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 3
50 characters
3254 - 3740

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 10.2.6, based on the character builds of the Top 50 Unholy Death Knights from Dragonflight Season 3 across the US, EU, KR, and TW regions. This includes Supreemxo (Tarren Mill EU) , who is currently the highest-ranked with a rating of 3740.

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
    Supreemxo's character icon
    Supreemxo
    Tarren Mill (EU)
    489 ilvl
    3740
  2. 2
    Blîzzknight's character icon
    Blîzzknight
    Drakthul (EU)
    488 ilvl
    3738
  3. 3
    Mayoiuta's character icon
    Mayoiuta
    Illidan (US)
    489 ilvl
    3734
  4. 4
    Acheilos's character icon
    Acheilos
    Dalaran (US)
    488 ilvl
    3721
  5. 5
    Maintain's character icon
    Maintain
    Area 52 (US)
    488 ilvl
    3695

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
+3099
24% Critical Strike
+5420
32% Haste
+5827
72% Mastery
+1502
7% Versatility
  1. Mastery
  2. Haste
  3. Critical Strike
  4. Versatility
Minor Stats
+515
7% Avoidance
+157
1% Leech
+364
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 Night Elf 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. Night Elf race icon
    Night Elf
    14
  2. Human race icon
    Human
    8
  3. Orc race icon
    Orc
    5
  4. Dwarf race icon
    Dwarf
    5
  5. Blood Elf race icon
    Blood Elf
    5

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
43
Coldthirst
3
Permafrost
21
Improved Death Strike
43
Anti-Magic Barrier
50
March of Darkness
2
Sacrificial Pact
0
Control Undead
0
Enfeeble
50
Icebound Fortitude
50
Blood Scent
0
Veteran of the Third War
50
Suppression
0
Brittle
50
Acclimation
5
Merciless Strikes
50
Anti-Magic Zone
36
Might of Thassarian
50
Clenching Grasp
0
Proliferating Chill
1
Gloom Ward
50
Asphyxiate
3
Assimilation
1
Death Pact
0
Grip of the Dead
12
Unholy Endurance
43
Runic Attenuation
50
Wraith Walk
0
Unholy Ground
50
Insidious Chill
32
Blood Draw
18
Will of the Necropolis
33
Death's Echo
50
Icy Talons
50
Rune Mastery
50
Unholy Bond
37
Empower Rune Weapon
50
Abomination Limb
49
Soul Reaper
1

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
49
Improved Festering Strike
49
Runic Mastery
1
Infected Claws
50
Unholy Blight
49
Replenishing Wounds
48
Feasting Strikes
0
Apocalypse
50
Plaguebringer
48
Sudden Doom
37
All Will Serve
13
Defile
49
Ebon Fever
48
Unholy Command
50
Magus of the Dead
50
Improved Death Coil
2
Rotten Touch
1
Unholy Pact
48
Vile Contagion
0
Pestilence
3
Eternal Agony
49
Coil of Devastation
1
Harbinger of Doom
0
Reaping
2
Death Rot
50
Army of the Dead
50
Summon Gargoyle
2
Festermight
50
Ghoulish Frenzy
2
Army of the Damned
50
Morbidity
47
Unholy Aura
2
Unholy Assault
50
Superstrain
48
Commander of the Dead
2

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
14
Dark Simulacrum
1
Necrotic Wounds
36
Reanimation
1
Necrotic Aura
21
Necromancer's Bargain
12
Strangulate
16
Doomburst
28
Rot and Wither
4
Bloodforged Armor
9
Spellwarden
1

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
    45
  2. Anomuran Helm item icon
    Anomuran Helm
    1
  3. Incarnate's Perceptive Casque item icon
    Incarnate's Perceptive Casque
    1
  4. Primal Molten Helm item icon
    Primal Molten Helm
    1
  5. Soulspun Casque item icon
    Soulspun Casque
    1

Neck

  1. Elemental Lariat item icon
    Elemental Lariat
    24
  2. Eye of the Rising Flame item icon
    Eye of the Rising Flame
    9
  3. Torc of Passed Time item icon
    Torc of Passed Time
    7
  4. Chain of the Green Flight item icon
    Chain of the Green Flight
    4
  5. Raven Filigree Pendant item icon
    Raven Filigree Pendant
    4

Shoulders

  1. Skewers of the Risen Nightmare item set icon
    set
    Skewers of the Risen Nightmare
    50

Back

  1. Vibrant Wildercloth Shawl item icon
    Vibrant Wildercloth Shawl
    21
  2. Shroud of the Risen Nightmare item icon
    Shroud of the Risen Nightmare
    10
  3. Cloak of Fading Echoes item icon
    Cloak of Fading Echoes
    6
  4. Drape of the Loyal Vassal item icon
    Drape of the Loyal Vassal
    5
  5. Periwinkle Cloak item icon
    Periwinkle Cloak
    3

Chest

  1. Casket of the Risen Nightmare item set icon
    set
    Casket of the Risen Nightmare
    37
  2. Abalone Plate Armor item icon
    Abalone Plate Armor
    5
  3. Etheldrin's Breastplate item icon
    Etheldrin's Breastplate
    5
  4. Allied Chestplate of Generosity item icon
    Allied Chestplate of Generosity
    1
  5. Primal Molten Breastplate item icon
    Primal Molten Breastplate
    1

