Hi Devs,
Many Warlock uniques are currently significantly undertuned. Several of them only provide around 30%× value, which is far below the power level of a typical legendary aspect that usually reaches 60–70%×.
In comparison, Barbarian has more uniques, more multiplicative affixes, and several of their uniques outperform the Warlock options. This power gap is large enough that players are noticing it and quitting due to the imbalance.
The issue isn’t limited to uniques. Base skill damage has also been heavily reduced, and when combined with the weak unique pool, Warlock has become the most punishing class for new players by a wide margin.
We genuinely don’t want to say this, but the current state of the class feels unfinished.
Please address these balance issues as soon as possible.
Best,
Justin
7 Likes
Hey Justin. I did a t110 pit and saw a crit for 4,057B on my apocalypse lock. I don’t think the numbers need tuned, but perhaps shifting your build
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Warlock doesn’t have just one build—there are multiple viable options like Dread Claws, summons, and others.
Apocalypse is currently the strongest Warlock build for pushing. That said, I’m not claiming its unique item is undertuned.
However, Apocalypse is not suitable for speed farming. It can’t consistently clear Pit 120 in 1–2 minutes. If you’re doing Pit 110 and considering that fast, it might be worth checking the leaderboard to get a better sense of overall class balance. For example, Sorcerer has already cleared Pit 150.
Also, please don’t redirect the discussion. Suggesting that someone should simply “shift their build” isn’t a very constructive or respectful way to engage with the topic.
[INF] Justin Fan. InfinityBuild.gg
4 Likes
Not sure how your initial post leaves any room for constructive feedback. You said the class is unfinished because, in your opinion, base skill damage and uniques are undertuned.
I said that I am running apocalypse and facing zero of the issues you’re stating.
Like with all classes, there are viable specs and ones for fun.
You cannot make every build viable for warlock, as it’s not the case for any other pre-existing class.
If you want a direction for this post, list the spec you’re playing and ask for how to improve it
I think the list is already too long, especially considering the number of affix changes involved.
Also, as a new class, Warlock (Apocalypse build) is currently about 20–30 tiers behind Sorcerer and Rogue (which are now clearing Pit 150 in around 5 minutes). That gap is significant.
Before launch, Blizzard mentioned that this class would be “slightly stronger” than others. But being 20–30 tiers behind the top performers is clearly not “slightly stronger.”
There are also concrete nerfs to consider. For example, Metamorphosis and Life-to-Damage scaling have been significantly reduced (roughly halved), and Rampage has also been cut in half.
We’ve spent a long time studying top pushing builds, as well as building setups for casual play and speed farming. Based on that overall experience—from early game to endgame, including speed farming—Warlock feels harder to play, slower, and significantly less powerful compared to Barbarian, Sorcerer, and Rogue.
It’s clearly not in a good spot right now. As a new class, players naturally expect it to be strong, and Blizzard reinforced that expectation before launch. Given the current situation, it’s honestly disappointing.
3 Likes
You seem hyper obsessed about the 0.1 percent of players are doing. Try and get some prospective of the bigger picture.
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It’s a first afaik for a new class to not be strong. Yes it can run most anything and can hit hard but it is significantly behind sorc, rogue, barb. Also really only has one build that is really strong and it’s slow.
So, I support this message
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Are you actually pushing tiers at the moment? I just cleared a 120 as a casual and am maybe gonna try to go further. Do you typically rank on leaderboards?
If you don’t I’m just a bit confused as to how this would impact you. Not to be rude, just trying to understand
As a theorycrafter, I design and analyze builds across all playstyles, including pushing, speed farming, and casual gameplay.
DON’T BUFF ANYTHING because they are WHINNING THEY make it STRONGER!
I think balance may be a lot better next season. It could improve dramatically with a tuning pass within the next couple weeks which is something they have done before. But to give them credit it is the first season of the expansion. Having more build viability per class is in Blizzard’s best interest.
its not OP but its not weak either. surprisingly blizz managed to release a balanced class. they just need to nerf some of the OP builds from other classes
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Your answer are so stupid it’s not because 1 build is fine that the class is fine. He is talking in overall balance compared to other classes.
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And I don’t believe that is Blizzard’s goal, which is the only standard that really matters at the end of the day.
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As a Barb player who was morbidly curious about the Warlock, I am strangely surprised at how much the class is underperforming in comparison to the others.
We have Sorc and Rogue speed running pit 150 with nothing being done about it and one of Barbs aspects being reworked due to it overperforming (yet it didn’t even hit 150).
I think given the strange decision making on Blizzard’s side, a massive buff to Warlock would make sense and be justified.
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my godson is playing an apocalypse build and with min gear he is crushing t8 with less then 100 paragon, meanwhile im struggle bussin the shadow warlock (but im having fun) in t5. t4 is more my speed on the toon (i still die) but my gears arent really good and i only have 140 paragon.
Most of my warlock buddies (except my godson who loves the warlock) switched to barb and are 1 shotting t11 bosses and laughing how easy it is some are even doing t12 bosses (but those are the 200 paragon guys)
I was playing with ramping bombin spamming warlock which was fun doing the campign but i couldnt do t2 with it, switched to shadow so i run and even mount shadow stealthed thru the game and i went up 2 torment teirs with mostly the same gears (i do have 5 shadow charms and a unique charm equip’d - yes all 6 slots) i found a center thing that gave me a bonus unlock socket
Pretty sure feels like they do.
Everything other than apoc hit like a wet noodle on single target.
Except maybe claws but i have yet to try that
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These forums have got so bad lately.
Yes, I know Justin. I play other builds and they have a punch to them. You feel it. Warlock is meh.
is this ragebait???
warlock is DOMINATING S tier builds….
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Do whatever you want to the class just please turn down the freakin skill effects. My god.