WoW Wrath Classic: PvE DPS Death Knight BiS Gear (WotLK)
Showcasing the best gear for each equipment slot for both Frost and Unholy Death Knights in World of Warcraft Classic: Wrath of the Lich King.
Death Knight PvE Guides
We've found the best gear that players can equip for Death Knights in WotLK Classic. In the sections below, we list out the best options for each item slot to maximize damage for both Frost and Unholy specializations. There are a few choices in each category as some may be harder to obtain than others and the differences are often minor depending on your current gear and stat priorities.
Death Knights were the first new hero class in World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King. The two specializations considered to be best for high damage were Frost and Unholy. In WoW Classic: WotLK, their performance is expected to be at the top of DPS tier lists.
Both specializations are seen as viable in all forms of content. Frost DK's will be seen a lot more often in early phases and Unholy DK's in later phases due to the nature of their talents scaling with gear.
Frost DK's excel at front-loaded burst Area of Effect damage with Howling Blast, whereas Unholy DK's excel at longer sustained AoE damage with their stronger diseases Death and Decay.
Both specializations prioritize the same stats on the gear that they are choosing to equip.
The best gems for Frost and Unholy Death Knights are always going to be Strength gems. To activate the meta socket use a prismatic gem in a blue socket. For Red sockets use gems with the Bold prefix, for Yellow use gems with strength and/or hit rating.
Slot
First Choice(s)
Effect
Alternate Choice(s)
Effect
Meta
Relentless Earthsiege Diamond
+21 Agility and +3% Critical Damage
Chaotic Skyflare Diamond
+21 Critical Strike Rating and +3% Critical Damage
Blue
Nightmare Tear
+10 All Stats
Enchanted Tear
+6 All Stats
Red
Bold Cardinal Ruby
+20 Strength
Bold Scarlet Ruby
+16 Strength
Perfect Bold Bloodstone
+14 Strength
Yellow
Etched Ametrine
+10 Strength and +10 Hit Rating
Etched Monarch Topaz
+8 Strength and +8 Hit Rating
Rigid Stormjewel
+20 Hit Rating
Rigid Autumn's Glow
+16 Hit Rating
Death Knights that have Jewelcrafting (350) should use 3 Bold Dragon's Eye when possible.
Blacksmithing (400) provides 2 extra sockets with Socket Bracer and Socket Gloves
Death Knights are unique in that they have the profession-like ability Runeforging which offers them specific weapon enchants tailored to their needs. It doesn't require skill points or training and new recipes are learned every few levels for free. To change the runeforging enchant players must go to a Rune Forge in Acherus: The Ebon Hold and Shadow Vault in Icecrown. Runeforging enchants do not stack with other enchants.
Slot
Enchant
Effect
Main-Hand
Rune of Razorice
2% extra damage as Frost Damage and targets receive frost vulnerability.
Off-Hand
Rune of the Fallen Crusader
Increases total strength by 15% and attacks have a chance to heal
Head
Arcanum of Torment
+50 Attack Power +20 Crit Rating
Shoulders
Greater Inscription of the Axe
+40 Attack Power +15 Crit Rating
Back
Enchant Cloak - Greater Speed
+23 Haste Rating
Enchant Cloak - Major Agility
+22 Agility
Chest
Enchant Chest - Powerful Stats
+10 All Stats
Bracers
Enchant Bracers - Greater Assault
+50 Attack Power
Gloves
Enchant Gloves - Crusher
+44 Attack Power
Waist
Eternal Belt Buckle
+1 Socket to Belt
Legs
Icescale Leg Armor
+75 Attack Power +22 Crit Rating
Boots
Enchant Boots - Greater Assault
+32 Attack Power
Rings
Enchant Ring - Assault (Requires Enchanting 400)
+40 Attack Power
The more powerful Enchants that require a specific profession should always take precedent over the above, they are as follows:
Profession
Slot
Enchant
Effect
Inscription (400)
Shoulders
Master's Inscription of the Axe
+120 Attack Power + 15 Crit Rating
Tailoring (420)
Back
Swordguard Embroidery
Chance to increase Attack Power by 400*
Leatherworking (400)
Bracers
Fur Lining - Attack Power
+130 Attack Power
Engineering (380)
+Bracers
Frag Belt
Throw a Cobalt Frag Bomb every 6 minute
Engineering (380)
Back
Flexweave Underlay
+23 Agility and slow fall
Engineering (400)
Gloves
Hyperspeed Accelerators
On Use: +340 haste rating for 12 sec
Engineering (405)
Waist
Nitro Boosts
+24 Critical Rate, On Use: Increased Run Speed
Following the stat priority explained in the Frost and Unholy guides, most of the armor pieces are going to have lots of Strength and Hit Rating with a few pieces having Expertise to reach the 6.5% cap and some with Critical Strike Rating. In early phases, due to choosing the Talent Bladed Armor it is generally better to go with a Plate armor option over a mail or leather one with similar stats.
