Warlock specialization

Affliction Warlock in WoW Forever

Drains and damage over time.

Your role: Ranged spell damage
Class guides to level 30
Class notes checked Nov 4, 2026

Your character

Character level

I’m playing

Solo & quests Dungeons Raids

Updating…

Level 30 · Combat priorities

How to play at level 30

Your combat loop

Demon and lasting damage
Send your demon; apply Corruption and Bane of Agony when the target will survive.
Drain or wand
Drain Life restores health; a strong wand can be efficient early. Life Tap with a safe recovery plan.
Soul Siphon
If talented, Drain Life becomes the main filler. Avoid prematurely refreshing damage-over-time effects.

General guidance, not a simulated optimal rotation. Use trained spells and talents you chose. Talent milestones assume ordinary points; Legacy can move them earlier. Weights are editable MaxDPS estimates, not measured DPS or HPS.

Core ability focus

Class-compatible weapons and armor. Class proficiencies are assumed trained. Lower armor tiers remain available.

Default stat priorities

Spell power1.00
Spell damage1.00
Shadow spell power1.00
Hit0.90
Haste0.60
Intellect0.30

Points per stat point, used for the gear scores below. Starter weights balance the stats used by this build.

Adjust stat priorities Starter defaults

Each reported stat × its weight, added together. Weights are tuning choices, not game coefficients. Ratings stay in source units; no percentage conversion is assumed. Changes last for this page visit.

Intellect Spirit Stamina Spell power Spell damage Critical strike Hit Haste Mana per 5 sec Shadow spell power

Choosing gear at this level

Compare power for the spells you cast, Intellect and mana recovery. Keep a useful wand where applicable; school-specific power affects only that school.

Wowhead’s level-30 Affliction Warlock guide · Current class changes

Preliminary item rankings

Affliction Warlock gear rankings

Shadow damage over time · Level 30 · Dungeons · Starter defaults

Items your class can use at this level, scored with the stat priorities above. Scores are weighted points, not DPS gains. They do not simulate the combat loop.

Head

46 items matching this build · Updating…

My current head

Reviewed recommendations are not ready for this build and activity yet. Compare imported items below; missing evidence does not mean your current gear cannot be improved.