Wrist

  1. Allied Wristguard of Companionship item icon
    Allied Wristguard of Companionship
    35
  2. Vambraces of the Risen Nightmare item icon
    Vambraces of the Risen Nightmare
    6
  3. Primal Molten Vambraces item icon
    Primal Molten Vambraces
    3
  4. Incarnadine Bracers item icon
    Incarnadine Bracers
    2
  5. Zealous Commander's Cuffs item icon
    Zealous Commander's Cuffs
    2

Hands

  1. Thorns of the Risen Nightmare item set icon
    set
    Thorns of the Risen Nightmare
    45
  2. Grips of the Everlasting Guardian item icon
    Grips of the Everlasting Guardian
    3
  3. Eldermoss Gauntlets item icon
    Eldermoss Gauntlets
    1
  4. Ravencrest Bonecrush Gauntlets item icon
    Ravencrest Bonecrush Gauntlets
    1

Waist

  1. Seal of the Risen Nightmare item icon
    Seal of the Risen Nightmare
    22
  2. Primal Molten Greatbelt item icon
    Primal Molten Greatbelt
    11
  3. Unwinding Eon Girdle item icon
    Unwinding Eon Girdle
    7
  4. Rivet-Sealed Waistplate item icon
    Rivet-Sealed Waistplate
    3
  5. Girdle of Burgeoning Apathy item icon
    Girdle of Burgeoning Apathy
    2

Legs

  1. Greaves of the Risen Nightmare item set icon
    set
    Greaves of the Risen Nightmare
    40
  2. Frostfire Legguards of Preparation item icon
    Frostfire Legguards of Preparation
    8
  3. Seared Ironwood Greaves item icon
    Seared Ironwood Greaves
    1
  4. Triton Legplates item icon
    Triton Legplates
    1

Feet

  1. Graveboots of the Risen Nightmare item icon
    Graveboots of the Risen Nightmare
    11
  2. Primal Molten Sabatons item icon
    Primal Molten Sabatons
    10
  3. Goldsteel Sabatons item icon
    Goldsteel Sabatons
    8
  4. Lavaforged Sollerets item icon
    Lavaforged Sollerets
    5
  5. Fatty Hooves of Gory Comfort item icon
    Fatty Hooves of Gory Comfort
    4

Rings

  1. Signet of Titanic Insight item icon
    Signet of Titanic Insight
    44
  2. Ring-Bound Hourglass item icon
    Ring-Bound Hourglass
    21
  3. Arch-Druid's Tainted Seal item icon
    Arch-Druid's Tainted Seal
    16
  4. Anthia's Ring item icon
    Anthia's Ring
    5
  5. Band of Twisted Bark item icon
    Band of Twisted Bark
    3

Trinkets

  1. Mirror of Fractured Tomorrows item icon
    Mirror of Fractured Tomorrows
    21
  2. Pip's Emerald Friendship Badge item icon
    Pip's Emerald Friendship Badge
    21
  3. Ember of Nullification item icon
    Ember of Nullification
    20
  4. Might of the Ocean item icon
    Might of the Ocean
    14
  5. Ashes of the Embersoul item icon
    Ashes of the Embersoul
    12

Main Hand

  1. Fyr'alath the Dreamrender item icon
    Fyr'alath the Dreamrender
    48
  2. Ravencrest's Wrath item icon
    Ravencrest's Wrath
    1
  3. Whitefin Axe item icon
    Whitefin Axe
    1

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. Allied Wristguard of Companionship embellishment item icon
    Allied Wristgaurds Of Companionship
    35
  2. Elemental Lariat embellishment item icon
    Elemental Lariat
    24
  3. Vibrant Wildercloth Shawl embellishment item icon
    Blue Silken Lining
    20
  4. Vibrant Wildercloth Shawl embellishment item icon
    Roiling Shadowflame
    12
  5. Frostfire Legguards of Preparation embellishment item icon
    Prepared Time
    8

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
    34
  2. Homebound Speed enchantment icon
    Homebound Speed
    11
  3. Regenerative Leech enchantment icon
    Regenerative Leech
    3

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
    36
  2. +200 Speed enchantment icon
    +200 Speed
    8
  3. +200 Leech enchantment icon
    +200 Leech
    3

Waist

  1. Shadowed Belt Clasp enchantment icon
    Shadowed Belt Clasp
    44
  2. Shadowed Belt Clasp enchantment icon
    Shadowed Belt Clasp
    1

Legs

  1. Fierce Armor Kit enchantment icon
    Fierce Armor Kit
    43
  2. Frosted Armor Kit enchantment icon
    Frosted Armor Kit
    3
  3. Lambent Armor Kit enchantment icon
    Lambent Armor Kit
    3

Feet

  1. Plainsrunner's Breeze enchantment icon
    Plainsrunner's Breeze
    29
  2. Watcher's Loam enchantment icon
    Watcher's Loam
    19
  3. Plainsrunner's Breeze enchantment icon
    Plainsrunner's Breeze
    1

Rings

  1. +82 Mastery enchantment icon
    +82 Mastery
    37
  2. +82 Haste enchantment icon
    +82 Haste
    32
  3. +82 Critical Strike enchantment icon
    +82 Critical Strike
    17

Main Hand

  1. Rune of the Fallen Crusader enchantment icon
    Rune of the Fallen Crusader
    49
  2. Rune of Sanguination enchantment icon
    Rune of Sanguination
    1

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
    68
  2. Keen Neltharite gem icon
    Keen Neltharite
    49
  3. Radiant Alexstraszite gem icon
    Radiant Alexstraszite
    37
  4. Sensei's Neltharite gem icon
    Sensei's Neltharite
    31
  5. Energized Ysemerald gem icon
    Energized Ysemerald
    30