Warlock is back—and arguably better than ever. In Patch 7.38c, this iconic support hero has emerged as one of the strongest and most reliable position 5 picks in the game. Whether you’re grinding ranked or climbing through casual matchmaking, Warlock’s consistency, laning power, and teamfight dominance make him a must-pick.
In this detailed breakdown, Dota 2 educator and pro player Speed dives into everything you need to know to master Warlock this patch.
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Why Warlock Dominates the Meta
What makes Warlock so dominant in Patch 7.38c isn’t one flashy change—it’s the combined strength of his early game, insane teamfight abilities, and most importantly, the broken value of his facet: Black Grimoire.
Black Grimoire = Early XP = Early Wins
This facet allows you to store XP from kills and assists, and pop it at minute 7 for a massive power spike.
The early level 6 unlocks Golem, which combined with maxed Shadow Word and Fatal Bonds,becomes a teamfight-winning combo almost no hero can contest.
Consistency Across All Brackets
From Archon to Immortal, Warlock offers the same strengths:
- Easy-to-win lane
- Game-breaking ult with short cooldown
- High sustain and healing output
- Simplified gameplay loop that still rewards good decision-making
Laning and Spell Usage: How to Crush Lane
Opening Items
- 2 Branches, Tango, Sentry, Ward, Smoke, Blood Grenade
- Courier delivers extra Tango and Clarity after pregame fights
Spell Strategy
- Shadow Word: Use it mostly as a heal, but at level 3 or with no defensive value, you can nuke with it.
- Fatal Bonds: Bond the enemy heroes + creep wave. It applies massive early pressure and helps control pulls.
- Upheaval: Extremely strong in teamfights if you have cast range from items like Aether Lens.
Wave Management Tip
- Warlock naturally pushes waves, so you want to unblock the small camp, not block the large.
- Use the large camp to pull at :20 or :50 to reset lane position.
Mid Game Goals: Rock = Objective, Not Just Kills
Once you have your level 6 and Golem, don’t hold it for the perfect fight. Use it to secure Wisdom runes, take towers, and snowball your lead.
Mid Game Playstyle
- Farm lanes with Shadow Word + Fatal Bonds, especially on Flagbearer creeps.
- Take towers with Golem.
- Control Wisdom Runes: Warlock at 6 can solo contest both runes.
Don’t Hold Ult for the Perfect Fight
- Golem cooldown is 160s, but it lasts 60s.
- In practice, cooldown is ~100s if it dies early.
- Use it as often as possible to force fights, secure kills, or open the map.
Itemization: Simple, Powerful, Flexible
Warlock doesn’t need many items—but when he does, they scale well.
Typical Builds
- Mana Boots > Glimmer Cape / Solar Crest
- Aether Lens: Must-have for Upheaval and Bonds
- Drums: Use on Golem and team
- Vessel: Situational vs. Morphling, Tinker, or heavy healing
If you’re looking for a support that’s easy to learn but impactful at all levels, Warlock is your go-to in 7.38c. With Black Grimoire XP abuse, some of the strongest spells in the game, and unmatched lane pressure, he’s simply broken right now.
Pick Warlock. Drop the rock. Win the lane, the rune, and the game.
Shoutout to Speed for the incredible insight—check out his full gameplay breakdown and content at GameLeap
FAQs
Q: What facet should I take on Warlock?
A: Always Black Grimoire. The early XP snowball it creates is unmatched.
Q: Should I max W or Q first?
A: Max Shadow Word first for sustain and damage. Fatal Bonds second.
Q: Is Golem for kills or towers?
A: Ideally, towers and Wisdom runes. Use it for objectives, not perfect combos.
Q: What’s the best core to pair with Warlock?
A: Marcy, PA, Storm Spirit. Any hero that dives or wants healing.
Q: Do I block the pull camps?
A: No. Unblock small camp, leave large open for pulls when you push.
