The Best Warlock Spec for Hardcore - Safest build to make it to 60!

Subjective build that I think is the safest for Hardcore! Below are the Discord links to the magical land that is Hardcore. Come join us.
/ discord

[@Crix_Gaming]

I've got an in depth Warlock guide for Hardcore coming out soon! Keep an eye out on the channel. I'll be going for WF HC Warlock on the Hardcore Server launch. As well as leveling up on the PTR here when it launches. Come kick it. www.twitch.tv/CrixVibez

[@stee1402]

I hope you beat Staysafe!

[@grayoth4156]

I know this video is a bit old at this point, but I wanted to say thank you for the voidwalker comments. I’ve always used voidwalker and never had issues with threat. Using a few dots while wanding will keep your voidwalker tanking. You’ll also keep your mana up doing this as well. I always assume the people that complain about voidwalker aggro are out there DPSing as hard as they can without a demonology spec.

[@jd52wtf]

Fantastic! Great content. HC challenges have brought me back into the WOW fold.

[@thorw4ld]

thanks for the detailled advice. had to set playback speed to 0.75 to be able to understand you ^^

[@Randyolsson]

Watched this and it helped a lot. I actually went this build, but used succubus from 45 and onward, u kill things so quick and get so much damage boost its insane. If panic, just fel dom a VW

[@Mmk-dn1fi]

did you spec into succubus or stick with void talents?

[@MicroMintyHourglass]

bro you gave some legit straight up facts. anyone looking for the true leveling process of a lock needs to watch this. thanks g.

[@Crix_Gaming]

Appreciate you. In depth one coming soon

[@olov244]

people hate on voidwalker, but if you just dot and wand he does fine and you can chain pull because you're not burning through your mana pulling agro

[@LalzJeNeSuis]

From level 20-25 you take the aggro when putting 2+ dots and wand :/

[@jackshiraq575]

@@LalzJeNeSuis do you have improved voidwalker talents?

[@LalzJeNeSuis]

@@jackshiraq575 It helps a bit but it's never enough unless you throw agony, wait few seconds and then wand, but void takes too much dmg

[@jackshiraq575]

@@LalzJeNeSuis you're right, im nearly 23 now and starting to over aggro pretty much instantly if i dont wait

[@0tuken982]

@@LalzJeNeSuis true

[@keepgoing7533]

9:38 only real Warlocks will laugh here

[@hunlepto2239]

I guess if people start using VW, here's a fun way to AOE farm with it almost kinda like a mage. Keep in mind, this is something I did on a private server which is only different in regard to Hellfire not being interrupted by damage, but I think it might still be doable (also keep in mind the content patch we played on had the old itemization stats, which means barely any spell damage items or a very small amount). Also, it was not me who thought this up, so I don't take credit for the idea. You must have: -Demonic Embrace -Imp. VW -Imp. HS -Insta Corruption -Fel Domination -Imp. CoA -3/5 or 5/5 Suppression After you got to Fel Domination in the Demonology tree, just dump the rest of the points into the Affliction tree. The tactic: Try to find a spot where mobs are packed neatly together and start by sending your VW to a mob and make it taunt the mob, then send the VW to another mob. Put CoA and Corruption on the mob your VW taunted and after your VW taunted the second mob, send him to the third mob and DOT up the second mob too. Repeat the previous steps with each mobs. Do this until you pull like 4-7 mobs at a time and when all mobs got DOTs, make your VW use Suffering on the mobs. Start using Hellfire then use VW Sacrifice if either it gets low on HP or the mobs start attacking you. The mobs will start dying one by one, usually they will start running in fear before they die, because you'll mostly find tightly packed humanoids that run away on low health. Notes: -Because this is Classic and Hellfire gets interrupted by damage, you might have to use Hellfire a bit more times, but you shouldn't go OOM from that if you used the shield at the right time. -Use Healthstone and health potions if your DOTs make the mob attack you earlier (if you do it perfectly though, you shouldn't need either). -Be prepared! Make sure to have atleast enough shards to pull these off (on average, you should have like 10-12 shards all the time) and make sure you have a health potion in case of emergency. -If there is ANY mob that can interrupt spellcasting, don't even consider doing this, you'll just kill yourself if even one interrupts you before you can do enough damage. -At a certain level, it'll not be too effective anymore. You can consider maybe trying to go down the Destro tree instead, the one who originally thought it up started experimenting with that, but I personally decided to just do the remaining levels with drain tanking. -Get mainly shadow or spell damage gear if possible, but your second main stat should be stamina. Intellect is not as important as these two. -Make sure you always have the recent levels for your VW's abilities, his abilities are the key in this. Also only do this after you get Hellfire. It might be risky for HC, but thought I would drop this for those other people who are interested in playing with a VW.

