Death Knight Guide

Death Knights are new classes that were introduced in Wrath of the Lich King. They operate a bit differently than the classic mana, energy, and rage bars that we are used to seeing. They have their own system of runes to generate runic power which kind of works like rage so if you've played a Warrior before you already have a head start in knowing how to play a Death Knight.

A Death Knight gets 6 runes total, 2 blood, 2 frost, and 2 unholy, prior to talent modification. The Death Knight's special attacks will use 1 or more runes in different combinations and once a rune is used it goes on a small cool down before it can be used again.

While you are using these abilities you generate runic power which is also a requirement for some of the other Death Knight abilities.

Strengths

• Can wear any armor
• Can tank or DPS
• Ability to solo and grind exceptionally well
• Very good in PvP
• Can buff other members while grouped
• Starts at level 55 (must have a character higher than 55 to create one)
• Free mount and gear

Weaknesses

• Cannot wear shields
• Relies on active abilities to tank
• Can be hard to play

Stats To Get For DPS

1. Strength
2. Hit Rating
3. Crit
4. Stamina

Stats To Get For Tanking

1. Stamina
2. Defense
3. Strength/Hit/Expertise
   

Gear to Look For
The gear you will be after is going to be all plate armor if possible. Make sure you have high DPS weapons, stats on weapons aren't as important as the DPS, they aren't useless but don't take an incredibly lower DPS weapon because it has better stats unless it makes sense to do so. Your stat selection should be based on what role you are trying to fill, DPS or tanking.

Here are some of the green items that have random enchantments you can look for in the Auction House.

Bear, Beast, Champion, Soldier, and Tiger

Talent Templates
This is an example of a build you will want to use while farming or grinding. If you have more talent points to spend you can most definitely put almost all of them in the blood tree.

What you are looking for in the blood tree is anything that keeps you healed, helps you survive, or increases your damage.



Rotation Suggestion
Plague Strike, Icy Touch, Heart Strike, Heart Strike, Obliterate

Major Glyphs to Get
Glyph of Deathstrike
Glyph of Vampiric Blood