Affliction Warlock DPS Rotation & Cooldowns

DPS Rotation & Cooldowns

This rotation offers a general priority list for Affliction Warlock abilities, along with key cooldowns at the bottom. It's based on a standard build and is here to help while we work on a smarter, build-aware system. Updated for the latest patch in World of Warcraft: The War Within (11.1).

Single Target

Ensure Agony, Unstable Affliction, and Corruption are active before engaging.

Maintain at all times.
Maintain at all times.
Maintain at all times.
Maintain 2 stacks.
Use on cooldown.
Use at max Soul Shards.
Use whenever available.
Use whenever available.
Use whenever available.
Use with Phantom Singularity or Vile Taint.
Use during Phantom Singularity or Vile Taint windows.
Use as a filler.

Maintain your DoTs (Agony, Unstable Affliction, Corruption) and Shadow Embrace. Use Oblivion on cooldown and Malefic Rapture at max shards or during burst windows. Fill with Drain Soul.

AoE

Use to apply AoE DoTs.
Maintain on all targets.
Maintain on all targets or use Seed Of Corruption for 3+ stacked targets.
Maintain on primary target.
Use at 5 Soul Shards or during burst windows.
Use on cooldown.
Use on cooldown.
Use as a filler.

For AoE, prioritize Vile Taint and maintain Agony and Corruption on all targets. Use Malefic Rapture during burst windows or to avoid capping shards.

Cooldowns

Use after applying all DoTs to extend their duration.
Pair with Soul Rot for burst.
Use during burst windows.
Align with burst windows or use on cooldown.

Use Summon Darkglare after applying all DoTs. Pair Phantom Singularity and Soul Rot for burst, and align Vile Taint with these windows when possible.