The Best Weapon is certainly the crafted Blacksmithing Mace. Human and Dwarves will make good use of it due to their Racial Traits. Orcs should consider the two axes as well if they are unable to obtain anything else on the list.
Item
Type
Source
Drop Chance
Titansteel Bonecrusher
Mace
Blacksmithing (440) - Trainer
-
Krol Cleaver
Sword
Reinforced Junkbox: Rogue Pickpocket; Auction House
very low
Reaper of Dark Souls
Sword
Reputation: Knights of the Ebon Blade - Revered
-
Crypt Lord's Deft Blade
Sword
Anub'arak, Azjol-Nerub (H)
25%
The Key
Axe
Lavanthor, The Violet Hold (H)
33%
Stormstrike Mace
Axe
Erekem, Violet Hold (H)
25%
Note that all the options here are the same as the Main Hand with the exclusion of the Blacksmithing mace as it is a main-hand only weapon.
Item
Type
Source
Drop Chance
Krol Cleaver
Sword
Reinforced Junkbox: Rogue Pickpocket; Auction House
very low
Reaper of Dark Souls
Sword
Reputation: Knights of the Ebon Blade - Revered
-
Crypt Lord's Deft Blade
Sword
Anub'arak, Azjol-Nerub (H)
25%
The Key
Axe
Lavanthor, The Violet Hold (H)
33%
Stormstrike Mace
Axe
Erekem, Violet Hold (H)
25%
The Sigil choices for Frost in this phase aren't very exciting. Blood Strike is not used often in the skill rotation making both of these options lackluster choices. Save your Emblems for other pieces.
Item
Source
Drop Chance
Sigil of Haunted Dreams
15 Emblem of Heroism, Dalaran
-
Sigil of the Dark Rider
Quest: Into the Realm of Shadows
-
For Unholy Death Knights, utilizing Scourge Strike in their talent build, the emphasis on slower weapons in the main hand is important to deal more damage. The weapon speed does not matter for Unholy Death Knights that have not chosen to use Scourge Strike, simply choose which weapon(s) have higher stats.
The Best Weapons are the crafted Blacksmithing Maces, either the one-handed or the 2-Handed version. Humans and Dwarves will make good use of either due to their Racial Traits. Orcs can consider the two axes as well if they are unable to obtain anything else on the list.
Item
Type
Speed
Source
Drop Chance
Titansteel Bonecrusher
Mace
2.5
Blacksmithing (440) - Trainer
-
Titansteel Destroyer
2H Mace
3.4
Blacksmithing (440) - Trainer
-
Krol Cleaver
Sword
2.6
Reinforced Junkbox: Rogue Pickpocket; Auction House
very low
Reaper of Dark Souls
Sword
2.7
Reputation: Knights of the Ebon Blade - Revered
-
Colossal Skull-Clad Cleaver
2H Axe
3.4
Loken, Halls of Lightning (H)
25%
Crypt Lord's Deft Blade
Sword
2.5
Anub'arak, Azjol-Nerub (H)
25%
The Key
Axe
2.6
Lavanthor, The Violet Hold (H)
33%
For Unholy, the speed of the weapon in the off-hand does not matter, simply choose whichever weapon has higher stats.
