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 (11.1).
Single Target
Ensure Immolate is active before engaging the target.
- Maintain at all times.
- Maintain if using Hellcaller talent.
- 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 more than 4 Soul Shards and Infernal Bolt triggered.
- Use when available.
- Use during Roaring Blaze debuff when available.
- Use whenever available.
- Use if you have 2 charges.
- Use to keep Eradication debuff applied.
- Use at 3 charges to avoid overcapping.
- Use to generate Soul Shards.
- Use to generate Soul Shards.
Focus on maintaining Immolate and Wither while generating and spending Soul Shards efficiently. Use Chaos Bolt strategically to maximize damage.
AoE
Ensure Immolate is applied to the main target.
- Maintain on the main target.
- Maintain on as many targets as possible.
- Use with as many targets affected by Wither as possible.
- Apply on any secondary target lasting at least 10 seconds.
- Use on cooldown.
- Use on cooldown unless delaying for more targets.
- Use if 5+ targets with Havoc up, or 3+ if on cooldown.
- Use if you have 5 Soul Shards.
- Ensure 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 situations, prioritize maintaining Immolate and Wither, while using Soul Fire and Cataclysm on cooldown. Utilize Havoc effectively to maximize damage.