WoW Insiderhttp://wow.joystiq.comWoW Insiderhttp://wow.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gifWoW Insiderhttp://wow.joystiq.comen-usCopyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/WoW Insider ShowEvery week, the WoW Insider Show brings you news and views from the World of Warcraft and the site that covers it all, WoW Insider. We introduce a panel of rotating guests, including bloggers from WoW Insider and other WoW blogs, and many popular personalities from around the WoW community. From the live listener chat and polls during the show, to the emails direct from listeners (reach us at theshow@wow.com), right on to the "meat" of the show -- in-depth discussion of the most popular news and posts on WoW Insider -- the WoW Insider Show is a terrific source of news and entertainment about what's going on with Blizzard and their World of Warcraft. Listen live every Saturday at 3:30 pm Eastern on our Ustream page (http://www.ustream.tv/channel/wow-insider-show) or subscribe to the feed and let us know what you think by reviewing the show right here in iTunes.Blood Pact: Catching up on Patch 5.3http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/blood-pact-catching-up-on-patch-5-3/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/blood-pact-catching-up-on-patch-5-3/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/blood-pact-catching-up-on-patch-5-3/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Blood Pact Catchup on Patch 53 MON
Every week, WoW Insider brings you Blood Pact for affliction, demonology, and destruction warlocks. This week, Megan O'Neill is free to pet battle all day, e'ry day.

I tried to gauge when Patch 5.3 would hit so that I'd end the series on World of Logs just in time, but unfortunately I overestimated and the new patch has cut me off. With my original plan of posts, I'd be a week short, but now...uhhhh it might be a halftime break.

In case you've missed the World of Logs posts so far, here's a recap:
  • A brief overview of ranking and the combo of how to tell what warlock or pet you would or should be looking at,
  • Looking closer at some of the graphs on World of Logs, and
  • How to use the buffs and debuffs graph to gauge proper cooldown or proc usage, as well as a basic understanding of what stats (for trinket procs) do for each spec.
I intend to explore some warlock-specific examples using the expression editor to dive deep into the combat log, but I'm not sure I can fit it all into one post. I'll finish the series off with a deeper look at the damage done tables and how the spells spread for each spec in general raid encounter styles.

But this week? This week is a little shorter and lighter while we go over what Patch 5.3 means for warlocks.

Continue reading Blood Pact: Catching up on Patch 5.3

WoW InsiderBlood Pact: Catching up on Patch 5.3 originally appeared on WoW Insider on Mon, 20 May 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>chaos-boltdemonic-gatewayDoTDoT-damageember-tapfeaturedfire-and-brimstoneguide-to-locksguide-to-warlockshealth-funnelintellectlock-guidelock-infolock-talentsmasteryplayer-versus-playerpvpresiliencesiphon-lifetwilight-wardunending-resolvewarlock-guidewarlock-infowarlock-talentswow-lockwow-lock-infowow-lockswow-warlockwow-warlock-infowow-warlocksMegan O'NeillMon, 20 May 2013 14:00:00 ESTBlood Pact: Buffs and debuffs for warlocks and logshttp://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/blood-pact-buffs-and-debuffs-for-warlocks-and-logs/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/blood-pact-buffs-and-debuffs-for-warlocks-and-logs/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/blood-pact-buffs-and-debuffs-for-warlocks-and-logs/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Blood Pact Buffs and debuffs for warlocks and logs MON
Every week, WoW Insider brings you Blood Pact for affliction, demonology, and destruction warlocks. This week, Megan O'Neill is almost free for summer. Almost.

The last two weeks have been on simple topics like glancing at a raid parse on World of Logs (WoL) or looking at the various graphs WoL has. Before we dive into the actual combat log itself with the expression editor, I'm going to take a stop at what buffs and debuffs are going on in the fight. This information is still broad in scope and can apply to almost anyone, but it's still important foundation knowledge for warlocks and logs.

Continue reading Blood Pact: Buffs and debuffs for warlocks and logs

WoW InsiderBlood Pact: Buffs and debuffs for warlocks and logs originally appeared on WoW Insider on Mon, 13 May 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>buffscritdebuffsfeaturedguide-to-locksguide-to-warlockshasteintellectlock-guidelock-infolock-talentsmagic-vulnerabilitymasteryprocsspellpowertrinketuptimewarlock-guidewarlock-infowarlock-talentsworld-of-logswow-lockwow-lock-infowow-lockswow-warlockwow-warlock-infowow-warlocksMegan O'NeillMon, 13 May 2013 09:00:00 ESTBlood Pact: WoL, 'locks, and damage donehttp://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/blood-pact-wol-locks-and-damage-done/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/blood-pact-wol-locks-and-damage-done/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/blood-pact-wol-locks-and-damage-done/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Blood Pact General damage done on World of Logs MON
Every week, WoW Insider brings you Blood Pact for affliction, demonology, and destruction warlocks. This week, Megan O'Neill wants to coin WoL'lock, but isn't sure if she should.