Find an item Acquisition Dungeon or raid Sort by

Head items with imported stats, weighted scores and acquisition sources.
Rank	Item	Key stats	Score (pts)	Where to get it
1 in this filtered list	Filigreed Shadow Circlet Cloth · iLvl 30 · Req. 25	14 Shadow spell power 12 Stamina	14.60	Filigreed Shadow CircletCrafted
Score breakdown Shadow spell power: 14 × 1 = 14.00 pts Stamina: 12 × 0.05 = 0.60 pts Rare Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. Source Filigreed Shadow CircletCrafted
2 in this filtered list	Holy Shroud Cloth · iLvl 32 · Req. 27	11 Spell damage 6 Spirit	11.60	Hatefury RogueNPC drop · 0.6% · Desolace
Score breakdown Spell power: 11 × 1 = 11.00 pts Spirit: 6 × 0.1 = 0.60 pts Rare Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. 39 sources Hatefury RogueNPC drop · 0.6% · Desolace Minor Anubisath WarbringerNPC drop · 0.3% · The Barrens Daggerspine ShorehunterNPC drop · 0.3% · Hillsbrad Foothills Torn Fin TidehunterNPC drop · 0.3% · Hillsbrad Foothills Scorpid ReaverNPC drop · 0.2% · Thousand Needles Large Solid ChestObject loot · 0.2% Ferocious YetiNPC drop · 0.1% Silithid SearcherNPC drop · 0.1% · Thousand Needles Solid ChestObject loot · 0.1% Forsaken InfiltratorNPC drop · <0.1% · Ashenvale All 39 sources
3 in this filtered list	Shadow Circlet Cloth · iLvl 25 · Req. 20	11 Shadow spell power 10 Stamina	11.50	Shadow CircletCrafted
Score breakdown Shadow spell power: 11 × 1 = 11.00 pts Stamina: 10 × 0.05 = 0.50 pts Rare Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. Source Shadow CircletCrafted
4 in this filtered list	Shadow Hood Cloth · iLvl 34 · Req. 29	7 Shadow spell power 11 Intellect	10.30	Shadow HoodCrafted
Score breakdown Shadow spell power: 7 × 1 = 7.00 pts Intellect: 11 × 0.3 = 3.30 pts Uncommon Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. Source Shadow HoodCrafted
5 in this filtered list	Embalmed Shroud Cloth · iLvl 35 · Req. 30 · Provisional stats	8 Spell damage 12 Spirit 7 Stamina	9.55	Fallen ChampionNPC drop · 39% · Scarlet Monastery
Score breakdown Spell power: 8 × 1 = 8.00 pts Spirit: 12 × 0.1 = 1.20 pts Stamina: 7 × 0.05 = 0.35 pts Rare Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. Source Fallen ChampionNPC drop · 39% · Scarlet Monastery
6 in this filtered list	Silk Headband Cloth · iLvl 32 · Req. 27	9 Spell power 8 Stamina	9.40	Silk HeadbandCrafted
Score breakdown Spell power: 9 × 1 = 9.00 pts Stamina: 8 × 0.05 = 0.40 pts Uncommon Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. Source Silk HeadbandCrafted
7 in this filtered list	Enchanter's Cowl Cloth · iLvl 33 · Req. 28	6 Spell power 10 Intellect	9.00	Enchanter's CowlCrafted
Score breakdown Spell power: 6 × 1 = 6.00 pts Intellect: 10 × 0.3 = 3.00 pts Uncommon Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. Source Enchanter's CowlCrafted
8 in this filtered list	Filigreed Pristine Circlet Cloth · iLvl 30 · Req. 25	8 Spell damage 12 Stamina	8.60	Filigreed Pristine CircletCrafted
Score breakdown Spell power: 8 × 1 = 8.00 pts Stamina: 12 × 0.05 = 0.60 pts Rare Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. Source Filigreed Pristine CircletCrafted
9 in this filtered list	Pristine Circlet Cloth · iLvl 25 · Req. 20	6 Spell damage 10 Stamina	6.50	Pristine CircletCrafted
Score breakdown Spell power: 6 × 1 = 6.00 pts Stamina: 10 × 0.05 = 0.50 pts Rare Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. Source Pristine CircletCrafted
10 in this filtered list	Nightsky Cowl Cloth · iLvl 35 · Req. 30 · Provisional stats	12 Intellect 5 Spirit	4.10	AlinaNPC drop · 8.3% · Alterac Mountains
Score breakdown Intellect: 12 × 0.3 = 3.60 pts Spirit: 5 × 0.1 = 0.50 pts Uncommon Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. 115 sources AlinaNPC drop · 8.3% · Alterac Mountains Large Solid ChestObject loot · 2% Large Iron Bound ChestObject loot · 1% Dabyrie MilitiaNPC drop · 1% · Arathi Highlands Forsaken BodyguardNPC drop · 0.8% Iron LockboxContainer loot · 0.6% Crowd Pummeler 9-60NPC drop · 0.3% · Gnomeregan Syndicate ConjurorNPC drop · 0.2% · Arathi Highlands Scarlet SoldierNPC drop · 0.2% · Scarlet Monastery Scarlet MonkNPC drop · 0.2% · Scarlet Monastery All 115 sources
11 in this filtered list	Resilient Cap Cloth · iLvl 33 · Req. 28 · Provisional stats	11 Intellect 4 Spirit	3.70	Terrowulf Shadow WeaverNPC drop · 0.9% · Ashenvale
Score breakdown Intellect: 11 × 0.3 = 3.30 pts Spirit: 4 × 0.1 = 0.40 pts Uncommon Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. 66 sources Terrowulf Shadow WeaverNPC drop · 0.9% · Ashenvale Enraged Reef CrawlerNPC drop · 0.3% · Desolace Galak Flame GuardNPC drop · 0.3% · Thousand Needles Death's Head CultistNPC drop · 0.3% Razorfen ThornweaverNPC drop · 0.2% Silithid InvaderNPC drop · 0.2% · Thousand Needles Razorfen BattleguardNPC drop · 0.2% Charlga RazorflankNPC drop · 0.1% · Razorfen Kraul Hatefury ShadowstalkerNPC drop · 0.1% · Desolace Withered WarriorNPC drop · 0.1% · Razorfen Downs All 66 sources
12 in this filtered list	Cloudy Stormsewn Cowl Cloth · iLvl 35 · Req. 30	9 Intellect 9 Stamina	3.15	Cloudy Stormsewn CowlCrafted
Score breakdown Intellect: 9 × 0.3 = 2.70 pts Stamina: 9 × 0.05 = 0.45 pts Uncommon Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. Source Cloudy Stormsewn CowlCrafted
13 in this filtered list	Azure Stormsewn Cowl Cloth · iLvl 35 · Req. 30	9 Intellect 9 Stamina	3.15	Azure Stormsewn CowlCrafted
Score breakdown Intellect: 9 × 0.3 = 2.70 pts Stamina: 9 × 0.05 = 0.45 pts Uncommon Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. Source Azure Stormsewn CowlCrafted
14 in this filtered list	Dread Mage Hat Cloth · iLvl 30 · Req. 25*	7 Intellect 7 Spirit	2.80	You Have Served Us WellQuest reward · Stormwind City
Score breakdown Intellect: 7 × 0.3 = 2.10 pts Spirit: 7 × 0.1 = 0.70 pts Uncommon Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. Source You Have Served Us WellQuest reward · Stormwind City
15 in this filtered list	Lakeshire Firefighter's Headband Cloth · iLvl 30 · Req. 25*	8 Intellect 6 Stamina	2.70	Source pending
Score breakdown Intellect: 8 × 0.3 = 2.40 pts Stamina: 6 × 0.05 = 0.30 pts Uncommon Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. Source Source pending.
16 in this filtered list	Shadow Goggles Cloth · iLvl 24 · Req. 19* · Profession required	5 Intellect 6 Spirit	2.10	Shadow GogglesCrafted
Score breakdown Intellect: 5 × 0.3 = 1.50 pts Spirit: 6 × 0.1 = 0.60 pts Uncommon · Profession required — check item requirements Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. Source Shadow GogglesCrafted
17 in this filtered list	Bright-Eye Goggles Cloth · iLvl 35 · Req. 30* · Profession required	9 Spirit 9 Stamina	1.35	Bright-Eye GogglesCrafted
Score breakdown Spirit: 9 × 0.1 = 0.90 pts Stamina: 9 × 0.05 = 0.45 pts Uncommon · Profession required — check item requirements Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. Source Bright-Eye GogglesCrafted
18 in this filtered list	Green Tinted Goggles Cloth · iLvl 30 · Req. 25* · Profession required	7 Spirit 8 Stamina	1.10	Green Tinted GogglesCrafted
Score breakdown Spirit: 7 × 0.1 = 0.70 pts Stamina: 8 × 0.05 = 0.40 pts Uncommon · Profession required — check item requirements Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. Source Green Tinted GogglesCrafted
19 in this filtered list	Flying Tiger Goggles Cloth · iLvl 20 · Req. 15* · Profession required	4 Spirit 4 Stamina	0.60	Flying Tiger GogglesCrafted
Score breakdown Spirit: 4 × 0.1 = 0.40 pts Stamina: 4 × 0.05 = 0.20 pts Uncommon · Profession required — check item requirements Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. Source Flying Tiger GogglesCrafted
20 in this filtered list	Filigreed Silky Circlet Cloth · iLvl 30 · Req. 25	12 Stamina	0.60	Filigreed Silky CircletCrafted
Score breakdown Stamina: 12 × 0.05 = 0.60 pts Rare Passive stats from the game files only. Procs, set bonuses, random enchantments, caps, pets and weapon combinations are not evaluated. Game build 1.60.1.70790 · Published Nov 5, 2026. Source Filigreed Silky CircletCrafted

