While the Warlock class is in a good spot for Dragonflight, Affliction Warlock isn't the best DPS option for World of Warcraft: Dragonflight. They're lacking the tools that Demonology has and, as a result, are on the lower end of our tier list for Dragonflight DPS specs. What if you don't care about what some tier list says and you really want to play Affliction Lock? Our best-in-slot gear guide will ensure you can maximize your potential.

Item Slot Navigation Menu

Affliction Warlock Best in Slot Stat Priority

The most important factor to consider when obtaining new gear is your stat priority. In general, you should follow a rule like this:

1. Intellect
2. Haste
3. Mastery
4. Critical Strike
5. Versatility

Mastery and Haste are quite close, with Haste having a tiny advantage.

Important Notes For BiS Lists

It is important to note that any jump in ilvl by more than 10 points almost always results in the higher ilvl item being better. If you have an upgrade of 5 ilvl or less, compare the stats based on the stat priorities to decide the better item.

When weighing options of other items not listed below, refer to the stat priority of the class and spec. Keep in mind that stats eventually have diminishing returns, so it is not required to have absolutely every slot stack the same 2 stats. For simplicity, we offer the best per slot assuming you have not capped out these stats.

The calculations for diminishing returns are as follows:

• 0 to 30% in a stat - no penalty.
• 30% to 39% in a stat - 10% penalty.
• 39% to 47% in a stat - 20% penalty.
• 47% to 54% in a stat - 30% penalty.
• 54% to 66% in a stat - 40% penalty.
• 66% to 126% in a stat - 50% penalty.

In the case where you have reached 30% in a secondary stat, an item that has a secondary stat that is lower on priority may in fact be a better upgrade. This is why it is always important to sim your gear. For simplicity, we offer the best item in that slot assuming you have not capped out these stats.

Affliction Warlock BiS Gear

The items appearing in these lists may come from Mythic+, Raids, or The Vault. Their item level will depend on the instance's level of difficulty (Normal, Heroic, Mythic, Mythic+ 1-20). This list does not include Renown or Crafting items as it is meant as a guide on what dungeons or raids to attend to get your best gear from these sources.

Item tooltips will show the Mythic 9 or the Normal Raid difficulty item level version.

Best Head

Tier is slightly the better option from raid and if your 4 piece bonus is worth it, you'll just wear it anyway.

Back to Item Menu

Best Neck

You have two options to pick up necks that double up on your best stats.

Back to Item Menu

Best Shoulders

Despite tier having your worst stat, it also has your best. As always, sim to make sure its worth it.

Back to Item Menu

Best Back

There is no shortage of quality cloak options. Keep in mind that these are listed in no particular order.

Back to Item Menu

Best Chest

You'll have a good amount of options for your chest piece.

Back to Item Menu

Best Wrist

For the best stats on the wrist slot, you'll want to run Mythic+

Back to Item Menu

Best Hands

Unfortunately, this is another tier slot with your worst stat. Sim all gear to ensure you're running the best setup.

Back to Item Menu

Best Waist

There's one option in raid, but it's not the best. To Mythic+ we go.

Back to Item Menu

Best Legs

I'm trying to figure out a scenario where you won't be using the tier piece. It's really good.

Back to Item Menu

Best Feet

Two clearcut winners here, but sim to make sure you're wearing the best piece as there are solid alternatives beyond what is listed below.

Back to Item Menu

Best Rings

Seal of Filial Duty looks awesome on paper and I can't wait to see how it looks in practice.

Back to Item Menu

Best Trinkets

While testing is still being done for season one trinkets, we'll list the best options from the pre-season.

Back to Item Menu

Best Weapons

Two-handed weapons will be your best bet most likely. If you're wanting to see if a main-hand and off-hand combo can compete, we recommend that you sim your gear.

Back to Item Menu

Best Gems for Affliction Warlocks

Here we list the best gems you can socket your gear with for Affliction Locks. As always, it is best to sim to ensure you're using the best options available. These gems are chosen given consideration to your best stats.

• Epic unique gem - Fierce Illimited Diamond
• Remaining gems - Keen Ysemerald / Keen Neltharite / Quick Ysemerald. Sim for your best results!

Best Enchants for Affliction Locks

Here are the best enchants available for Affliction Warlocks in Dragonflight.

• Cloak - Homebound Speed
• Chest - Waking Stats
• Bracers - Eternal Intellect or Devotion of Speed
• Legs - Frozen Spellthread
• Boots - Plainsrunner's Breeze
• Rings - Devotion of Haste
• Weapon - Sophic Devotion or Wafting Devotion

How To Simulate To Determine Your Best Gear

Raidbots is a tool that World of Warcraft players can use to figure out if the gear they just looted is an upgrade. As mentioned earlier, there are so many nuances and diminishing returns as certain points in the game, that determining an exact set of bis gear is impossible. With the ilvl scaling of Mythic+ loot on higher keys and utility different gear has for different fights, there just isn't a pure "this is the absolute best for the entire Season" list. It's even something that certain classes have come across in Classic Wrath!

Don't worry, because we're still here to help. We highly recommend using raidbots to determine if an item you just acquired is an upgrade. Here's a quick guide to help you run simulations to see if your new item is an upgrade:

• Make sure you have the Simulationcraft add-on installed.
• With your new loot in your inventory, open your chatbox and type /simc.
• A window will open up. Copy the entire text and paste it on the Raidbots Top Gear page. I included my Simulation craft window for my personal character below

• This step is important. On the Top Gear page, scroll down and make sure you're selecting the gear you want simmed. If you do not select the gear you're wearing, as well as the gear in your inventory you just acquired, you won't know if you picked up an upgrade.
• Raidbots will then let you know which items allow you to maximize your DPS!

Back to Item Menu