Unholy Death Knight guide image

Unholy Death Knight PvE Guide For Mythic+

Death Knight class icon Unholy Death Knight specialization icon
Unholy Death Knight
Season 4
50 characters
3084 - 3498

Welcome to Murlok.io's Unholy Death Knight PvE guide for Mythic+ in World of Warcraft. This guide lists the best stats, races, talents, gear, embellishments, enchantments, and gems for patch 10.2.7, based on the character builds of the Top 50 Unholy Death Knights from Dragonflight Season 4 across the US, EU, KR, and TW regions. This includes Vairuhdk (Illidan US) , who is currently the highest-ranked with a rating of 3498.

Updated every 12 hours with the latest data from the Battle.net API , the guide also examines each character's last time played, specialization usage frequency, and equipment type to ensure greater accuracy.

Top Unholy Death Knights

  1. 1
    Vairuhdk's character icon
    Vairuhdk
    Illidan (US)
    527 ilvl
    3498
  2. 2
    Tørbak's character icon
    Tørbak
    Hyjal (EU)
    526 ilvl
    3436
  3. 3
    陌客's character icon
    陌客
    World Tree (TW)
    524 ilvl
    3422
  4. 4
    Xmdw's character icon
    Xmdw
    World Tree (TW)
    524 ilvl
    3412
  5. 5
    Darkman's character icon
    Darkman
    Malganis (US)
    521 ilvl
    3369

Stat Priority

Stats are crucial attributes that directly influence a character's power in World of Warcraft. They not only determine the character's strength but also define the overall feel and playstyle. Stat bonuses can be found on various pieces of equipment, in consumables created by the Alchemy profession, certain foods, some enchantments , and gems .

It's important to note that each stat experiences diminishing returns once its equipped bonus reaches +20%. This means that optimizing a character's performance involves more than just maximizing each stat; it's about finding a balanced distribution. Here is the optimal way to balance Unholy Death Knight Secondary and Minor stats for Mythic+.

Secondary Stats
+3453
26% Critical Strike
+5909
34% Haste
+7146
84% Mastery
+2710
13% Versatility
  1. Mastery
  2. Haste
  3. Critical Strike
  4. Versatility
Minor Stats
+479
6% Avoidance
+172
1% Leech
+383
7% Speed
  1. Avoidance
  2. Speed
  3. Leech

Races

In World of Warcraft, each race comes with unique traits that enhance character abilities or improve in-game quality of life. Although these racial traits typically offer minor advantages, they can still provide a competitive edge in certain scenarios.

With Human currently being the top race for Unholy Death Knights in Mythic+, here are the other races that also stand out due to their advantageous traits.

  1. Human race icon
    Human
    15
  2. Night Elf race icon
    Night Elf
    12
  3. Orc race icon
    Orc
    7
  4. Troll race icon
    Troll
    6
  5. Dwarf race icon
    Dwarf
    4

Class Talents

Talents are the main element defining a character's build, significantly influencing the playstyle by adding, modifying, and enhancing character abilities and behaviors. They are crucial in shaping how a character functions in battle.

Class talents represent a common tree shared across all Death Knight specializations. These talents provide foundational skills and enhancements that are essential and universal to the Death Knight class. They offer a range of abilities that lay the groundwork for a Death Knight's overall capabilities, regardless of the chosen specialization.

The following tree reproduces the in-game class talents disposition as a heatmap. Each color represents the usage frequency and general recommendation level of the talents:

  • Legendary : Represents the most frequently used talents. These are highly recommended for optimal performance.
  • Epic : Indicates talents that are widely used but offer flexibility for alternative choices. Useful in specific scenarios or personal preference.
  • Talents without color: Talents less commonly selected. They are typically chosen to fill necessary slots for advancing to the next tier and may not offer significant value in most situations.
Chains of Ice
50
Death Strike
50
Raise Dead
50
Mind Freeze
50
Anti-Magic Shell
50
Cleaving Strikes
50
Blinding Sleet
41
Coldthirst
1
Permafrost
22
Improved Death Strike
41
Anti-Magic Barrier
50
March of Darkness
1
Sacrificial Pact
0
Control Undead
1
Enfeeble
49
Icebound Fortitude
50
Blood Scent
0
Veteran of the Third War
50
Suppression
0
Brittle
50
Acclimation
3
Merciless Strikes
50
Anti-Magic Zone
45
Might of Thassarian
50
Clenching Grasp
0
Proliferating Chill
0
Gloom Ward
50
Asphyxiate
1
Assimilation
0
Death Pact
1
Grip of the Dead
10
Unholy Endurance
42
Runic Attenuation
50
Wraith Walk
0
Unholy Ground
50
Insidious Chill
38
Blood Draw
12
Will of the Necropolis
39
Death's Echo
50
Icy Talons
50
Rune Mastery
50
Unholy Bond
40
Empower Rune Weapon
50
Abomination Limb
44
Soul Reaper
6

Specialization Talents

Specialization talents constitute a specialized tree, providing Unholy Death Knights with unique abilities and enhancements tailored to their combat style.

