- For death knight abilities and talents on Classic servers, see Death knight abilities (Classic).
Death knight abilities are abilities used by death knights. Most abilities are shared between all specializations, while some are only specific to one (or two) specializations.
Death knight abilities use either runes (as part of the rune system) or runic power and are divided into the trees of Frost, Blood and Unholy.
Class[]
All death knights automatically learn the following spells at the specified level, regardless of specialization.
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Abilities Ability Level 
[Death and Decay]8 
[Death Coil]8 
[Death Grip]8 
[Rune Strike]8 [Runeforging] [8-30] The Emblazoned Runeblade/ [10] Runeforging 101
[Dark Command]9 [Death's Advance]9 [Lichborne]9 [Death Gate] [8-30] The Light of Dawn/ [10] Defender of Azeroth
[Raise Ally]19 [On a Pale Horse]22 [Path of Frost]27 -
Runeforging Ability Level [Rune of Razorice]8 [Rune of the Fallen Crusader]8 [Rune of the Stoneskin Gargoyle]8 [Rune of Unending Thirst]20 [Rune of Sanguination]32 [Rune of the Apocalypse]44 [Rune of Hysteria]46 [Rune of Spellwarding]48
[8-30] 
Specializations[]
The three death knight specializations are Blood (tanking), Frost (melee DPS) and Unholy (melee DPS). For an exploration of each death knight specialization, see Death knight specializations.
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Blood Ability Level [Mastery: Blood Shield]10 [Blood Fortification]11 -
Frost Ability Level [Mastery: Frozen Heart]10 [Runic Empowerment]11 [Dark Succor]18 [Remorseless Winter]19 [Might of the Frozen Wastes]25 [Frostreaper]28 -
Unholy Ability Level [Mastery: Dreadblade]10 [Runic Corruption]11 [Dark Succor]18 [Dark Transformation] Rank 252
Talents[]
Talents become available at level 10. They can be changed at any time outside of combat, except during a PvP match or Mythic+ dungeon. A talented ability cannot be changed while it is on cooldown.
Row 5 is locked until 8 points are spent, and row 8 is locked until 20 points are spent.
Class talents[]
| Tier | Talent | Ranks | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  [Chains of Ice] |
1 | Automatic for Frost |
 [Death Strike] |
1 | Automatic for Blood | |
 [Raise Dead] |
1 | Automatic for Unholy | |
| 2 |  [Mind Freeze] |
1 | Chains of Ice |
 [Anti-Magic Shell] |
1 | Death Strike | |
| [Cleaving Strikes] |
1 | Raise Dead | |
| 3 |  [Blinding Sleet] |
1 | Mind Freeze |
| [Coldthirst] |
1 | Mind Freeze | |
 [Permafrost] |
1 | Mind Freeze | |
| [Improved Death Strike] |
1 | Anti-Magic Shell | |
| [Anti-Magic Barrier] |
1 | Anti-Magic Shell | |
 [March of Darkness] |
1 | Anti-Magic Shell | |
 [Sacrificial Pact] |
1 | Cleaving Strikes | |
 [Control Undead] |
1 | Cleaving Strikes | |
 [Enfeeble] |
1 | Cleaving Strikes | |
| 4 |  [Icebound Fortitude] |
1 | Blinding Sleet OR Coldthirst OR Permafrost |
 [Blood Scent] |
1 | Permafrost OR Improved Death Strike | |
 [Veteran of the Third War] |
2 | Improved Death Strike OR Anti-Magic Barrier OR March of Darkness | |
| [Suppression] |
1 | March of Darkness OR Sacrificial Pact | |
