the very model of a Warlock dark and terrible

So, Ancient tipped me off to a new Warlock Transmogrification contest, an inverse of Saga’s “Worst Warlock” concept that challenges the contributors to create the Epitome of a Well-Dressed Warlock.

To encourage creativity, Amijade stipulates the following conditions:

*Only one item can be used from [any given] full Tier set
*Only one item can be used from [any given] full PvP set
*One one item can be used from [any given] Tier recolored set
*Only one item can be used from [any given] green item set

The contest requires a level 50+ character, however, and it’s not quite exciting enough for me to bump either of my Warlocks (level 38 Blood Elf and level 24 Gnome) to the head of my current leveling priority queue*, so I can’t actually enter it — but I’m not about to let that stop me from playing with the prompt

Amijade further advises the fashionable Warlock that female Blood Elf, Human, and occasionally Troll (probably the ones with the “pretty” face) Warlocks should show as much skin as possible so as to out-compete their Succubi, male Blood Elf Warlocks should go for the 80s Glam Rock look, and all other Warlocks should show as little skin as possible. She also recommends sticking to a color scheme of “black, dark black, light black, dark red or dark purple or dark green”. And you should all go read her “Is it Warlock Gear?” and “Is it Important for a Warlock?” gear-buying/MogIt-scanning checklists (in the post linked above), because they’re simply hilarious.

I immediately thought of using the Purple Trophy Tabard of the Illidari, but when I went back and looked at my cloth designs for Mog Madness Round 4, they were all much, much too Shadow Priest or Darkmoon Faire Mage. So I tried again, using some distinctively Warlock shoulders.

Shadowflame Hood (T11-N) or Felheart Horns (T1), Nemesis Spaulders (T2), Chillwind (A)/Andorhal (H) Tunic, Voodoo-Woven Belt, Darkweave Breeches, Enslaved Doomguard Soulgrips, Boots of the Ursine, Syrannis’ Mystic Sheen, Staff of Beasts or Terokk’s Shadowstaff

Felheart Horns, Hatefury Mantle (T6 recolor), Chillwind/Andorhal Tunic, Voodoo-Woven Belt, Darkweave Breeches, Mystral Handwraps, Boots of Duress, Thalassian Wildercloak, Terokk’s Shadowstaff

The regular Malefic (T6) shoulders coordinate surprisingly well with the Anh’Qiraj Doomcaller’s Robes.

Blood Elf Extras: Horns of the Left Hand Path, Sash of Mortal Desire, Spellfire Gloves, Replica Dreadmist Sandals
Gnome Extras: Horns of Justified Sins or Felcloth Hood, Sash of Mortal Desire, Resplendent Bracelets + Widow’s Clutches, Ruby Slippers

The Malefic shoulders also coordinate quite nicely with Katrana Prestor‘s famous apparel, the Robe of Volatile Power.

All outfits include the Sash of Serpentra, Dreadweave Gloves, Replica Dreadmist Slippers, and Red Workman’s Shirt.
Left: Shadoweave Mask, Rusted Gutgore Ripper, Skull of Burning Shadows (also comes in red and black)
Center: Skywitch Hat, Staff of Sinister Claws (this would be a great Warlock outfit to wear during Hallow’s End)
Right: Hexxer’s Mask, Rusted Gutgore Ripper, Voodoo Shaker (this variation would be particularly appropriate for a Troll Warlock)

Another classic red & purple robe is the Robe of Doan, which is worn by the Warlock trainers in Stormwind.

Corruptor (T5) shoulders, Robe of Doan, High Councillor’s Sash, Mystral Gloves, Conjurer’s Shoes, Dark Shroud of the Scourge, Zhar’doom, Greatstaff of the Devourer

Here are a couple of outfits for Warlocks who can comfortably show a little more skin, using the Corruptor shoulders and Death-Speaker’s Tunic.

Left: Horns of the Left Hand Path, Deathmage Sash, Sanguine pants, Malefic gloves, Saltarello Shoes, Dark Shroud of the Scourge, Damnation
Right: Bloodwoven Mask, Leggings of Ancient Magics, Flarecore Gloves, Infernoweave Boots (oops, didn’t realize that the gloves & boots are actually from the same set), Zhar’doom, Greatstaff of the Devourer

Either the Elder’s Robe or Watcher’s Robe would be suitable for a Troll Affliction or Demonology Warlock. A Destruction Warlock, however, should definitely use the Sanguine Robe.

Left: Horns of the Left Hand Path, Sanctified Dark Coven (T10-H) shoulders, Elder’s Robe (left) or Watcher’s Robe (right), Replica Dreadmist Belt, Stonecloth pants, Gloves of Penitence, Doomcaller’s Footwraps, Thalassian Wildercloak, Venom Web Fang, Book of Binding Will
Right: Circle of Flame, Corruptor or Valorous Plagueheart (T7-25) shoulders, Sanguine Robe, Cord of Reconstruction, Stonecloth pants, Firesoul Wristguards + Mystral Handwraps, Sorcerer Shoes, Blade of Dormant Memories, Ledger of Revolting Rituals (normal)

Although I certainly think that all of the above outfits are great choices for a Warlock, none of them quite seems to be the epitome of a Warlock. They’re all too bright; something darker is required.

Cowl of Malefic Repose (10H), Nemesis Spaulders, Conqueror’s Deathbringer (T8-25) Robe, Clutch of Andros, Gloves of Oblivion, Sorcerer Shoes, Cloak of the Enemy, Staff of Beasts or Staff of the Left Hand Path (H)/Staff of Justified Sins (A)

Heroic Sanctified Dark Coven (T10-25H) hood, Valorous Plagueheart shoulders, Corruptor Robe, Cord of Reconstruction, Mystral Gloves, Sorcerer Shoes, Cloak of the Enemy, Damnation

Yikes! Those are pretty scary! If I were actually able to enter the contest (and had been able to obtain the requisite items), that last outfit is probably the one that I’d submit.

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* More precisely, I am reluctant to play with my Warlocks until Mists comes out because Cynwise’s series on “The Decline and Fall of Warlocks in Cataclysm“ demonstrates that Warlocks are rather unwieldy at present, but suggests that they will be much, much more fun in 5.0.

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Edit:
And here’s an outfit for all those wannabe-Warlocks out there, using non-class specific recolors of Warlock Tier items.

Sightless Crown of Ulmass or Bad Mojo Mask, Illidari Shoulderpads, Robes of the Umbral Brute, Runed Stygian Belt, Dreamweave Gloves, Boots of the Shifting Nightmare, Mantle of Doubt, Wild Wood Staff or Fleshling Simulation Staff