!A warlock summoning a demonic minion with fel fire swirling

WoW Forever Beta Demonology Warlock DPS Guide

Demonology Warlock is the pet + caster hybrid spec in WoW Forever beta, with permanent Succubus or Felhunter pet, Soul Link damage sharing, and Demonic Sacrifice buffs. This guide covers talent build, rotation, gear, and best races.

For broader Warlock info, see our Warlock Guide, Affliction Warlock, Destruction Warlock, and Best Race for Each Class articles.

Quick summary: Best Demonology Warlock race: Troll (Berserking) or Undead (Will of the Forsaken). Talent priority: Improved Shadow Bolt → Fel Concentration → Demonic Sacrifice. Rotation: Pet attack + Shadow Bolt + Soul Link. Stat priority: Spell Power > Hit > Stamina > Crit.

Why Demonology Warlock is strong

Strengths

• Permanent pet (Succubus, Felhunter, Voidwalker)
• Soul Link (50% damage split with pet)
• Demonic Sacrifice (trade pet for buffs)
• Master Demonologist (pet + caster scaling)
• Fel Domination (instant summon)
• Soulstone (self-rez utility)

Weaknesses

• Pet management (can die)
• Mana management (Soul Shards)
• Less AoE than Affliction
• Complex rotation

Best races for Demonology Warlock

S tier

Race	Faction	Why
Troll	Horde	Berserking scales cast time
Undead	Horde	Will of the Forsaken + Touch of the Grave

A tier

Race	Faction	Why
Skyborne	Both	Wind Blessed + Elemental Insight
Gnome	Alliance	Expansive Mind

B tier

Race	Faction	Why
Orc	Horde	Blood Fury + Hardiness
Human	Alliance	Spirit scaling

Verdict: Troll for max Berserking scaling, Undead for PvP (Will of the Forsaken + self-heal).

Talent build (level 10-30)

Tier 1: Core Demo talents

1. Improved Shadow Bolt (5/5) — +25% Shadow Bolt damage
2. Fel Concentration (5/5) — 30% chance to keep casting through pushback
3. Improved Imp (3/3) — +imp fire damage

Tier 2: Pet improvements

1. Improved Health Funnel (2/2) — +HP funnel heal
2. Fel Intellect (3/3) — +pet mana scaling
3. Improved Voidwalker (2/2) — +Voidwalker damage
4. Master Demonologist (5/5) — +pet damage + caster damage

Tier 3: Advanced talents

1. Fel Domination (1/1) — instant summon
2. Improved Succubus (3/3) — +Succubus damage
3. Demonic Sacrifice (1/1) — trade pet for buff
4. Soul Link (1/1) — 50% damage split
5. Improved Firestone (2/2) — +firestone damage

Endgame (level 30+)

1. Improved Enslave Demon (3/3) — +duration
2. Demolition Charger (3/3) — +Hand of Gul’dan
3. Metamorphosis (level 30+, Demon form cooldown)
4. Hand of Gul’dan (1/1) — Demon summoning spell
5. Chaos Bolt (level 30+, nuke for Demo)
6. Decimation (1/1) — major CD (level 60+)

Pet selection

Best pet for Demonology

Pet	Role	Use
Felhunter	Tank/utility	Solo content, PvP
Succubus	Damage	PvP (PvE damage too)
Voidwalker	Tank	Solo content
Imp	Ranged	AoE (limited use)

Verdict: Felhunter for PvE (Spell Lock interrupt), Succubus for PvP (Charm CC + damage).

Demonic Sacrifice

After pet is summoned, you can sacrifice the pet for a buff:

Pet sacrificed	Buff
Imp	+15% Fire damage (5 min)
Voidwalker	+HP (5 min)
Succubus	-15% threat (5 min)
Felhunter	-10% spell damage taken (5 min)
Felguard	-10% physical damage (level 50+)

Strategy: Sacrifice based on content type.

Rotation (level 20)

Standard Demo rotation

1. Summon Pet (Felhunter or Succubus)
2. Soul Link (apply once, lasts 1 hour)
3. Demon Armor (always active)
4. Shadow Bolt (main nuke, casts 2.5 sec)
5. Life Tap (mana → HP trade for sustained casting)
6. Demonic Sacrifice (when needed for buff)

Pet management

• Send pet to attack (F1 macro)
• Mend Pet (between fights)
• Life Tap when mana low

Opener (raid)

1. Pre-pull: Pet at target, Soul Link
2. Demon Armor (active)
3. Shadow Bolt spam (Life Tap as needed)

Stat priority

Raid DPS

1. Spell Power (primary)
2. Hit (until 16% cap)
3. Stamina (Soul Link survival)
4. Crit (15-20% ideal)
5. Intellect (mana pool)

PvP

1. Stamina (survivability)
2. Spell Power
3. Hit (16% cap)
4. Resilience (when available)

Pre-bis gear checklist (level 20)

Slot	Best in slot	Source
Head	Necromancer’s Cap	Quest reward
Shoulders	Necromancer’s Mantle	Quest reward
Chest	Necromancer’s Robes	Quest reward
Legs	Necromancer’s Pants	Quest reward
Boots	Necromancer’s Boots	Quest reward
Weapon	Staff of Shadows / Cold Iron Wand	Quest reward
Trinket	Excavator’s Trowel	Brogdul rare drop

PvP strategy

Offense

• Fear (CC, level 20+)
• Corruption (DoT)
• Shadow Bolt main damage
• Drain Life self-heal
• Drain Soul execute + Soul Shard

Defense

• Soulstone (self-rez)
• Death Coil (emergency heal)
• Drain Life (sustain)
• Soul Link (50% damage split with pet)
• Healthstone (free HoT)

Crowd control

• Fear (level 20+, 20 sec CC)
• Death Coil (silence, 3 sec)
• Howl of Terror (level 30+, AoE fear)
• Banish (vs Demons)

Common Demonology Warlock questions

Is Demonology Warlock viable at level 20?

Yes — solid DPS with pet.

Which race is best for Demonology Warlock?

Troll (Berserking) or Undead (PvP).

When does Metamorphosis unlock?

Level 30 (Phase 2).

Is Demonology Warlock good for leveling?

Yes — pet tanks + Soul Link damage split.

How much Spell Power at level 20?

~200 spell power is competitive.

Common Demonology Warlock mistakes

Mistake	Cost	Fix
Forgetting Soul Link	Pet dies fast	Apply before combat
Letting pet die	Lost DPS	Mend Pet between fights
Wasting Soul Shards	Lost summons	Save for emergencies
Not using Life Tap	OOM	Life Tap between fights

Phase 2 Demonology Warlock preview

At level 30, Metamorphosis unlocks (Demon form cooldown, +HP and damage). Hand of Gul’dan (Demon summoning spell) becomes available. Chaos Bolt (heavy nuke) is core.

Final verdict

Best Demonology Warlock race: Troll or Undead

Best Demonology Warlock talents:

• Improved Shadow Bolt + Fel Concentration + Master Demonologist
• Soul Link + Demonic Sacrifice + Improved Succubus

Best rotation: Pet attack + Shadow Bolt + Life Tap + Demonic Sacrifice

Whatever your race, Demonology Warlock is a versatile caster with pet scaling in WoW Forever. Soul Link + Demonic Sacrifice = strong sustained DPS.

For more Warlock info, see our Warlock Guide, Affliction Warlock, Destruction Warlock, and Best Race for Each Class articles.