The following tree reproduces the in-game specialization talents disposition as a heatmap. Each color represents the usage frequency and general recommendation level of the talents:

  • Legendary : Represents the most frequently used talents. These are highly recommended for optimal performance.
  • Epic : Indicates talents that are widely used but offer flexibility for alternative choices. Useful in specific scenarios or personal preference.
  • Talents without color: Talents less commonly selected. They are typically chosen to fill necessary slots for advancing to the next tier and may not offer significant value in most situations.
Festering Strike
50
Scourge Strike
50
Raise Dead
50
Outbreak
50
Dark Transformation
50
Epidemic
46
Improved Festering Strike
49
Runic Mastery
1
Infected Claws
50
Unholy Blight
46
Replenishing Wounds
44
Feasting Strikes
0
Apocalypse
50
Plaguebringer
44
Sudden Doom
38
All Will Serve
9
Defile
46
Ebon Fever
43
Unholy Command
50
Magus of the Dead
50
Improved Death Coil
5
Rotten Touch
5
Unholy Pact
41
Vile Contagion
1
Pestilence
5
Eternal Agony
49
Coil of Devastation
4
Harbinger of Doom
0
Reaping
6
Death Rot
50
Army of the Dead
50
Summon Gargoyle
6
Festermight
50
Ghoulish Frenzy
4
Army of the Damned
50
Morbidity
43
Unholy Aura
6
Unholy Assault
50
Superstrain
44
Commander of the Dead
6

PvP Talents

PvP talents are specifically tailored for player-versus-player combat scenarios. Activated in arenas, battlegrounds, and the open world with war mode enabled, these talents are designed to optimize a Unholy Death Knight's performance in PvP encounters. They provide specialized enhancements and strategies that give players an edge in combat against other players, reflecting the unique demands of PvP gameplay.

The following tree reproduces the in-game pvp talents disposition as a heatmap. Each color represents the usage frequency and general recommendation level of the talents:

  • Legendary : Represents the most frequently used talents. These are highly recommended for optimal performance.
  • Epic : Indicates talents that are widely used but offer flexibility for alternative choices. Useful in specific scenarios or personal preference.
  • Talents without color: Talents less commonly selected. They are typically chosen to fill necessary slots for advancing to the next tier and may not offer significant value in most situations.
Life and Death
13
Dark Simulacrum
2
Necrotic Wounds
37
Reanimation
2
Necrotic Aura
25
Necromancer's Bargain
8
Strangulate
16
Doomburst
18
Rot and Wither
4
Bloodforged Armor
3
Spellwarden
4

Best In Slot And Gear

Gear consists of items that directly determine a character's power level. It can be acquired from diverse sources: dungeon, raid, world drops, crafted through various professions, obtained from PvP vendors, or chosen as rewards from the Great Vault.

Each piece of gear significantly boosts a character's overall strength and capabilities. Here are the top items for Unholy Death Knights in Mythic+, tailored for each equipment slot.

Head

  1. Piercing Gaze of the Risen Nightmare item set icon
    set
    Piercing Gaze of the Risen Nightmare
    47
  2. Devoted Warden's Gaze item icon
    Devoted Warden's Gaze
    2
  3. Earthshaker's Steel Visor item icon
    Earthshaker's Steel Visor
    1

Neck

  1. Torc of Passed Time item icon
    Torc of Passed Time
    39
  2. Ukhel Ancestry Beads item icon
    Ukhel Ancestry Beads
    4
  3. Bromach's Disentombed Locket item icon
    Bromach's Disentombed Locket
    2
  4. Elemental Lariat item icon
    Elemental Lariat
    2
  5. Custodian's Medallion of Delusion item icon
    Custodian's Medallion of Delusion
    1

Shoulders

  1. Skewers of the Risen Nightmare item set icon
    set
    Skewers of the Risen Nightmare
    48
  2. Mantle of Crushing Waves item icon
    Mantle of Crushing Waves
    1
  3. Pauldrons of Immutable Truth item icon
    Pauldrons of Immutable Truth
    1

