Affliction Warlock
Caster • DoT Specialist • Fear Master
Master of pressure with multi-dot uptime, Fear chains, and Gateway control. The ultimate rot pressure engine for RBG teams.
Progression Guide
Master Affliction Warlock from 1300 rating to R1 with these key improvements at each bracket
Foundation
Key Focus: Keep multi-dot uptime
- Learn basic DoT rotation
- Understand pressure mechanics
- Practice positioning fundamentals
Utility Usage
Key Focus: Fear healers, place Gateways
- Master Fear timing
- Learn Gateway placement
- Understand team utility
Pressure Spreading
Key Focus: Soul Swap to spread pressure
- Master Soul Swap usage
- Learn to spread DoTs effectively
- Understand pressure windows
Positioning
Key Focus: Anchor midline, kite swaps
- Master midline positioning
- Learn to kite incoming pressure
- Understand defensive positioning
Defensive Usage
Key Focus: Dark Bargain proactively
- Learn to use Dark Bargain early
- Master defensive cooldown timing
- Understand pressure prediction
Burst Timing
Key Focus: Save Haunt for swaps
- Master Haunt usage timing
- Learn to coordinate with team
- Understand burst windows
CD Management
Key Focus: Stagger defensives
- Learn to stagger cooldowns
- Master defensive rotation
- Understand CD priority
Pre-positioning
Key Focus: Pre-wall incoming swaps
- Learn to read incoming pressure
- Master pre-positioning
- Understand defensive preparation
Team Coordination
Key Focus: Coordinate with CC rotations
- Learn to work with team CC
- Master Fear chain coordination
- Understand team synergy
Leadership
Key Focus: Call swaps, play aggressive
- Learn to call targets
- Master aggressive playstyle
- Understand team leadership
Gateway Mastery
Key Focus: Master Gateway rotations
- Perfect Gateway placement
- Master team mobility
- Understand strategic positioning
Strategy Leadership
Key Focus: Lead rot gameplan
- Lead team's pressure strategy
- Master strategic thinking
- Understand game flow control
R1 Mastery
Key Focus: Fear chains + Gateway control win games
- Flawless execution in all situations
- Leads entire team's pressure strategy
- Creates game-winning plays
- Perfect balance of pressure and control
R1 Behaviors & Coaching Points
Positioning
- Anchor positioning: Midline, never frontline
- Pre-positioning: Always ready for swaps
- Gateway mastery: Perfect placement for team
- Defensive positioning: Safe from pressure
DoT Management
- DoT uptime: Full spread at all times
- Soul Swap mastery: Perfect pressure spreading
- Haunt timing: Only in kill windows
- Pressure control: Constant team pressure
Fear Chains
- Fear chains: Fear → DR resets, perfect CC
- DR tracking: Perfect timing on all CC
- Chain coordination: Works with all teammates
- Call rotations: Leads team CC strategy
Team Utility
- Gateway anchor: Sets gates proactively for team
- Rot mindset: Focus on AoE attrition, not single kills
- Team coordination: Perfect synergy with all classes
- Strategic thinking: Leads team's pressure strategy
Key Abilities & Usage
Fear
Your primary CC tool. Use on healers constantly, chain with team stuns, and control the battlefield.
DoT Spread
Your pressure engine. Keep DoTs on all targets, use Soul Swap to spread, and maintain constant pressure.
Gateway
Team mobility tool. Place strategically for team positioning and escape routes.
Dark Bargain
Your defensive cooldown. Use proactively before incoming pressure, not reactively.