[@Crix_Gaming]

Extremely dangerous for HC as you said, but I do this when I level outside of HC and love itttt. Cheers!

[@hunlepto2239]

@@Crix_Gaming Cheers! Good to know someone likes this tactic.

[@joshpretorius9413]

Starting hardcore this was the perfect video thanks man

[@Crix_Gaming]

NP! GL!

[@rvb1764]

Only thing I'd do is instead of improved health stone is fel intellect or improved health funnel, only because the healthstone shares a GCD with your target dummy. Looking forward to your thoughts!

[@elijoy4123]

didnt he say there would be weakauras below?

[@Sfw85]

Just what i needed!

[@gerainedoss7123]

Good shit man. Love it!

[@RonRacer100]

You only need 3 points in suppression for leveling unless you fight red mobs. Supression is not only for damage increase. It's for fear also. And fear is super handy fighting elites or clunky situations. And in those situations you DON'T want fear to miss >> dead. I'll take 3/5 suppression anytime over 3/3 Agony. 3 points for 6% dmg increase for a dot that most of the time won't even tick for it's full time on a mob before it dies. Other than that great guide. I do have a few questions: In your video you mention you plan to take improved spellstone for the plaguelands; please explain what you mean by this? You made this video two months ago. In your experience do you have anything to add to your guide? Thanks again great explenation and I agree; survivability over leveling speed.

[@Hyxtrem]

Exactly what i planned to do. Fear resisted is death sentence.

[@Crix_Gaming]

That is definetely a good option. And as Aff Drain tank I would take Supp. I'm currenlty working on a much more in depth Hardcore Warlock guide that will be up on the channel this week. But in my personal opinion as Demo you should never be in such a dangerous situation during your Hardcore journey that missing a fear would kill you. I dont find myself in situations like that as I'm playing as safe as I possibly can. Plus you should also double cast fear, just in case your first fear gets resisted, you’ve already got another casting. If it doesn’t get resisted, then your safe to go about your rotation. Like I said, my opinion, your way works great as well!!!

[@shotgun2010]

Suppression is important as is siphon live for surviving.

[@Crix_Gaming]

If you run Aff/drain tank then yes it is. This build isnt' about Drain tanking, its about safety and specifically for Hardcore. That being said, you can def run Aff Drain tank and be fine as well. Its just however you feel like playing.

[@MrShrubs]

Love your content, thanks for this, Crix! What professions are you going for HC?

[@Crix_Gaming]

Skinning early to get bags. Then went Mining/ENG for Target Dummies, plus bombs, helm and stuff.! Pretty dope. If speed leveling then I don't go any profs

[@stephendixon1467]

The definition of "best" is that you have compared it to other builds, but the lack of comparison to destro is alarming to me. Destro is good for melting the mob you pull and you only really need to pull one at a time. If you have to fight a pack then you can use vw.

[@Crix_Gaming]

I agree that Destro is fine for leveling. The only bad part is that it is far less mana efficient, making it so you have to constantly sit and drink to get mana back. You're also hard casting most of your spells, which gets annoying because of mob pushback on non caster mobs.

[@Sfw85]

Abd yes more HC lock vids

[@samwoodd]

it will help and it did help thanks crix

[@utikahk4538]

The biggest problem with this build is you feel too safe. I accidentally picked up four mobs the other day and i didn't even blink. The voidwalker face tanked while I killed them. It gives you a false sense of safety. I'm sure i'm gonna die at some point but this build makes you feel unkillable

[@legowolf22]

Deleted my lock at 12 (not death, just wanted to go druid). Died 3 times on druid to DC with highest 16. Only DC 2 times on my 59 hunter before dieing and nvr died to DC. Go8ng back to Lock for pet DC insurance

[@clintmurdock119]

"below will be links to weak auras" theres just a disc link

[@Crix_Gaming]

I'll edit it when I get home. Ty

[@CleverButFail]

@@Crix_Gaming Just FYI, those WA are still not linked below lol!

[@fsdafdsafdas]

THAANNKK YYOOOUUU

[@lawless7859]

Warlocks and die lvling?

[@Blazingwheel]

What profs though?

[@Crix_Gaming]

Enginering and Mining. Alch is great as well, but with the pet, you don't need them as much, plus on the HC Server, you can buy the potions off the Auction House

[@keepgoing7533]

Not only that there's people who send the voidwalker in from range put up dots, wand 2 or 3 times THEN move into melee range and continue wanding, like just play a warrior...

