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Affliction Warlock doing sub-par, help me improve.Follow
You could get the wand from 25 badges...but I'd go after The Black Stalk in HC UB or the one off Aran. For Destro I think the Black Stalk is better once you are hit capped, but until then, Aran's is amazing. Over 20 +hit on it.
Shade's wand is altogether pretty damn good; there's not much necessarily in the way of an upgrade immediately because of the spell hit.
You are still going to see better benefit with the Spellstrike and FSW set bonuses if you can't manage to get into Gruul's for the T4 shoulders (which ought to be the ones paired with your T4 gloves).
Speaking of your gloves, try to get the Handwraps of Flowing Thought from Attumen until you're hit capped. Then you can rearrange your gear a little different to maintain cap.
You're still a little low on spell hit, but not nearly as was the case when you first posted the thread, so kudos to you. :)
Of your two rings, drop the VE one before the Ring of Recurrence. And get the badge one before the CE ring if you can; it's a bit better in the way of spell hit. However, the CE ring will probably prove easier to get rep-wise.
Trash spell rotation: CoElements, Shadow Bolt, as CoE benefits you, Shadow Priests, Boomkins and Mages, and to a lesser extent, Shamans. Don't worry about Immolate or Corruption until you get to bosses. Because the gear isn't optimal for DS/SnF yet, Immolate and Corruption on bosses are still going to see better DPS overall than not.
If you find you're running with Fire mages, but no Shadow Priests, take advantage of Improved Scorch and spec Fire Destro (sac your imp, Immolate -> Incinerate, refresh).
You are still going to see better benefit with the Spellstrike and FSW set bonuses if you can't manage to get into Gruul's for the T4 shoulders (which ought to be the ones paired with your T4 gloves).
Speaking of your gloves, try to get the Handwraps of Flowing Thought from Attumen until you're hit capped. Then you can rearrange your gear a little different to maintain cap.
You're still a little low on spell hit, but not nearly as was the case when you first posted the thread, so kudos to you. :)
Of your two rings, drop the VE one before the Ring of Recurrence. And get the badge one before the CE ring if you can; it's a bit better in the way of spell hit. However, the CE ring will probably prove easier to get rep-wise.
Trash spell rotation: CoElements, Shadow Bolt, as CoE benefits you, Shadow Priests, Boomkins and Mages, and to a lesser extent, Shamans. Don't worry about Immolate or Corruption until you get to bosses. Because the gear isn't optimal for DS/SnF yet, Immolate and Corruption on bosses are still going to see better DPS overall than not.
If you find you're running with Fire mages, but no Shadow Priests, take advantage of Improved Scorch and spec Fire Destro (sac your imp, Immolate -> Incinerate, refresh).
Somethings to look out for..
1. Spell Strike Hood.
Although not needed, if you can shell out the gold it would really help your dps. There's a good chance that you'll be able to get into a Loot Reaver group soon and have a chance at his head gear. Hex Lord is a little out of reach for you atm.
2. s4 Haste Honor Necklace
This is worth putting an epic gem into. It's superior to loop of cursed bones and much better than Rittsyns. Best of all it only takes honor and marks.
3. Fel Tinged Mantle
These drop off the second boss in Heroic MGT. If I remember right they are better than the shoulders that drop from Hydros in SSC. FSW shoulders are the weakest piece in the set and you can easily replace them.
4. Mantle of Nimble thought.
Spell haste is really important. Although it will set you back a lot of gold to make (and buy the pattern) it's possibly the best shoulders you can get until Hyjal/BT boss drops. However, I'd only get it if you already have good spell damage and crit.
5. s2 dagger.
While the 150 badge dagger does give slightly more damage, the s2 dagger can hold you over for a good while.
6. Corrupted Demonsoul Robes (100 badges)
On par with Vestments for hit capped warlocks.
7. Gloves of Arcane Acuity
These drop off of Kael in both modes of MGT. I've never seen them drop, but they are on the loot table. They are superior to Handwraps of flowing thought.
8. Boots of Incantations (75 badges)
On par with Blue Suede Shoes (from Hyjal). Will not be replaced until BT.
