Introduction
Welcome to the Affliction Warlock DPS guide written by Timo (Fraser), one of Honolulu’s main raiders.
Heading into patch 11.2 of The War Within. Affliction’s strengths lie in single target, priority funnel and sustained spread cleave scenarios. Our AoE relies on targets living a sizable duration but when they do we can output some strong DPS.
What has changed
Patch 11.2
Warlock:
- Corruption is now instant cast and deals damage on application.
- Xavian Teachings has been removed
Affliction:
- Unstable Affliction damage increased by 68%
- Shadow Bolt damage increased by 25%
- Summon Darkglare Damage increased by 35%
- Haunt
- Raw damage increased by 50%
- Damage modifier increased to 12% (was 10%)
- Tormented Crescendo can now stack up to 3 (was 2)
- Focused malignancy now causes Malefic Rapture to deal 80% increased damage to targets suffering from Unstable Affliction (was 40%)
Hellcaller (Affliction):
- Wither Periodic damage increased by 15%
- Blackened Soul damage increased by 30%
- Xalan’s Ferocity now increases fire damage dealt by 6% (was 2%)
- Xalan’s Cruelty now increases shadow damage by 6% (was 2%)
Soul Harvester (Affliction):
- Wicked Reaping damage increased by 75%
- Demonic Soul damage increased by 55%
- Soul Anathema damage increased by 40%
Affliction received strong single-target and funnel buffs in 11.2. Focused Malignancy now boosts Rapture by 80%, allowing for more controlled burst damage.
Crescendo stacking up to 3 was a needed change, especially with the tier set granting 2 stacks from Malevolence, this prevents overcapping and gives more control over when to burst.
Hellcaller scales very well with the new tier bonuses, enhancing rot pressure and spread cleave, making it one of the best specs for sustained encounters
Soul Harvester remains the pick for funnel: improved reaping, more demonic soul damage and extra shard generation from our 4-piece makes it excel at melting priority targets within packs