Warlock

The warlock is a damage-dealing spell-caster class, known for their wide range of debuffs and damage over time effects. They are magical practitioners that seek to understand darker magics, such as fel-based and destructive spells. While many warlocks willingly follow the Burning Legion, there are those who work against it, using their magic to fight against evil. They have proven themselves to be powerful allies, as well as powerful foes,Ultimate Visual Guide and are known to be interested in seeking power in the darkest of places and making bargains most people in their right minds wouldn't make.Exploring Azeroth: Northrend, pg. 149
Warlocks burn and destroy weakened foes with a combination of crippling illnesses and dark magic. While their demon pets protect and enhance them, they strike at their enemies from a distance. As physically weak spellcasters bereft of heavy armor, cunning warlocks allow their minions to take the brunt of enemy attacks in order to save their own skin. They deliver fire and shadow damage with their spells, and they're able to hurt others both instantly and with ongoing afflictions. Warlocks are adept at summoning their allies to their presence, whether said allies are other heroes or bloodthirsty demons. Warlocks bind demons to their will: these infernal denizens defend their masters with their lives or rain death upon their enemies. They also make use of debilitating curses to weaken and disable enemies, reducing their ability to fight back.https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/game/classes/warlock
Warlock talents can improve the damage of their searing magics, increase the potency of their curses and persistent damaging spells, and empower their demonic servants:
*Affliction warlocks are masters of shadow magic who specialize in drains and damage-over-time spells.
*Demonology warlocks are commanders of demons who twist the souls of their army into devastating power.
*Destruction warlocks are masters of chaos who call down fire to burn and demolish enemies.
==Class overview==
Warlocks are the most volatile and insatiable of spellcasters. Though they often pledge themselves to the service of noble causes and are not innately evil, their desire to understand darker magics and exercise unwavering command over demonic forces breeds mistrust among even their closest allies. Warlocks peer into the Void without hesitation, leveraging the chaos they glimpse within to devastating ends in battle—their greatest abilities are fueled by the souls they've harvested from their victims. They exploit powerful Shadow magic to manipulate and degrade the minds and bodies of their enemies. They employ Fire magic, dropping hellish rain from the sky, to immolate the opposition. They summon and command indomitable demons from the Twisting Nether to do their bidding, or even to be sacrificed as the Warlock sees fit, empowering and protecting the dark caster from harm.Legion Class Preview Series: Warlock
===Game guide===
In the face of demonic power, most heroes see death. Warlocks see only opportunity. Dominance is their aim, and they have found a path to it in the dark arts. These voracious spellcasters summon demonic minions to fight beside them. At first, they command only the service of imps, but as a warlock's knowledge grows, seductive succubi, loyal voidwalkers, and horrific felhunters join the dark sorcerer's ranks to wreak havoc on anyone who stands in their master's way. Warlocks can ignite distant enemies in searing flame, send them fleeing in terror and pain, or afflict them with corrupting diseases and curses that steal the victim's vitality.
These practitioners of the profane are feared across Azeroth, and many who have felt their wrath now prefer to fight alongside a warlock than against one.
Warlocks burn and destroy weakened foes with a combination of crippling illnesses and dark magic. While their demon pets protect and enhance them, warlocks strike at their enemies from a distance. As physically weak spellcasters bereft of heavy armor, cunning warlocks allow their minions to take the brunt of enemy attacks in order to save their own skin.World of Warcraft Game Guide: Warlock
===Creation screen description===
 Warlocks are the bane of all life. Empowered by demonic blood, they can inflict great torment upon their foes. To replenish the dreadful energy their spells expend, warlocks drain vitality from their victims. The warlock can also summon and control terrifying demonic entities. Still, warlocks are feared above all else for their singular wickedness and cruelty.World of Warcraft: Classic class description
:Warlocks cast Fire or Shadow magic to damage, drain, or curse their enemy. They summon demons as servants.