9. Darkmoon card: Crusade
While I know getting a deck can be costly, and troublesome. It's an amazing trinket that basically gives you +80 spell damage on boss fights. Besides Hex Shrunken Head from Hex lord, the only trinket that's better is from Illidan or drops in Sunwell.
Now for some other things
Don't go crazy with CE rep. Although it's good to be exalted the ring really is not worth the trouble.
1/5 Emberstorm gives slightly more dps than 1/5 immolate. (according to spreadsheets)
Drop Corruption from your rotation as soon as you hit cap (maybe even before). I honestly can not see the benefits in casting it, even at your gear level.
1. Spell Strike Hood.
Although not needed, if you can shell out the gold it would really help your dps. There's a good chance that you'll be able to get into a Loot Reaver group soon and have a chance at his head gear. Hex Lord is a little out of reach for you atm.
2. s4 Haste Honor Necklace
This is worth putting an epic gem into. It's superior to loop of cursed bones and much better than Rittsyns. Best of all it only takes honor and marks.
3. Fel Tinged Mantle
These drop off the second boss in Heroic MGT. If I remember right they are better than the shoulders that drop from Hydros in SSC. FSW shoulders are the weakest piece in the set and you can easily replace them.
4. Mantle of Nimble thought.
Spell haste is really important. Although it will set you back a lot of gold to make (and buy the pattern) it's possibly the best shoulders you can get until Hyjal/BT boss drops. However, I'd only get it if you already have good spell damage and crit.
5. s2 dagger.
While the 150 badge dagger does give slightly more damage, the s2 dagger can hold you over for a good while.
6. Corrupted Demonsoul Robes (100 badges)
On par with Vestments for hit capped warlocks.
7. Gloves of Arcane Acuity
These drop off of Kael in both modes of MGT. I've never seen them drop, but they are on the loot table. They are superior to Handwraps of flowing thought.
8. Boots of Incantations (75 badges)
On par with Blue Suede Shoes (from Hyjal). Will not be replaced until BT.
9. Darkmoon card: Crusade
While I know getting a deck can be costly, and troublesome. It's an amazing trinket that basically gives you +80 spell damage on boss fights. Besides Hex Shrunken Head from Hex lord, the only trinket that's better is from Illidan or drops in Sunwell.
Now for some other things
Don't go crazy with CE rep. Although it's good to be exalted the ring really is not worth the trouble.
1/5 Emberstorm gives slightly more dps than 1/5 immolate. (according to spreadsheets)
Drop Corruption from your rotation as soon as you hit cap (maybe even before). I honestly can not see the benefits in casting it, even at your gear level.
Quote:
1/5 Emberstorm gives slightly more dps than 1/5 immolate. (according to spreadsheets)
Spreadsheets are pretty biased toward shadow Destro. If the opportunity arises to spec Fire destro, it should be 5/5 Imp. Immo and 5/5 Emberstorm, both. And Emberstorm affects Incinerate, which you won't be using as Shadow anyway. So, in reality, Imp. Immo. will give slightly higher DPS and DPCT because it's more damage on a spell that's actually being used, rather than one that's ignored.
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Drop Corruption from your rotation as soon as you hit cap (maybe even before). I honestly can not see the benefits in casting it, even at your gear level.
It's because of the gear level that Corruption and Immolate should both be in rotation, even as Shadow.
Edited, Aug 12th 2008 4:25am by wingsofscion
I plugged his gear into the spreadsheet (with a few changes since I can't calculate Lightings Cap actual damage) and Emberstorm still beats out Imp Immolate. I checked Corruption to and it does give him considerable more damage.
Thanks for the new replies, I just saw them.
First of all, what spreadsheet are you talking about? I checked both stickies, wowwiki, allawiki, and couldn't find it. Is the leulier one I Googled any good?
Next goals (short/longish term)
Wand: I am trying to run more and more heroic Underbog for both the wand and the CE rep for the ring, but of course, if Aran drops his wand, I'm rolling need (we roll for Kara loot, since it's a half guild half pug run, so wish me luck)
Necklace: Is spell haste worth it before I get hit capped? If so, I'll go BG some more (not something I enjoy doing)
Shoulders: Second boss in heroic MGT is always the wiper for my static party. I'll try to see if I can manage it. The spell hast one, I'd rather wait, I'm broke and beyond broke with all the crafting, gemming and enchanting I did to get here.
