Death Knight Gameplay Movies: Unholy and Blood trees
by Daniel Whitcomb 
Jul 20th 2008 at 1:00PM
I have to admit that I have some concern that this style of AE farming won't be viable for Death Knights everywhere, since in this video, he relied extensively on getting Runic Power via Vendetta due to quick kills on the low HP slimes in the Pools of Aggonar. On the other hand, it looks like a lot of fun, and solidifies my personal resolve to try an Unholy build first.
After the break, we'll watch the Blood video.
The Blood video is a rampage through Andorhal that showcases the brutal damage and lack of downtime that speccing deep into the Blood tree can provide. It's only a level 57 build too, so it has plenty of room to grow. It showcases the power of the life-stealing blood worms created with Infested Corpse, combined once again with the healing power of Butchery and Vendetta, which look like they'll be practically required for any good leveling or grinding build.
They're both awesome videos that give a good taste of what playing a Death Knight is currently like. Certainly, Death Knights can still change drastically in the future as they're polished before they go live with the expansion, but for now, they at least look like a fun class to level and have multiple unique and versatile options for DPSing.
Edit: Video embeds changed over to Filefront. Vimeo seems to be having trouble. Sorry, folks. -Alex
Filed under: Death Knight, Analysis / Opinion, Machinima, Expansions, Leveling, Wrath of the Lich King
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Gerb Jul 20th 2008 1:08PM
I need to play a Death Knight, NOW! :(
Gerb Jul 20th 2008 1:11PM
P.S.: He released 2 new movies today, which are both in Terokar Forest, 1 being Frost, the other blood+frost (I believe).
He didn't give the exact specs of these 2 movies (yet) though.
Cranch Jul 20th 2008 1:10PM
Can't wait to start one.
Camelus Jul 20th 2008 1:17PM
here is a video i made of an entire walk play though the DK starting zone. all 2h 20mins including all deaths bugs mistakes etc.
http://files.filefront.com/DK+Start+Zone/;11136516;/fileinfo.html
Gerb Jul 20th 2008 1:37PM
Hm, I'll check that later today... Is it by any chance the recording of that live stream of the 2 Germans (which would make you one of em :P) from yesterday doing the whole starting area of Death Knights? Was being hosted at worldofraids.com
Montius Jul 20th 2008 6:16PM
Good vid ^.^
Is it still possible to change the runes you are using?
Elmo Jul 20th 2008 1:45PM
:O
I'm gonna need a new video card.
hoviboy Jul 20th 2008 1:58PM
AWESOME
Tolkfan Jul 20th 2008 2:03PM
So, he can AoE, he can tank, he has incredible DPS... can he heal? That would eliminate the last little inconvenience and everyone would be able to play... the one... true... class!
Ryan Jul 21st 2008 8:18AM
Blood DK's can spec Blood Aura, which allows for half of the DK's self healing to also heal his group, so it would be similar to a shadow priest's Vampric Enbrace. DK's don't have any targetable ally heals other than Death Coil, which won't target player characters (unless they're risen as ghouls).
vlad Jul 20th 2008 2:26PM
i cant wait to try dk out. why is it that you always find really awesome videos and the person that is supposed to be in charge of all the wow related videos just posts stupid skits of characters emote gestures or gameplay videos that are 6 months old.
Boowat Jul 20th 2008 2:26PM
im so worried these are just gonna ruin wow...
they just look so awesome, at first i wanted to see northrend the day wotlk hits but now i just want to make one of these so bad.
im worried that everyone is going to roll one, and that they really do own... a little too much?
Germ Jul 20th 2008 4:54PM
Bleh! I was worried about that too till I saw all the changes pallies have, now there's no way I'm going to switch mains to a DK, it'll just be another alt. One thing that might change is that I might play my DK alt more then my mage, rogue or warrior alt. ; )
Nadrysta Jul 20th 2008 2:47PM
I'm quite eager to make an unholy death knight. In the way its described, it seems vaguely similar to a warlock. Lots of debuffs and summons and such. And I really love playing like that. Hopefully it'll be as fun as it looks!
Heilig Jul 20th 2008 5:35PM
Warlock nothing! This guy is a D2 Necromancer. Oh yeah, and a freaking Barbarian at the same time.
This class is going to have to be reworked. I have leveled a Hunter, Mage, Pally, and Rogue through those zones, and none of them even came close to the damage output he had, especially when you see that there is zero downtime and his health never goes below 80%. If you can grind non-stop without ever having to drink, eat, or buy ammo, why would anyone play anything else?
Erbodie Jul 20th 2008 3:17PM
I completed the DK starting area last night, and even though it only takes a few hours, it is really great fun. The "default" gear and the abilities of the DK make it a very powerful killing machine, especially with the Blood spec. Besides the cannoning and the bombing quests which are not trivial to master, the rest is pretty easy but a lot of fun.
I have not experienced the regular lvl57 (your level when you exit the starting area) content, but I am pretty certain watching these videos that DKs are going to chew on it. I fought a couple of lvl60 mobs and did not lose more than a few percent of health. So yes you can tank, do a ton of dps and regenerate through kills or runic power if you spec with the right talents. Almost zero downtime when grinding.
Also, the gear you receive as you quest the starting area is just ridiculous. We end up in full blues with top notch dungeon items.
You also have 270 First Aid by default, which is great. But the prospect of having to level fishing, cooking and two professions from the very start is cumbersome.
From a raiding perspective, it seems to be a great off-tank that can do a ton of dps, and bring useful buffs and passive healing to a melee group.
OP!
Pewpew Jul 20th 2008 6:33PM
i agree.
WTafe Jul 20th 2008 3:51PM
Eh, seeing this makes me think all the other skills need revamps... hopefully they'll get them
Facemelt should actually FACEMELT
Sylvanra Jul 20th 2008 5:59PM
A) Is anyone else speccing Unholy?
B) Should a level 57 really be able to solo an elite without losing more than 3-5% of health w/o kiting it? I killed that same exact abomination yesterday on my Warlock, but I kited the hell out of him to do it.
C) /drool
Chris V Jul 20th 2008 7:58PM
That abomination was elite?
I had to watch it again to notice the gold dragon. It died with such ease I didn't actually notice. o_O