Last week, I started off with some basics of World of Logs (WoL) regarding warlocks. I started to write a column to go spec by spec, but later I realized that might become a game of find and replace with the different buffs or DoTs important to each spec. So instead, this week is another general World of Logs lesson with a little more specific caster DPS focus with warlock flavor. We'll just build up to the nitty gritty spells next week.

Continue reading Blood Pact: WoL, 'locks, and damage done

WoW InsiderBlood Pact: WoL, 'locks, and damage done originally appeared on WoW Insider on Mon, 06 May 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>analysisanalyzeAoEarea-of-effectcleavedamage-by-spelldamage-donedamage-takenfeaturedguide-to-locksguide-to-warlockslock-guidelock-infolock-talentsmulti-targetmultidotplayer-detailssingle-targetsourcetargetwarlock-guidewarlock-infowarlock-talentsworld-of-logswow-lockwow-lock-infowow-lockswow-warlockwow-warlock-infowow-warlocksMegan O'NeillMon, 06 May 2013 13:00:00 ESTBlood Pact: World of Logging warlocks, part 1http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/blood-pact-world-of-logging-warlocks-part-1/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/blood-pact-world-of-logging-warlocks-part-1/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/blood-pact-world-of-logging-warlocks-part-1/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Blood Pact Logging 'locks, part 1 MON
Every week, WoW Insider brings you Blood Pact for affliction, demonology, and destruction warlocks. This week, Megan O'Neill wonders how many logs would a warlock log if a warlock could log logs?

Occasionally I get a request to look through someone's raid log on World of Logs for warlock improvement. Sometimes it's for a guild applicant and sometimes it's for another tweeter. A thing I've thought about doing for a long time is a World of Logs 101 on warlocks -- both for warlock players and for non-warlock raid leaders.

I'm starting with the bare basics: how to tell warlocks apart on a World of Logs parse and exploring the DPS rankings. (It's actually not that difficult anymore!)

Continue reading Blood Pact: World of Logging warlocks, part 1

WoW InsiderBlood Pact: World of Logging warlocks, part 1 originally appeared on WoW Insider on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>afflictioncombat-logdemonologydestructiondps-rankingfeaturedgrimoireguide-to-locksguide-to-warlockslock-guidelock-infolock-talentsraid-lograid-parsespell-schoolwarlock-guidewarlock-infowarlock-talentswhich-petworld-of-logswow-lockwow-lock-infowow-lockswow-warlockwow-warlock-infowow-warlocksMegan O'NeillMon, 29 Apr 2013 09:00:00 ESTBlood Pact: The chaotic influence of hastehttp://wow.joystiq.com/2013/04/15/blood-pact-the-chaotic-influence-of-haste/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/04/15/blood-pact-the-chaotic-influence-of-haste/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/04/15/blood-pact-the-chaotic-influence-of-haste/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Blood Pact The chaotic influence of haste MON
Every week, WoW Insider brings you Blood Pact for affliction, demonology, and destruction warlocks. This week, Megan O'Neill may play affliction in-game, but really she's a destro 'lock IRL.

I'm starting to dislike hit rating again. Previously, with reforging, it was totally possible to sit there with 14.96%, 14.97%, 14.98%, 14.99%, or the occasional rare times I nearly hit fifteen-even, just off by a mere handful of rating points. Now, with the huge amounts of stats on our gear, I feel like we're approaching Wrath-era hit rating juggling, where a new piece means you're way under hit cap or way over hit cap.

This is not a fun stat balancing. Hit is coming back around to the pre-reforge era where it it's actually irritating to balance, not just annoying.

But I don't want to talk about spell hit this time. I want to talk about the very-coolness of haste.

Continue reading Blood Pact: The chaotic influence of haste

WoW InsiderBlood Pact: The chaotic influence of haste originally appeared on WoW Insider on Mon, 15 Apr 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>backdraftchaos-boltchaotic-energycritical-strikeDoT-damagefeaturedfel-flameguide-to-locksguide-to-warlockshasteincineratelock-guidelock-infolock-talentsmana-regenerationmasterymore-DoT-tickswarlock-guidewarlock-infowarlock-talentswow-lockwow-lock-infowow-lockswow-warlockwow-warlock-infowow-warlocksMegan O'NeillMon, 15 Apr 2013 13:00:00 ESTBlood Pact: Kanrethad's defeat at mortal handshttp://wow.joystiq.com/2013/04/01/blood-pact-kanrethads-defeat-at-mortal-hands/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/04/01/blood-pact-kanrethads-defeat-at-mortal-hands/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/04/01/blood-pact-kanrethads-defeat-at-mortal-hands/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Blood Pact Kanrethad
Every week, WoW Insider brings you Blood Pact for affliction, demonology, and destruction warlocks. This week, Megan O'Neill celebrates one year at WoW Insider with a fel fire victory.

