PvE Demonology Warlock Best in Slot (BiS) & Pre-Raid Gear

Author: Zephan
Date: July 8, 2022
Expansion: WotLK Classic

Demonology Warlock Overview

Talents, Builds & Glyphs

Stat Priority

Best Races

Gems, Enchants & Consumables

Rotation & Cooldowns

Best Professions

Best in Slot (BiS) & Pre-Raid Gear

Addons & Macros

Equipment will be the main source of your character’s power, contributing the biggest bulk of your stats. It is therefore very important that you choose the correct equipment for each slot — commonly referred to as “best in slot” equipment – in order to maximize your power.

This guide will help you choose the best equipment possible for each phase, but also the best equipment you can find outside of raids, known as “pre-raid” gear or “pre-BiS”.

Open accordions to see alternative options that are listed in order of upgrade!
Items are selected based on a balanced approach between personal DPS and raid DPS contributions.

Pre-Raid
Phase 1

Item	Source
Forgotten Shadow Hood	Culling of Stratholme – Heroic
Titan Forged Hood of Dominance	40 Wintergrasp Mark
Crown of Unbridled Magic	The Oculus – Heroic
Cowl of Light’s Purity	The Sunwell
Helm of Arcane Purity	The Sunwell
Visage Liquification Goggles	Engineering
Dark Conjuror’s Collar	The Sunwell
Hat of Wintry Doom	Tailoring – BoE

Forgotten Shadow Hood and Crown of Unbridled Magic both are available options from Heroic drops. They are better for Demonology Warlocks than all other available helms due to the fact that they are both high on spell power and spirit. Titan Forged Hood of Dominance is technically a little bit better than Crown of Unbridled Magic but doe comes at a significantly greater cost.

There are also plenty of helms that dropped in The Sunwell (including converted healer ones) that are still worthwhile options, namely Cowl of Light’s Purity, Helm of Arcane Purity, and Dark Conjuror’s Collar.

Visage Liquification Goggles are technically on par with the TBC helms, however seeing as how quickly you will replace them it doesn’t seem worth the cost.

Item	Source
Encircling Burnished Gold Chains	25 Emblem
Chain of Latent Energies	Naxxramas Trash – BoE
Titanium Spellshock Necklace	Jewelcrafting – BoE
Hateful Glad Asc	38000 Honor Points
Hateful Glad Deliverance	38000 Honor Points
Hateful Gladiator Pendant of Ascendancy	38000 Honor Points
Necromancer’s Amulet	Stratholme – Heroic
Dragon Prow Amulet	Utgarde Keep
Necklace of Taldaram	Ahn’kahet: The Old Kingdom – Heroic

Chain of Latent Energie is a BoE drop inside 10-man Naxxramas, on par with Encircling Burnished Gold Chains.

Titanium Spellshock Necklace is the strongest necklace if we do not require any additional hit rating. It should be noted however that Titanium Spellshock Necklace doesn’t come cheap.

Item	Source
Runecasters Mantle	Utgarde Keep
Shoulderpads of Knowledge	The Sunwell
Amice of the Convoker	The Sunwell
Dark Runic Mantle	Halls of Stone
Shawl of Wonderment	The Sunwell
Mantle of the Intrepid Explorer	Halls of Stone
Mantle of Electrical Charges	Halls of Lightning
Silken Amice of the Ymirjar	Utgarde Pinnacle
Mantle of the Tribunal	Halls of Stone
Mantle of the Malefic	Black Temple

Amice of the Convoker from Sunwell is the best available shoulder for all other Warlock specializations except for Demonology. This is due to the fact that there are plenty of high spell power /spirit shoulders available. Runecasters is hands down the best pre-bis shoulder option for Demonology, closely followed by Shoulderpads of Knowledge.

Item	Source
Deathchill Cloak	Tailoring – BoE
Reanimator’s Cloak	Drak’Tharon Keep – BoE
Hateful Glad Ascendancy	38000 Honor Points
Hateful Glad Deli	38000 Honor Points
Subterranean Waterfall Shroud	The Old Kingdom – Heroic
Shroud of Moorabi	Gundrak – Heroic
Tattered Cape of Antonidas	The Sunwell
Hateful Glad Subj	38000 Honor Points
Ancient Dragon Spirit Cape	The Oculus – Heroic

Deathchill Cloak is another bind-on-equipped crafted piece. It is significantly stronger than most other available cloaks. Reanimator’s Cloak is not too far off in value and might potentially be cheaper.