 [Brittle] |
1 | Sacrificial Pact OR Control Undead OR Enfeeble | |
| 5 | [Acclimation] |
1 | Icebound Fortitude |
| [Merciless Strikes] |
1 | Icebound Frotitude OR Blood Scent | |
 [Anti-Magic Zone] |
1 | Blood Scent OR Veteran of the Third War OR Suppression | |
| [Might of Thassarian] |
1 | Suppression OR Brittle | |
 [Clenching Grasp] |
1 | Brittle | |
| 6 | [Proliferating Chill] |
1 | Acclimation OR Merciless Strikes |
 [Gloom Ward] |
1 | Merciless Strikes | |
 [Asphyxiate] |
1 | Merciless Strikes OR Anti-Magic Zone | |
| [Assimilation] |
1 | Anti-Magic Zone | |
 [Death Pact] |
1 | Anti-Magic Zone OR Might of Thassarian | |
[Death's Reach]/ [Grip of the Dead] |
1 | Might of Thassarian | |
 [Unholy Endurance] |
1 | Might of Thassarian OR Clenching Grasp | |
| 7 |  [Runic Attenuation] |
1 | Proliferating Chill OR Gloom Ward |
 [Wraith Walk] |
1 | Asphyxiate OR Assimilation OR Death Pact | |
 [Unholy Ground] |
1 | Death's Reach/Grip of the Dead OR Unholy Endurance | |
| 8 |  [Insidious Chill] |
1 | Runic Attenuation |
 [Blood Draw] |
2 | Runic Attenuation OR Wraith Walk | |
 [Will of the Necropolis] |
2 | Wraith Walk OR Unholy Ground | |
 [Death's Echo] |
1 | Unholy Ground | |
| 9 |  [Icy Talons] |
2 | Insidious Chill OR Blood Draw |
 [Rune Mastery] |
2 | Blood Draw OR Will of the Necropolis | |
 [Unholy Bond] |
2 | Will of the Necropolis OR Death's Echo | |
| 10 |  [Empower Rune Weapon] |
1 | Icy Talons |
 [Abomination Limb] |
1 | Rune Mastery | |
 [Soul Reaper] |
1 | Unholy Bond |
Specialization talents[]
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Blood
Tier Talent Ranks Requirement 1 [Heart Strike]1 2 [Marrowrend]1 Heart Strike [Blood Boil]1 Heart Strike 3 [Vampiric Blood]1 Marrowrend [Crimson Scourge]1 Blood Boil 4 [Ossuary]1 Vampiric Blood [Improved Vampiric Blood]2 Vampiric Blood [Improved Heart Strike]2 Crimson Scourge [Death's Caress]1 Crimson Scourge 5 [Rune Tap]1 Ossuary [Heartbreaker]2 Ossuary [Foul Bulwark]1 Ossuary OR Improved Vampiric Blood [Dancing Rune Weapon]1 Improved Vampiric Blood OR Improved Heart Strike [Hemostasis]1 Improved Heart Strike OR Death's Caress [Perseverance of the Ebon Blade]2 Death's Caress [Relish in Blood]1 Death's Caress 6 [Leeching Strike]1 Rune Tap OR Heartbreaker [Improved Bone Shield]1 Heartbreaker OR Foul Bulwark [Insatiable Blade]1 Dancing Rune Weapon [Blooddrinker]/ [Consumption]1 Hemostasis OR Perseverance of the Ebon Blade [Rapid Decomposition]1 Perseverance of the Ebon Blade OR Relish in Blood 7 [Blood Feast]1 Leeching Strike [Blood Tap]1 Leeching Strike [Reinforced Bones]1 Leeching Strike OR Improved Bone Shield [Everlasting Bond]1 Insatiable Blade [Voracious]1 Blooddrinker/Consumption OR Rapid Decomposition [Bloodworms]1 Rapid Decomposition [Coagulopathy]1 Rapid Decomposition 8 [Mark of Blood]/ [Tombstone]1 Blood Feast OR Blood Tap OR Reinforced Bones [Gorefiend's Grasp]1 Reinforced Bones OR Everlasting Bond OR Voracious [Sanguine Ground]1 Voracious OR Bloodworms OR Coagulopathy 9 [Shattering Bone]2 Mark of Blood/Tombstone [Heartrend]1 Mark of Blood/Tombstone OR Gorefiend's Grasp [Tightening Grasp]1 Gorefiend's Grasp [Iron Heart]1 Gorefiend's Grasp OR Sanguine Ground [Red Thirst]2 Sanguine Ground 10 [Bonestorm]1 Shattering Bone [Purgatory]1 Heartrend OR Tightening Grasp [Bloodshot]1 Tightening Grasp OR Iron Heart [Umbilicus Eternus]1 Red Thirst -
