Unholy Death Knight PvP Guide (Gearing up, Pressure and Utility)

By finisher717 Updated: 2014/07/09

This Is A User-Submitted Guide!

Wowhead only updates official guides, so information might not be up-to-date.

http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=TheChaz112 Gearing up The MethodPrideful Gladiator's Dreadplate ChestpiecePrideful Gladiator's Armplates of AlacrityPrideful Gladiator's Dreadplate Shoulders GemmingBold Primordial RubyStormy River's HeartBold Primordial RubyPrideful Gladiator's Dreadplate ShouldersInscribed Vermilion Onyxhttp://www.noxxic.com/TalentsConditional TalentsLichborneSituationalAsphyxiateConversionDeath PactDeath SiphonMacrosLichborne quick self-healing macroMouseover Spells Stance Dance MacroPet Attack, Leap and Stun Target/MouseoverDeath Grip Focus TargetNecrotic Strike With Quick Blood TapsFocus on Arena PlayersMind Freeze on FocusGorefiend's Grasp on YourselfDark Simulacrum on Arena PlayersChains of Ice on focusHeal PetViable ChoicesRelated Videos DamageStage 1: The Build up

The most important task for any Unholy Death Knight is to obtain death runes so we can use Necrotic Strike (more info on this spell later) and to also ensure our diseases are always on every possible target in arena/rbg.
Use to open with, Outbreak comes later.

The strongest method to obtain death runes, is via the spells such as and .
This is stronger than using festering strike, since we can spread our diseases and get some buffs purged early.

Never use 2 or in a row, use these abilities separately so you don't waste a GCD on your runes

Use Death Coil when ever it is available to build up and

Now will have 4 death runes and are ready to proceed to the 2nd stage. Remember to use Scourge Strike to fill in your Unholy runes.

Stage 2: The Burst

This stage is where the use of Necrotic Strike becomes viable and where your cooldowns should be used like Summon Gargoyle and (more on cds later)

The key to necro stacking, is to create a large stack on the target and keep it there for as long as possible.

Fill in with your abilities such as Death Coil and Scourge Strike

Try to finish your enemy of with , make sure the damage happens by cushioning the 5 second duration with your Necrotic Strike

Stage 3: The Recovery

You need to be getting back to stage 2 as quick as possible, so repeat everything in stage 1 to return yourself to having 4 death runes.

Stage 4: Dot Management

This is probably the most important stage, I recently learnt this from a gladiator death knight and it massively improved my damage outcome in arena.

Affliction warlock use this trick to increase the damage of the their dots for long periods of time

When your procs occur such as Rune of the Fallen Crusader Prideful Gladiator's Insignia of Victory
(preferably in sync with one another and used with Prideful Gladiator's Badge of Victory) you should immediately reapply your diseases with Outbreak.
This is why we save the cooldown of Outbreak for later, considering we don't have to be in melee range to use it.

Following this, you should start to use your Festering Strike to increase the duration of your diseases, but never use Festering Strike with a death rune.

Last Stage: Notable Features of DPS

is generated by your death coils. Five stacks will give you an extra Necrotic Strike (Good to stack up 10 before you burst)

s are also generated by your death coils. 5 stacks will buff your pet with Dark Transformation
massively increaseing his damage, increased duration of his stun and the addition of a charge ability
(similar to a Warrior's charge).

Empower Rune Weapon should only be used when you have 4 death runes on cooldown, followed by a necro burst.

Use Summon Gargoyle and together for maximum damage. Best used during a necro burst and while Dark Transformation is active

Save Outbreak to reapply your diseases once your weapon/trinket procs e.g: Rune of the Fallen Crusader and Prideful Gladiator's Insignia of Victory

Related VideosMore Useful VideosComing soon

Comments

Comment by Sas148

I removed the patch # from your title as it isn't necessary since we already publish that information in the guide listings. Thank you for your submission!

Comment by Seethe

Lots of broken spell links. Are we sure gemming *all* strength is still the best idea?

Comment by chon79

Finisher, thanks so much for this quick and short guide. Really gave me a better understanding of a basic rotation on a Unholy DK.

Unholy Death Knight PvP Guide (Gearing up, Pressure and Utility)

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