Warlock / Legion changes Affliction . Affliction warlocks ’ gameplay has always aligned well with their character , but in terms of abilities , we want to avoid the feeling that DoT s are amplifiers for your channeled single - target damage . Applying spells that do damage over time is very core to affliction , so we want to reinforce these spells as the primary source of damage , with other “ filler ” spells feeling more secondary . We ’ re adjusting the affliction rotation so that DoTs are stronger , and your focus is more on figuring out how best to juggle those DoTs to maximize damage output . Mechanically , we ’ re altering how Soul Shards are generated and spent , in part to better deliver on the more DoT - driven damage . Soul Shards are now generated by each Agony you have up on your targets , instead of only by your most recent Corruption cast , to favor placing DoTs on several targets rapidly ( multi - dotting ) . You ’ ll then spend Soul Shards on an extremely strong DoT in Unstable affliction , reinforcing the focus on DoTs . Finally , in keeping with the affliction theme , Drain Life serves as the main filler spell , instead of Malefic Grasp or Drain Soul . This better matches the affliction identity because its damage stays secondary to the DoTs , which should be the primary focus of damage , instead of dwarfing them . It also adds significant self - healing , further playing to the affliction motif . To give you an idea of the Affliction Warlock in action , here ’ s a basic look at their core combat abilities : Additionally , to provide a glimpse at how some talents may build upon this , here ’ s one example of an Affliction - specific talent : Demonology . While all warlocks maintain the power to summon demon s , demonology is distinguished by the ability to call forth waves of demons to overwhelm the opposition , and also to further empower the demons they summon . Over the years we strayed too far from this design , to the extent that demonology gameplay was defined more by the warlock becoming a demon . Legion provides a fitting opportunity for us to realign the spec around its core function of mastering control of demons , not transforming into them . We also recognize that demonology had a large array of intertwined mechanics that weren ’ t intuitive , and they ’ ve undergone a greater degree of redesign as a result . For those who played demonology during Warlords of Draenor , the gameplay will feel quite different in Legion . Beta test feedback will be essential in helping us to ensure that the new spec feels strong and enjoyable and that we ’ ve accomplished our goal of returning demonology to its foundations . To give you an idea of the Demonology Warlock in action , here ’ s a basic look at their core combat abilities : Additionally , to provide a glimpse at how some talents may build upon this , here ’ s one example of a Demonology - specific talent : Destruction . Destruction mechanics are in a solid place overall and are already a good match thematically , so we ’ re taking the opportunity in Legion to provide additional polish on existing gameplay . While resource mechanic functionality isn ’ t being drastically overhauled , we ’ ve changed Burning Embers back to Soul Shards . Not only does this return consistency across all warlock specs , it also reestablishes the Soul Shard as the iconic source of warlock power . To give you an idea of the Destruction Warlock in action , here ’ s a basic look at their core combat abilities : Additionally , to provide a glimpse at how some talents may build upon this , here ’ s one example of a Destruction - specific talent :