Gloves: I have T4 gloves, I'm not sure people will appreciate me rolling on Attumen's drop. I'll try to go for Gloves of Arcane Acuity from Kael'thas in MgT (hopefully same run as the shoulder drop from second boss, hehe)
Ring 1: First badge expenditure will be the ring, that's for sure, and I'll get it to replace Violet Signet. Too bad it'll be before I finish upgrading it.
Ring 2: If I get exalted while running heroic Underbog, or close enough to pay very little in armaments, I'll buy the CE ring, if not, no biggie.
Weapon: Even more BGs... Help
Head: Spellstrike hood it is then, for the set bonus. What annoys me is that I already have T4 (which is paired with gloves now) and the engineering helm (first one) I'll be sad to let them go.
Trinket: Darkmoon card: Crusade, well if I get enough money, sure, why not? Which of my trinkets is it supposed to replace?
Chest: Corrupted Demonsoul Robes for 100 badges, when I have them. Rather a long term goal than a short term one, since I want the ring and the boots first.
Boots: Boots of Incantations for 75 badges, also not a short term goal, but before the chest, after the ring.
First of all, what spreadsheet are you talking about? I checked both stickies, wowwiki, allawiki, and couldn't find it. Is the leulier one I Googled any good?
Next goals (short/longish term)
Wand: I am trying to run more and more heroic Underbog for both the wand and the CE rep for the ring, but of course, if Aran drops his wand, I'm rolling need (we roll for Kara loot, since it's a half guild half pug run, so wish me luck)
Necklace: Is spell haste worth it before I get hit capped? If so, I'll go BG some more (not something I enjoy doing)
Shoulders: Second boss in heroic MGT is always the wiper for my static party. I'll try to see if I can manage it. The spell hast one, I'd rather wait, I'm broke and beyond broke with all the crafting, gemming and enchanting I did to get here.
Gloves: I have T4 gloves, I'm not sure people will appreciate me rolling on Attumen's drop. I'll try to go for Gloves of Arcane Acuity from Kael'thas in MgT (hopefully same run as the shoulder drop from second boss, hehe)
Ring 1: First badge expenditure will be the ring, that's for sure, and I'll get it to replace Violet Signet. Too bad it'll be before I finish upgrading it.
Ring 2: If I get exalted while running heroic Underbog, or close enough to pay very little in armaments, I'll buy the CE ring, if not, no biggie.
Weapon: Even more BGs... Help
Head: Spellstrike hood it is then, for the set bonus. What annoys me is that I already have T4 (which is paired with gloves now) and the engineering helm (first one) I'll be sad to let them go.
Trinket: Darkmoon card: Crusade, well if I get enough money, sure, why not? Which of my trinkets is it supposed to replace?
Chest: Corrupted Demonsoul Robes for 100 badges, when I have them. Rather a long term goal than a short term one, since I want the ring and the boots first.
Boots: Boots of Incantations for 75 badges, also not a short term goal, but before the chest, after the ring.
1. Darkmoon Card: Crusade should replace The Lightning Compacitor. Icon is a pretty good trinket that will last you until you can grab the trinket from ZA.
2. If you're not going for the robes right after the ring (which I suggest doing) you can get robes from kael in mgt (I think they only drop in heroic). They are pretty good robes and you can replace FSW with them.
3. Try to find premades for BGs, especially on weekends. It might be harder for you if you're on anything less than a high pop server. BTW the haste necklace is worth it even if you're not hit capped.
4. Enchants - you're not going to like this but I do suggest getting +6 Stats over 150 HP when you upgrade your body slot. This gives 60 HP, 90 mana, and a small portion of crit. Now when you have 150 HP that's basically the same as 60 HP and 90 mana. Only the later might mean you save a GCD for a lifetap every once and a while and you get the small bonus to crit.
If you have the gold enchant Boots of Incantations with Boar's Speed. It's an excellent enchant as it provides extra mobility for boss fights, and for general things. If not grab the Vitality enchant. It's pretty cheap and beats out +12 Stam on fights that last longer than 1.25 minutes. Again it might also free up a GCD from lifetap.
