Welcome—this is a practical, woman-written walkthrough for the Pyromancer/Warlock 36/30/0 build in Rift (Telara), updated for 2025. I write from experience; these choices work for me and the groups I play with. Read fast, try what fits your playstyle, and ignore what doesn’t.
Why this combo works (short)
Pyromancer brings raw fire burst and AoE. Warlock gives DoTs and life drain that keep you alive. Together they make a glass cannon that survives longer than you’d expect. I’ve noticed the best results come from timing Warlock DoTs to open Pyromancer burst windows. Sounds simple, right? It isn’t always.
Talent highlights
Pick what boosts your real damage output. Below are practical picks I use after testing since the 2024 patches; I still use them in the May 15, 2025 meta.
Pyromancer (36)
| Tier | Talent | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ignition | 5/5 (+10% fire) |
| 2 | Improved Fireball | 3/3 (-0.5s cast) |
| 3 | Burning Bright | 5/5 (+crit) |
| 4 | Pyromancer’s Armor | 1/1 (shield) |
| 5 | Withering Flames | 3/3 (+DoT) |
Warlock (30)
- Improved Life Leech 5/5
- Entropy 5/5
- Devouring Shadows 5/5
- Dark Power 5/5
- Mortality 1/1
There are exceptions: if your raid needs more utility, swap one point from Burning Bright. This doesn’t always work, though.
Rotation — what I actually do
Short version: apply DoTs, open big, weave instant casts. Want details?
- Pre-pull: Dark Armor.
- Apply Warlock DoTs (Neddra-style dots first).
- Open with Void Bolt, then Flame Bolt x2, then Cinder Burst.
- Weave Fireball on Pyromancer procs.
For AoE, spread DoTs and use Wildfire / Void Barrage. Watch target priority; don’t waste big cooldowns on adds that die too fast.
// Macro for opener (example) show Void Bolt cast @focus Void Bolt cast Dark Touch cast Fireball
Gear and stats (practical)
Specific numbers matter. Aim for these targets as of 2025 balance: ~35–40% unbuffed crit, high Spell Power, and at least 6,000 HP for general content. For raids push HP higher; depends on encounter.
| Slot | Best | Alt | Enchant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weapon | Infernal Staff of Decimation | Void-touched Scepter | +90 Spell Power |
| Head | Crown of Burning Souls | Warlock’s Diadem | +35 Int |
| Chest | Robes of the Flame Warden | Neddra’s Vestments | +50 Endurance |
Why these? Spell Power scales all your damage. Crit raises average; crit power multiplies it. Intelligence gives both. I’ve noticed stacking crit at the expense of Spell Power can backfire.
Dungeon and raid tactics
Trash: let the tank grab aggro, then AoE. Bosses: respect mechanics and adapt. Use instant casts when moving. Coordinate life-drain timings with healers (we found silence when we didn’t). Communication saves wipes.
Tip: Tell healer before you pop a big life-drain burst. They’ll rebalance heals and you avoid drama.
PvP notes
PvP is different. You’ll have strong pressure but poor mobility. Use Transmogrify smartly. Target healers when you can; if they’re baiting, swap. Flicker is your escape — don’t blow it too early!
Controversial takes
- Some players call this build overrated in top-tier raids; I disagree when coordinated—surprising, I know.
- Others insist Warlock life-drain breaks battleground balance; between us, it sometimes feels too strong in small groups.
One unexpected insight
Counterintuitive: Haste can be better than raw crit on some encounters because faster DoT ticks sync with life-drain procs. Try it once.
Analogies: Think of Pyromancer burst like a match strike and Warlock DoTs as the kindling that keeps the flame alive. Or like two instruments in a duet where timing, not volume, makes music.
Final, honest caveat: this build won’t work the same in every group or on every boss. Depends on your niche, your gear, your teammates. Practice basic priorities first; advanced tricks come later. To be fair—start simple.
— Written by a long-time Rift player (female), May 15, 2025. 🔥💀
