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Death Knight: Hooded death knight with a glowing blue eye and dark plate armorMage: Mage with brown hair casting purple arcane magic

Death Knight vs. Mage

First class

Death Knight

Second class

Mage

Key differences

  • Only the Death Knight can tank.
  • The Death Knight fights in melee.
  • The Mage fights at range.
  • The Death Knight wears plate, the Mage cloth.
  • The Death Knight is more beginner friendly.
  • The Death Knight does better solo.
  • More races can play the Mage (26 instead of 23).

At a glance

At a glanceDeath KnightMage
RolesTank, DPSDPS
ArmorPlateCloth
Combat styleMeleeRanged
Playable races2326
SpecializationsBlood (Tank), Frost (DPS), Unholy (DPS)Arcane (DPS), Fire (DPS), Frost (DPS)
Beginner friendly4/53/5
Solo play5/53/5

These ratings help you pick a class. They are not a DPS ranking, and balance shifts with every patch. How we rate ›

The classes in short

Death Knight

The Death Knight is a plate fighter with dark magic, one of the most forgiving tanks as Blood and a melee damage dealer as Frost or Unholy. Strong self-healing makes it very sturdy solo.

Learn more about the Death Knight ›

Mage

The Mage is the classic ranged caster with arcane, fire and frost magic and big burst damage. It only deals damage, brings portals and food and is fragile in cloth.

Learn more about the Mage ›
⚔ Let them fight in the arenaClass Quiz

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: Death Knight or Mage?

Neither class is better in general. The Death Knight is more beginner friendly. The Death Knight does better solo. In the end, what matters is which playstyle you enjoy more.

What is the difference between Death Knight and Mage?

Only the Death Knight can tank. The Death Knight fights in melee. The Mage fights at range. The Death Knight wears plate, the Mage cloth.

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