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Destruction Warlock professions PvE

Best pair for a Destruction Warlock in PvE: Tailoring and Enchanting.

As of · build 1.60.1.70450 · Forecast

This spec's professions are ranked for PvE and for PvP.

How we ranked them

How much a profession helps this spec, leveling 1 to 60 and then in level-60 dungeons and raids. Gear the spec never wears and consumables it never uses count for nothing.

The subjects are all twelve professions: six crafting, three gathering and three secondary.

Each entry names its best partner: the primary profession that does the most for this spec beside it. The spec's best pair is its best-ranked primary and that entry's partner.

A forecast. Forever's item stats aren't public yet, so gear scores rest on what each item binds to and on Classic's values; raid gear counts from 9 Dec, when raids open.

Forever moved the healing potions from Alchemy to First Aid, and its camp items' buffs don't stack with the matching class buffs: both change the Classic answer for many specs.

Each criterion is scored against fixed anchors, then rescaled within this spec's twelve so the best scores 5 and the worst 1. A criterion whose twelve scores span one point or less keeps them as scored.

The rubric: each criterion scored 1 to 5
CriterionWeightWhat it measures
Self-use at 6040Measured against these anchors, then rescaled so the best of the twelve scores 5 and the worst 1. It makes bind-on-pickup gear or items this spec wears or uses in raids and can't get any other way, or consumables it uses every raid night that would cost real gold to buy: 5. Useful self-made items it could also buy on the auction house, or one bind-on-pickup piece that is a modest upgrade: 3. Nothing this spec wears or uses at 60: 1.
Leveling help25Measured against these anchors, then rescaled so the best of the twelve scores 5 and the worst 1. Upgrades this spec's gear or kill speed throughout 1–60, or turns its own kills and travel into income or supplies as it levels: 5. Helps for part of the climb, or saves some gold and downtime: 3. Takes time and gold while leveling and gives this spec nothing back until 60: 1.
Gold20Not scored here: the profession's score on the Professions for Gold: Settled list, rounded half up, then rescaled with the other criteria. It is the same on every spec's list.
Utility15Measured against these anchors, then rescaled so the best of the twelve scores 5 and the worst 1. Something no other profession gives this spec, used often: Jumper Cables, transmutes, a camp item it relies on: 5. An occasional convenience: 3. None: 1.

What each tier means

An entry’s tier comes from its weighted score. A tier set by hand instead says why in its write-up. Within a tier, the best score comes first.

S 4.25 or more
The best choice for this purpose. Strong on the criteria that count most, with no real weakness.
A 3.75 or more
Very strong. A little behind S, or one clear weakness.
B 3.25 or more
Good. Does the job well without special effort.
C 2.75 or more
Workable. About average on the rubric; nothing stands out either way.
D 2.25 or more
Weak. It works, but you will feel the gap; pick it for other reasons.
F below 2.25
Poor for this purpose. Avoid it unless something else decides for you.

What the ratings assume

  • The game rules of the stated build. The list is re-rated on a patch that moves a score.
  • A character that levels 1 to 60 and then runs dungeons and raids as this spec; raids count from 9 Dec.
  • The profession is leveled alongside the character, reaching 300 at or soon after 60.
  • No Legacy perks.
  • Gathering, crafting, the auction house and vendors only.

Confidence: Forecast

Rated from the client data and our research, before anyone has played it at this level on this build. Where the data stops, the write-up says what it assumed.

Why each profession is where it is

Choose a profession on the chart to see why it sits where it does.

Tailoring A tier

Robe of the Void and soul-shard bags that only a Tailor makes, with bags and cloth while leveling.

Best partner: Enchanting

Scores for Tailoring
CriterionWeightScore
Self-use at 6040 5
Leveling help25 5
Gold20 1
Utility15 5

Weighted score 4.20, which is A tier.

Self-use at 60, 5 of 5: Robe of the Void (BoP, 40 Felcloth + 20 Demonic Rune): BoP, craftable only by a Tailor.

Leveling help, 5 of 5: Silky BoP set (levels 12-25), bags and free cloth from humanoid kills help throughout; no gatherer needed.

Utility, 5 of 5: Soul Pouch/Felcloth Bag (24/32 slots) sit in the reagent slot and are the only soul-shard storage: unique and constant.

Gold, 1 of 5: 1.85 on the Professions for Gold: Settled list.

Why Enchanting beside it: Enchanting disenchants the tailor's greens and adds staff, orb and wand.

It is not S: it scores 1 of 5 on gold, and its 4.20 is 0.05 short of S.