I promise, I won't put unfortunate spoilers in the header this time.

One of my favorite Blood Pacts to write was a narrative based around our spells and the hints of a fascinating possible subplot just for warlocks. Instead of writing a traditional, straightforward guide for the final boss in the quest for green fire -- Ackthal's already written a great one -- I want to celebrate my personal victory with the quest and another special occasion with this story post.

See, this is my 53rd Blood Pact. I believe a certain moonkin now owes me a crown for the longest reign as WoW Insider's Defense Against With the Dark Arts professor.

For the sake of space, I've obviously shortened the story down from my actual experience with the final fight. But many of the elements are there, from spell details to actual NPC roleplay (none of the NPCs' dialogue is mine). Jump behind the cut to catch the story.

Continue reading Blood Pact: Kanrethad's defeat at mortal hands

WoW InsiderBlood Pact: Kanrethad's defeat at mortal hands originally appeared on WoW Insider on Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>codex-of-xerrathcouncil-of-the-black-harvestfeaturedfel-firegreen-fireguide-to-locksguide-to-warlocksjubeka-shadowbreakerkanrethad-ebonlockelegacy-of-the-masterslock-guidelock-infolock-talentspit-lordwarlock-guidewarlock-infowarlock-talentswild-impswow-lockwow-lock-infowow-lockswow-warlockwow-warlock-infowow-warlocksMegan O'NeillMon, 01 Apr 2013 16:00:00 ESTBlood Pact: To summon or not to summon, that's the questionhttp://wow.joystiq.com/2013/03/25/blood-pact-to-summon-or-not-to-summon-thats-the-question/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/03/25/blood-pact-to-summon-or-not-to-summon-thats-the-question/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/03/25/blood-pact-to-summon-or-not-to-summon-thats-the-question/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Blood Pact To summon or not to summon, that's the question
Every week, WoW Insider brings you Blood Pact for affliction, demonology, and destruction warlocks. This week, Megan O'Neill scraps another attempt at Kanrethad to discuss being a pet class instead.

Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous pet bugs in encounter design like jumping down into Nefarian's pit in Blackwing Descent so your pet then did nothing but stand in the middle, or to take up Doomguards against a despawning abyssal phase 3 in Throne of the Four Winds -- and by opposing end them: to die, to sacrifice.

To sacrifice, perchance to DPS; Aye, there's the rub, for in that sleep of death, what meter-topping dreams of 5.0 may come, when we have shuffled off this mortal coil (no, not that one!), must give our developers pause.

My terrible warlock Shakespeare adaptation aside, we've had the ponderings about how tied to pets warlocks should or shouldn't be. As I continue to throw myself at Kanrethad's own demonic stampede, I've had some thoughts about the subject.

Continue reading Blood Pact: To summon or not to summon, that's the question

WoW InsiderBlood Pact: To summon or not to summon, that's the question originally appeared on WoW Insider on Mon, 25 Mar 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>afflictionarchimondechaosdemondemonologydestructionfeaturedfel-energyfel-magicgrimoire-of-sacrificegrimoire-of-servicegrimoire-of-supremacyguide-to-locksguide-to-warlocksgul-danguldanimp-swarmkanrethadkil-jaedenkiljaedenlock-guidelock-infolock-talentsmannorothpetpet-classwarlock-guidewarlock-infowarlock-talentswild-impwow-lockwow-lock-infowow-lockswow-warlockwow-warlock-infowow-warlocksMegan O'NeillMon, 25 Mar 2013 20:00:00 ESTBlood Pact: A pewpewer's notes from tanking and healinghttp://wow.joystiq.com/2013/03/18/blood-pact-a-pewpewers-notes-from-tanking-and-healing/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/03/18/blood-pact-a-pewpewers-notes-from-tanking-and-healing/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/03/18/blood-pact-a-pewpewers-notes-from-tanking-and-healing/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Blood Pact A pewpewer's notes from tanking and healing MON
Every week, WoW Insider brings you Blood Pact for affliction, demonology, and destruction warlocks. This week, Megan O'Neill muses about tanking, healing, and why she really does play a DPS.

I have a confession: I was once a tank. Technically I could have been half a tank, because I think I healed just as often, but once upon a time I rolled a druid with the intent of getting a melee DPS perspective.

One night in Wrath of the Lich King, my first guild had some trouble with kiting the adds on Gluth. So we upped the tank count to 3: the paladin tank moved to the back for holy tag with the undead while the former-bear warrior walked me through my feral spellbook as I sat in bear form on that pipe. I think it was the extra Mauls that hooked me. I became a bear tank with a branch-waving offspec.

