Death Does Us Part

Death Knight (pre 3.0.8)

Definitely one of the most fun classes I have ever had the opportunity to level. So far I am only 78 and will for the most part be focusing on my Shaman moving forward, but I wanted to capture some of my thoughts on DK's. For those who have not played the class at all, I would suggest running one, if for not other reason the opening quests (you start at level 55 and the quests take you to 58). I will also say it is one of the more cerebral classes in game.

The interesting thing about DK’s are their reliance on two newly introduced dynamics Runes and Runic Power. Runes (you have 6, 2 Blood, 2 Frost, 2 Unholy) are used to activate abilities and as a side effect, generate Runic Power (which activates other abilities). Runes have a 10 second cooldown (CD) when used and optimally, you want your rotation to use available runes seamlessly as possible without having to wait for any of them to regenerate. Waiting equals inefficiency, which in my mind equals bad.

I opted for the Unholy Tree build which maximizes the Area of Effect (AoE) damage that can be dealt by the player. Once you get to 60, I would recommend this build. From here I would adopt the following rotation:

1. Bone Shield (1 UH Rune) before pull, wait (at least) 5 seconds for Rune to start regenerating.

2. Send in Ghoul.

3. Icy Touch (1 FR Rune) to pull target at range (inflicts target with first disease).

4. Plague Strike (1 UH Rune) at melee range as you close with target (inflicts target with second disease).

**At this point, your initial UH Rune should be available as well as 2 BL Runes and 1 FR Rune**

**Your target now has both diseases and you are ready to share the diseases**

5. Pestilence (1 BL Rune) spreads diseases to all nearby targets.

6. Death and Decay (1 of each Rune)

7. Unholy Blight (Runic Power)

**At this point, everything is maximized regarding the bubbling, boiling circle of doom that surrounds you. This would complete what I consider your “set up phase”**

8. The Runes coming up first after this would be 1 FR and 1 UH. You should also have amassed a fair amount of Runic Power (the bulk came from DnD – the more Runes, the more Runic Power). At this point, things are more “free form”

a. If you are taking a LOT of damage: Iceborne Fortitude and/or Bone Shield – Keep in mind that IBF is Runic Power only, BS cost 1 UH Rune.

b. If you are taking a lot of damage: Death Strike (1 FR 1 UH) single target damage with a Healing Component (with Glyph and Runic Power more potent healing).

c. Damage taken is only a fair amount Scourge Strike (1 FR 1 UH) larger single target damage. Useful to speed up getting that first corpse for Corpse Explosion (1 UH).

d. Strangulate (Runic Power) or Mind Freeze Caster (1 FR)

e. AoE Pull, Blood Boil (1 BL) or when the talent becomes available, Blood Tap (turns small amount of Health and 1 BL immediately available. Then Blood Boil a couple of times.

f. Once your first mob is dead, Corpse Explosion (with Glyph can be a chain explosion).

g. If you are an Engineer, work in some grenades as you wait for Runes to regenerate.

h. Single big target (like elite), summon your Gargoyle.

**It is important to keep changing the target of your Ghoul from target to target. If you are not, that is a lot of damage you are missing out on.**

See, plenty of options. Really just a start and down and dirty on the DK in my eyes. A very good authority (IMO) and fun site to read is Skeleton Jacks site.

And by the way, for an 80 build I would recommend this....