Strengths

  • Self-use at 60, 5 of 5
  • Leveling help, 5 of 5
  • Utility, 5 of 5

Weaknesses

  • Gold, 1 of 5

What would move it: Its gold score follows the Professions for Gold: Settled list; a better reading there would lift it.

Read the Tailoring guide · Back to the chart

Enchanting A tier

Only an Enchanter can make the staff, orb and wand that stack with Firestone and Spellstone for Destruction.

Best partner: Tailoring

Scores for Enchanting
CriterionWeightScore
Self-use at 6040 5
Leveling help25 5
Gold20 3
Utility15 2

Weighted score 4.15, which is A tier.

Self-use at 60, 5 of 5: Radiant Staff (+56 SP), Orb of Mystic Insight, Brilliant Wand, Mighty Spell Power enchants and wands that stack with Firestone/Spellstone: BoP, enchanter-only, and can't be had any other way, plus own-gear enchants.

Leveling help, 5 of 5: Novice's Practice Wand from level 1, wand line and oils help (Warlocks wand and use pets; wands need standing still); disenchants tailor greens.

Utility, 2 of 5: Self enchants; Lute overlaps Mark of the Wild; Firestone/Spellstone stack with oils (unverified).

Gold, 3 of 5: 2.55 on the Professions for Gold: Settled list.

Why Tailoring beside it: Tailoring adds the BoP robe and the greens it disenchants.

It is not S: it scores 2 of 5 on utility, and its 4.15 is 0.10 short of S.

Strengths

  • Self-use at 60, 5 of 5
  • Leveling help, 5 of 5

Weaknesses

  • Utility, 2 of 5

What would move it: Better utility for this spec, from a patch or from item stats once Forever publishes them, would lift it; relative scores also move when another profession's evidence changes.

Read the Enchanting guide · Back to the chart

Alchemy C tier

Fire Power elixirs and Fire Protection potions suit Destruction, though they are buyable.

Best partner: Herbalism

Scores for Alchemy
CriterionWeightScore
Self-use at 6040 3
Leveling help25 2
Gold20 5
Utility15 2

Weighted score 3.00, which is C tier.

Self-use at 60, 3 of 5: Elixir of Fire Power/Greater Firepower, Fire Protection and Spellblasting; Life Tap cuts mana need; buyable.

Leveling help, 2 of 5: Mana potions and elixirs sell; need herbs; no gear or kill speed for Destruction Warlock.

Utility, 2 of 5: Transmutes and mana potions in bulk; little unique to a Warlock.

Gold, 5 of 5: 4.15 on the Professions for Gold: Settled list.

Why Herbalism beside it: Herbalism supplies the herbs for its flasks and elixirs.

It is not B: it scores 3 of 5 on self-use at 60, and its 3.00 is 0.25 short of B.

Strengths

  • Gold, 5 of 5

Weaknesses

  • Leveling help, 2 of 5
  • Utility, 2 of 5

What would move it: Better self-use at 60 for this spec, from a patch or from item stats once Forever publishes them, would lift it; relative scores also move when another profession's evidence changes.

Read the Alchemy guide · Back to the chart

First Aid D tier

Bandages save downtime while leveling, but Healthstones already cover Destruction in raids.

Best partner: Tailoring

Scores for First Aid
CriterionWeightScore
Self-use at 6040 2
Leveling help25 4
Gold20 3
Utility15 2

Weighted score 2.70, which is D tier.

Self-use at 60, 2 of 5: Healing potions (First Aid only now) and bandages in raids; Destruction Warlock has Healthstones.

Leveling help, 4 of 5: Bandages from cloth save downtime and gold with cloth-class low HP.

Utility, 2 of 5: First Aid Kit overlaps Fortitude; curatives occasional.

Gold, 3 of 5: 2.65 on the Professions for Gold: Settled list.

Why Tailoring beside it: Tailoring: bandages use cloth and it is the spec's best primary.

It is not C: it scores 2 of 5 on self-use at 60, and its 2.70 is 0.05 short of C.

Strengths

  • Leveling help, 4 of 5

Weaknesses

  • Self-use at 60, 2 of 5
  • Utility, 2 of 5

What would move it: Better self-use at 60 for this spec, from a patch or from item stats once Forever publishes them, would lift it; relative scores also move when another profession's evidence changes.

Read the First Aid guide · Back to the chart

Engineering D tier

Buyable caster goggles and unique gadgets like a repair bot, but they cost metal while leveling.

Best partner: Tailoring

Scores for Engineering
CriterionWeightScore
Self-use at 6040 3
Leveling help25 2
Gold20 1
Utility15 4

Weighted score 2.50, which is D tier.

Self-use at 60, 3 of 5: Spellpower Goggles Xtreme/Plus, Master Engineer's, Bloodvine goggles are caster items but BoE, so buyable; stats are Classic-only.