I have fond memories of alt or PUG raids where I had cooldown-busting health pools and hero-bear resurrections between Gormok's death and the arena entrance of Acidmaw and Dreadscale. But as my guild tore apart in the beginnings of Icecrown Citadel, I've been back to pewpewing from the back as a warlock. My bear is merely an alt.

But my bear has made my warlock a little stronger.

Continue reading Blood Pact: A pewpewer's notes from tanking and healing

WoW InsiderBlood Pact: A pewpewer's notes from tanking and healing originally appeared on WoW Insider on Mon, 18 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>demonic-circleember-tapfeaturedfrostbiteguide-to-locksguide-to-warlockshealthstonelich-kinglock-guidelock-infolock-talentsmegaerapathwerkpure-dpspure-dps-classrampagerejuvenationskull-bannersoul-swapsoulshatterspell-hastestormlashsymbiosistankingthreatunending-resolvevengeancewarlock-guidewarlock-infowarlock-talentswow-lockwow-lock-infowow-lockswow-warlockwow-warlock-infowow-warlocksMegan O'NeillMon, 18 Mar 2013 12:00:00 ESTBlood Pact: On the usefulness of SimulationCrafthttp://wow.joystiq.com/2013/03/11/blood-pact-on-the-usefulness-of-simulationcraft/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/03/11/blood-pact-on-the-usefulness-of-simulationcraft/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/03/11/blood-pact-on-the-usefulness-of-simulationcraft/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Blood Pact On the usefulness of SimulationCraft MON
Every week, WoW Insider brings you Blood Pact for affliction, demonology, and destruction warlocks. This week, Megan O'Neill will tell you how she became the princess warlock of a continent called Pandaria by switching to saur'lock spec.

You know me: I play a warlock spec that starts with a 'D' only over several dozen copies of my cold, dead body. I'm diehard affliction whether the spec is on top or not. But that doesn't mean I don't ever pay attention to the DPS simulations. I just think the vocal playerbase hedges their bets a little too much on what comes out of the BiS heroic simulations.

Fortunately for me, Ghostcrawler also feels players put too much emphasis on SimulationCraft when it comes to spec balance in PvE. Does this mean SimulationCraft is not valuable? No, it just means that players should be more aware of what's going into a particular simulation and how to interpret whatever data comes out.

Continue reading Blood Pact: On the usefulness of SimulationCraft

WoW InsiderBlood Pact: On the usefulness of SimulationCraft originally appeared on WoW Insider on Mon, 11 Mar 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>DoT-tickDPS-meterfeaturedguide-to-locksguide-to-warlockshastehaste-breakpointlegendary-meta-gemlock-guidelock-infolock-talentsraid-lograid-parsesimulationsimulation-craftsimulationcraftsinister-primal-diamondtheoreticalwarlock-guidewarlock-infowarlock-talentsworld-of-logswow-lockwow-lock-infowow-lockswow-warlockwow-warlock-infowow-warlocksMegan O'NeillMon, 11 Mar 2013 14:00:00 ESTBlood Pact: Thundering on and on about raid gear in patch 5.2http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/03/04/blood-pact-thundering-on-and-on-about-raid-gear-in-patch-5-2/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/03/04/blood-pact-thundering-on-and-on-about-raid-gear-in-patch-5-2/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/03/04/blood-pact-thundering-on-and-on-about-raid-gear-in-patch-5-2/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Blood Pact Thundering on and on about raid gear in patch 52 MON
Every week, WoW Insider brings you Blood Pact for affliction, demonology, and destruction warlocks. This week, Megan O'Neill maybe decides that commenter-suggested Zul'duar is the better name than Thund'uar for the troll-like Ulduar raid instance, Throne of Thunder.

I mentioned last week that I'd discuss the changes for warlocks while listing out loot in the new raid instance. I may have fibbed a little. I tried to slide in patch change discussion without it reading like I shoved two posts into the space of one, and I miserably failed.

You can read the latest patch notes for yourself, but the PvE DPS gist is that affliction's petless power days are diminished if not over and demonology might be the new top dog. PvP warlocks might be more interested in Blood Fear's metamorphosis from an offensive fear to the Nature's Grasp-like Blood Horror and Soul Leech's change from a trickle heal to a stacking shield.

Regarding of whether you chase Conquest or Valor Points, we warlocks will have a major problem in patch 5.2. I'm not talking about the endless debates of whether fire should be green or whether warlocks should always have a minion at their side.

I'm talking about the removal of the imp ability Blood Pact, due to Dark Intent gaining the 10% Stamina buff to its effect. Future warlocks will wonder what this column is named for!