Item
Type
Source
Drop Chance
Grasscutter
Sword
50 Emblem of Heroism, Dalaran
-
Avool's Sword of Jin
Sword
Rare BoE Wold Drop
very low
Krol Cleaver
Sword
Reinforced Junkbox: Rogue Pickpocket; Auction House
very low
Reaper of Dark Souls
Sword
Reputation: Knights of the Ebon Blade - Revered
-
Crypt Lord's Deft Blade
Sword
Anub'arak, Azjol-Nerub (H)
25%
The Key
Axe
Lavanthor, The Violet Hold (H)
33%
Stormstrike Mace
Axe
Erekem, Violet Hold (H)
25%
There is really only viable Sigil and it is a minor improvement to the damage of Death Coil. The other options aren't even worth listing.
Item
Source
Drop Chance
Sigil of the Wild Buck
15 Venture Coin, PvP daily quest in Grizzly Hills "Grizzly" D. Adams / Purkom
-
Both the crafted options below are perfectly acceptable choices. The Engineering Helm performing slightly better than the others, however it does require engineering, whereas the other can be used by anyone.
Item
Source
Drop Chance
Charged Titanium Specs
Engineering (440) - Trainer
-
Spiked Titansteel Helm
Blacksmithing (440) - Trainer
Mask of the Watcher
Ley Guardian Eregos, The Oculus (H)
25%
Chitin Shell Greathelm
Anub'arak, Azjol-Nerub (H)
25%
Jewelcrafting provides the best necklace for most classes and it can certainly be a profitable profession to have. The PvP necklace is also a great option should you chose to spend your honor points here.
Item
Source
Drop Chance
Titanium Impact Choker
Jewelcrafting (440) - Vendor
-
Hateful Gladiator's Pendant of Victory
PvP Quartermaster: 38,000 Honor Points
-
Pendant of the Outcast Hero
25 Emblem of Heroism, Dalaran
-
Gold Amulet of Kings
King Ymiron, Utgarde Pinnacle (H)
25%
The Severed Noose of Westwind
Quest: The Admiral Revealed
-
If you're still able to farm Sunwell Plateau, the 5th option is technically still best in slot, otherwise the other options are fairly easy to obtain.
Item
Source
Drop Chance
Pauldrons of the Lightning Revenant
Ionar, Halls of Lightning
25%
Shoulderplates of the Beholder
Moragg, Violet Hold
50%
Spaulders of the Giant Lords
Reputation: The Sons of Hodir - Revered
-
Snake Den Spaulders
Slad'ran, Gundrak (H)
25%
Pauldrons of Berserking
SunmoteTransmute, Pauldrons of Perseverance from Yrma
-
The best in slot back piece is difficult to obtain as it is only found from trash mobs in Heroic Gundrak, otherwise it will be very expensive on the Auction House.
Item
Source
Drop Chance
Cloak of Bloodied Waters
BoE Zone Drop, Gundrak (H)
2%
Shroud of Reverberation
Volkhan, Halls of Lightning (H)
25%
Embrace of Sorrow
Maiden of Grief, Halls of Stone
33%
Cloak of the Gushing Wound
Erekem, Violet Hold (H)
33%
The Tier 7 chest-piece is a great investment of Emblem of Heroism as the 2-set bonus is really strong for Death Knights.
Item
Source
Drop Chance
Heroes' Scourgeborne Battleplate
80 Emblem of Heroism, Dalaran
-
Bonegrinder Breastplate
Prince Taldaram, Ahn'kahet: The Old Kingdom (H)
25%
Breastplate of Undeath
Novos the Summoner, Drak'Tharon Keep (H)
25%
Darkheart Chestguard
Reputation: Knights of the Ebon Blade, Exalted
-
The crafted bracers are the easiest to obtain and offer some very nice stats. Whereas the next best item may be very expensive on the Auction House as it is much rarer to find.