Rankings use item stats from the WoW Forever game files; drop, vendor and quest sources come from Wowhead. Availability, race, profession and training requirements need an in-game check. Scores do not establish best-in-slot gear or DPS. Ability names compared with the launch game files 2026-11-04; class proficiencies checked 2026-10-08 · forever-leveling-priorities-v3.

New in Forever

Demons, drains and critical strikes

Demons scale with the Warlock’s stats. Life Tap scales with Spirit, Banes are separate from Curses, and Affliction’s Pandemic raises the critical strike damage of its periodic spells. Demonology’s Demonic Brand changes how the demon holds threat. Item scores still do not simulate the demon or these procs.

Troll Warlock is one of the new race and class combinations in Forever.

Blizzard: Rogue and Warlock changes · Blizzard’s Deep Dive · What’s Next

Read the current Warlock updates

Sources & review

Class roster checked September 19, 2026; leveling guides checked October 8, 2026. Blizzard’s class notes were read again and compared with the launch game files on November 4, 2026, and take precedence when an older guide conflicts. Level-30 guides do not validate optimal level-60 builds.

Wowhead: level-30 class guides Leveling, rotations and gear sources
Blizzard: development notes Tuning and class changes up to launch
Blizzard: Forever Deep Dive Official class announcements
Blizzard: Forever What’s Next Official Skyborne class options
Warcraft Tavern: Classes, Specializations & Roles Community roster and roles
Icy Veins: Choosing Your Class Community playstyle overview

Feral includes both Cat and Bear. Enhancement tank builds are reported, but are not a separate specialization or a reviewed MaxDPS recommendation.

Your character

Your combat loop

Core ability focus

Head

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Demons, drains and critical strikes