[@resist1]

do you respec at 40 to get soul link right away or wait until 45?

[@Crix_Gaming]

I got 5/5 Imp corr and then naturally get it

[@SukohhYGO]

That's a cool UI. what's it called?

[@Crix_Gaming]

It's called Elvui my friend.

[@SukohhYGO]

@@Crix_Gaming ahh thank you! I’ll have to pick it up for the classic grind 😎😎 appreciate the reply!

[@Crix_Gaming]

@@SukohhYGO OFC! GL and let me know if you have any questions! I'm LV 52 on my Rogue right now on HC, but i'll starting a Warlock HC run after! And I stream it all if you want to come hang out and ask anything! Twitch.TV/CrixVibez

[@llenn6284]

how about talent for level 65?

[@Crix_Gaming]

I'd just remain in Demo spending points to make you or your FG stronger. FG carries really hard at tthis point, well techincally at 64. But if you've been runnign VW this whole time, then just keep using him.

[@llenn6284]

Why do I see some of your talent points are different from mine

[@danielc2694]

Imp >Succubus> Felhunter.. Warlocks using VW? . I dont even care to do the quest for it. It’s like you get so many ways to CC you don’t need someone to taunt that’s an overkill. like playing as hunter... manage your threat and don’t aggro, CC + fear is the way to learn your class. But i guess there are diffrent ways to play.. But if you dont play aggresive you are not using the warlocks full potential and better stay with a hunter. Warlocks should take 2-3 mobs /pull using fear combination and dots. If You want to keep your VW by your side to sacrify for the shield, it is a very defensive way of playing. Ill prefere to keep a felhunter by my side and do some mana taps instead.. On the other hand, for the new warlocks, that defensive strategy could be good. BUT It is the Class fantasy of a warlock to play aggresive. Faster it dies less chance it will kill you. This is the way. I have spoken

[@Crix_Gaming]

I like to swap between VW and FH depending on the zone i'm currenlty in. But both are fine. Some people run Imp successfully as well. Altho I'm not a huge fan of it.

[@sollitt1989]

we need your specific tactics for each t5 encounter, not this

[@Crix_Gaming]

Starts tomorrow morning. Boss by Boss each day.

[@sollitt1989]

@@Crix_Gaming my hero

[@DjZephy]

Hello! Does anyone actually compete in terms of speedrunning while doing hardcore? I want to compete for fastest time solo hc 1-60, but it seems like noone does that ? That seems like it would be so fun.

[@Crix_Gaming]

Yeah people plan to do it on the hc server launch. I am, as well as Staysafe and Winky

[@DjZephy]

@@Crix_Gaming Awesome thanks so much for the reply! I'm speedrunning now as orc warlock and just doing draintanking cuz that's what I'm used to and I think it's the fastest. It seems very risky and I've already died a bunch of times in levels 1-12 or so. I don't know how realistic it is but that's what I'm doing for now. Maybe it's crazy?!?!

[@shadowwolf9909]

​@@DjZephy the void walker doesn't really come online until the late teens, early 20s in classic. It's still great don't get me wrong, but I know your play style you are being too aggressive for classic with no heirlooms, and Twink gear. Also drain life is massive threat, better to melee early, until you make a wand. Unless you absolutely need to drain life don't, until later. I'm guessing it's the murlocs in Elwynn Forest that are getting you, or possibly Hogger and the gnolls. Don't be afraid to grind levels, especially early. Affliction really comes online once you can drain tank with nightfall procs happening. The key is having the patience to wait until you get that deep in the talent tree. Most classes have their hardest time in those first 20 levels, which is no different for warlocks. Just watch out for the defias pillagers in West fall, and the whelpings in Redridge mountains once your past those early dangerous levels. And Mor'Ladiam and Stitches in Duskwood. If you get past those, especially the latter two, you should be home clear to 60 honestly without connection issues or griefs, or bugs.

[@shadowwolf9909]

​@@DjZephy lol reread your post, you are playing horde. For horde, even as other races than the forsaken I generally went to Tirsfal Glades after I got to level 6. For me personally I'm just more familiar with the quests and can fly through them. After the first handful of quests in Silver Pine Forest I generally played ping pong between there and The Barrens as far as questing goes. Just remember to always have your guard up for the Sons of Argul in SP though. Barrens is generally easy outside of some Centaur and goblin quests early. The biggest issues in the Barrens would likely be hyper spawns outside of that. Anyway original point still stands be careful early on warlocks. It's about level 18 or so when an affliction warlock with a void walker really starts to show the first glimpses of what the class will become.

[@nexya26]

You talk too fast man chill

[@Crix_Gaming]

Listen faster my g