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Death Knight: Hooded death knight with a glowing blue eye and dark plate armorWarlock: Hooded figure with glowing red eyes, chains and spikes

Death Knight vs. Warlock

First class

Death Knight

Second class

Warlock

Key differences

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

At a glance

At a glanceDeath KnightWarlock
RolesTank, DPSDPS
ArmorPlateCloth
Combat styleMeleeRanged
Playable races2326
SpecializationsBlood (Tank), Frost (DPS), Unholy (DPS)Affliction (DPS), Demonology (DPS), Destruction (DPS)
Beginner friendly4/53/5
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 ›

Warlock

The Warlock is a ranged caster with curses and demon companions. It only deals damage but is very tough for a cloth class and comfortable to play solo.

Learn more about the Warlock ›
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Frequently asked questions

Which is better: Death Knight or Warlock?

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 Warlock?

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

Popular comparisons

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