===Classic guide===
Utilizing forbidden sorcery to wreak havoc on their enemies, Warlocks commune with dark powers that enable them to summon demons, curse foes, and channel destructive magics.Taking Your First Steps in World of Warcraft Classic
==Background==
:Born of the Eredar race, warlocks are absolutely corrupt and unimaginably powerful. Their chaos magics have burnt out whole worlds and annihilated countless species over the aeons. Kil'jaeden taught the orcs the secrets of warlock magics, but the orcs could never master the powers of entropy and destruction as well the wicked Eredar. Under Archimonde's command, the warlocks serve as the Legion's tacticians and strategists – Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Manual - Warlock
===Before the Dark Portal===
The first known eredar who Sargeras whispered to and instructed in the art of summoning demons and using fel was Thal'kiel and his Wakeners. Archimonde was at this time an apprentice under him, but ultimately betrayed him to the Second Duumvirate (Kil'jaeden and Velen), guaranteeing his rise to power, and would eventually be the first to accept Sargeras among the eredar.Tome of Blighted Implements
In the human societies of Azeroth, there were legends among the populace of the First Days, where demons roamed free and great heroes arose to drive them out. Knowing the real truth, the Kirin Tor forbade demonology—any attempt to summon demons were to be found and stopped at once, often by force. As such, demons had a limited public impact on the people of the Seven Kingdoms, mostly existing through rumors and folk legends. Most situations involving demon worship ended up taken care of by local authorities, with individuals such as teenagers indulging in magicks they didn't understandCycle of Hatred, chapter 14 or venal farmhands and greedy merchants committing sacrifices and other foul acts in the name of some old demon whose name they couldn't even properly pronounce after hearing their whispers in their sleep.The Last Guardian, chapter 7 Real ceremonies involving demon summoning and fel spells did happen, such as with the case of Zmodlor's cult at Jortas,Cycle of Hatred, chapter 16 but they were secretly neutralized by the efforts of the Kirin Tor and the Council of Tirisfal. In time however, some of those mages charged with hunting demons turned to the dark arts themselves, and Aegwynn fought against some of the greatest spellcasters of her age when they fell into demonic lore.The Last Guardian, chapter 8
On the world of Draenor, Kil'jaeden himself created a new generation of warlocks by instructing the orc shaman in the use of fel and demonic magics. The demon lord first targeted Gul'dan, a weak and crippled orc who the elements had refused, offering him a taste of shadowy power., pg. 68 The orc became an avid student of demonic magic and developed into the most powerful mortal warlock in history. He then faked becoming the apprentice of the elder shaman Ner'zhul, who himself ultimately resisted the eredar lord's promises of untold power. But Gul'dan still taught other orcs the arcane arts and strove to eradicate the orcs' shamanistic traditions. Gul'dan showed this new brand of magic to his brethren, a terrible new power that reeked of doom. Kil'jaeden, seeking to tighten his hold over the orcs, helped Gul'dan found the Shadow Council, a secretive sect that manipulated the clans and spread the use of warlock magics throughout Draenor. The first orc warlocks other than Gul'dan were from the Blackrock clan,Rise of the Horde, chapter 13 but more and more shaman volunteered for warlock training once they stopped hearing from the elements after they had started genociding the draenei. Blackhand also ordered the new warlocks to artificially age every orcish child in order to bolster the ranks of the nascent Horde with a plethora of fresh soldiers.Rise of the Horde, chapter 14 As more and more orcs began to wield warlock magics, the gentle fields and streams of Draenor began to blacken and fade. Over time, the vast prairies the orcs had called home for generations withered away, leaving only red barren soil. The demon energies were slowly killing the world.Kil'jaeden and the Shadow Pact
Not all orc warlocks joined the Shadow Council. Some, such as Drek'Thar and Nekros Skullcrusher, stayed loyal to their clans instead.Tides of Darkness, chapter 9
===First War===
During the First War, the warlocks were the most powerful of the orcish sects. These dark brethren went where no others dared in search of ultimate power. Their towers held the keys to unleashing the very essence of evil upon those they saw as a threat to their devious plans. Spells that channeled fire, brimstone, and shadow through their bodies, or could summon forth great creatures - even daemons - were theirs to use.Warcraft: Orcs & Humans manual, Orcish Horde of the First War, Warlock
There are references to a Warlock clan, though they may be euphemisms for more formally named clans, such as the Shadowmoon clan and Stormreaver clan, who included warlocks in their ranks. They may refer to the warlock class as a group, separate from their clan membership.
