I've still been running SM/Ruin on my warlock but it seems like more and more the other locks in my guild are switching over to DS/Ruin.
There really hasn't been an impact on their DPS that's noticeable either way tbh, just wanted to check here to see what people ended up going with and why.
DS/Ruin requires better gear to be really strong thats why you see a lot of people go SM/Ruin at the start kinda like an entry level spec even though it still performs well in end game. Its just DS/Ruin is stronger. I do love the affliction game play/lore/fantasy, draining your enemies life slowly style with damage over time spells, thats what drew me into being a warlock.
But I chose DS/Ruin because I felt i had alot of spells like siphon and other abilities i dont use in raids when i was SM/Ruin.
Plus SM/Ruin i was running out of bar space lol DS/Ruin had that comfort zone for me with enough offensive with enough defensive that would fit in my bars nicely so i can affectingly and efficiently use my abilities without clicking the button on the screen and be very slow.
I also feel DS/Ruin fits me better in and out of raid, seems stronger for soloing things outside of raids with a stronger pet.
I like the stam buff talent, the stronger HS, stronger pet, more survivability than SM/Ruin without sacrificing my raid damage.
And its nice not keeping your pet up for added damage or support with imp buff or controlling it in general.
To be honest I think warlock is the only class that can spec what they want and still perform well in and out of raids without respeccing.
So you cant go wrong with either.
It is true that I have a lot of spells I don't really use in PvE, but I really love doing battlegrounds and just dotting everyone under the sun :lol:
Makes sense they'd respec then as they progress in gear (I play on a PvE realm).