Continue reading Blood Pact: Thundering on and on about raid gear in patch 5.2

WoW InsiderBlood Pact: Thundering on and on about raid gear in patch 5.2 originally appeared on WoW Insider on Mon, 04 Mar 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>council-of-eldersdark-animusdurumuDurumu-the-Forgottenfeaturedguide-to-locksguide-to-warlockshorridoniron-qonji-kunjinrokhlei-shenlock-guidelock-infolock-talentsloot-tablemegaerapatch-5.2patch-5.2-raidsprimordiusra-denthousandfold-hellsthrone-of-thunderthunderforgedtortostwin-consortswarlock-gearwarlock-guidewarlock-infowarlock-lootwarlock-talentswow-lockwow-lock-infowow-lockswow-warlockwow-warlock-infowow-warlocksMegan O'NeillMon, 04 Mar 2013 13:00:00 ESTBlood Pact: Reputable sources of warlock loot in patch 5.2http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/02/25/blood-pact-reputable-sources-of-warlock-loot-in-patch-5-2/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/02/25/blood-pact-reputable-sources-of-warlock-loot-in-patch-5-2/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/02/25/blood-pact-reputable-sources-of-warlock-loot-in-patch-5-2/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Blood Pact Reputable sources of warlock loot in patch 52 MON
Every week, WoW Insider brings you Blood Pact for affliction, demonology, and destruction warlocks. This week, Megan O'Neill splits the warlock loot over two weeks to keep things light.

Various people have been referring to Throne of Thunder as Thund'uar, a name I fully intend to steal and use. It's just a perfect blend of the new raid and its supposed raid model, Ulduar, with the expected troll-like apostrophe thrown in for good measure.

But this week I won't be listing out the Thund'uar loot drops; I'll just drop in with a lighter piece covering gear miscellany and the new faction offerings. Next week, we can discuss how the PTR patch buffs and nerfs fit in with the expected performance of warlocks in Tier 15 while listing out the loot, instead of dropping a lump of lists in your lap.

Continue reading Blood Pact: Reputable sources of warlock loot in patch 5.2

WoW InsiderBlood Pact: Reputable sources of warlock loot in patch 5.2 originally appeared on WoW Insider on Mon, 25 Feb 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>factionsfeaturedguide-to-locksguide-to-warlockskirin-tor-offensivelock-guidelock-infolock-talentspatch-5.2regalia-of-the-thousandfold-hellsreputationshado-pan-assaultsunreaver-onslaughtthrone-of-thundertier-15valor-gearvalor-point-gearvalor-pointswarlock-guidewarlock-infowarlock-talentswow-lockwow-lock-infowow-lockswow-warlockwow-warlock-infowow-warlocksMegan O'NeillMon, 25 Feb 2013 15:00:00 ESTKill dragons solo to ride more dragonshttp://wow.joystiq.com/2013/02/18/blood-pact-kill-dragons-solo-to-ride-more-dragons/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/02/18/blood-pact-kill-dragons-solo-to-ride-more-dragons/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/02/18/blood-pact-kill-dragons-solo-to-ride-more-dragons/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Blood Pact Kill dragons solo to ride more dragons MON
Every week, WoW Insider brings you Blood Pact for affliction, demonology, and destruction warlocks. This week, Megan O'Neill beats up internet dragons for fun, for mounts, and maybe as a little catharsis.

I've already done some Raiding with Leashes vanilla raid posts. The next logical step would be Burning Crusade soloing, but I've tried and failed to make a glorified loot list more interesting to read, since BC content tends to be more "walk in and win" nowadays than an actual soloing contest.

So, while I wrangle out an adventure in tiers four to six, I will talk about killing dragons solo as a warlock in order to grab dragon mounts.

I'm not talking about dragons that require friends by your side to complete: e.g., Deathwing's two dragon mounts, Ultraxion's mount, completing a dragonstick, or Al'Akir's dragon drop. Al'Akir has actually been soloed before by a warlock, but you'll need friends in order to clear his genie council first. I'm talking dragons you can go beat up by yourself.

Continue reading Kill dragons solo to ride more dragons

WoW InsiderKill dragons solo to ride more dragons originally appeared on WoW Insider on Mon, 18 Feb 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>altairusazure-drakeblack-drakeblue-drakedrake-of-the-north-windfeaturedguide-to-locksguide-to-warlockshalionlock-guidelock-infolock-talentsmalygosonyxiasartharionslabhidesolosoloingtenebrontwilight-drakevirtreous-stone-drakewarlock-guidewarlock-infowarlock-talentswow-lockwow-lock-infowow-lockswow-warlockwow-warlock-infowow-warlocksMegan O'NeillMon, 18 Feb 2013 13:00:00 ESTBlood Pact: Knocking out Naxxramas for pets and morehttp://wow.joystiq.com/2013/02/04/knocking-out-naxxramas-for-pets-and-more/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/02/04/knocking-out-naxxramas-for-pets-and-more/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/02/04/knocking-out-naxxramas-for-pets-and-more/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Blood Pact Knocking out Naxxramas for pets and more MON
Every week, WoW Insider brings you Blood Pact for affliction, demonology, and destruction warlocks. This week, Megan O'Neill has too much fun standing in floor fire while in Metamorphosis trying to get Deadly Boss Mods to yell warnings in Demonic.

