While they may light up Classic Wrath damage meters, Unholy Death Knights are an average DPS spec in World of Warcraft: Dragonflight. They're a solid B-tier spec on our DPS tier list, capable of doing well but there are better options for those looking to min-max. Our best-in-slot guide will help you obtain the best gear Dragonflight has to offer.

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Unholy Death Knight Best in Slot Stat Priority

The most important factor to consider when obtaining new gear is your stat priority. In general, you should follow a rule like this:

1. Strength
2. Haste
3. Mastery
4. Critical Strike
5. Versatility

The stat priority is pretty clearcut here. In terms of secondary stats, Haste and Mastery are the preferred options. Crit and Vers are interchangeable.

Important Notes For BiS Lists

It is important to note that any jump in ilvl by more than 10 points almost always results in the higher ilvl item being better. If you have an upgrade of 5 ilvl or less, compare the stats based on the stat priorities to decide the better item.

When weighing options of other items not listed below, refer to the stat priority of the class and spec. Keep in mind that stats eventually have diminishing returns, so it is not required to have absolutely every slot stack the same 2 stats. For simplicity, we offer the best per slot assuming you have not capped out these stats.

The calculations for diminishing returns are as follows:

• 0 to 30% in a stat - no penalty.
• 30% to 39% in a stat - 10% penalty.
• 39% to 47% in a stat - 20% penalty.
• 47% to 54% in a stat - 30% penalty.
• 54% to 66% in a stat - 40% penalty.
• 66% to 126% in a stat - 50% penalty.

In the case where you have reached 30% in a secondary stat, an item that has a secondary stat that is lower on priority may in fact be a better upgrade. This is why it is always important to sim your gear. For simplicity, we offer the best item in that slot assuming you have not capped out these stats.

Unholy Death Knight BiS Gear

The items appearing in these lists may come from Mythic+, Raids, or The Vault. Their item level will depend on the instance's level of difficulty (Normal, Heroic, Mythic, Mythic+ 1-20). This list does not include Renown or Crafting items as it is meant as a guide on what dungeons or raids to attend to get your best gear from these sources.

Item tooltips will show the Mythic 9 or the Normal Raid difficulty item level version.

Best Head

The Mythic Plus helm has your best stats, but tier is tier.

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Best Neck

Theorycrafting and data show that the Elemental Lariat is almost always your best neck piece. Make sure you use a missive to get your preferred stats.

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Best Shoulders

Despite having a poor stat, tier is tier. As always, sim to ensure you have the best upgrade.

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Best Back

Raid has decent options, but the Ruby Life Pools cloak is best.

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Best Chest

We recommend skipping your chest tier piece if possible.

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Best Wrist

The Raszageth bracers are an attractive option despite having Versatility.

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Best Hands

Solid stats on your tier gloves, so try to prioritize getting them. Plenty of good options in Mythic+ too beyond what we highlighted.

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Best Waist

Your raid belt is nothing to write home about and is outclassed by crafted and Mythic Plus options.

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Best Legs

Tier has your best stats. We highly recommend you get them.

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Best Feet

Plenty of options here for the boots slot beyond what is listed. Make sure you sim for the best upgrade.

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Best Rings

Seal of Filial Duty has an insane amount of Mastery for you. There are actually plenty of good rings available, sim for the best ones as you acquire them.

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Best Trinkets

Data for the best trinkets comes from sims via Bloodmallet.

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Best Weapons

There are plenty of solid weapons available. Sim to find the best one.

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Best Gems For Unholy Death Knights

Here we list the best gems you can socket your gear with for Unholy Death Knights. As always, it is best to sim to ensure you're using the best options available. These gems are chosen given consideration to your best stats.

• Epic unique gem - Fierce Illimited Diamond
• Remaining gems - Keen Ysemerald

Best Enchants For Unholy Death Knights

Here are the best enchants available for Unholy Death Knights in Dragonflight.

• Cloak - Homebound Speed
• Chest - Waking Stats
• Bracers - Devotion of Speed
• Legs - Fierce Armor Kit
• Boots - Plainsrunner's Breeze
• Rings - Devotion of Haste
• Weapon - Rune of the Fallen Crusader

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How To Simulate To Determine Your Best Gear

Raidbots is a tool that World of Warcraft players can use to figure out if the gear they just looted is an upgrade. As mentioned earlier, there are so many nuances and diminishing returns as certain points in the game, that determining an exact set of bis gear is impossible. With the ilvl scaling of Mythic+ loot on higher keys and utility different gear has for different fights, there just isn't a pure "this is the absolute best for the entire Season" list. It's even something that certain classes have come across in Classic Wrath!

Don't worry, because we're still here to help. We highly recommend using raidbots to determine if an item you just acquired is an upgrade. Here's a quick guide to help you run simulations to see if your new item is an upgrade:

• Make sure you have the Simulationcraft add-on installed.
• With your new loot in your inventory, open your chatbox and type /simc.
• A window will open up. Copy the entire text and paste it on the Raidbots Top Gear page.

• This step is important. On the Top Gear page, scroll down and make sure you're selecting the gear you want simmed. If you do not select the gear you're wearing, as well as the gear in your inventory you just acquired, you won't know if you picked up an upgrade.
• Raidbots will then let you know which items allow you to maximize your DPS!

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