Leveling help, 2 of 5: Gadgets cost metal and give a pet-leveling Warlock little.

Utility, 4 of 5: Jumper Cables (rez), Repair Bot, Cloaking Device and Rocket Boots are unique and used often.

Gold, 1 of 5: 1.95 on the Professions for Gold: Settled list.

Why Tailoring beside it: Tailoring adds the BoP robe to the goggles.

It is not C: it scores 3 of 5 on self-use at 60, and its 2.50 is 0.25 short of C.

Strengths

  • Utility, 4 of 5

Weaknesses

  • Leveling help, 2 of 5
  • Gold, 1 of 5

What would move it: Better self-use at 60 for this spec, from a patch or from item stats once Forever publishes them, would lift it; relative scores also move when another profession's evidence changes.

Read the Engineering guide · Back to the chart

Cooking F tier

Stat food and a small XP buff each raid, only a moderate saving for Destruction.

Best partner: Tailoring

Scores for Cooking
CriterionWeightScore
Self-use at 6040 3
Leveling help25 2
Gold20 1
Utility15 2

Weighted score 2.20, which is F tier.

Self-use at 60, 3 of 5: Stat food with a small XP buff each raid; cheap, so a moderate saving.

Leveling help, 2 of 5: Food plus about +5% kill XP saves some downtime and gold.

Utility, 2 of 5: Campfires hold 3 to 10 items; occasional.

Gold, 1 of 5: 1.80 on the Professions for Gold: Settled list.

Why Tailoring beside it: Tailoring is the spec's best primary.

It is not D: it scores 3 of 5 on self-use at 60, and its 2.20 is 0.05 short of D.

Weaknesses

  • Leveling help, 2 of 5
  • Gold, 1 of 5
  • Utility, 2 of 5

What would move it: Better self-use at 60 for this spec, from a patch or from item stats once Forever publishes them, would lift it; relative scores also move when another profession's evidence changes.

Read the Cooking guide · Back to the chart

Herbalism F tier

Nothing Destruction wears or uses comes from herbs, which only feed potions.

Best partner: Alchemy

Scores for Herbalism
CriterionWeightScore
Self-use at 6040 1
Leveling help25 2
Gold20 5
Utility15 2

Weighted score 2.20, which is F tier.

Self-use at 60, 1 of 5: Makes nothing Destruction Warlock wears or uses; herbs only feed potions.

Leveling help, 2 of 5: Herb income while traveling.

Utility, 2 of 5: Incense Candle's Intellect doesn't stack with Arcane Intellect, so it helps only in a group with no Mage.

Gold, 5 of 5: 4.00 on the Professions for Gold: Settled list.

Why Alchemy beside it: Alchemy turns the herbs into flasks and elixirs.

It is not D: it scores 1 of 5 on self-use at 60, and its 2.20 is 0.05 short of D.

Strengths

  • Gold, 5 of 5

Weaknesses

  • Self-use at 60, 1 of 5
  • Leveling help, 2 of 5
  • Utility, 2 of 5

What would move it: Better self-use at 60 for this spec, from a patch or from item stats once Forever publishes them, would lift it; relative scores also move when another profession's evidence changes.

Read the Herbalism guide · Back to the chart

Mining F tier

Ore sells while leveling, but Destruction gets no gear gain from it.

Best partner: Engineering

Scores for Mining
CriterionWeightScore
Self-use at 6040 1
Leveling help25 2
Gold20 5
Utility15 1

Weighted score 2.05, which is F tier.

Self-use at 60, 1 of 5: Nothing Destruction Warlock wears; ore feeds Blacksmithing/Engineering.

Leveling help, 2 of 5: Ore sells while leveling but Destruction Warlock has no gear gain; starter veins reduced.

Utility, 1 of 5: Lodestone (melee AP) does nothing for Destruction Warlock.

Gold, 5 of 5: 3.75 on the Professions for Gold: Settled list.

Why Engineering beside it: Engineering turns the ore into gadgets.

It is not D: it scores 1 of 5 on self-use at 60, and its 2.05 is 0.20 short of D.

Strengths

  • Gold, 5 of 5

Weaknesses

  • Self-use at 60, 1 of 5
  • Leveling help, 2 of 5
  • Utility, 1 of 5

What would move it: Better self-use at 60 for this spec, from a patch or from item stats once Forever publishes them, would lift it; relative scores also move when another profession's evidence changes.

Read the Mining guide · Back to the chart

Skinning F tier

Skinning has little to offer Destruction beyond a spell-crit camp chair.