5. The Spreadsheet can be found here http://www.leulier.com/
You need excell to edit it.
6. If you need badges fast run...(times are based on what I normally pull, it will most likely be a little longer for you)
Slave Pens - 30 minutes (3 badges)
Underbog - 30 minutes (4 badges)
Shattered Halls (with a paladin tank and a good group) - 40 minutes (5 badges) (Fasest badges with a good group, horrible with a bad one)
Black Morass (with a good group) - 30 minutes (3 badges)
Ramparts - 30 minutes (3 badges, you might wipe a couple of times on the dragon)
Steamvaults - 30 minutes (3 badges)
Mech - 30 minutes (4 badges)
Bot - 50 minutes (5 badges)
Edited, Aug 13th 2008 4:34am by CalArvian
2. If you're not going for the robes right after the ring (which I suggest doing) you can get robes from kael in mgt (I think they only drop in heroic). They are pretty good robes and you can replace FSW with them.
3. Try to find premades for BGs, especially on weekends. It might be harder for you if you're on anything less than a high pop server. BTW the haste necklace is worth it even if you're not hit capped.
4. Enchants - you're not going to like this but I do suggest getting +6 Stats over 150 HP when you upgrade your body slot. This gives 60 HP, 90 mana, and a small portion of crit. Now when you have 150 HP that's basically the same as 60 HP and 90 mana. Only the later might mean you save a GCD for a lifetap every once and a while and you get the small bonus to crit.
If you have the gold enchant Boots of Incantations with Boar's Speed. It's an excellent enchant as it provides extra mobility for boss fights, and for general things. If not grab the Vitality enchant. It's pretty cheap and beats out +12 Stam on fights that last longer than 1.25 minutes. Again it might also free up a GCD from lifetap.
5. The Spreadsheet can be found here http://www.leulier.com/
You need excell to edit it.
6. If you need badges fast run...(times are based on what I normally pull, it will most likely be a little longer for you)
Slave Pens - 30 minutes (3 badges)
Underbog - 30 minutes (4 badges)
Shattered Halls (with a paladin tank and a good group) - 40 minutes (5 badges) (Fasest badges with a good group, horrible with a bad one)
Black Morass (with a good group) - 30 minutes (3 badges)
Ramparts - 30 minutes (3 badges, you might wipe a couple of times on the dragon)
Steamvaults - 30 minutes (3 badges)
Mech - 30 minutes (4 badges)
Bot - 50 minutes (5 badges)
Edited, Aug 13th 2008 4:34am by CalArvian
Quote:
Necklace: Is spell haste worth it before I get hit capped? If so, I'll go BG some more (not something I enjoy doing)
No. Moroes' necklace is better, or Ritssyn's Lost Pendant, or the SSO neck. Haste shouldn't really be on your itemization list until close to T6 (Hyjal, BT and Sunwell).
Quote:
Shoulders: Second boss in heroic MGT is always the wiper for my static party. I'll try to see if I can manage it. The spell hast one, I'd rather wait, I'm broke and beyond broke with all the crafting, gemming and enchanting I did to get here.
Vexallus is essentially a miniature Curator, with a few minor tweaks. You actually need to DPS him rather slowly because of the Pure Energy discharges.
Quote:
Gloves: I have T4 gloves, I'm not sure people will appreciate me rolling on Attumen's drop. I'll try to go for Gloves of Arcane Acuity from Kael'thas in MgT (hopefully same run as the shoulder drop from second boss, hehe)
Explain to them *why* you are rolling on Attumen's gloves, if they drop. If they're going to get sharded anyway, it's still better they go to someone that's going to use them, because the gloves are really only worth it paired with the T4 shoulders (which the T5 shoulders outweigh anyway, if you get that far).
Quote:
Ring 1: First badge expenditure will be the ring, that's for sure, and I'll get it to replace Violet Signet. Too bad it'll be before I finish upgrading it.
Sad thing is, the VE ring is just terrible, even at exalted. =\ Both the Scryer's Exalted ring and the Ring of Recurrence are better than it.
