World of Warcraft: Playing the Death Knight

Death Knights aren't new to the lore of Warcraft, but over the years they have changed quite a bit. From their masters to their allegiance, they sure are the one class that evolves over time. The Death Knights first appeared in one of the Warcraft games on PC, where they would play heroes and elite characters. In World of Warcraft, they are the former servants of Arthas, the once great Paladin who went insane during his quest for Frostmourne (the Lich King's sword). Arthas soon became a servant of the Lich King, eventually becoming the Lord of the Scourge himself.

Why am I making this Hub? Not just to tell you a brief history about Death Knights, but also tips on how to play as one, the story of the starting area, and what makes them so damn enjoyable! Let's not waste another moment, and look at what Death Knights have to offer!

World of Warcraft'sDeath Knights (abbriviated as DKs by gamers) were fallen paladins and warriors alike who attempted to defeat the Lich King. In failing, the LK turned them into plate-wearing zombies known as the Scourge. Death Knight Initiates were trained long and hard, and eventually would be tested in battle against one another. The survivors, and those who killed without emotion (sympathy, mainly) would be welcomed amongst the ranks of the DKs.

Arthas' Death Knights weild great swords and hammers, specializing in swift melee attacks with two weapons, or heavy crushing blows with one zweihander. Death Knights don't use shields, but their contribution from armor and healing prevent them from dying. Their primary resources are Runes and Runic Power, both of which are required to cast spells and use abilities.

• Runes are like a Rogue's Energy - requires regeneration, and is spent on abilities. There are four rune types: Blood, Frost, Unholy and Death. Death Runes are unlocked in various ways, and in Frost specialization, Blood Runes are turned into Death Runes. When runes are depleted, Death Runes can be used as any other rune.
• Runic Power is accumulated like Warrior Rage - it is gained by using abilities, and then used to cast spells.

The unique thing about Death Knights is that they are primarily a melee class, but have a great deal of offensive spells. While Paladins have this advantage too, they focus mainly on the Light, yet DKs will use Nature, Shadow and Frost damage in their melee attacks and ranged spells. They are masters of DoTs too, often known to finish off deserters with their Frost Fever, Scarlet Plague, Blood Plague and so on. Their affinity to Frost is mainly due to their lore - being soldiers who died and were rebirthed in Northrend, it seems fitting that they use the power of their home environment to their advantage.

To create a Death Knight, certain requirements and terms have to be met:

• Players must have at least ONE Level 55 character on their account (any realm can have this character, and the Death Knight can be on the same realm or another).
• Players may only have ONE Death Knight per realm.
• Players must have the Wrath of the Lich King DLC (Downloadable Content - otherwise known as the "expansion") installed.

Not a great deal of things are being asked. Death Knights will start out at Lv.55, and no matter what their race or allegience, they will start out in the same area. No matter what, they cannot be attacked by other players at this point (except in duelling).

Can a Death Knight be of any race?

Certainly. However, racial passive perks will affect you in many ways. You'll notice that a Tauren has considerably more health as a Death Knight, and make good Tanks because of their extra 5% Stamina buff. Human Spirit buffs don't help, but Night Elven dodge rating may come in handy. The Death Knight is not a mage - it does not use Intellect or Spirit, so if you don't just want to try a Death Knight and make a full-blown character out of it, it's best that you stay away from those Passives. Remember, it's still a melee class - choose the race like you would for any other character.

Do Death Knights have access to their faction's home city?

Warchief Garrosh Hellscream is asked "Not to accept the Death Knight that stands before him, but merely tolerate him". I don't know if the same words were said to Wrynn, but I'm sure he would've understood a lot easier that the person in front of him was a hero and had no choice about what he/she is. Yes, they have access to their cities but aren't welcomed so much in the beginning. Feel free to make the city your home, and you'll be treated like everyone else - like a hero of your faction. You also get to see Acherus: The Ebon Hold many times to recieve Death Knight training, and you have a portal that take you there (similar to the Druids' Portal: Moonglade). This is because there are no Death Knight trainers outside of Acherus.

Can I be attacked by other Death Knights, despite their faction?

If my Horde Death Knight named Jekiil saw you on the Alliance, they would probably be at each others throats because there is little different about them. While it remains true that Thrarassian and [whoever he was] were talking in the Orchard of New Avalon about being brothers in death, but enemies in life, the Lich King has long abandoned you, and you are now merely the same class of different factions.

So THAT's why we're not at war in the starting area....

Exactly. You were all Paladins and Warrios fighting under the rule of the Lich King, despite your race or faction. It's nice to see that racism was temporarily solved, until Arthas betrayed you. What happened was long over, and that even though you fell at each other's blades, you must unite in death and serve a new master.

Races don't teach their adolescents, soldiers or rebel fighters the arts of the Scourge, as this is far more evil than a Forsaken Warlock. While the Fel can be tamed and commanded, only people with Scourge blood can control a mindless roaming corpse to do their bidding. That is why Death Knights have their own starting area, and are phased respectively.