===Second War===
Most warlocks of the Shadow Council were slaughtered by Orgrim Doomhammer at Blackrock Spire. Gul'dan later transferred some of their spirits into the first death knights,Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness manual, Ground Units of the Orcish Horde, Death Knight while the magical energies of other long dead warlocks were infused into the bodies of the ogre magi.Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness manual, Ground Units of the Orcish Horde, Ogre-MageWarcraft II: Tides of Darkness manual, Orc Buildings, Altar of Storms
Few living warlocks had survived Doomhammer's rampage. Most of them joined Gul'dan's Stormreaver clan,Tides of Darkness, second prologue where they fought alongside death knights in the battle for Hillsbrad.Tides of Darkness, chapter 8 Other warlocks were involved in the creation of the first Altar of Storms.Tides of Darkness, chapter 13
The orcs of Draenor also learned of Doomhammer's defeat of the Shadow Council.Beyond the Dark Portal, prologue This resulted in a purge of the warlock and dark magic user ranks on Draenor too, as the Draenic orcs feared they would afflict any more of them.Beyond the Dark Portal, chapter 1
===Third War===
During the Third War, orc warlocks could still be found among the ranks of the Old Horde (notably the Blackrock Warlocks) and of the Stormreaver exiles.
===World of Warcraft===
Warlocks would remain shunned and hunted out by society until after the Third War, where their expertise on demonic subjects would be employed for the good of their respective factions. The Alliance and the Horde as such began pressing warlocks into their service.Tides of War, pg. 568-569 Varian Wrynn ponders about the Alliance employing warlocksMeet with Zevrost Although many societies considered such dark arts disreputable, their efficacy in combat was considered undeniable. Most warlocks still kept practicing their arts in secret within hidden enclaves so that they could escape the prejudice of the public, however.
In Stormwind City, when Lord Wishock was made aware of the warlock coven under the Slaughtered Lamb, he lobbied for a full investigation and closure of the tavern.A Noble Brew Zardeth of the Black Claw, however, implied that the noble was actually trying to shut the establishment down in order to avoid paying his tab there. In the end, the warlocks had Lord Wishock assassinated.A Noble Brew (2)
In Khaz Modan, all warlocks were trained under the auspices of the masters of Gnomeregan. However, after the fall of the city, they were all forced to relocate into a "rat's hole" in Ironforge and to send their novices to Stormwind for training as King Magni Bronzebeard decided to keep a careful watch on them.The Slaughtered Lamb (quest)
In Orgrimmar, warlocks operated discreetly in the Cleft of Shadow. Neeru Fireblade was a warlock who claimed not to wish to destroy the Horde from within or gain control over it, but he was secretly an agent of the Shadow Council. Thrall knew about this and tolerated his presence in order to fool him and better watch over him.Hidden Enemies quest chain
In Silvermoon City, demons were more accepted than elsewhere, as the succubus Nimrida was walking with her master Keyanomir in the Murder Row of the city.
During the war against the Lich King, warlocks were still considered as pariahs, operating in the shadows of polite society, but were now starting to be respected on the battlefronts.Visiting Warlock#Quotes
===Mists of Pandaria===
After the war against Deathwing, six of the greatest warlocks gathered together to make a pact stipulating they share the knowledge they gathered and innovated from the defeat of their powerful enemies.Legacy of the Masters (Part 1) Thus the Council of the Black Harvest was created to teach all warlocks advanced forms of magic stolen from the adventurers' defeated foes, learning from the likes of the Twilight's Hammer, the Firelands, the demons of Outland, and the secrets of Illidan's transformation.A Tale of Six MastersJubeka's Journal
When he created the True Horde, Garrosh Hellscream sent his Kor'kron guard led by Ureda of the Black Flame to have most of Orgrimmar's warlocks executed for being demon worshippers.
===Warlords of Draenor===
At the time of the war in Draenor, warlocks were originally forbidden in the ranks of the Iron Horde, but trained a whole generation of warlocks to marshal against the forces of Azeroth,We Don't Need No Library Card first as members of the and then as Iron servants of the Legion. The are also referred to as warlocks, using the void to bind souls and control the undead.Secrets of Soulbinding
===Legion===
During the third invasion of the Burning Legion, the warlocks of Azeroth united against the Legion via the Council of the Black Harvest, obtaining the Scepter of Sargeras once used by the first warlock Ner'zhul, the Skull of the Man'ari that still retained Thal'kiel's soul, and Ulthalesh, the Deadwind Harvester that belonged to the first necrolyte Sataiel. They would go on to conquer Dreadscar Rift.