Best partner: Tailoring

Scores for Skinning
CriterionWeightScore
Self-use at 6040 1
Leveling help25 2
Gold20 1
Utility15 3

Weighted score 1.55, which is F tier.

Self-use at 60, 1 of 5: Nothing Destruction Warlock wears; Pristine Leather is Scarce loot.

Leveling help, 2 of 5: Humanoid kills drop cloth not skins, so little to skin; Pristine Leather rare.

Utility, 3 of 5: Camp Chair (+2% crit on all spells) is unique and fits Destruction Warlock; the Moonkin aura overlap is rare.

Gold, 1 of 5: 2.05 on the Professions for Gold: Settled list.

Why Tailoring beside it: Tailoring is the spec's best gear profession.

It is not D: it scores 1 of 5 on self-use at 60, and its 1.55 is 0.70 short of D.

Weaknesses

  • Self-use at 60, 1 of 5
  • Leveling help, 2 of 5
  • Gold, 1 of 5

What would move it: Better self-use at 60 for this spec, from a patch or from item stats once Forever publishes them, would lift it; relative scores also move when another profession's evidence changes.

Read the Skinning guide · Back to the chart

Fishing F tier

Destruction gets no gear or XP from fishing, only an occasional Fish Bowl.

Best partner: Tailoring

Scores for Fishing
CriterionWeightScore
Self-use at 6040 1
Leveling help25 1
Gold20 1
Utility15 2

Weighted score 1.15, which is F tier.

Self-use at 60, 1 of 5: Fish Bowl overlaps Blessing of Kings.

Leveling help, 1 of 5: Fishing gives Destruction Warlock no gear or XP while leveling.

Utility, 2 of 5: Fish Bowl occasional.

Gold, 1 of 5: 2.25 on the Professions for Gold: Settled list.

Why Tailoring beside it: Tailoring is the spec's best primary.

It is not D: it scores 1 of 5 on self-use at 60, and its 1.15 is 1.10 short of D.

Weaknesses

  • Self-use at 60, 1 of 5
  • Leveling help, 1 of 5
  • Gold, 1 of 5
  • Utility, 2 of 5

What would move it: Better self-use at 60 for this spec, from a patch or from item stats once Forever publishes them, would lift it; relative scores also move when another profession's evidence changes.

Read the Fishing guide · Back to the chart

Leatherworking F tier

Armor kits only, and Destruction cannot wear leather.

Best partner: Tailoring

Scores for Leatherworking
CriterionWeightScore
Self-use at 6040 1
Leveling help25 1
Gold20 1
Utility15 2

Weighted score 1.15, which is F tier.

Self-use at 60, 1 of 5: Armor kits only; Destruction Warlock cannot wear leather.

Leveling help, 1 of 5: Takes leather and gold, gives nothing.

Utility, 2 of 5: Camp Tent rested XP and Light Leather reagent bag are occasional.

Gold, 1 of 5: 1.65 on the Professions for Gold: Settled list.

Why Tailoring beside it: Tailoring is the spec's best gear profession.

It is not D: it scores 1 of 5 on self-use at 60, and its 1.15 is 1.10 short of D.

Weaknesses

  • Self-use at 60, 1 of 5
  • Leveling help, 1 of 5
  • Gold, 1 of 5
  • Utility, 2 of 5

What would move it: Better self-use at 60 for this spec, from a patch or from item stats once Forever publishes them, would lift it; relative scores also move when another profession's evidence changes.

Read the Leatherworking guide · Back to the chart

Blacksmithing F tier

Destruction wears no plate or mail and has nothing to gain from melee plans.

Best partner: Tailoring

Scores for Blacksmithing
CriterionWeightScore
Self-use at 6040 1
Leveling help25 1
Gold20 1
Utility15 1

Weighted score 1.00, which is F tier.

Self-use at 60, 1 of 5: Plate, mail and melee plans only; Destruction Warlock wears none and uses no stones.

Leveling help, 1 of 5: Costs ore and time while leveling; nothing back for Destruction Warlock.

Utility, 1 of 5: Sharpening Wheel (Strength) and Anvil do nothing for Destruction Warlock.

Gold, 1 of 5: 2.05 on the Professions for Gold: Settled list.

Why Tailoring beside it: Tailoring is the spec's best gear profession.

It is not D: it scores 1 of 5 on self-use at 60, and its 1.00 is 1.25 short of D.

Weaknesses

  • Self-use at 60, 1 of 5
  • Leveling help, 1 of 5
  • Gold, 1 of 5
  • Utility, 1 of 5

What would move it: Better self-use at 60 for this spec, from a patch or from item stats once Forever publishes them, would lift it; relative scores also move when another profession's evidence changes.

Read the Blacksmithing guide · Back to the chart