Frost
Tier Talent Ranks Requirement 1 [Frost Strike]1 2 [Obliterate]1 Frost Strike [Howling Blast]1 Frost Strike 3 [Killing Machine]1 Obliterate [Rime]1 Howling Blast 4 [Unleashed Frenzy]1 Killing Machine [Improved Frost Strike]2 Killing Machine [Runic Command]2 Rime [Biting Cold]1 Rime 5 [Improved Obliterate]1 Unleashed Frenzy [Glacial Advance]1 Unleashed Frenzy OR Improved Frost Strike [Pillar of Frost]1 Improved Frost Strike OR Runic Command [Frostscythe]1 Runic Command OR Biting Cold [Improved Rime]1 Biting Cold 6 [Frigid Executioner]/ [Rage of the Frozen Champion]1 Improved Obliterate [Cold Heart]1 Improved Obliterate [Fatal Fixation]1 Improved Obliterate [Enduring Strength]2 Pillar of Frost [Frostwhelp's Aid]2 Pillar of Frost [Horn of Winter]1 Improved Rime [Everfrost]1 Improved Rime [Chill Streak]1 Improved Rime 7 [Murderous Efficiency]1 Frigid Executioner/Rage of the Frozen Champion OR Cold Heart OR Fatal Fixation [Inexorable Assault]1 Fatal Fixation OR Enduring Strength [Icecap]1 Enduring Strength OR Frostwhelp's Aid [Empower Rune Weapon]1 Frostwhelp's Aid OR Horn of Winter [Gathering Storm]1 Horn of Winter OR Everfrost OR Chill Strike [Piercing Chill]/ [Enduring Chill]1 Chill Strike 8 [Bonegrinder]2 Murderous Efficiency OR Inexorable Assault [Shattering Blade]1 Inexorable Assault OR Icecap [Avalanche]1 Icecap OR Empower Rune Weapon [Icebreaker]2 Empower Rune Weapon OR Gathering Storm 9 [Cold-Blooded Rage]2 Bonegrinder [Frostwyrm's Fury]1 Shattering Blade OR Avalanche [Invigorating Freeze]2 Icebreaker 10 [Obliteration]1 Cold-Blooded Rage [Absolute Zero]1 Frostwyrm's Fury [Breath of Sindragosa]1 Invigorating Freeze -
Unholy
Tier Talent Ranks Requirement 1 [Festering Strike]1 2 [Scourge Strike]1 Festering Strike [Raise Dead]1 Festering Strike 3 [Outbreak]1 Scourge Strike [Dark Transformation]1 Raise Dead 4 [Epidemic]1 Outbreak [Improved Festering Strike]2 Outbreak [Runic Mastery]2 Dark Transformation [Infected Claws]1 Dark Transformation 5 [Unholy Blight]1 Epidemic [Replenishing Wounds]1 Epidemic [Feasting Strikes]1 Epidemic OR Improved Festering Strike [Apocalypse]1 Improved Festering Strike OR Runic Mastery [Plaguebringer]/ [Clawing Shadows]1 Infected Claws [Sudden Doom]1 Infected Claws [All Will Serve]1 Infected Claws 6 [Defile]1 Unholy Blight OR Replenishing Wounds [Bursting Sores]/ [Ebon Fever]1 Replenishing Wounds [Unholy Command]2 Replenishing Wounds OR Feasting Strikes OR Apocalypse [Magus of the Dead]/ [Ruptured Viscera]1 Apocalypse [Improved Death Coil]2 Apocalypse OR Plaguebringer/Clawing Shadows OR Sudden Doom [Rotten Touch]1 Sudden Doom [Unholy Pact]1 Sudden Doom OR All Will Serve 7 [Vile Contagion]1 Defile or Bursting Sores/Ebon Fever [Pestilence]1 Bursting Sores/Ebon Fever [Eternal Agony]1 Unholy Command [Coil of Devastation]1 Improved Death Coil [Harbinger of Doom]1 Rotten Touch [Reaping]1 Unholy Pact 8 [Death Rot]1 Vile Contagion