The following compares the current state of Affliction Warlocks to Retribution Paladins using the latest SimulationCraft data for end-game PvE in World of Warcraft The War Within patch 11.0.2.
Comparison
Category
Winner
Affliction Warlock
+2.57%
When simulating boss fight encounters, Affliction Warlocks averaged 2.57% more DPS than Retribution Paladins (+36K DPS).
Retribution Paladin
+13.86%
When simulating AoE DPS, Retribution Paladins averaged 13.86% more DPS than Affliction Warlocks (+140K DPS).
Affliction Warlock
+38.53%
Affliction Warlocks have higher spike damage potential, achieving +3.9M more DPS than Retribution Paladins.
Spike damage is the peak DPS achieved in any given moment and is not sustained DPS.
Affliction Warlock
+2.15%
When upgrading the gear for both specs by +44 ilvl, Affliction Warlock DPS improved the most, +2.15% more than Retribution Paladin. In total, Affliction Warlocks DPS increased by 67.88% and Retribution Paladins by 65.73%.
Retribution Paladin
+8.54%
+ Movement and latency lowered the DPS by 3.18% for Retribution Paladins.
+ Movement and latency lowered the DPS by 11.71% for Affliction Warlocks.
When introducing occasional movement and real-world latency, Retribution Paladins performed better, as Affliction Warlocks suffered a +8.54% DPS loss.
Affliction Warlock
When evaluating abilities used during boss encounters, Affliction Warlocks had fewer damaging abilities in total, indicating a potentially less complex rotation.
The comparisons above highlight some of the key differences between Affliction Warlock and Retribution Paladin in the current meta, which can hopefully help you determine which spec to play or group up with.
Affliction Warlock
Retribution Paladin