I have to admit, the Mists of Pandaria reason for soloing old raids is trying to match my minion's weapons to Matthew Rossi's warrior columns. Unfortunately, the only thing I have is Ashkandi. My new mission is to get Reclaimed Ashkandi for a complete Wrathguard set to properly mock warriors with.

You've probably read how to spec for old raids and you might have your own Ashkandi (or two) from visiting old Blackwing Lair for some pets. Now, let's finish up Raiding with Leashes and other achievements in Naxxramas.

Continue reading Blood Pact: Knocking out Naxxramas for pets and more

WoW InsiderBlood Pact: Knocking out Naxxramas for pets and more originally appeared on WoW Insider on Mon, 04 Feb 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>featuredguide-to-locksguide-to-warlockslock-guidelock-infolock-talentswarlock-guidewarlock-infowarlock-talentswow-lockwow-lock-infowow-lockswow-warlockwow-warlock-infowow-warlocksMegan O'NeillMon, 04 Feb 2013 09:00:00 ESTBlood Pact: Taking care of your DoTshttp://wow.joystiq.com/2013/01/29/blood-pact-taking-care-of-your-dots/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/01/29/blood-pact-taking-care-of-your-dots/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/01/29/blood-pact-taking-care-of-your-dots/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Blood Pact Taking care of your DoTs MON
Every week, WoW Insider brings you Blood Pact for affliction, demonology, and destruction warlocks. This week, Megan O'Neill admits to problems with DoT clipping (*gasp*) and finds a way to fix it.

Every warlock has at least one damage over time effect to take care of. Destruction has Immolate. Demonologists flip between Corruption and Doom (Metamorphosis), though I suppose you could count Shadowflame off Hand of Gul'dan as one. Affliction is the "DoT spec," starring Agony, Corruption, Unstable Affliction, with appearances of Haunt.

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WoW InsiderBlood Pact: Taking care of your DoTs originally appeared on WoW Insider on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>afdotsagonycorruptioncursecurse-of-the-elementsdark soulDarkSouldoomellipsisfeaturedfortexorcistguide-to-locksguide-to-warlockshauntimmolatelock-guidelock-infolock-talentsneedtoknowpandemicprocravenshadowflameunstable-afflictionwarlock-guidewarlock-infowarlock-talentsweakauraswow-lockwow-lock-infowow-lockswow-warlockwow-warlock-infowow-warlocksMegan O'NeillTue, 29 Jan 2013 14:00:00 ESTShould green fire be prestigious?http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/01/21/should-green-fire-be-prestigious/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/01/21/should-green-fire-be-prestigious/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/01/21/should-green-fire-be-prestigious/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Blood Pact Should green fire be prestigious MON
Every week, WoW Insider brings you Blood Pact for affliction, demonology, and destruction warlocks. This week, Megan O'Neill wishes the mages would stop sending out the bad voodoo vibes to everything she owns so she can buy new fun things for her birthday instead of old replacements.

There's plenty to look for through the datamining, but the question on everyone's mind is, "How do I start the questline?" Trust me, when someone finds out, I'm sure the internet will explode about it. It'll probably be on a Monday, during my other job's hours, and right after this column posts, knowing my luck.

But before I get into an all-out walkthrough of the questline, I want to discuss one thing: does green fire have to be exclusive? Is exclusivity required for meaningfulness?

Continue reading Should green fire be prestigious?

WoW InsiderShould green fire be prestigious? originally appeared on WoW Insider on Mon, 21 Jan 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>accessibilitybrawlers-guildchallengedragonwrathdreadsteeddreadsteed-of-xorothdrop-ratesfangs-of-the-fatherfeaturedfel-firefelfiregreen-firegrindingguide-to-locksguide-to-warlockshard-worklegendarieslegendarylegendary-weaponslock-guidelock-infolock-talentsmountsprestigequestlinesraidingwarlock-guidewarlock-infowarlock-talentswow-lockwow-lock-infowow-lockswow-warlockwow-warlock-infowow-warlocksMegan O'NeillMon, 21 Jan 2013 09:00:00 ESTPatch 5.2 spell changes and tier 15 for warlockshttp://wow.joystiq.com/2013/01/14/patch-5-2-spell-changes-and-tier-15-for-warlocks/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/01/14/patch-5-2-spell-changes-and-tier-15-for-warlocks/http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/01/14/patch-5-2-spell-changes-and-tier-15-for-warlocks/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Blood Pact Patch 52 spell changes and tier 15 for warlocks MON
Every week, WoW Insider brings you Blood Pact for affliction, demonology, and destruction warlocks. This week, Megan O'Neill thought the druid T15 was the warlock tier originally, and she thinks that the Season 13 warlock gear looks like a cross between Shannox and a Faceless mob.