===Dragonflight===
After the discovery of the Dragon Isles, Lord Banehollow disguised himself as Madam Shadow on the Darkmoon Island and lured new warlocks to his side, posing as a teacher, but in order to obtain their souls.Beginning Impositions After his true identity was revealed, the nathrezim announced that he had already stolen the souls of thousands of warlocks on Azeroth and wouldn't stop, but was ultimately defeated by a warlock adventurer before he could enact his plans.When Revenge Burns Green
==Notable==
Name 	Role 	Affiliation 	Location 	Status
 	The Defiler, Eredar Overlord of the Legion forces. 	Burning Legion 	Died at 	
 	The Deceiver, Supreme commander of the Burning Legion and chief lieutenant of Sargeras. 	Burning Legion 	Died in the Twisting Nether 	
 	First orcish warlock, Chieftain of the Stormreaver clan and creator of the Shadow Council. 	Stormreaver clan, Independent 	Died in the Tomb of Sargeras 	
 	Lord of the Shadow Council who opened the Felstorm gateway. 	Shadow Council, Burning Legion 	Died in the Nighthold 	
 	Leader of the Twilight's Hammer, formerly the avatar of C'Thun. 	Twilight's Hammer, Old Gods' forces 	Died at the Throne of the Apocalypse	
 	Leader of the death knights of Draenor, former acolyte of the Shadow Council. 	Illidari, Shadowmoon clan 	Died in the Black Temple 	
 	Second-in-command of the Dragonmaw clan, holder of the Demon Soul. 	Dragonmaw Clan, Old Horde 	Died in Grim Batol 	
 	Champion of the Tirisgarde, former founding member of Council of Tirisfal and the New Council.	Tirisgarde, Magocracy of Dalaran, Armies of Legionfall	Various 	
Secrets of Soulbinding	Warlord and elder shaman of the . Used Void magic. 	Shadowmoon clan, Iron Horde 	Died in the Edge of Reality 	
 	Member of the Garad'kra, once gathered the ingredients for Putress' New Plague. 	Garad'kra, Horde 	Unknown 	
 	Master Summoner of the Argent Tournament who accidentally summoned Lord Jaraxxus. 	Alliance 	Died in the Crusaders' Coliseum 	
 	Former leader of the Council of the Black Harvest. 	Council of the Black Harvest; Stormwind (ostensibly) 	Dreadscar Rift 	
 	Warlock companion to the demon hunter Marius Felbane. 	Independent (and Marius) 	Various 	
==Organizations==
;Defunct organizations
* Cult of the Dark Strand
* Searing Blade
* Veiled Hand
* Blackrock Warlocks
* Warlock clan
==Abilities==
===Summoning===
Warlocks are adept at summoning their allies to their presence, whether said allies are other heroes or bloodthirsty demons. Warlocks bind demons to their will: these infernal denizens defend their masters with their lives or rain death upon their enemies.
Warlocks have access to spells that summon these demonic entities: 
*Summon Imp - Imps are small, cackling demons. This creature is best used for support of a larger group.
*Summon Voidwalker - The voidwalker's strength and endurance are significant, making them ideal for defense.
*Summon Sayaad - A creature of incredible mental powers, a sayaad can lull those of weak minds into its servitude.Devourer of Souls (Orgrimmar)
*Eye of Kilrogg (warlock ability) - A demonic eye sentry that is used for scouting.
*Summon Felhunter - Felhunters feed on magical energies... and those who wield them.Morfiel, Through the Dark Portal
*Summon Felguard - Soldiers of the Burning Legion, felguards can be controlled only by those most skilled in the demonic arts.Haaroon, March of the Legion They serve as warriors for warlocks specialized in Demonology. 
In addition to these normal minions, the warlocks can summon two greater demons to defend them for a short time or as permanent pets.
*Summon Infernal - A guardian useful in AOE situations.
*Summon Doomguard - A guardian useful in single target situations.
