Cunning Cruelty

In the Affliction Warlock talent tree, Cunning Cruelty sits in the Affliction specialization talents, row 5 of 11. It is a single-point node. Its row opens once 8 points are spent in Affliction Talents.

Connected above

The tree draws a line into Cunning Cruelty from Improved Shadow Bolt or Drain Soul.

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  Improved Shadow Bolt

  Reduces the cast time of Shadow Bolt by 15% and increases its damage by 40%.

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  Drain Soul

  Drains the target's soul, causing (556.9% of Spell Power) Shadow damage over 5 sec. Damage is increased by 100% against enemies below 20% health. Generates 1 Soul Shard if the target dies during this effect.

Connected below

Cunning Cruelty leads on to Practiced Pestilence.

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  Practiced Pestilence

  Mastery increased by 2%.

Same row

Also on this row: Withering Bolt, Creeping Death and Dark Harvest.

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  Withering Bolt2 ranks

  Shadow Bolt and Drain Soul deal 5% increased damage, up to 15%, per damage over time effect you have active on the target.

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  Creeping Death2 ranks

  Your Agony, Wither, and Unstable Affliction deal damage 10% faster.

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  Dark Harvest

  Consume the life force of each target afflicted by your damaging periodic effects, dealing Shadowflame damage over 3 sec. Damage dealt by Dark Harvest heals you of damage done.