Item	Source
Heroes Plagueheart Robe	80 Emblem
Spellweave Robe	Tailoring – BoE
Moonshroud	Tailoring – BoE
Robes of Ghostly Hatred	The Sunwell
Ebonweave Robe	Tailoring – BoE
Sunfire Robe	Tailoring – BoP
Robes of Faltered Light	The Sunwell
Water-Drenched Robe	Violet Hold- Heroic
Fel Conquerer Raiments	The Sunwell
Drakewing Raiments	The Oculus – Heroic
Egg Sac Robes	Azjol-Nerub – Heroic

Heroes Plagueheart Robe costs us a lot of emblems but moves us already a step closer to our two and four-piece tier bonus.

Following this is Spellweave Robe, Moonshroud, or Ebonweave Robe if you need a significant amount of hit rating. Both of these are tailoring crafted pieces.

Item	Source
Cuffs of Winged Levitation	The Oculus – Heroic
Ancestral Sinew Wristguard	Wyrmrest Accord – Revered
Hateful Glad Salvation	31600 Honor Points
Cuffs of the Trussed Hall	Utgarde Pinnacle – Heroic
Verdisa’s Cuffs of Dreaming	The Oculus
Azure Cloth Bindings	Violet Hold – Heroic

Cuffs of Winged Levitation and Ancestral Sinew Wristguard are two really good and close wrists options.

Black Duskweave is slightly worse on its own than any of the above-listed braces, but combined with Black Duskweave for the two-piece bonus of +18 spell power is another solid option.

Item	Source
Spellweave Gloves	Tailoring – BoE
Gloves of Glistening Runes	The Nexus – Heroic
Overlook Handguard	Drak’Tharon Keep – Heroic
Moonshroud	Tailoring – BoE
Ebonweave Gloves	Tailoring – BoE
Handguard of the Dawn	The Sunwell
Gloves of Tyri’s Power	The Sunwell
Handguards of Defiled Worlds	The Sunwell

Spellweave Gloves, Moonshroud, and Ebonweave Gloves are incredibly close in value depending on if are in need of the hit rating on Ebonweave Gloves. Gloves of Glistening Runes and Overlook Handguard are also on par in value and can be gotten from heroics instead of crafting.

Item	Source
Girdle of Bane	Utgarde Pinnacle – Heroic
Plush Sash of Guzbah	40 Emblem
Flowing Sash of Order	Halls of Lightning – Heroic
Elegant Temple Gardens	40 Emblem
Sash of Phantasmal Images	The Oculus – Heroic
Hateful Glad Salv	49600 Honor Points
Belt of Dark Mending	Ebon Blade – Exalted
Belt of Unified Souls	The Culling of Stratholme – Heroic

Plush Sash of Guzbah and Girdle of Bane is for all intents and purposes nearly equal in value, assuming you can fully make use of the hit rating. All other belts are significantly further behind in value, especially if you need a belt without hit rating.

Item	Source
Pantaloons of Calming Strife	The Sunwell
Pantaloons of Growing Strife	The Sunwell
Breeches of the Caller	Utgarde Keep – Heroic
Leggings of Calamity	The Sunwell
Cyanigosa	Violet Hold – Heroic
Opposed Stasis Leggings	The Nexus – Heroic
Leggings of Channeled Elements	Mountain Hyjall
Woven Bracae Leggings	Halls of Lightning – Heroic

All four of the Burning Crusade pants listed above are really close to each other in value. The first Wrath of the Lich King pants that comes close in value is Breeches of the Caller.

Black Duskweave is also worth mentioning, this can be combined with Black Duskweave bracers for the two-piece bonus.

Item	Source
Sandals of Crimson Fury	Wyrmrest – Exalted
Hateful Glad Salv	49600 Honor Points
Titan-Forged Slippers of Dom	15 Wintergrasp Marks
Cleric’s Linen Shoes	The Nexus – Heroic
Footwraps of Teleportation	Violet Hold – Heroic
Boots of the Malefic	The Sunwell
Titan-Forged Slippers of Salv	15 Wintergrasp Marks

Sandals of Crimson Fury are relatively easy to get and by a good margin the best possible pre-bis boots. The next best shoes are both PvP related namely; Hateful Glad Salv and Titan-Forged Slippers of Dom. But don’t be afraid if you dislike PvP and reputation farming there still is Cleric’s Linen Shoes.