The warlock can also summon demonic horses into their service as mounts:
*Felsteed - A fiery steed.
*:Dreadsteed - A fiery, horse-like demon from the planet Xoroth.
*Wrathsteed - A new type of Dreadsteed created by Lord Hel'nurath.
Warlocks may also use Enslave Demon on some demons, forcing them to serve as minions with their own special set of abilities for a short time.
===Ranged Damage===
Warlocks deliver fire and shadow damage with their spells, and they're able to hurt others both instantly and with ongoing afflictions.
===Demonic Resources===
Warlocks make use of burning embers, demonic fury or soul shards to empower their spells, making them swifter or more deadly.
==Races==
The warlock class can be played by the following races:
As of Patch 10.1.5, all races and allied races (with the exception of dracthyr) can play as warlocks.Dragonflight Patch 10.1.5 - All News and Updates
===Racial traits===
Each race comes with its own racial traits. Below is a brief list of the traits that interact directly with the warlock's abilities, playstyle and needs in specific situations; other racials are not listed. For a complete list, see racial trait.
Dwarf
*Stoneform is a defense and debuff-dispelling cooldown which can be useful in PvP and PvE.
*Frost Resistance can be useful in reducing damage taken, especially versus frost mages.
Gnome
*Expansive Mind is one of the most useful racial abilities for warlocks, as it increases total mana by 5%. Note that it increases your mana pool, but not Intellect, spell power or spell critical.
*Escape Artist removes snares and speed reduction effects. Usable in PvP and certain PvE encounters (Note: does not remove stun effects).
*Nimble Fingers is a very beneficial racial trait, increasing haste by 1%, a stat favored by all three warlock specializations.
Human
*Will to Survive is another beneficial trait enabling players to remove all stun effects on the character.
*The Human Spirit enables the human to gain extra stats gain from all sources, increasing all secondary stats considerably.
Worgen
*Viciousness is another of the most beneficial racial abilities for warlocks, as it increases spell critical strike by 1%.
*Darkflight enables the player to move faster. Usable in both PvP and PvE encounters.
Void elf
*Entropic Embrace has a chance to empower your attacks and self-healing by approximately 5%. This is a solid all-around buff, though Demonology warlocks won't get as much from it as it doesn't affect pet attacks or abilities.
*Preternatural Calm prevents spells from being delayed by damage, and is one of the best racial passives for casters.
*Spatial Rift has interesting uses, especially in PvP but also on PvE encounters.
Dark Iron dwarf
*Fireblood is much like Stoneform with a pretty hefty stat bonus on top, which makes it valuable for both defense and attack purposes.
Mechagnome
*Combat Analysis gives a stacking buff to your primary stat while in combat. During long fights, this is essentially a permanent bonus to your intellect, which makes it one of the best racial passives out there.
*Hyper Organic Light Originator is a niche ability that could nonetheless be helpful by reducing your threat level when you need it.
*Emergency Failsafe heals you for 15% of your maximum health whenever it falls below 20%. This is a nice passive bonus that could prove decisive in more than one occasion.
Blood elf
*Arcane Torrent provides a mana increase similar to Life Tap without the loss of health. Due to its limited AoE range, it is only situationally useful in PvE encounters and is half as effective in PvP.
*Arcane Acuity increases spell critical strike rate by 1%, making it handy in both PvP and PvE. It is worth noting that this passive assures higher damage of Chaos Bolt (Destruction specialization).
Goblin
*Rocket Barrage does a small amount of damage at range.
*Rocket Jump is similar to Blink, and is useful in PvE and PvP. Can be used to stay out of the fire.
*Time is Money provides a 1% increase to the haste stat, a very useful stat to all warlock specializations.
Orc
*Blood Fury gives an increase in spell power when activated.
*Hardiness provides a 20% reduction to the duration of stun effects on the character.
*Command increases the damage dealt by all minions by 1%, which is especially useful for Demonology warlocks.
Troll
*Berserking provides a buff which increases haste, effectively granting the warlock another damage-dealing cooldown besides trinkets. It has a 3 minute cooldown, but unlike Bloodlust it does not cause a 10 minute debuff preventing its reapplication, thus making it an extremely beneficial racial ability.