OR Pestilence OR Eternal Agony [Army of the Dead]1 Magus of the Dead/Ruptured Viscera OR Eternal Agony OR Coil of Devastation [Summon Gargoyle]1 Coil of Devastation OR Harbinger of Doom OR Reaping 9 [Festermight]2 Death Rot [Ghoulish Frenzy]2 Death Rot OR Army of the Dead [Army of the Damned]1 Army of the Dead [Morbidity]2 Army of the Dead OR Summon Gargoyle [Unholy Aura]2 Summon Gargoyle 10 [Unholy Assault]1 Festermight [Superstrain]1 Ghoulish Frenzy OR Army of the Damned OR Morbidity [Commander of the Dead]1 Unholy Aura
PvP talents[]
PvP talents become available at level 20. Up to 3 PvP talents may be active at any given time (with additional slots becoming available at levels 30 and 40).
These talents are active in the open world with War Mode turned on, as well as during instanced PvP. They have no effect in dungeons and raids.
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Blood
Talent Level [Dark Simulacrum]20 [Death Chain]20 [Murderous Intent]20 [Rot and Wither]20 [Walking Dead]20 [Bloodforged Armor]30 [Spellwarden]30 [Strangulate]30 [Last Dance]35 [Necrotic Aura]35 [Decomposing Aura]40 -
Frost
Talent Level [Dark Simulacrum]20 [Dead of Winter]20 [Deathchill]20 [Delirium]20 [Rot and Wither]20 [Bitter Chill]30 [Bloodforged Armor]30 [Spellwarden]30 [Strangulate]30 [Necrotic Aura]35 [Shroud of Winter]50 -
Unholy
Talent Level [Dark Simulacrum]20 [Life and Death]20 [Reanimation]20 [Rot and Wither]20 [Necromancer's Bargain]29 [Bloodforged Armor]30 [Necrotic Wounds]30 [Spellwarden]30 [Strangulate]30 [Doomburst]35 [Necrotic Aura]35
Runeforging[]
Runeforging is a skill that allows death knights to augment their weapons with various runes at any runeforge. A weapon can only have one rune at a time.
| Name | Level | Weapon type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 [Rune of Razorice] |
8 | Any | Causes 2% extra weapon damage as Frost damage and has a chance to increase Frost vulnerability. |
 [Rune of the Fallen Crusader] |
8 | Any | Has a chance to heal you for 3% and increase total Strength by 15% for 15 sec. |
 [Rune of the Stoneskin Gargoyle] |
8 | Two-handed | Increases Armor by 5% and all stats by 5%. |
 [Rune of Unending Thirst] |
20 | Any | Increases Movement Speed by 5% and grants healing and extra Haste and Movement Speed on kill. |
| [Rune of Sanguination] |
32 | Any | Increases the damage of [Death Strike] based on the enemy's missing health and heals when falling bellow 35% health.
|
 [Rune of the Apocalypse] |
44 | Any | Has a chance to apply one of four debuffs on ghoul attacks. |
 [Rune of Hysteria] |
46 | Any | Increases Runic Power by 20 and has a chance to increase Runic Power generation. |
 [Rune of Spellwarding] |
48 | Any | Deflects 3% of all spell damage and has a chance to create a shield that absorbs spell damage. |
Glyphs[]
Glyphs are items that can change a spell or ability's visual appearance. Most glyphs are crafted by scribes, are color-coded by class, and can be applied as early as level 11. They can be removed at any time outside of combat using 
[Vanishing Powder].
See also[]
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