Item	Source
Spectral Seal of the Prophet	Drak’Tharon Keep – Heroic
Loop of the Kirin Tor	8500 gold
Signet of the Kirin Tor	8500 gold
Band of Guile	The Culling of Stratholme – Heroic
Titanium Spellshock Ring	Jewelcrafting – BoE
Ring of Northern Tears	Jewelcrafting – BoE
Annhylde’s Ring	Utgarde Keep – Heroic
Signet of Hopeful Light	Argent Crusade – Exalted
Ring of Northen Tears	Jewelcrafting
Bat-Wool Signet	Icecrown
Lost Ring of the Hierophant	Fishing

There are a lot of options when it comes to our rings. Most of them can be bought, but one might already be more expansive than the other, looking at you Signet of the Kirin Tor. Ring of Northern Tears, Lost Ring of the Necromancer, and Titanium Spellshock Ring can also be bought for gold.

Band of Guile and Annhylde’s Ring are for all intents and purposes the same ring that drops from another Heroic.

Item	Source
Sundial of the Exiled	40 Emblem
Mark of the War Prisoner	Violet Hold – Heroic
Mithril Pocketwatch	Brewfest
Forge Ember	Halls of Stone – Heroic

The Egg of Mortal Essence is not listed above, at the moment of this writing, it seems we can only proc this with Health Funnel, limiting its use as we do not want to be wasting cast time using this in combat.

Sundial of the Exiled and Mithril Pocketwatch are the same trinket for all intents and purposes, one easier to get than the other.

Item	Source
Titansteel Spellblade	Blacksmithing – BoE
Cursed Lich Blade	Drak’Tharon Keep – Heroic
Flamehaert Spell Scalpel	Kirin Tor – Revered
Netherbreath Spellblade	Utgarde Pinnacle – Heroic
Skoll’s Fang	BoE – Random Suffix
Jeweled Coronations Sword	Utgarde Pinnacle
Sunflare	The Sunwell

If Titansteel Spellblade is out from release one-hand plus offhand will be the play. If it is not Cursed Lich Blade or any of the other listed one hands will work as well but Staff of Draconic Combat will be a closer option.

Item	Source
Ward of the Violet Citadel	25 Emblem
Handbook of Obscure Remedies	25 Emblem
Faces of Doom	Inscription – BoE
Telestra’s Journal	The Nexus – Heroic
Iron-bound Tome	Inscription – BoE
Prison Manifest	Violet Hold – Heroic
Temple Crystal Fragment	Drak’Tharon Keep – Heroic

Ward of the Violet Citadel really is the best option and at only a cost of 25 Emblem not too hard to get your hands on. That being said any of the others listed will last you until you get it.

Item	Source
Staff of Draconic Combat	The Oculus – Heroic
Staff of Wayward Principles	Utgarde Pinnacle – Heroic
Staff of Sinister Claws	Ahn’kahet: The old Kingdom – Heroic
Golden Staff of the Sin’Dorei	The Sunwell
Malygoss’ Favor	The Oculus
Sempiternal Staff	Stratholme
Grand Magister’s Staff of Torrents	The Sunwell

Staff of Draconic Combat drops from the last boss in The Oculus Heroic. If Titansteel Spellblade is out from release that combined with Ward of the Violet Citadel will be a tad bit better.

Item	Source
Wand of Cleansing Light	The Sunwell
Wand of Ahn’kahet	Ahn’kahet: The Old Kingdom – Heroic
Wand of Sseratus	Gundrak – Heroic
Wand of Demonsoul	The Sunwell
Ancient Measuring Rod	Halls of Lightning
Rod of the Fallen Monarch	Azjol-Nerub – Heroic
Wand of the San’layn	Utgarde Keep – Heroic

Wand of the San’layn and Wand of Ahn’kahet are really close in value. If you are in need of hit rating, Ancient Measuring Rod would be your go-to, or one of the wands with a socket slot.