*Regeneration (racial) is useful as an additional health regeneration effect, especially beneficial on long encounters, useful with Life Tap.
*Da Voodoo Shuffle reduces the duration of all movement-impairing effects on the character, useful in both PvE and PvP.
Undead
*Will of the Forsaken removes any Charm, Fear, or Sleep effect on the character, which is useful in both PvE and PvP.
*Touch of the Grave adds a chance to deal Shadow damage and heal oneself when attacking.
Nightborne
*Magical Affinity increases magical damage dealt by 1%.
*Arcane Pulse deals damage to nearby enemies and slows them by 50%, which makes it useful for disengaging from melee, though its three-minute cooldown is a serious drawback.
Vulpera
*Bag of Tricks (racial) can be used either to damage enemies or heal allies on a 1.5 min cooldown. While the default is Nature-based damage, if you manage to get the versions that drop from Ragnaros and Cho'gall, you can change it to deal Fire or Shadow damage instead.
==Specializations==
:For a full list of specialization abilities, see Warlock abilities
===Affliction===
A master of shadow magic who specializes in drains and damage-over-time spells.
Affliction warlocks are the masters of damage over time spells, plaguing their enemies with an array of Curses and DoTs. Affliction warlocks can afflict their foes with DoTs such as Agony and Corruption. Affliction warlocks' periodic effects are further improved by their mastery Mastery: Potent Afflictions and through their powerful artifact weapon. Affliction warlocks gain Soul Shards as a secondary resource, which are necessary to cast certain spells.
Affliction warlocks are masters of shadow-touched powers, but unlike shadow priests—deadliest when pushed to the brink of insanity—these warlocks delight in using fel forces to cause intense pain and suffering in others. They revel in corrupting minds and agonizing souls, leaving enemies in a state of torment that would see them undone in due time. Even the most battle-hardened warriors can be deceived, landing blow after blow against the warlock, only to succumb to their suffering as their very vitality is siphoned away by the dark spellcaster.
===Demonology===
A master of demons who compels demonic powers to aid him.
Demonology warlocks summon and enslave demons in order to crush their foes. As well as improving their damage and survivability, these warlocks' demonic mastery empowers their minions (Mastery: Master Demonologist, Demonic Rebirth) and grants them new demons to command (Wild Imps, Doom, Summon Felguard). Demonology warlocks wield a mixture of Shadow, Fire and Chaos damage to immolate and corrupt their enemies.
By their very nature, demons are leeches on the living universe—but the demonologist has mastered harnessing the power of these malefic beings on the field of battle. Warlocks harvest the souls of their defeated enemies; those specialized in the ways of demonology use this life essence to tap into the Void, pulling all manner of abomination from the chaos of the Twisting Nether. While such a practice is often considered by outsiders to be wicked and reckless, the demonologist maintains absolute control over the summoned creatures. These malignant entities are fully beholden to—and empowered by—the will of the warlock, until banished to the realm from whence they came.
===Destruction===
A master of chaos who calls down fire to burn and demolish enemies.
Destruction warlocks focus on demolishing opponents with fast and powerful direct damage spells. They use the Soul Shards generated by their spells to fuel their most powerful attacks, deal splash damage and even restore health. With enviable abilities such as Shadowburn, Havoc and Chaos Bolt, Destruction warlocks can rapidly reduce unprepared opponents to a pile of cinders.
Warlocks who command the power of destruction favor incantations of pure chaos and aggression in battle. In this regard, they'd find a stronger kinship with fire mages than warlocks of other disciplines—if not for their propensity to make use of magic deemed detestable by all mage orders. The destruction warlock is well-versed in discharging a dizzying array of shadow, fel, fire, and chaos magics upon opponents that rattle souls and conflagrate bodies. They require little motivation for the havoc they wreak, happy to revel in the destruction they cause—thrilled at any opportunity to watch the world erupt in discord around them.
==End-game expectations==
Warlocks are taken to raids for their incredible DPS and their raid utility. Warlocks are usually one of the highest sources of ranged DPS and also possess an array of utilities such as using Ritual of Summoning for late comers, casting Soulstone for combat resurrections, and distributing Healthstone. Warlocks are also well known for their CC abilities such as Fear and Banish.
