Warlock • Destruction • PVE
Destruction Warlock (PVE)
A burst-oriented caster spec that focuses on simple, high-damage shadow or fire spells.
Talents
Destruction is the go-to raiding spec in TBC thanks to elite sustained DPS and strong scaling. There are two core variants: Shadow Destruction (Shadow Bolt) and Fire Destruction (Incinerate). Which one you run depends almost entirely on raid composition and encounter needs.
Shadow vs Fire Destruction
Shadow Destruction
Shadow Destro uses Shadow Bolt as the main filler and typically sacrifices a Succubus with Demonic Sacrifice. It is the more universally reliable option, especially on Fire-resistant bosses, and it keeps Improved Shadow Bolt value high for the raid.
Fire Destruction
Fire Destro uses Incinerate as the main filler and typically sacrifices an Imp with Demonic Sacrifice. It performs best when your raid has a Fire Mage maintaining Improved Scorch (+15% Fire damage), and it becomes especially strong when paired with Fire-focused gearing and consumables.
When Fire Destruction is Best
Requires Improved Scorch
Fire is generally higher personal DPS, but it relies heavily on a Fire Mage keeping Improved Scorch active. If your Mages are Arcane-heavy, coordinate for a Fire Mage or an Arcane/Fire (Arcfire) build to enable Fire Destro.
Immolate is Worth It with Fire Talents
Immolate becomes an overall DPS gain when you are specced into Emberstorm and Improved Immolate—even without a Fire Mage—making it a standard inclusion for most Fire-oriented setups.
Flame Caps are a Major Fire DPS Lever
Flame Caps provide a large Fire damage increase for short windows and are a key consumable for maximizing Fire Destro performance, but they can be expensive and harder to sustain over time.
AoE Note (Seed of Corruption)
Seed of Corruption is Shadow
Your primary AoE tool, Seed of Corruption, deals Shadow damage. As Fire Destro, be prepared to swap Demonic Sacrifice targets more often (Imp ↔ Succubus) to optimize AoE when needed—keep Soul Shards stocked for quick swaps.
Flex Points & Survivability
Nether Protection Option
If you need extra survivability (especially early progression), Emberstorm and Improved Immolate can be swapped into Nether Protection. This is a defensive tradeoff and usually not worth the damage loss outside of specific encounters.
Conflagrate as a Flex Point
Conflagrate is a common flex point because it provides value on movement-heavy fights where you need instant damage. If movement is minimal, it can be reallocated based on preference.
Why You Don’t Rush Cataclysm First
It’s generally not recommended to spend your first five points in Cataclysm since you frequently switch between Shadow and Fire casting. Improved Shadow Bolt provides raid value for other Warlocks and Shadow Priests, while Cataclysm’s mana savings are minor.