You learn on the opening cinematic that you were once a hero - what your class was, you have no idea. That no longer matters. What matters is that you recieve a nice monologue from the Lich King (AKA fully voice acted quest) and are ordered to get your first weapon, kill initiates before you start doing more Scourgey things.

Quests are like any other in the Death Knight Starting Area - they're kill so many of this, gather so many of that, and are compulsory for reaching the end of the area and discovering your fate. However, these quests are pretty damn enjoyable and really give you the feel of development. You're choosing your own blade, enchantments for it, minions for your bidding and various other things that make you feel like you're in control. That's why I like Death Knights - knowing that you are in control. You've missed 55 levels of gameplay but so what? You catch up with it in about 3-5 hours of gameplay, and start to develop a huge relationship with your character.

Your loyalty to Arthas Menethil really peaks throughout the course of this minor campaign, and he sees potential in you. Even the other Death Knights are starting to see you as more than the mortals that perish beneath their feet. However, the Lich King loves you and leaves you when he reveals his treachery. Why did he send you to your death? Because he needed someone to fight on Holy ground without getting his feet wet.... and banished by the Light. He could've brought the apocalypse if it wasn't for the Death Knights who learnt of love, compassion and heroism. The Death Knights swear revenge on Arthas, as do the Paladins of the Silver Hand, and that includes you.

You haven't gone from Lv.1 to 60 learning if you can fight or not. You're thrust into battle halfway through the game, and are toughened by Rez Sickness, 3-digit numbers and the brief mention of DPS. Tough choices have been made in the 5 levels you've been alive, and it's time to see if you've made the right ones. In PvE you'll prove your worth in the Badlands and in the Burning Crusade questing areas. No, you won't be chasing after Arthas in Northrend until you've faced the Fel of Outland. It will be tough and will take time, but you'll get there in the end.... if you have faith, and your thirst for vengeance is not sated.

In PvE....

The Death Knight will need a rotation, good use of rune regeneration and a bank brimming with Runic Power. One weapon or two really depends on your spec. How well can you parry with two weapons? And how fast can you swing that two handed weapon, before the killing blow comes to you? Death Knights have an effective Tanking Spec known as "Blood", using healing, zweihanders and plate armor to the best of their abilities. However, they lack in healing and have to rely more on their attack power, armor and allies to back them up.

Depending on their Presence (Blood for increased stamina, less damage income and more % from armor; Frost for increased damage; Unholy for haste and rune/runic power regen), Death Knights are often powerful killing machines when mixing and matching - a Blood Death Knight will be most effective in Blood Presence, yet Frost and Unholy Death Knights can really boost DPS by staying in Frost Presence.

In PvP....

Death Knights in Blood Spec can still fulfil their Tanking needs, being able to defend themselves from barbarian hordes of enemies and still deal some pretty big damage. Unholy Death Knights can become the Kings and Queens of DoTs, filling the deathly gaps and weak spots that allies can never get. And Frost Death Knights give some pretty tricky to deflect/parry blows that can end lives within moments. With a good rotation, some Resilience gems and armor, and the Death Knight is an effective killer against any player who stands in their way.

Death Knights are one of the few classes that cannot follow the style of a simple woodcutter or Hunter. They're a ruthless bunch, thirsty for the chilled blood of their enemies. Their RP stories would no doubt involve seeking revenge against former masters, possibly bringing justice and an end to DKs of the opposite faction. After Jekiil (my DK) was informed he was a hero of the Darkspear long ago, his story was invented....

"A hero o' de Darkspear.... dat be old news. I be nottin' but a Scourge fiend, a monstosity among me bruddahs and sistahs. I be killin' de ones I loved de most, when I shoulda been killin' de one I served and followed so blindly like a fardah....

I remember Vol'jin bein' me master.... and aldough I serve two o' dem Sin'Dorei who march under Sylvanas' banner, I will always be rememberin' me true leader.... me true fardah - his name be Vol'jin, a Shadow Hunter.... de true Warchief o' de Horde!

I can't be lettin' some ex-Scourge princess be tekkin' me master's rightful place to de throne! Once de Lich King be lyin' dead, and his icy blood be pouring from his frozen heart.... Sylvanas Windrunner will jon him wi' a tribal arrow through her pale skinned back.... she gonna wish a Darkspear never joined her Elite's guild...."

- Jekiil, one of Vol'jin's few blessed melee fighters known as Shadowblades.

If you already have a Level 55 character, I say "Why not?" I'll be honest - my main's a Hunter and from now on I'm beginning to think ranged attacking is the way for me. When I made my Death Knight I didn't feel as excited playing as him before I'd read about DKs. They're excellent melee classes and are good as an introduction to what WoW's melee combat has to offer, as well as give you a good insight of lore.

Out of all the Death Knights I've created, only two (Jekiil and some long forgotten one) made it to lv.65. I'm confident in this character, and I haven't looked back while playing as him. I recommend you do the same - make one, try it out and really get a feel of what the Hero class has to offer. If you've any questions, feel free to leave them on the comments below and I'll be sure to answer them as soon as possible ^_^