As the topics says , here are some ideas on how Demonology and Affliction could change .
The short idea is :
For demonology to move away from Shadow Bolt spam, have more instant demonic cores , have access to larger variety of demons and get a caster strength node , which uses the pets to empower the caster .
For affliction it is to move away from Malefic Rapture , while keeping it around as a cooldown for people who enjoy it . Move away from RNG shards and emphasize the identity of affliction as a debuf caster , which can manipulate their opponents with a variety of debilitating skills .
Demonology :
1: Moving from Shadow Bolt to Demon bolt .
Reinforcing Demonic Core gameplay and increasing their generation rate and upper limit .
Demonic cores can be staked to 20 and consumed multiple at a time to increase the damage of Demon Bolt , in addition to their current effects .
2: Caster strength node added in the talent tree , revolving around sacrificing the summoned demons to empower the caster .
Possible Metamorphosis capstone .
3: Felguard is not enforced . All demons bring benefits of their use such as :
Imp → haste
Felhunter → Shadow Damage
Succubus → Crit
Voidwaker → Versatility
Felguard → Mastery
4: Enslave Demon returns . it is different from Subjugate demon .
Enslave demon allows the warlock to complete a ritual of overpowering and bending a target wild demon to their will permanently .
These demons are separated in the above 5 buff pools and in addition may have some unique ability combos such as a succubus type demon with interrupt . Or a voidwaker demon with stun .
Affliction :
1: Soul Swap is not removed . It gets a new interaction with Soul Burn .
2: Unstable affliction is uncapped and can be applied to as many target as you want .
3: Removed many modifier interactions . The only minor once left are Haunt and Shadow embrace . To compensate , dot damage is increased .
4: Malefic Rapture is redesigned .
It is now 2 minute cooldown , lasts for 20 seconds , does not require soul shards to cast and shares a choice node with Darkglare .
Malefic Rupture increases the duration of all your active dots by 3 seconds on each successful cast .
Damage increased to both Darkglare and Malefic Rupture .
5: Soul Burn is expanded . It now gives effects to many more spells .
30 seconds cooldown . 3 charges . Not affected by global cooldown
Examples :
Soul Burn: Shadow Bolt / Drain Soul → slows the movement speed of target
Soul Burn: Corruption → does some frontload damage and adds 5 seconds duration to your active dots
Soul Burn: Unstable affliction → immunity to dispelling for 5 seconds
Soul Burn: Agony → reduces resource generation for 10 seconds (mana / rage energy ets)
Soul Burn : Siphon Life → part of the healing received by the target is transferred to the warlock .
Soul Burn : Soul Rot → causes Drain Soul or Shadow bolt to drain a portion of the target’s resources (mana / rage /energy ets)
Soul Burn : Seed of Corruption → Instant cast
Soul Burn : Haunt → Part of the damage received by the warlock is received by the Haunted target .
Soul Burn Phantom Singularity / Vile Taint → Absorbs healing on the target up to a certain amount and then transfers that healing into damage to the target .
Soul Burn: Soul Swap → the target is linked to the exhale target . They share part of the damage taken and healing received for 5 seconds .
6: Life Tap returns .
Sacrifice 15% of your HP to get a charge of Soul Burn and 10% mana .
7: Soul Shards are removed .