Item	Source
Hood of Rationality	The Eye of Eternity
Cowl of Vanity	Naxxramas
Enamored Cowl	The Obsidian Sanctum
Valorous Plagueheart Circlet	Paldesse
Heroes’ Plagueheart Circlet	Paldesse

Item	Source
Wyrmrest Necklace of Power	Eye of Eternity
Chain of the Ancient Wyrm	Eye of Eternity
Cosmic Lights	Naxxramas
Necklace of the Glittering Chamber	Eye of Eternity
Thunderstorm Amulet	Naxxramas

Item	Source
Mantle of Dissemination	The Eye of Eternity
Mantle of the Locusts	Naxxramas
Valorous Plagueheart Shoulderpads	Paldesse
Mantle of the Fatigued Sage	Naxxramas
Mantle of the Corrupted	Naxxramas

Item	Source
Pennant Cloak	The Obsidian Sanctum
Cape of the Unworthy Wizard	Naxxramas
Disguise of the Kumiho	Emblem of Valor
Deathchill Cloak	Crafted
Shawl of the Old Maid	Naxxramas

Item	Source
The Sanctum’s Flowing Vestments	The Obsidian Sanctum
Valorous Plagueheart Robe	Paldesse
Heigan’s Putrid Vestments	Naxxramas
Gown of the Spell-Weaver	The Eye of Eternity
Robes of Mutation	Naxxramas

Item	Source
Unsullied Cuffs	The Obsidian Sanctum
Bands of Impurity	Naxxramas
Punctilious Bindings	Naxxramas
Wraps of the Astral Traveler	Magister Brasael
Bindings of the Expansive Mind	Naxxramas

Item	Source
Gloves of Token Respect	Naxxramas
Gloves of the Fallen Wizard	Naxxramas
Valorous Plagueheart Gloves	Paldesse
Spellweave Gloves	Tailoring
Gloves of Grandeur	Naxxramas

Item	Source
Leash of Heedless Magic	The Eye of Eternity
Cincture of Polarity	Naxxramas
Belt of False Dignity	Naxxramas
Plush Sash of Guzbah	Paldesse
Girdle of Bane (Heroic)	Utgarde Pinnacle

Item	Source
Leggings of the Wanton Spellcaster	The Eye of Eternity
Leggings of Mortal Arrogance	Naxxramas
Valorous Plagueheart Leggings	Paldesse
Legwraps of the Defeated Dragon	Naxxramas
Distorted Limbs	Naxxramas

Item	Source
Arcanic Tramplers	The Eye of Eternity
Boots of Forlorn Wishes	Naxxramas
Boots of Impetuous Ideals	Naxxramas
Xintor’s Expeditionary Boots	Magister Brasael
Slippers of the Holy Light	Magister Brasael

Item	Source
Signet of Manifested Pain	Naxxramas
Band of Channeled Magic	Emblem of Valor
Lost Jewel	Naxxramas
Signet of the Malevolent	Naxxramas
Ring of Holy Cleansing	Naxxramas

Item	Source
Dying Curse	Naxxramas
Illustration of the Dragon soul	The Obsidian Sanctum
Sundial of the Exiled	Other
Mithril Pocketwatch	Other
Figurine – Twilight Serpent	Crafted
Embrace of the Spider	Naxxramas

Item	Source
The Turning Tide	Naxxramas
The Soulblade	Naxxramas
Haunting Call	Naxxramas
Life and Death	Naxxramas
Deadly Gladiator’s Spellblade	Deadly Gladiator

Item	Source
Surplus Limb	Naxxramas
Matriarch’s Spawn	Naxxramas
Accursed Spine	Naxxramas
Watchful Eye	Naxxramas
Ward of the Violet Citadel	Emblem of Heroism

Item	Source
Greatstaff of the Nexus	The Eye of Eternity
Damnation	Naxxramas
Staff of Restraint	The Obsidian Sanctum
Spire of Sunset	Naxxramas
Charmed Cierge	Naxxramas

Item	Source
Gemmed Wand of the Nerubians	Naxxramas
Wand of the Archlich	Naxxramas
Plague Igniter	Naxxramas
Wand of Cleansing Light	Sunwell Plateau
Wand of the San’layn (Heroic)	Utgarde Keep

About the Author

Zephan

I am a Classic Warlock enthusiast and in general like theorycrafting. I am the owner and admin of the best community in the whole wide world, being the Classic Warlock Discord. This is the home of some of the best Warlocks in this game and the basis for theorycrafting and figuring out the optimal plays for us warlocks. My aim is to make sure this up-to-date information is out there everywhere to be found and to give back to the community.

About the Author

Zephan

Lok-tar ogar!

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