Highlights

  • Death Knights are a popular class in WoW due to their fantasy, power, and skillset. They have a rich lore tied to the Lich King.
  • Death Knights offer a dark contrast to Paladins, competing for equipment and embodying opposing ideologies in WoW.
  • Runeforging weapons and new Hero Talent specializations in upcoming expansions give Death Knights more customization options.

In 2008, World of Warcraft shook up the class formula thanks to its first playable Hero class, the iconic Death Knight, as part of its second expansion, Wrath of the Lich King. Being the undead champions of the titular Lich King, the Death Knight required World of Warcraft players to have another class leveled up to play it, though this was eventually removed.

As the first Hero class in World of Warcraft, the Death Knight required players to have some experience before the game would allow one to be created. Rather, Death Knights remain available to most races in World of Warcraft, with the Dracthyr being the lone exception. Upon release, the Death Knight quickly became one of the most popular classes due to its class fantasy, sheer battle power, and unmatched skill set. While this continues today in some regards, the Death Knight remains grounded by some rules that World of Warcraft players should heed when spreading famine and pestilence on enemy forces.

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World of Warcraft: The History Of The Death Knight

Similarly to how the Demon Hunters followed Illidan Stormrage and his teachings, the Death Knights became associated with the newly-crowned Lich King, Arthas Menethil, following the events of Warcraft 3: The Frozen Throne. However, some Death Knights stationed under the horseman Darion Mograine broke free of the Lich King's control following the battle at Light's Hope Chapel, with more rejoining the Alliance and the Horde in their war against the Lich King.

Once Arthas was dethroned, the Death Knights continued their vigil over Azeroth as undead guardians, rather than destroyers. Stories such as the Death Knight order hall campaign in the Legion expansion, and various campaigns in Northrend, are required reading for World of Warcraft players who want to brush up on their lore knowledge.

Become the Dark Shadow To the Paladin's Holy Light

With a penchant for corrupting life, freezing bones solid, and championing undeath as a means to an end, the Death Knight is widely considered the perfect foil to the Light-wielding Paladin. While the Paladin prefers shining armor and weapons to match their conviction and mastery of the Light, the Death Knight's class armor often invokes skulls, spikes, and darkened tones to match their grim arsenal. Also, Paladins and Death Knights compete for plate armor and two-handed weapons in various dungeons and raids.

Throw in the added juxtaposition of their ideologies, and it is no surprise why the two classes clash. Death Knights who want to embrace this position should look for mounts, weapons, and armor sets to be the shadow that matches the Paladin's radiance.

Death Knights Must Runeforge A Path To Victory

The Death Knight is divided into three specializations: Blood, Frost, and Unholy. While Wrath of the Lich King Classic allows all three specializations to be Tanks or Melee DPS, the upcoming Cataclysm Classic will force Blood to be the Tank specialization, and both Frost and Unholy will change into two distinct Melee DPS play styles.

However, each spec can utilize a perk exclusive to Death Knights called Runeforging, which replaces weapon enchantments for the class. With Runes that can increase a target's ice damage taken, or enhance the Death Knight's stamina, the options are customized to suit each situation and can be freely swapped in places such as Acherus. These runeforged weapons can help the Death Knight in any battle, and save some gold over time.

The War Within Will Give Death Knights More Options

With The War Within Alpha and Beta tests starting, Death Knights will get three new Hero Talent specializations; Deathbringer (Blood and Frost), Rider of the Apocalypse (Frost and Unholy), and San'layn (Blood and Unholy). While each talent tree will have different uses depending on its base specialization, the Alpha and Beta tests for the upcoming World of Warcraft expansion will give Death Knights a glimpse into the future. Any players who gain access to these pre-release clients should offer feedback to help shape how their class will perform.