3.1 specFollow

This is what I'm thinking about for the Affliction tree in 3.1, basically the same as now only with 3 points in Eradication and filling out Improved Shadow Bolt due to it's new buff and the fact that we can't use Immolate. Any thoughts on it would be helpful as I'm not on the PTR to check it out and can't run numbers worth a crap.

I'm also looking for ideas of the new demonology, destruction, and hybrids builds for 3.1. I'm looking for what spec has the highest burst damage for those fights were affliction damage tanks due to adds or whatever. Of course I realize that talent points can still change before now and 3.1's release, I'm just looking for tips from those who are trying them out or understand the math behind each talent.

http://elitistjerks.com/f80/t48311-simulationcraft_post_3_1_specs/
Has some good 3.1 spec/rotation info. For the Aff build they put the last 3 points in Demonic Power (since using Succy) and 1/3 Cataclysm.

There's 0/41/30, 0/40/31, 3/52/16, and 0/56/15 builds in the link I posted.

Short story is, get Decimation.

yes it does make it worthwhile casting as it puts its DPSC above everything else. i'll probably test out affliction first. with my level of haste and the change to affliction making it have less spells to cast and more filler (SB/drain soul) could be a good combination. the soulfire post 35% specs i've tried on the test realms, they're nice but with my haste I either have to stand at the absolute maximum range or at melee range otherwise it ***** up 'cos I cast my spells to fast. lol

I'm able to get on WoW tomorrow, so any "best" raid builds yet? Preferably ones with a felguard.

I noticed you have shadowburn. That was also in the fg/emb builds I looked at, but I never found myself ever using it. I just spent too much time keeping my dots up and when not doing that, I would cast incinerate.

Think I'll go with your demo tree, but with the destro tree from what I posted above.

Suppose I should also consider what I will do for my 2nd spec. I've always been a demo lock, so not sure what to go with for the other spec.

Rather than 1 into shadowburn, 2 into intensity and 1 into backlash, I'd put 3 into molten skin and 1 into intensity.

How is shadowburn, an ability I doubt I or even you would use often, better than having damage reduced active at all times? Would it have no effect if you draw agro and were attacked, rather than your fg? If it is "PURELY for pvp", then I seem to have missed that in the description of it.

Edited, Apr 16th 2009 8:48pm by HandsOfDeath

How about during solo play?

what twirdman said

the hit cap (17%) is something around 420 rating if you presume no 3% debuff, no 1% buff from draenai or no 3% talented

Jenova, not sure about you, but I went with the demo build you suggested (though I still don't like having an ability I'll not likely ever use) and it seems the fg doesn't survive as long. Maybe it's just me, but I swear that pre 3.1 my fg could take on more trash mobs in solo play, before I needed to heal him.

Did they? I looked through the 3.1 lock changes posted on here and saw no mention of the fg or void changes, which is why I posted that.

I use him to keep agro off of my lock. I throw up the DOTs, which causes fg to run in. I then throw up DOTs on the next mob and tell the fg to target that one. I do so for around 3-4 mobs, usually. Sometimes more, depending on how close together the mobs are in the area.

In pre 3.1, I did have demonic resilience. Though I wasn't spec'd to try to be top dps at the time.