My apologies, fel-slingers and fiendish friends. I stepped through the Dark Portal to visit family and when I returned, my hard drive had dead clusters, almost as if someone came by and Frost Nova'd the lot of it. Maybe dropped a few Nether Tempests while he was at it.

I blame the mages. I've already had my flu shot, so they must've realized they had to get at the latest Defender of the Dark Arts electronically. Silly mages -- I'm a warlock, so of course I backed up my stuff.

But Patch 5.2 wasn't going to wait for my new hard drive, so let's look at the changes so far.

Continue reading Patch 5.2 spell changes and tier 15 for warlocks

WoW InsiderPatch 5.2 spell changes and tier 15 for warlocks originally appeared on WoW Insider on Mon, 14 Jan 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>2-piece-bonus2-piece-tier-152pc-tier-154-piece-bonus4-piece-tier-154pc-tier-15blood-fearburning-embersburning-rushdemonic-furyfeaturedfel-armorglyph-of-burning-embersglyph-of-drain-lifeglyph-of-ember-tapglyph-of-soul-shardsglyph-of-unstable-afflictiongrimoire-of-sacrificeguide-to-locksguide-to-warlockskiljaedens-cunninglock-guidelock-infolock-talentssacrificial-pactset-bonusessoul-leechsoul-shardsspell-locktier-15tier-set-bonusunstable-afflictionwarlock-guidewarlock-infowarlock-talentswow-lockwow-lock-infowow-lockswow-warlockwow-warlock-infowow-warlocksMegan O'NeillMon, 14 Jan 2013 09:00:00 ESTBlood Pact: Soloing the vanilla raids for pets and morehttp://wow.joystiq.com/2012/12/17/blood-pact-soloing-the-vanilla-raids-for-pets-and-more/http://wow.joystiq.com/2012/12/17/blood-pact-soloing-the-vanilla-raids-for-pets-and-more/http://wow.joystiq.com/2012/12/17/blood-pact-soloing-the-vanilla-raids-for-pets-and-more/#commentsFiled under: ,

Blood Pact Soloing the vanilla raids for pets and more MON
Every week, WoW Insider brings you Blood Pact for affliction, demonology, and destruction warlocks. This week, Megan O'Neill laments being knocked successfully up past the Suppression Room, only to pull the boss and be knocked back down and across the Suppression Room while the original knockback mobs die. UGH.

Well, Naxxramas is big enough that I'll leave a whole article to it. The other raids from the original raiding scene of level 60 can fit into one since they're relatively easy to do. The roadblocks to finishing them are largely mechanical tricks, not damage output or survivability problems.

There's no real difference between the specs in these earliest raids. I run as destruction mostly because it's fast-paced, but any spec and almost any talent setup can do these raids.

Continue reading Blood Pact: Soloing the vanilla raids for pets and more

WoW InsiderBlood Pact: Soloing the vanilla raids for pets and more originally appeared on WoW Insider on Mon, 17 Dec 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>aq40archimondes-vengeancebattle-petsblackwing-lairchromaggusfeaturedfelheart-raimentguide-to-locksguide-to-warlockslock-guidelock-infolock-talentsmolten-corenemesis-raimentpet-battlesraiding-with-leashesrain-of-firerazorgoresolo-raidsoloingsuppression-roomTemple-of-AhnQirajtier-1-warlocktier-2-warlocktwin-emperorsvisciduswarlock-guidewarlock-infowarlock-talentswow-lockwow-lock-infowow-lockswow-warlockwow-warlock-infowow-warlocksMegan O'NeillMon, 17 Dec 2012 13:00:00 ESTBlood Pact: Speccing for old world raidshttp://wow.joystiq.com/2012/12/10/blood-pact-speccing-for-old-world-raids/http://wow.joystiq.com/2012/12/10/blood-pact-speccing-for-old-world-raids/http://wow.joystiq.com/2012/12/10/blood-pact-speccing-for-old-world-raids/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Blood Pact Speccing for old world raids MON
Every week, WoW Insider brings you Blood Pact for affliction, demonology, and destruction warlocks. This week, Megan O'Neill harvests all the songbells ever in the search for more Imperial Silk, but slaughtering masses of Horde NPCs for reputation also works.

Patch 5.1 introduced pets to the vanilla-era raids. Patch 4.3 introduced transmogrification, which brought old raids back. Before that, some players would solo or duo old raids just for the challenge giggles. Every new expansion has raised the level cap and opened another expansion to soloing.

