On the early DK issue, I would suppose that there are considerations either way.

For:

There has been a noted sense of dread about the coming flood of DKs. With an early release of them, players would have time to get the 'zomg' out of their systems and decide whether to stick with it or return to their mains.

Blizzard showed an eagerness to get players to experience their new high-end content with the xp changes in TBC. Those who stick with the DK may also share in this and have the time before the Wrath release to advance through the TBC content, ready for the new end game.
If the DK turns out to be a hit with many adopters, the early release may mean that those players hit 70 in time for wrath and there is no noticeable discrepancy in population for considerations like groups, raids and pvp. Although it would have to be Vastly popular for this to occur so probably will not be a concern.

It may also help with the notorious 'tank shortage', though probably only slightly.

In the unlikely event that Blizzard are worried about the popularity of WAR, a new class with a different playstyle may add a reason to keep flakers' attention on WoW.

Against:

Talents and hairstyles are one thing, inscription may be a necessity because of the practical consideration. A whole new class and core selling point of an expansion is another. It would be not a small amount of content to 'give away'.

Blood Elves and Draenai weren't given in 2.0. A new race is mostly a cosmetic change, even considering a few racial abilities. They had their own starting areas and quests. The Deathknight will bring a whole new balance with it in addition to their own starting area and quests. It doesn't seem like the kind of thing to 'let slip'.

'Giving away' Deathknights early on our perception of a threat to marketshare seems a fairly weak business stance. Perhaps they are concerned, it doesn't do to be shaken down for it though.

Personally, I would love to get my hands on the Deathknight early. It has been the class I have waited for since I heard about WoW. It would be an amazing Blizzcon revelation and not entirely beyond doing.

A few posters have mentioned that they could be time locked with a cd-key needed to fully activate them. I say do a Spore creature creator: I would pay £5 or £10 to get the DK early, hell I'd pay £20 to get the DK and nothing besides. Why not give the player the opportunity to lay down some of the cost of the expansion ahead of time, get their DKs and start playing them through TBC. When it comes to Wrath release, the players who activate a WotLK cd-key on their account get the cost of the DK purchase refunded to them through gametime.

I'd love it.

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