Quote:
Ring 2: If I get exalted while running heroic Underbog, or close enough to pay very little in armaments, I'll buy the CE ring, if not, no biggie.
It may turn out that you don't actually need Ashyen's Gift after a while - so keep the Chess ring just in case.
Quote:
Weapon: Even more BGs... Help
Actually, though the S2 dagger is nice, I would suggest getting worrying about that last. Nathrezim Mindblade is still pretty damn good in its own right.
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Head: Spellstrike hood it is then, for the set bonus. What annoys me is that I already have T4 (which is paired with gloves now) and the engineering helm (first one) I'll be sad to let them go.
The T4 Helm and the Engineering helm are actually not bad. The Engineering helm is better than the Spellstrike Hood, but only when you are able to get some better pants to replace the Spellstrike Pants. Spellstrike Hood is much, much better than T4 helm.
Quote:
Trinket: Darkmoon card: Crusade, well if I get enough money, sure, why not? Which of my trinkets is it supposed to replace?
It should replace the Lightning Capacitor.
Quote:
Chest: Corrupted Demonsoul Robes for 100 badges, when I have them. Rather a long term goal than a short term one, since I want the ring and the boots first.
Depending on where your hit is after everything else, the Tormented Demonsoul Robes may actually be better.
Well, I got the black stalk, and now temporarily replaced my nightbane offhand with a blue drop from heroic BM with spell hit.
I hope it's not a stupid move, since I lose a lot of crit, some spell damage and a few stats, but I think the spell hit is worth it. If not, would this heroic arcatraz drop be better? Same hit, 1 less damage, and more crit, but less stats.
By the way the spreadsheet gives me errors so I can't compare them myself, is there a way to import my profile to it and replace an item? I tried putting it all by hand, and at some point (I don't remember which point) I got NaN errors all over, tried to redo it and now the spreadsheet won't work...
I hope it's not a stupid move, since I lose a lot of crit, some spell damage and a few stats, but I think the spell hit is worth it. If not, would this heroic arcatraz drop be better? Same hit, 1 less damage, and more crit, but less stats.
By the way the spreadsheet gives me errors so I can't compare them myself, is there a way to import my profile to it and replace an item? I tried putting it all by hand, and at some point (I don't remember which point) I got NaN errors all over, tried to redo it and now the spreadsheet won't work...
You should be hit capped (near it) once you make the hood and get the badge ring. Non damage stats (stam/int) should be secondary and you should focus on crit/dmg/hit mostly. 8K/8.5K HP unbuffed is perfectly fine even at BT/SWP. By all means though as long as your crit does not fall under 20% before you hit cap (after talents) you can sac some.
Once you do hit cap work on crit until it's around 25%. While 30% or so is the magic number (something about diminishing returns or something, I dont know some math stuff) you will not reach that until you get some Hyjal Gear. So make sure your spell damage is constantly rising. 1300/50ish buffed (that's flask/darkmoon card) seems to be the peak. After that haste severely takes over, although it's beneficial to have haste even before this mark.
I don't know what a NaN error is. :/. Could you explain exactly what went wrong with the spreadsheet?
Once you do hit cap work on crit until it's around 25%. While 30% or so is the magic number (something about diminishing returns or something, I dont know some math stuff) you will not reach that until you get some Hyjal Gear. So make sure your spell damage is constantly rising. 1300/50ish buffed (that's flask/darkmoon card) seems to be the peak. After that haste severely takes over, although it's beneficial to have haste even before this mark.
I don't know what a NaN error is. :/. Could you explain exactly what went wrong with the spreadsheet?
The drop from H. Arc is an upgrade to the one from BM, for sure. If you're still in need of hit after that, I'd opt for the offhand from Netherspite (Jewel of Infinite Possibilities). The priority of any raiding warlock is always to hit cap first; spell damage and crit come after that.
Finally, I'm at hit cap (201 with my epic offhand, 213 with the blue one, so I'm stashing the blue for now).
I'm gonna take the rest of the month off gearing and just have some fun
Thanks for the help everyone.
I'm gonna take the rest of the month off gearing and just have some fun
Thanks for the help everyone.
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