Playstyle
The Death Knight is a fallen hero who returned as one of the undead. It fights in plate with runeblades and dark magic of frost, blood and plague. Its resources are Runes, which recharge on their own, and Runic Power, which you earn by spending runes.
Signature tools are Death Grip, which pulls enemies to you, and Death Strike, which heals more the more damage you have recently taken. Anti-Magic Shell protects against spells. Death Knights start their journey in their own starting zone with a strong story.
Background and lore
Death knights are fallen heroes whom the Lich King raised as undead warriors. Their stronghold was the necropolis Acherus. Under Darion Mograine they broke free of him at Light's Hope Chapel and founded the Knights of the Ebon Blade. Since then they have fought of their own will. Death knights use Runes and Runic Power and are the only class with Blood, Frost and Unholy magic.
Specializations
Blood
Blood is the vampire among tanks: the more damage you take, the more you heal. You build bone shields, drain life from enemies and in an emergency let a rune weapon dance for you. Nearly unkillable solo, which is why it tops almost every solo guide.
Signature abilities: Marrowrend, Heart Strike, Dancing Rune Weapon
Frost
Frost wields two weapons or a big two-hander and strikes with icy blows. The playstyle is fast and direct. The fantasy: the cold, merciless knight from Northrend.
Signature abilities: Obliterate, Pillar of Frost
Unholy
Unholy is the necromancer in plate armor. A ghoul is always at your side, you spread plagues and summon the undead at the right moment. More to manage than Frost, but a very strong pet fantasy.
Signature abilities: Festering Strike, Apocalypse, Dark Transformation
Who is the Death Knight for?
A good fit if you …
- want a sturdy class that is very hard to kill in solo content,
- want to learn tanking, since Blood forgives a lot of mistakes,
- love the dark fantasy around the Lich King.
Not ideal if you …
- need high mobility, because the Death Knight is on the slower side,
- want to play at range or as a healer.
Strengths and weaknesses
The Death Knight is tough, self-sufficient and can pull enemies out of position with Death Grip. Its biggest weakness is mobility: fast classes that stay at range give it a hard time.
How does the Death Knight fare against other classes? Try it in the arena or read our guide to WoW tank classes.
Images: © Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. Source: worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com
