DPS Rotation & Cooldowns
This rotation guide provides a quick, basic understanding of which abilities to prioritize when playing a Destruction Warlock, along with additional details on important cooldowns at the bottom. Updated for the latest patch in World of Warcraft: The War Within (11.0.7).
Single Target
Ensure [Immolate] is active before engaging the target.
- Keep this active at all times.
- Use if about to cap Soul Shards.
- Use during [Roaring Blaze] debuff if below 4 shards.
- Use when available if below 4 shards.
- Use at 2 charges if movement is needed.
- Use if > 4 Soul Shards and [Mother of Chaos] is triggered.
- Use when available.
- Use during [Roaring Blaze] debuff when available.
- Use whenever available.
- Use if you have 2 charges.
- Use to maintain [Eradication] debuff if talented.
- Use at 3 charges to avoid overcapping.
- Use to generate Soul Shards.
- Use to generate Soul Shards.
Focus on maintaining [Immolate] and generating Soul Shards. Use [Chaos Bolt] wisely to prevent capping and maintain debuffs.
AoE
Maintain [Immolate] on the primary target.
- Keep this on the main target.
- Maintain on as many targets as possible.
- Cast with as many targets affected by [Wither].
- Apply on any secondary target lasting at least 10 seconds.
- Use on cooldown.
- Use on cooldown unless delayed for more targets.
- Use if 5+ targets with [Havoc] up, or 3+ if on cooldown.
- Use if you have 5 Soul Shards.
- Ensure to be at 2 or less Soul Shards before spending.
- Use when available.
- Apply if a secondary target is present.
- Use if the target will die within 5 seconds.
- Use when available.
- Use to spend Soul Shards.
- Use to generate Soul Shards and [Backdraft] stacks.
- Use at 3 charges to avoid overcapping.
- Use to generate Soul Shards.
In AoE, maintain [Immolate] and [Wither] while generating and spending Soul Shards efficiently.
Cooldowns
Use cooldowns strategically for maximum impact.
- Use on cooldown for AoE damage and shard generation.
- Use to apply [Immolate] to multiple targets.
Prioritize [Infernal] for consistent damage and shard generation, and [Cataclysm] for applying [Immolate] effectively.