Warlock Gameplay

[Mehran]

How do you like to play your lock? Any suggestions and details on your favorite tactics? Help the new players and myself learn to be a good lock. Thank you!

[AariEv]

Not sure if I'm in the position to be giving advice since I tend to do noob things in game, but I'll bite. Here are just a few random comments that come to mind when I think of warlocks in general:


Personally, I attempt to be more RvR and teamwork oriented compared to others who would focus on a PvP skillset. As a result, you won't find me running around with high level single target CC spells. Instead, I carry around dispel and now recently mass dispel accompanied with level 5 areas from the Elements tree. That's not to say that I neglect the basic CCs; they're just not level 4/5 (except ivy).

As you know, ever since a certain update not to long ago, cast speed was nerfed to the extent where 14% is barely noticeable. In pvp, cs may prove to be useful, but I find it to be completely useless in RvR (my opinion). For this reason, all of my gear either increases hp or mana. In my opinion, a grand total of 4.1k hp (and regeneration courtesy of Vitality Absorption) is much better than the half a second cast speed bonus you get when you have 35%.

The downside to playing like this is the inability to pvp properly. While my setup has the necessary skils to effectively chain my opponents to death, there's not a lot of room for error and the lack of cast speed, though barefuly noticeable, can put you at a serious disadvantage. For example, I pvp'd Fireborn the Greek multiple times today and lost, not because my timing was off or my chains were poor, but because he can cast 0.5 sec faster than I could. Not to mention, he also possess effective pvp spells like mana burn and energy borrow; spells that are not in my current RvR build. For that reason, I often avoid fighting solo with my normal skillset as that's not what it was made for.

Aside from all of that, if you learn how to chain and time your spells effectively and if you learn that you should never try and be ballsy against archers (that have CCs like distracting shot which you have no defense against), you should be fine. Ultimately, it's just a matter of recognizing the major weakness as a warlock and avoiding situations that render you completely vulnerable (something I fail to do constantly).


Kind Regards. Hope I helped in some way.

[Hollow-Ichigo]

Improvisation and years of practice.

[LittleHomer]

I think, playing a warlock well is really difficult ...

You need practice, practice and ... oh, did I already say 'practice'?
It's important to have a biiiig overview. You have to see all opponents to stun them and to know ''oh, this one need - for example - a meteor''.

It's just practice!

[pieceofmeat]

I like to focus on support with CCs, mana drains and dispel lvl 5.

I usually leave lvl 19 spells out of my setup simply because it dont seem worth binding up PPs in long cooldowns.

Generally I dont think Warkocks are that hard to play in war, given that you follow some basic ground rules, accept a role and know what the most critical dangers are.

Warlock are however easy target in open field, unless they have support from other mages. This is frustrating when you really think war is tedious as hell and rather run around having some small scale fun.
I can really just find motivation do defend our own forts, i rather not follow war groups on farming sessions, because i know i will get bored or zerged and none of that is very appealing.

[Hollow-Ichigo]

Originally Posted by pieceofmeat

I like to focus on support with CCs, mana drains and dispel lvl 5.

I usually leave lvl 19 spells out of my setup simply because it dont seem worth binding up PPs in long cooldowns.

Generally I dont think Warkocks are that hard to play in war, given that you follow some basic ground roles, accept a role and know what the most critical dangers are..

you have no idea how hard warlocks are to play, unless ofcourse u have played one yourself...

[Shwish]

Originally Posted by Hollow-Ichigo

you have no idea how hard warlocks are to play, unless ofcourse u have played one yourself...

My honest opinion is that it is hard but not as hard as the hunter class in RvR. PvP and small skirmishes are a different issue.

[Mehran]

well thanks for the replies guys. and I think practice is the only solution

[esp_tupac]

Originally Posted by Mehran

well thanks for the replies guys. and I think practice is the only solution

All spells in ur hands have to be second nature in combat. Practise to the point where u no longer need to look down to choose which spell to cast. Have a feel for their cds as well. For example, how many spells after meteor (15 sec cd) will meteor become avaliable again. All with 1 purpose in mind: to get the spell out as fast as you can one after another with no delay.

The moment that you no longer need to open User Interface to cast each spell is the moment you are ready. This is how I used to train. Turn off everything and try to feel your spells.

There is no shortcut to play a class well. Practise makes perfect.

[LucianDeathshield]

Hug a tree.