Brista,Jul 2 2005, 12:24 PM Wrote:Bolty, it sounds to me that part of the reason you were bored might be in your build. Maybe a respec to Destruction or even working out Hellfire use would make the character more fun. Affliction is a bit over-rated imo. [right][snapback]82298[/snapback][/right]
Even if you have a 60, and I do mean 60 warlock under your belt, affliction is not overrated. Affliction tree is full of utility, with a modest dps increase.
Instant Corruption, Fel-concentration for life drain tanking and soul shard grabbing, improved life tap for fast emergency mana, Improved Curse of Exhaustion for that much needed snare--enabling warlock to actually kite enemies (extremely useful PvP and helps control pve fears). 4/5 points into shadow mastery is a nice boost, 5th point is bugged, and dark pact crowning all that.
I do recommend 11 points into destruction if Bolty ever wants to take up PvP, but its not an immediate concern.
Quote:I think one of the basic problems of the warlock is that the untalented damage is so poor. When I look at my damage meters for groups I'm in I hardly ever see Warlocks shine.
Mid-game, locks are still transitioning to doing damage under group play. Takes a while to understand you get big heals if you take big damage, and that there's a point where you won't pull aggro. Also, bolty doesn't have Curse of Shadows yet. He will in a few levels, but he's certainly not used to using the Shadowbolt spam / Curse of Shadows combination because enemies have such low health CoA works better on normal.+
Its a different game when he wants to and makes an effort to do damage. With my +dmg items and talents, I've been sustaining 300-500 single target dps regularly PvE. Of course, I'm not afraid to hellfire in group play--especially among other aoe'rs. If I steal aggro, I can be healed easily with my high stam, and buy pre-buffed aggro against which for the other AoE'ers to freely AoE. If I don't steal aggro, I will freely AoE everything with a 212 dps aoe. Intensity isn't even required, though it does make solo pve aoe easier.
From level 40-59, warlocks should aim somewhere around 100-200 dps. 60+ is a completely different story. I have up to +200 dmg on my equipment now. Compare that to your basic shadowbolt, which is 400-450 damage base, and you're seeing almost 50% additional damage more than your basic green +stats lock on regular unenhanced hits (+magical damage only adds 85% to shadowbolts). That's like always having criticals, except all of their damage can be further enhanced. Some people are able to reach the 300-400+dmg range, and the max potential for lock equipment atm is just over +600 damage on equipment. A few folks have achieved 3-4.5k crits on shadowbolts. That's beyond amazing damage on the warlock front, and it can only get better.
For now, Bolty should be start on his Engineering and Felcloth item collection for +damage equipment until he is high enough level to instance for +dmg items. . . Then stratholme-baron and Dire Maul should be his favorite playgrounds. Scholomance for Necropile set too.
Dreadmist is nice too. Can't go wrong with DM, but otherwise disappointing. There's better specific stats, effects, and set bonuses out there in individual pieces and necropile set.
Edit: Just came back from MC, did 60k damage on Golemagg. He's a 670k health boss. Did similar damage on Domo, would've been higher, but died after a warrior did on third to last add. Feels good to contribute 9% of a raid bosses's demise. I certainly feel like I pulled my weight. Its only going to get better from here.