Back

  1. Fireproof Drape item icon
    Fireproof Drape
    21
  2. Mammoth-Trainer's Drape item icon
    Mammoth-Trainer's Drape
    8
  3. Vibrant Wildercloth Shawl item icon
    Vibrant Wildercloth Shawl
    7
  4. Potion-Stained Cloak item icon
    Potion-Stained Cloak
    4
  5. Cloak of Lost Devotion item icon
    Cloak of Lost Devotion
    2

Chest

  1. Casket of the Risen Nightmare item set icon
    set
    Casket of the Risen Nightmare
    33
  2. Breastplate of Soaring Terror item icon
    Breastplate of Soaring Terror
    8
  3. Cuirass of Irreparable Madness item icon
    Cuirass of Irreparable Madness
    2
  4. Sarkareth's Abyssal Embrace item icon
    Sarkareth's Abyssal Embrace
    2
  5. Unceasing Footman's Breastplate item icon
    Unceasing Footman's Breastplate
    2

Wrist

  1. Primal Molten Vambraces item icon
    Primal Molten Vambraces
    23
  2. Allied Wristguard of Companionship item icon
    Allied Wristguard of Companionship
    7
  3. Manacles of Cruel Progress item icon
    Manacles of Cruel Progress
    4
  4. Binders of the Moldering item icon
    Binders of the Moldering
    3
  5. Bonds of Desperate Ascension item icon
    Bonds of Desperate Ascension
    3

Hands

  1. Thorns of the Risen Nightmare item set icon
    set
    Thorns of the Risen Nightmare
    46
  2. Twisted Vision's Demigaunts item icon
    Twisted Vision's Demigaunts
    2
  3. Displaced Trooper's Gauntlets item icon
    Displaced Trooper's Gauntlets
    1
  4. Eldermoss Gauntlets item icon
    Eldermoss Gauntlets
    1

Waist

  1. Ravenous Omnivore's Girdle item icon
    Ravenous Omnivore's Girdle
    12
  2. Seal of the Risen Nightmare item icon
    Seal of the Risen Nightmare
    8
  3. Illusion Breaker's Waistguard item icon
    Illusion Breaker's Waistguard
    7
  4. Recycled Golemskin Waistguard item icon
    Recycled Golemskin Waistguard
    6
  5. Trapmaster's Utility Belt item icon
    Trapmaster's Utility Belt
    5

Legs

  1. Greaves of the Risen Nightmare item set icon
    set
    Greaves of the Risen Nightmare
    35
  2. Frostfire Legguards of Preparation item icon
    Frostfire Legguards of Preparation
    14
  3. Opalfang's Earthbound Legguards item icon
    Opalfang's Earthbound Legguards
    1

Feet

  1. Scaleguard's Stalwart Greatboots item icon
    Scaleguard's Stalwart Greatboots
    12
  2. Kurog's Thunderhooves item icon
    Kurog's Thunderhooves
    10
  3. Pristine Magma Stompers item icon
    Pristine Magma Stompers
    8
  4. Spittle-Resistant Sollerets item icon
    Spittle-Resistant Sollerets
    5
  5. Sanctum Guard's Forgewalkers item icon
    Sanctum Guard's Forgewalkers
    4

Rings

  1. Seal of Diurna's Chosen item icon
    Seal of Diurna's Chosen
    28
  2. Seal of Filial Duty item icon
    Seal of Filial Duty
    15
  3. Scalebane Signet item icon
    Scalebane Signet
    11
  4. Bloodied Wedding Ring item icon
    Bloodied Wedding Ring
    9
  5. Platinum Star Band item icon
    Platinum Star Band
    9

Trinkets

  1. Neltharion's Call to Suffering item icon
    Neltharion's Call to Suffering
    35
  2. Mirror of Fractured Tomorrows item icon
    Mirror of Fractured Tomorrows
    21
  3. Ashes of the Embersoul item icon
    Ashes of the Embersoul
    17
  4. Blazebinder's Hoof item icon
    Blazebinder's Hoof
    10
  5. Whispering Incarnate Icon item icon
    Whispering Incarnate Icon
    7

Main Hand

  1. Fyr'alath the Dreamrender item icon
    Fyr'alath the Dreamrender
    49
  2. Ashkandur, Fall of the Brotherhood item icon
    Ashkandur, Fall of the Brotherhood
    1

Antique Bronze Bullion

Antique Bronze Bullion serves as a specialized currency in Dragonflight Season 4, enabling players to purchase specific items. Each item costs 2 bullions and can be upgraded to its maximum Mythic level.

