Guide ·
WoW Forever Warlock Beginner Guide: Demons, Specs and Leveling
The Warlock is a damage-over-time caster who fights with a demon companion, and Warcraft Tavern's beta guide calls Affliction the smoothest way to level. You get your first demon at level 1, a tank at level 10, a damage dealer at level 20 and a utility demon at level 30. Learn Soul Shards and Life Tap and the class plays itself.
Quick answer: Start Affliction for leveling: most of its damage comes from instant damage-over-time spells, so you can keep moving. Make a Healthstone as soon as you learn it at level 10. Use your wand and Life Tap to avoid drinking.
Who can be a Warlock
Warlocks are available to Human, Gnome, Orc, Troll and Undead characters. Troll Warlock is a new combination in Forever. See the race and class guide.
The four demons
- Imp (level 1, class quest): attacks from range and gives the party a Stamina buff through Blood Pact. Its damage falls behind after level 10, so it is mainly for groups.
- Voidwalker (level 10, class quest): your tank. Its Sacrifice gives you a large shield in an emergency.
- Succubus or Incubus (level 20, class quest): the highest-damage demon. Without Demonology talents it cannot hold threat.
- Felhunter (level 30, class quest): interrupts casters with Spell Lock and removes magic effects with Devour Magic. Warcraft Tavern calls it ideal for PvP.
Soul Shards
Soul Shards are needed to summon the Voidwalker, Succubus and Felhunter, and to create Healthstones and Soulstones. In Forever Drain Soul can create a shard on every tick. To farm them, let your demon tank and channel rank 1 Drain Soul. Your Soul Shard bag can go in the new reagent slot.
Life Tap and Healthstone
- Life Tap: unlocks at level 6 from class trainers. It converts health into mana, and scales with Spirit. With Improved Life Tap (an Affliction talent), each point of drained health is worth 1.2 mana.
- Healthstone: Create Healthstone unlocks at level 10. It is a free emergency heal with its own cooldown, separate from potions. Make one as soon as you can.
The three specializations
- Affliction: instant damage-over-time spells, so you move between mobs without stopping. The smoothest for leveling.
- Demonology: comfortable once you reach Demonic Brand at 25 talent points, which lets your demon hold threat.
- Destruction: the hardest for solo leveling because it relies on hard-cast spells, though Warcraft Tavern says it is strong in dungeons.
A simple leveling routine
- Sell your starting gear right away to afford Immolate at level 1.
- Pull with Bane of Agony, then apply Corruption and Immolate.
- Use your wand to finish weak targets. Wands are your most important early weapon.
- Use Fear to manage a second enemy.
- Balance Life Tap and Drain Life so you rarely need to drink.
- Rely on DoTs and your wand until about level 29, then "drain-tank" with Drain Life at level 30.
What is different in Forever
- Banes and Curses are split. Banes are damage-over-time spells and Curses are utility, so one target can have one of each.
- Fear has a 20-yard range.
- Ritual of Summoning is the only way to summon players. Meeting Stones no longer do it.
- Legacy points can unlock talents earlier. The Talented ability lets you reach talents up to five levels sooner. See the Legacy guide.
- A pet Move command lets you control your demon's movement.
- First Aid can make health potions and cures.
Warlock or something else?
Our class comparison places Warlock close behind Hunter for solo players, because both bring a combat companion. If you want a similar pet class, see the Hunter guide.
What is still uncertain
Warcraft Tavern's builds were written for the beta, which is capped at level 30, and the guide says level 60 builds will be added at launch. Treat advice beyond level 30 as provisional. Exact Life Tap numbers and stat priorities may also change.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Warlock spec for leveling in WoW Forever?
Affliction, according to Warcraft Tavern's beta guide, because its instant damage-over-time spells let you move between mobs.
When do Warlocks get their demons?
Imp at level 1, Voidwalker at level 10, Succubus or Incubus at level 20 and Felhunter at level 30, each through a class quest.
Do Warlocks need Soul Shards?
Yes, for the Voidwalker, Succubus, Felhunter, Healthstones and Soulstones. Drain Soul can create a shard on every tick.
Which races can be Warlocks?
Human, Gnome, Orc, Troll and Undead. Troll Warlock is new.
Can a Warlock summon other players?
Yes, with Ritual of Summoning. It is the only way to summon players in Forever.
Sources
Reviewed October 23, 2026. Based on beta-era guides capped at level 30; details may change at launch. Lore Forever is fan-made and is not affiliated with Blizzard Entertainment.