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Death Knight: Hooded death knight with a glowing blue eye and dark plate armorMonk: Pandaren monk with a straw hat

Death Knight vs. Monk

First class

Death Knight

Second class

Monk

Key differences

  • Only the Monk can heal.
  • Both fight in melee.
  • The Death Knight wears plate, the Monk leather.
  • The Death Knight is more beginner friendly.
  • The Death Knight does better solo.
  • More races can play the Monk (25 instead of 23).

At a glance

At a glanceDeath KnightMonk
RolesTank, DPSTank, Healer, DPS
ArmorPlateLeather
Combat styleMeleeMelee
Playable races2325
SpecializationsBlood (Tank), Frost (DPS), Unholy (DPS)Brewmaster (Tank), Mistweaver (Healer), Windwalker (DPS)
Beginner friendly4/52/5
Solo play5/54/5

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 ›

Monk

The Monk is a highly mobile martial artist in leather that can play all three roles: Brewmaster tanks, Mistweaver heals, Windwalker deals melee damage. Its mechanics suit players with some experience.

Learn more about the Monk ›
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Frequently asked questions

Which is better: Death Knight or Monk?

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 Monk?

Only the Monk can heal. Both fight in melee. The Death Knight wears plate, the Monk leather.

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