In PvP, Warlocks are incredibly useful as a support class for arenas and battlegrounds. DoT abilities such as Corruption, Bane of Agony, and Unstable Affliction spread between multiple player targets are excellent at generating pressure for opposing teams. Unstable Affliction also provides opponents with a hefty penalty for spam-dispelling debuffs. The felhunter also provides excellent anti-caster and anti-healer abilities with Spell Lock and Devour Magic. Finally, they are infamous for their PvP CC abilities such as Fear, Howl of Terror, and Mortal Coil. Demonic Gateway is also an iconic and powerful contribution to any group.
Warlocks are renowned for their damage over time (DoT) spells and sinister Shadow magic, as well for summoning demonic minions and their ability to wreak havoc with destructive Fire spells. Warlocks can specialize in any of these areas: Affliction warlocks are the masters of damage over time, draining their targets' health with an array of powerful debuffs; Demonology warlocks summon improved demons to do their bidding, drawing power from their minions; Destruction warlocks call down a rain of fire upon their enemies, specializing in potent burst damage and Fire spells.
Being a warlock demands certain things: being able to engage multiple targets simultaneously while keeping tabs on your minion, to make split-second strategic decisions on cast rotations depending on the situation, and careful resource and cooldown management. Being a warlock also offers many rewards: they are PvP powerhouses due to their powerful crowd-control and sustained damage abilities, and in PvE their damage output is among the highest in both single and multiple target situations.
==Macros and addons==
==Gallery==
Warcraft I - Warlock.jpg|Warlock art in the Warcraft: Orcs & Humans manual.
Infernal with undead warlock - WoWcinematic.jpg|Undead warlock with an infernal in the cinematic intro for World of Warcraft.
Undead bc cinematic.jpg|Undead warlock casting Hellfire in the cinematic intro for The Burning Crusade.
Guldan-Cinematic.png|Warlock Gul'dan in the cinematic intro for Warlords of Draenor.
Vendellin using fel.jpg|Vendellin Soulfire using fel to consume life around him, as seen in The Comic.
;Warcraft III
Orc Warlock Reign of Chaos.jpg|Orc warlock in Reign of Chaos.
Warcraft III - Fel Orc Warlock.jpg|Fel orc warlock.
Stormreaver.gif|Stormreaver warlock in The Frozen Throne.
Eredar Animated Gif W3.gif|Eredar warlock
;Trading Card Game
Acolyte Demia full.jpg|Acolyte Demia, a human warlock.
FelbenderLara.jpg|Felbender Lara, a human warlock.
Dimzer the Prestidigitator TCG.jpg|Dimzer the Prestidigitator, a gnome warlock.
Field Commander Foggo TCG.jpg|Field Commander Foggo, a gnome warlock.
Mazar TCG.jpg|Mazar, a gnome warlock.
Kamboozle, Bringer of Doom.jpg|Kamboozle, Bringer of Doom, a gnome warlock.
Izza Spindleflame TCG.jpg|Izza Spindleflame, a gnome warlock.
Turane Soulpact TCG.jpg|Turane Soulpact, a blood elf warlock.
Malistra the Demonmistress TCG.jpg|Malistra the Demonmistress, a blood elf warlock.
Gahrunt Foulfang TCG.jpg|Gahrunt Foulfang, an orc warlock.
The Soul Conductor TCG.jpg|The Soul Conductor, an orc warlock.
Morlug Soulslaver TCG.jpg|Morlug Soulslaver, an orc warlock.
Garell Strout TCG.jpg|Garell Strout, a undead warlock.
Corruption TCG 2.jpg|Corruption
Life Tap full.jpg|Life Tap
Shadow and Flame TCG.jpg|Shadow and Flame.
Mor'zul Bloodbringer TCG.jpg|Mor'zul Bloodbringer, a human warlock.
Kaal Soulreaper TCG.jpg|Kaal Soulreaper
Demonic Reclamation TCG.jpg|Demonic Reclamation
;Hearthstone
Vital Adventurer HS.jpg|
Soul Barrage HS.jpg|A gnoll warlock using .
==Patch changes==
*
*
==See also==
*Warlock quests
==References==
==External links==
	 
 
Category:WoW classes
Category:Core classes
Category:Religions
Category:Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game
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