Given that the acquisition of bullions is limited to 1 per week from defeating raid bosses and 2 from the Weekly Mythic Dungeons quest reward when available, here are the best items to buy to maximize your limited bullions.

  1. Fyr'alath the Dreamrender item icon
    Fyr'alath the Dreamrender
    49
  2. Seal of Diurna's Chosen item icon
    Seal of Diurna's Chosen
    21
  3. Ashes of the Embersoul item icon
    Ashes of the Embersoul
    8
  4. Seal of Filial Duty item icon
    Seal of Filial Duty
    5
  5. Whispering Incarnate Icon item icon
    Whispering Incarnate Icon
    5

Embellishments

Embellishments are unique effects that can be added to crafted items, either as predefined elements in recipes or through an optional embellishment reagent, creating embellished gear. These enhancements diversify and amplify characters' capabilities.

Given that only a maximum of 2 embellished items can be equipped at a time, here are the best embellishments for Unholy Death Knights in Mythic+.

  1. Torc of Passed Time embellishment item icon
    Blue Silken Lining
    73
  2. Frostfire Legguards of Preparation embellishment item icon
    Prepared Time
    14
  3. Allied Wristguard of Companionship embellishment item icon
    Allied Wristgaurds Of Companionship
    7
  4. Elemental Lariat embellishment item icon
    Elemental Lariat
    2

Enchantments

Enchantments provide minor yet valuable enhancements to various items, including Head, Back, Chest, Wrist, Waist, Legs, Rings, Feet, Main Hand, and Off Hand.

Most enchantments are crafted via the Enchanting profession. However, Waist enchantments specifically require Blacksmithing, Legs enhancements are crafted by Leatherworkers, and Head enchantments come from the Incandescent Essence , a reward obtained through a quest in the Amirdrassil raid.

Enchantments are usually available at the auction house, making them accessible for upgrades. Here is a list of the top enchantments for Unholy Death Knights in Mythic+, essential for optimizing combat effectiveness.

Head

  1. Incandescent Essence enchantment icon
    Incandescent Essence
    50

Back

  1. Graceful Avoidance enchantment icon
    Graceful Avoidance
    42
  2. Homebound Speed enchantment icon
    Homebound Speed
    7

Chest

  1. Waking Stats enchantment icon
    Waking Stats
    47
  2. Sustained Strength enchantment icon
    Sustained Strength
    3

Wrist

  1. +200 Avoidance enchantment icon
    +200 Avoidance
    40
  2. +200 Speed enchantment icon
    +200 Speed
    8

Waist

  1. Shadowed Belt Clasp enchantment icon
    Shadowed Belt Clasp
    39

Legs

  1. Fierce Armor Kit enchantment icon
    Fierce Armor Kit
    40
  2. Lambent Armor Kit enchantment icon
    Lambent Armor Kit
    8
  3. Frosted Armor Kit enchantment icon
    Frosted Armor Kit
    2

Feet

  1. Plainsrunner's Breeze enchantment icon
    Plainsrunner's Breeze
    37
  2. Watcher's Loam enchantment icon
    Watcher's Loam
    12
  3. Watcher's Loam enchantment icon
    Watcher's Loam
    1

Rings

  1. +82 Haste enchantment icon
    +82 Haste
    47
  2. +82 Mastery enchantment icon
    +82 Mastery
    38
  3. +82 Critical Strike enchantment icon
    +82 Critical Strike
    14

Main Hand

  1. Rune of the Fallen Crusader enchantment icon
    Rune of the Fallen Crusader
    50

Gems

Gems are crafted stones from the Jewelcrafting profession, typically offering stat bonuses to enhance your gear. These gems can be socketed into specific items such as Head, Neck, Wrist, Waist, and Rings. The presence of sockets on items is usually random upon their drop.

Notably, Neck items can be uniquely modified to have up to three sockets by using 3 Tiered Medallion Setting . Additionally, a single socket can be added to other eligible items with a Nature's Cradle , which requires 6 Aspects' Tokens of Merit obtained from the Great Vault.

Available through both the auction house and the crafting order system, the following are the top gem choices for Unholy Death Knights in Mythic+.

  1. Keen Ysemerald gem icon
    Keen Ysemerald
    37
  2. Keen Neltharite gem icon
    Keen Neltharite
    32
  3. Skillful Illimited Diamond gem icon
    Skillful Illimited Diamond
    24
  4. Sensei's Neltharite gem icon
    Sensei's Neltharite
    22
  5. Sensei's Alexstraszite gem icon
    Sensei's Alexstraszite
    21