Just like other caster classes the Warlock is limited to cloth armor. It's not the armor factor that is important but rather the additional stats on this cloth armor. While intelligence provides a bigger mana pool and better mana regeneration it also increases the critical strike chance with spells. Stamina is a welcome stat as well, as it increases the Warlock's health. Since Warlocks are able to turn a part of their health into mana this acts as an additional mana pool. Apart from that stamina is, of course, an important survival stat. While spirit was of little interest to Warlocks in Burning Crusade it has now become a very interesting stat, as it also increases the Warlock's spellpower.

Of course Warlock equipment has spellpower, spell haste, critical strike and hit rating. Especially the last one is very important for Warlocks, as they have to overcome a 17% miss chance to do any serious damage to boss level enemies. Spellpower is important as it will transfer to the Warlock's pet as well.

The damage values of wands and weapons is completely irrelevant. Only the stat bonuses on these items make any impact on the Warlock's performance. Warlocks are able to wield daggers, swords and two-handed staffs. If they use a one-handed weapon like a dagger or a sword they can use a bonus item in their off-hand. A staff usually has more stamina and intellect while the combination of one-handed weapon and off-hand brings a higher spellpower bonus.