Demonology Warlock Leveling Guide

Tanky pet-based leveling with massive survivability. Felguard (TBC) and Metamorphosis (WotLK) offer strong melee-caster hybrid play.

Updated 2026 Pet Tank / Hybrid DPS Supports Classic / TBC / WotLK

Why Demonology in Classic?

Voidwalker tanking makes leveling safe; Demonic Embrace adds stamina; Soul Link (later) makes you very hard to kill. Slower than Affliction but great survivability.

Strengths

High stamina and Soul Link mitigation.
Voidwalker can tank elites with Drain Life support.
Pet utility: Succubus for Seduce, Imp for stam buff.

Weaknesses

Lower damage than Affliction early.
Shard management and pet micro.
Less burst; relies on pet threat.

Talents by Level (Classic 1-60)

Early (10-29)

Demonic Embrace for stamina.
Improved VW for threat; Fel Intellect/Stamina.
Improved Life Tap/Drain Life (Affliction splash).

Mid (30-44)

Master Demonologist for pet bonuses.
Fel Domination for instant pet.
Dark Pact optional from Affliction splash.

Late (45-60)

Soul Link for 30% damage split.
Improved Healthstone; Demonic Sacrifice optional if using succubus.
Ruin from Destruction for Shadow Bolt crits.

Keep VW on Defensive/Taunt; Corruption + CoA, wand/Shadow Bolt; Drain Life to keep you up. Soul Link makes you nearly unkillable.

Rotation & Playstyle

Single Target

Send pet → Corruption/CoA → Shadow Bolt or wand.
Drain Life when tapped; maintain Demon Armor.
Use Soul Link and Healthstone liberally.

Multi-DoT

VW holds one target; DoT others and fear kite.
Use Hellfire/Rain of Fire cautiously; Health Funnel to keep pet up.
Howl of Terror for safety.

Survival

Fel Domination + Summon for instant pet swap.
Sacrifice from VW for shield if needed.
Keep bandages; use Soulstone on self.

Zone Route (Classic)

Bracket	Zones	Notes
1-20	Starter → Barrens/Westfall	Voidwalker quest ASAP; wand crucial.
20-35	Ashenvale/SM	SM Library for wand; Fel Domination comfort.
35-50	STV/Tanaris	Soul Link soon; pet tanks multiple mobs.
50-60	Felwood/Plaguelands	Farm shards/cloth; elites possible with VW + Soul Link.

Why Demonology in TBC?

Felguard (41-point) is incredible for leveling and dungeons. High health, cleave, and solid threat; Demonic Knowledge boosts your damage.

Spec: Felguard, Demonic Knowledge, Soul Link, Demonic Resilience. Affliction splash for UA or SL optional.

Talents by Level (TBC 60-70)

Early (60-63)

Demonic Embrace, Fel Stamina/Intellect.
Master Demonologist; Demonic Resilience.
Fel Domination for instant pet.

Mid (64-67)

Felguard unlock (~61-62).
Soul Link + Demonic Knowledge.
Improved Healthstone; Demonic Aegis.

Late (68-70)

Affliction splash: UA/SL for DoT power.
Shadowburn (Destro) for execute.
Improved Soul Leech not yet—use Dark Pact/Life Tap.

Rotation (TBC)

Single Target

Send Felguard → Corruption/UA → CoA/CoE → Shadow Bolt filler.
Cleave with Cleave/Intercept; keep Demonic Frenzy stacked.
Drain Life if low; Dark Pact for mana.

AoE

Seed of Corruption on multiple mobs; Felguard Cleave/Intercept.
Hellfire if safe (Soul Link mitigates).
Howl of Terror to peel; Health Funnel pet.

Utility

Felguard can tank adds; use Intercept to stun.
Felhunter swap for silence/dispel if needed.
Soulstone/Healthstone for group; Banish demons/elementals.

Zone & Dungeon Path (TBC)

Level	Zone/Dungeon	Notes
60-62	Hellfire / Ramps / BF	Felguard early; cleave packs.
62-65	Zangarmarsh / SP / UB	Felguard tank + Seed of Corruption AoE.
65-68	Terokkar / Sethekk / SLabs	CoT on casters; Intercept stuns help.
68-70	Netherstorm / Mech	Badge farm; Felguard holds threat well.

Why Demonology in WotLK?

Metamorphosis gives huge survivability and AoE; Demonic Pact buffs party. Felguard + Meta makes leveling very safe and fun.

Spec: Metamorphosis, Demonic Pact, Molten Core, Decimation, Soul Link, Demonic Empowerment. Affliction splash for Improved Corruption.

Talents by Level (70-80)

Early (70-73)

Improved Corruption, Suppression (Affliction).
Demonic Embrace, Fel Synergy (pet healing).
Felguard baseline; Demonic Empowerment.

Mid (74-77)

Molten Core (buffs Incinerate/SB).
Demonic Pact for spell power buff.
Decimation for fast Soul Fire executes.

Late (78-80)

Metamorphosis capstone.
Improved Demonic Tactics for pet crit.
Master Summoner for quick pet swaps.

Rotation (WotLK)

Single Target

Corruption → Immolate → Incinerate filler (with Molten Core) or Shadow Bolt if not procced.
Keep Curse (Doom/Agony) up; use Decimation to spam Soul Fire sub-35%.
Demonic Empowerment on cooldown; Metamorphosis for burst/survival.

AoE

Seed of Corruption; Immolation Aura in Meta for huge AoE.
Felguard Cleave; Shadowflame if safe.
Use Meta + Hellfire with Soul Link for tankiness.

Survival/Utility

Soul Link + Meta makes you very durable.
Health Funnel to keep pet alive; Fel Synergy heals pet from your damage.
Demonic Circle for mobility; Soulshatter to drop threat.

Zone & Dungeon Path (WotLK)

Level	Zone/Dungeon	Notes
70-72	Borean / Howling Fjord	Felguard cleave; Nexus/UK gear.
72-75	Dragonblight / AN/OK	Seed + Felguard; Decimation for bosses.
75-77	Zul'Drak / Drak'Tharon	Meta for big pulls; Demonic Pact buff for party.
77-80	Icecrown / Storm Peaks	Heroics; Meta/Immolation Aura shred packs.

Gear, Stats, and Enchants (All Versions)

Stat Priority

Spell Power > Hit (6-9% leveling) > Haste > Crit.
Stamina valuable with Soul Link/Meta; spirit ok with Fel Armor.

Weapons

Spell power staff/off-hand; high damage wand.
Classic: SM/BRD/Strat; TBC: Coilfang/Badge; WotLK: Titansteel Guardian.
Pet scales with your stats—prioritize SP.

Enchants

Classic: +Spell Power weapon; +Stamina optional.
TBC: Major Spell Power; +Int/Spirit to gear.
WotLK: +63 SP/Black Magic; +Hit if needed.

Pro Tips & Utility

Leveling Speed

Let Felguard/VW tank; you DoT and bolt.
Use Meta for big pulls and safety; keep Demonic Empowerment rolling.
Farm shards with Drain Soul; keep Soulshatter ready.

Group Utility

Demonic Pact buff; Healthstones; Soulstone.
Banish demons/elementals; Seduce with succubus if needed.
Felhunter for interrupts/dispels.

Survival

Soul Link reduces damage; Health Funnel pet.
Meta gives armor and Immolation Aura; Demon Armor for healing bonus.
Carry pots/bandages; use Sacrifice shield if using VW.

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