• Phase 3 - Nemesis Boots (Drop from Broodlord Lashlayer, Blackwing Lair) 
• Phase 4 - TBA
• Phase 5 - TBA
• Phase 6 - TBA

• Pre-Raid - Eternal Spaulders of Shadow Wrath  (BoE World Drop; can be purchased on AH; note: The item has a Random Enchantment)
• Phase 1 - Eternal Spaulders of Shadow Wrath
• Phase 2 - Champion's Dreadweave Spaulders (Rank 10 PvP Reward) / Warlord's Dreadweave Mantle (Rank 13 PvP Reward) 
• Phase 3 - Nemesis Spaulders 9Drop from Chromaggus, Blackwing Lair) 
• Phase 4 - TBA
• Phase 5 - TBA
• Phase 6 - TBA

• Pre-Raid - Master's Bracers of Frozen Wrath (drop from Lord Incendius, Blackrock Depths; note: The item has a Random Enchantment)
• Phase 1 - Master's Bracers of Frozen Wrath
• Phase 2 - Dryad's Wrist Bindings (Warsong Gulch Reputation Reward - Exalted) 
• Phase 3 - Nemesis Bracers (Drop from Razorgore the Untamed, Blackwing Lair) / Bracers of Arcane Accuracy (Drop from Broodlord Lashlayer, Blackwing Lair) 
• Phase 4 - TBA
• Phase 5 - TBA
• Phase 6 - TBA

• Pre-Raid - Ban'thok Sash (drop from Ok'thor the Breaker, Blackrock Depths)
• Phase 1 - Mana Igniting Cord (drop from Golemagg the Incinerator, Garr, Baron Geddon, and Magmadar, Molten Core)
• Phase 2 - Mana Igniting Cord
• Phase 3 - Nemesis Belt (Drop from Vaelestrasz the Corrupt, Blackwing Lair) 
• Phase 4 - TBA
• Phase 5 - TBA
• Phase 6 - TBA

• Pre-Raid - Archivist Cape of Shadow Wrath (drop from Archivist Galford, Stratcholme; note: The item has a Random Enchantment) / Master's Cloak of Shadow Wrath  (BoE World Drop; can be purchased on AH; note: The item has a Random Enchantment)
• Phase 1 - Master's Cloak of Shadow Wrath / Sapphiron Drape (drop from Onyxia, Onyxia's Lair)
• Phase 2 - Master's Cloak of Shadow Wrath / Sapphiron Drape
• Phase 3 - Cloak of the Brood Lord (Drop from Nefarian, Blackwing Lair) 
• Phase 4 - TBA
• Phase 5 - TBA
• Phase 6 - TBA

1. Maintain Curse Debuff (if designated for it)

2. Maintain Corruption (if you were allowed to use it)

3. Shadowburn while relocating to minimize downtime

4. Spam Shadow Bolt as your main Damage source

1. Use Hellfire / Rain of Fire (if getting into melee is dangerous) if dealing with adds is a priority

2. Cast Corruption and Siphon Life (if applicable) on all Targets

3. Resume your Single-Target Rotation

1. If you want to deal more Damage and stand out from your Raid competition, Stack Consumables. Spending some additional Gold or a few extra hours grinding might secure you a spot in a Raid, as Raid leaders prefer dedicated and well-prepared players.

2. Make sure that you have enough Soul Shards before a Raid. This will allow you to avoid awkward situations. In other words: always remember about the basics of your Class!

3. If you plan on using the SM/Ruin Build, learn how to micromanage your pet effectively. Keeping your Imp alive will increase your overall DPS by about 10%.

4. Always try to improve. Get an addon that tracks your performance and try to optimize your equipment and rotation.

END NOTE

This Guide should help you to prepare yourself for that legendary Vanilla  Raiding Experience and allow you to progress through Raid Tiers efficiently and with a good amount of fun.

We hope that you have found this guide useful and informative.  If we have missed a piece of information that is important to you, please let us know! 

Please do note that this is an early version of our guide, and we will be happy to receive constructive criticism, that will help us improve it, so leave your suggestions in the comments section below.