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While you may see Warlocks top the damage meters in raids and Mythic keys, chances are they won't be a Destruction Warlock. The first season of World of Warcraft: Dragonflight isn't the best time for Destro fans according to our tier list for Dragonflight DPS specs. Still, there are those that enjoy the playstyle of Destro and don't care what a tier list says. This best in slot gear guide is for them to help prove the doubters wrong.
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Destruction 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:
- Intellect
- Haste
- Mastery
- Critical Strike
- Versatility
Mastery and Haste are essentially even, with Crit being a solid third option. Versatility is far and away your worst stat.
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.
Destruction 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 the Raid and if sims say the 4-piece bonus is worth it, that's icing on the cake.
Item | Source |
---|---|
Vault of the Incarnates | |
Algeth'ar Academy | |
Halls of Valor |
Best Neck
There are a lot of neck options. If you're looking to double up on your best stats (Haste and Mastery), you have two solid choices.
Item | Source |
---|---|
Halls of Valor | |
The Nokhud Offensive | |
Vault of the Incarnates |
Best Shoulders
Tier shoulders have your worst stat, but it might not matter.
Item | Source |
---|---|
Vault of the Incarnates | |
Halls of Valor | |
Court of Stars |
Best Back
You really can't go wrong with any of your cloak options. Keep in mind that these are listed in no particular order.
Item | Source |
---|---|
Vault of the Incarnates | |
Ruby Life Pools | |
Halls of Valor | |
Court of Stars | |
Temple of the Jade Serpent |
Best Chest
There are plenty of options available beyond what is listed below.
Item | Source |
---|---|
Vault of the Incarnates | |
Court of Stars | |
Halls of Valor |
Best Wrist
Mythic+ is going to be your best bet for bracers.
Item | Source |
---|---|
Court of Stars | |
Halls of Valor |
Best Hands
Despite your tier hands having your two worst stats, it might be worth picking up.
Item | Source |
---|---|
Vault of the Incarnates | |
Vault of the Incarnates | |
The Azure Vault | |
Temple of the Jade Serpent |
Best Waist
Mythic+ should be better than the raid option.
Item | Source |
---|---|
Ruby Life Pools | |
The Azure Vault | |
Court of Stars |
Best Legs
Your tier is really, really good.
Item | Source |
---|---|
Vault of the Incarnates | |
Halls of Valor |
Best Feet
Sim to make sure whatever you pick up is the best. The options below rise up over the others on paper.
Item | Source |
---|---|
Halls of Valor | |
Vault of the Incarnates |
Best Rings
Seal of Filial Duty looks awesome on paper and I can't wait to see how it looks in practice.
Item | Source |
---|---|
Vault of the Incarnates | |
Halls of Valor | |
The Azure Vault | |
Temple of the Jade Serpent |
Best Trinkets
While testing is still being done for season one trinkets, we'll list the best options from the pre-season.
Item | Source |
---|---|
Uldaman | |
Neltharus | |
The Nokhud Offensive | |
Halls of Infusion | |
Ruby Life Pools |
Best Weapons
The general rule of thumb here is that the higher ilvl combination will be your best bet.
Item | Source | Weapon Slot |
---|---|---|
Algeth'ar Academy | Two-Hand | |
Vault of the Incarnates | Main Hand | |
Vault of the Incarnates | Off Hand |
Best Gems for Destruction Warlocks
Here we list the best gems you can socket your gear with for Destro 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. Sim for your best results!
Best Enchants for Destro Locks
Here are the best enchants available for Destruction 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!