Neverwinter Heart of Fire Scourge Warlock Balancing Changes

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The upcoming Neverwinter Heart of Fire update comes with a full balancing pass that affects all classes to some extent. We’ll be going over all relevant aspects and tackle the most important points related to the current meta and builds within our extensive preview series. Today we analyze the Scourge Warlock, that first and foremost will see more relevance added to their Damnation tree.

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Animation Changes

Similar to what the devs did to the Oathbound Paladin, a lot of activation times were reduced and most stuff can no longer be interrupted by other powers. This should speed up the clunky gameplay of the class and make it feel a lot smoother overall. Most players seem to like these type of changes although, outside PVP, not much gameplay advantage comes with it.

Buffing Temptation Builds

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Currently Scourge Warlocks play a consistent role as supports with their buffing Temptation builds. Since the major powers and synergies are untouched in the Module 15 balance changes, this should largely stay the same. If anything, the demise of Divine Oracle Clerics means that Warlocks will become even more viable in one of the support slots. A major annoyance for non-DPS builds however remains that SWs cannot queue as healers. It’s something we mentioned related to the DC changes as well, but won’t be changed until Module 16.

Soul Puppets and Damnation

The big emphasis of this balancing pass was to add more relevance to Soul Puppets and the corresponding Damnation tree. Generally Soul Puppets should hit harder and be easier to maintain in Module 15. The capstone “Soul Desecration” got a major buff for example, now enhances encounter power damage and recharges them. The tests from players however are very diverse to say the least. Some say it’s now competitive to Fury builds, others are are not as sold, partially because the stacks of “Soul Investiture” are too hard to stack. This distinction by user @jaime4312 feels fairly accurate:

  • Fury: A lot simpler and faster to play, doesn’t have to worry about stacking self – buffs quickly nor losing them.
  • Damnation: Takes a while to be fully self – buffed, damage bonus from capstone works for encounter powers only.

For PVP please be advised to look up this and other helpful and quality comments by user @etelgrin.

Scourge Warlock DPS Role

Overall the state of Warlock DPS builds should stay the same. They can be potent in the current buff-heavy meta, but technically are considered a tier lower than the top DPS classes. SWs get a little help with “Murderous Flames” now affecting more powers and a buff to “All-consuming Curse”, which now always applies a Lesser Curse and adds to its damage. On the other hand “Killing Flames” (now 2x damage vs. targets below 25%) still feels underwhelming, especially compared to other “finishing” powers like Disintegrate (CW). Some theorycrafters additionally raised concerns that the tweaks to one of the main dailies, Hadar’s Grasp, could end up being a nerf.

Overall DPS Warlocks should have more options going down the damage path with Fury or Damnation. Most players labeled the changes a good step into the right direction, but hope that more buffs are headed their way in Module 16.


What’s your take on the changes for Scourge Warlocks? Share your thoughts and experience on our social channels, in the comments below, or visit our message board!

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j0Shi

j0Shi plays the Neverwinter MMORPG since the open BETA in 2013 and is a regular contributor to the blog and the whole UN:Project. Originally a Guardian Fighter, he has built up ALTs of all classes and plays on BIS/near-BIS level.

4 thoughts on “Neverwinter Heart of Fire Scourge Warlock Balancing Changes

  • November 4, 2018 at 11:51 am
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    I’ve not played my Soulbinder Damnation much for a long time. Will she work better now or is Hellbringer the way?

    I’ve not played my SB Temptation since about Mod 5 or 6, whenever they changed the LifeSteal mechanics.

  • November 4, 2018 at 11:53 am
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    a lot of activation times were reduced and most stuff can no longer be interrupted by other powers. This should speed up the clunky gameplay of the class and make it feel a lot smoother overall

    Amen!!

  • November 5, 2018 at 4:27 pm
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    They don’t care about SW class, we are relegated to be a support only, because they want one and only class as viable dps…..You know what class. With HR relegated as buffer, TR nerf, CW, SW as support class only. Only one class is considered a main dps in the game since mod 10, and again in mod 15.

  • November 6, 2018 at 8:43 am
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    The conclusion for this mod15 SW rework:
    #got a less underperforming Damnation tree
    #got a fix on it’s last bugged feature providing a barely competitive DPS (i.e. Brood of Hadar’s effectivness bug).

    I would like to point to the way you are presenting things cuz I think it has changed recently (more like happy news, less like unhamstered criticism):
    > Exemple with “Buffing Temptation Builds” normally mean that buffing builds are improved –> That isn’t the case!
    > Another is a side note about “Currently Scourge Warlocks play a consistent role as supports with their buffing Temptation builds.” –> SW Support builds aren’t ‘consistent’ ; they only qualify for a buffing close to the meta, thats all.

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