Warlock mana efficiency

The focus of this article is about mana efficiency. The table below lists the amount of damage generated by a spell for each mana used. DPS efficiency is offered as a secondary article focus.

DPM shows Damage per Mana. DPS shows the Damage per Second. The Time listed is the time needed before the spell can be used against a single target (in the case of DoTs, the time represents the duration of the DoT. Of course, a player may apply the same DoT to the target before the expiration of the time listed, however, doing so will reduce the DPM and DPS value of the first application).

Note that some spells can be used in parallel, which would add to the total DPS against a single target. Warlocks also have talents that can increase damage of certain types of spells, or certain spells themselves (increased damage to fire damage, shadow damage, and bonuses for Curse of Agony and Immolate).

The maximal DPS also depends on the casting time of the spells, which can be modified by talents. However, the baseline casting times for each spell is used for equality of comparisonin this analysis.

Assumptions

 * The result of bonus from equipment is not taken into account.
 * Talent improvements are not factored into calculations.
 * DPS calculations do not account for AoE effects against more than one target.
 * Secondary effects (such as creation of soul shards, stun, daze and horror effects or life-gaining effects) are ignored in this analysis.


 * Shadowfury does not trigger the global cooldown

Note: Instant cast spells have their DPS calculated against the global cooldown value of 1.5 seconds. This value is offered in order to give the reader an idea of the DPS done by a spell against the investment in time to cast and to recover from casting it (as opposed to selecting other damage dealing options).

Conclusions

 * If the fight will last at least 1 more minute, use Curse of Doom, which is by far most mana efficient of all spells.
 * Use Curse of Agony if at least 24 seconds of the fight remains.
 * Corruption and Immolate both have average high values of DPM, but still almost twice as good as Shadow Bolt.
 * Far and away, Shadowfury offers the highest DPS of any Warlock spell. However, its 20 second cooldown time prevents it from being spammed.
 * Soul Fire has a very high degree of mana efficiency coupled with a high value DPS. It offers approximately the same DPS value as Rank 10 and 11 Shadowbolt, but is three times more mana efficient. However, its 6 second cast time limits its use when the Warlock is receiving damage that can interrupt the casting time.
 * Shadow Bolt has a high DPS but low DPM. If there is a shortage of mana, the first step should be to stop using this spell.