Which class is capable of more destruction without Artifacts? The caster being on the same level of mastery.
I’ve had bad experiences against mages in PvP, specifically Arcane mages.
Destro Warlocks are the second best spec in the game right now.
But they’re second to Fire Mages.
In lore? Warlock for sure. It’s a known fact that fel magic is stronger than arcane, it just comes at a corruptive cost. Its nature is entirely chaos and destruction and felfire is basically radioactive. Just being near it is dangerous. I think with equal skill the warlock would have the advantage.
4 Likes
we talking about in lore or in game?
because in lore warlocks are capable of far far FAR more destruction and mayhem than a mage is, as far as simply killing things goes, warlocks are probably one of the most powerful classes.
but mages are a lot more precise and predictable with their magic allowing them to do things such as create portals and edible food, slightly less magic addicted, and less likely to try to take over the universe.
3 Likes
I mean in lore warlocks are very powerful yes, but then there’s…
Jaina. A mage so powerful she nearly drowned all of Orgrimmar. So powerful she froze the high tropical seas around Zuldazar. Strong enough to deflect a missile with an arcane shield.
I’d be more scared of Jaina than any warlock.
Another downside is sometimes your succubus falls in love with you… and no that is NOT a good thing. They are psychotic jealous murderers that if you so much as look at another gal, her days would then be numbered.
3 Likes
Totally agree. Definitely not good, it’s really a GREAT thing! ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
2 Likes
I personally think a bdsm yandere sounds absolutely terrifying… but you do you i suppose.
Warlocks < Mages. But Mages <<<<<< Demon Hunters let’s be real.
Well a single warlock reshaped the face of Dreanor, sooooooo…
1 Like
Brb rerolling warlock
1 Like
but they also had one of the most powerful items in the known universe while doing it to be fair.
scepter of sargeras is no joke!
1 Like
Destro warlock until pre patch/shadowlands then your chaos bolt becomes weak again.
Given you’re level 110 and stated “without artifacts,” i’d say the clear answer is Destro Warlock. Fire Mages can compete, “and even overcome Destro,” but require a very specific gear setup, none of which is available unless you’re level 120.
From a lore perspective, warlocks have always been stronger than mages, with the tradeoff that much of their power is borrowed and dangerous. Those incredibly powerful demons you summon aren’t REALLY your servants, and are always waiting for a moment of weakness from you to show you that.
And Guldan tore a rift between worlds so powerful it all but destroyed Draenor, and later opened portal to the Legion on Azeroth. Different type of power yes, but FAR more destructive.
This reminds me of the stories from super rich guys with super model wives complaining if they even flirt with another woman the lawyers sink their teeth in. Why do you need another woman, you have THAT!
1 Like
While I really appreciate the effort, I meant lorewise. My bad, I should’ve said it on the OP. 
So, it seems Warlock is more destructive based on the Fel’s anti life nature or also because their spells are outright more powerful even without that secondary effect?
I always thought they were equalized in damage output with Arcane having less lasting side effects on the environment, but Warlock benefited from that with other tools like demon to aid them.
Warlocks seem neat in theory, but every time I’ve tried picking one up it didn’t stick. Destruction is like bizarro-mage, Afflic is like bizzaro-spriest, and demonology is like demon-flavored beast mastery. For the first two I’d rather just play a mage or an spriest, and I wouldn’t play the last at all because pet-centricity just isn’t my jam.
Oof sorry.
Lorewise I think both have extremely high destruction potential and it really just depends on the wielder.
They’re far more powerful, but also more chaotic and risky. A warlock who wants to do as much damage as he can will destroy everything including themself.
Lorewise, warlocks every time. Mages are held back by their “discipline” and sometimes even “morality”.
Warlocks say to hell with all that (literally!) and unleash their full power without hesitation. And with a smile! /cackle
In game? Warlocks for single target annihilation, mages for AoE slaughter.
In lore? Well, I don’t think arcane forces have ripped a world apart, like fel has, so I’d go with warlocks. But there are a lot more seriously overpowered mages than overpowered warlocks.