Item
Source
Drop Chance
Vengeance Bindings
Blacksmithing (420) - Trainer
-
Cast Iron Shackles
BoE Zone Drop, Violet Hold (H)
2%
Bands of the Stoneforge
Sjonnir The Ironshaper, Halls of Stone (H)
25%
Advanced Tooled-Leather Bands
Loken, Halls of Lightning (H)
25%
These tier 7 gloves will round out the 2-piece set bonus nicely when paired with the tier 7 chest piece easily making them the best in slot item. The Sunwell Plateau gloves are also still really strong with 2 red sockets.
Item
Source
Drop Chance
Heroes' Scourgeborne Gauntlets
60 Emblem of Heroism, Dalaran
-
Gauntlets of Dragon Wrath
Ley Guardian Eregos, The Oculus (H)
25%
Gauntlets of The Culling
Quest: A Royal Escort
-
Hard Khorium Battlefists
Blacksmithing (365) - Zone Drop Sunwell Plateau
2%
Another good option here with Emblem of Heroism and a good place to use a Hit Rating Gem for the socket bonus.
Item
Source
Drop Chance
Verdungo's Barbarian Cord
40 Emblem of Heroism, Dalaran
-
Spiked Metal Cilice
Salramm the Fleshcrafter, Culling of Stratholme
25%
Treasure Seeker's Belt
BoE Zone Drop Azjol-Nerub (H and N)
2%
The General's Steel Girdle
General Bjarngrim, Halls of Lightning (H)
25%
The top pick for legs has a lot of the best stats Frost Death Knights could hope for, Strength and Hit Rating.
Item
Source
Drop Chance
Staggering Legplates
Ingvar the Plunderer, Utgarde Keep (H)
25%
Legplates of Bloody Reprisal
Reputation: The Wyrmrest Accord, Exalted
-
Legplates of the Oculus Guardian
Varos Cloudstrider, The Oculus (H)
25%
Gored Hide Legguards
Gal'darah, Gundrak (H)
25%
Another great reward from the Knights of the Ebon Blade and if you're unable to get the crafted weapon Reaper of Dark Souls is also a great reason to gain reputation with them.
Item
Source
Drop Chance
Death-Inured Sabatons
Reputation: Knights of the Ebon Blade, Exalted
-
The Obliterator Greaves
Zuramat the Obliterator, The Violet Hold (H)
33%
Boots of the Neverending Path
Reputation: Argent Crusade, Exalted
-
Echoing Stompers
Svala Sorrowgrave, Utgarde Pinnacle (H)
25%
If you have plenty of gold, the Dalaran Teleport Ring is a fantastic option and can be upgrade in phase 2 as well.
Item
Source
Drop Chance
Ring of the Kirin Tor
Purchased from Harold Winston in Dalaran for 8500 Gold
-
Titanium Impact Band
Jewelcrafting (430) - Vendor
-
Ring of Scarlet Shadows
Jewelcrafting (420) - Vendor
-
Hemorrhaging Circle
Gal'darah, Gundrak (H)
25%
The 5 Ring
Fishing Daily Quests: Bag of Fishing Treasures
very low
Band of Frosted Thorns
Ormorok the Tree-Shaper, The Nexus (H)
25%
The best Trinket will be used in the entire expansion so it would be well worth the investment if you have the funds, as it will be certainly costly. It can be obtained from Inscription (400): Darkmoon Card of the North.
Item
Source
Drop Chance
Darkmoon Card: Greatness
Darkmoon Faire: Nobles Deck
-
Mirror of Truth
40 Emblem of Heroism, Dalaran
-
Sphere of Red Dragon's Blood
Keristrasza, The Nexus (H)
25%
Incisor Fragment
King Dred, Drak'Tharon Keep (H)
25%
Meteorite Whetstone
King Ymiron, Utgarde Pinnacle (H)
25%
Adam is a guide writer for all types of games. He particularly enjoys diving deep into understanding the complex systems typically found within MMORPG's. He loves sharing those special gaming experiences with his friends both online and locally with couch co-op, VR, and even tabletop games. If there's a gaming question, he'll find an answer. He is also an avid Volleyball player and friend to all dogs.
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