I think Warlock is just about perfect, but a few things are bothering me about him that I might like changed. I wish portal stab had slightly faster startup and better tracking so it could be used as an anti-air. When I get knocked down in the corner, I still feel somewhat defenseless because not only can I have my armored launcher blocked and punished, but people can just NJK and not have to guess at all. Someone told me if I think they're gonna NJK me, I could do a wakeup uppercut, but that seems like it would get beat every time so I'm not sure about it. Has anyone tried this?
Also, I think the grounded skull and maybe even the normal rune have too much recovery. Warlock needs meter for his armored launcher, which is the main benefit of the variation, but he struggles getting it more than his other two variations because they have better tools for zoning all day with little risk. When I'm playing against Kung Lao, Kotal Kahn, Tanya, Sonya, Erron Black, or any other character with a long range JIP, fast run speed, or a mobility tool like a dive kick or a slide, I'm risking a lot for very little reward by trying to zone them to build meter for Warlock's tools and general offense, while the other person only needs 1 well timed run in followed by a jump or a mobility special to full combo punish me for trying to zone from full screen. I should at least have time to block their JIP after I throw a normal skull from a full screen distance away. Same for rune, its recovery is just too slow to be a reliable zoning tool against half the roster. If he got these changes, I'd put him right on the same level as sorcerer.