Whether you're soloing for a look, for improved familiarity with your spell toolbox, or for bragging rights, warlock is definitely a great class to jump into soloing old raids. At level 90, even before you're decked out in tier 14, most of the Wrath of the Lich King raids are fairly easy. But let's start with the basics -- speccing and playstyle.

Continue reading Blood Pact: Speccing for old world raids

WoW InsiderBlood Pact: Speccing for old world raids originally appeared on WoW Insider on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>burning-crusadedark-apotheosisember-tapfeaturedfury-wardglyph-of-healthstonegrimoire-of-supremacyguide-to-locksguide-to-warlockskiljaedens-cunninglock-guidelock-infolock-talentsmetamorphosismionelolraidraid-solosolosolo-raidsoloingsoul-leechsoul-linksoulburn-health-funnelvanillavoidlordvoidwalkerwarlock-guidewarlock-infowarlock-talentswowwow-lockwow-lock-infowow-lockswow-warlockwow-warlock-infowow-warlocksysenMegan O'NeillMon, 10 Dec 2012 09:00:00 ESTBlood Pact: Vault's end with multitarget magichttp://wow.joystiq.com/2012/12/03/blood-pact-vaults-end-with-multitarget-magic/http://wow.joystiq.com/2012/12/03/blood-pact-vaults-end-with-multitarget-magic/http://wow.joystiq.com/2012/12/03/blood-pact-vaults-end-with-multitarget-magic/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Blood Pact Vault's end with multitarget magic MON
Every week, WoW Insider brings you Blood Pact for affliction, demonology, and destruction warlocks. This week, Megan O'Neill continues on with Mogu'shan Vaults while hunting pets in old raids.

I thought maybe I'd goofed, that I'd mis-timed the first two-thirds of Mogu'shan Vaults and would need to interrupt to make a fun post about Black Temple and some new warlock lore. Sadly, the felfire questline got postponed for a little while.

Oh well. In the meantime we can alternate between old raids and new as a warlock. First, let's finish up Mogu'shan Vaults with two complex-to-explain but simple-to-do fights.

Continue reading Blood Pact: Vault's end with multitarget magic

WoW InsiderBlood Pact: Vault's end with multitarget magic originally appeared on WoW Insider on Mon, 03 Dec 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>conflagratecosmic-sparkdemonic-gatewayelegonemperors-courageemperors-rageemperors-strengthenergy-chargefeaturedfire-and-brimstonegrimoire-of-sacrificegrimoire-of-supremacyguide-to-locksguide-to-warlocksimmolatelock-guidelock-infolock-talentsmannoroths-furynightfalobserveropportunistic-strikepillarrain-of-fireseed-of-corruptionsoul-swapsoulburnwarlock-guidewarlock-infowarlock-talentswill-of-the-emperorwow-lockwow-lock-infowow-lockswow-warlockwow-warlock-infowow-warlocksMegan O'NeillMon, 03 Dec 2012 20:00:00 ESTBlood Pact: Delve into the soul of Mogu'shan Vaultshttp://wow.joystiq.com/2012/11/26/blood-pact-delve-into-the-soul-of-mogushan-vaults/http://wow.joystiq.com/2012/11/26/blood-pact-delve-into-the-soul-of-mogushan-vaults/http://wow.joystiq.com/2012/11/26/blood-pact-delve-into-the-soul-of-mogushan-vaults/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Blood Pact Soulsearching in Mogu'shan Vaults MON
Every week, WoW Insider brings you Blood Pact for affliction, demonology, and destruction warlocks. This week, Megan O'Neill looks back at the easy but fun fights in Mogu'shan Vaults as warlock.

Between getting to level 90, gearing pains, the American Thanksgiving, and raiding only two nights a week, you might be in my guild's boat, which is still finishing Mogu'shan Vaults on 25man. Or maybe your raid team was fast and focused and you're already having a jolly time in Heart of Fear or even Terrace of Endless Spring.

Whether you're fast on progression or taking your time, main class or alt character, here's a refresher on Mogu'shan Vaults as a warlock.

Continue reading Blood Pact: Delve into the soul of Mogu'shan Vaults

WoW InsiderBlood Pact: Delve into the soul of Mogu'shan Vaults originally appeared on WoW Insider on Mon, 26 Nov 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>burning-rushdemonic-circleepicenterfeaturedguide-to-locksguide-to-warlockslock-guidelock-infolock-talentssoul-swapwarlock-guidewarlock-infowarlock-talentswildfire-sparkwow-lockwow-lock-infowow-lockswow-warlockwow-warlock-infowow-warlocksMegan O'NeillMon, 26 Nov 2012 17:00:00 EST