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Unholy Death Knight Guide for Raid (Updated August 2026)

Learn how to optimize your Unholy Death Knight for Raid in World of Warcraft. This comprehensive guide covers talents and gear for PvE content.

Last Updated:

Patch:12.0.7

Expansion:Midnight

DeathKnight Banner
S
Raid Tier
1 242
Raid Runs
292
Ilvl
14.42%
Raid Popularity
167 299
Raid DPS

Unholy Death Knight Stats for Raid

Mastery > Critical Strike > Haste > Versatility
561
Critical Strike
169
Haste
645
Mastery
1
Versatility
1 039
Strength
52
Avoidance
37
Leech
28
Speed
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Unholy Death Knight Talents for Raid

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Class
Icebound Fortitude1/1Death Strike1/1Raise Dead1/1Runic Attenuation1/1Improved Death Strike1/1Cleaving Strikes1/1Mind Freeze1/1Blinding SleetGloom Ward2/2March of Darkness1/1Unholy Momentum2/2Control UndeadEnfeeble1/1ColdthirstProliferating ChillPermafrost1/1Veteran of the Third War1/1Death PactBrittle1/1Blood BondIcy Talons1/1Death NotesAnti-Magic Zone1/1Death DefianceUnholy Bond1/1Ice PrisonDeath's Reach1/1Assimilation1/1Anti-Magic Barrier1/1Grip of the DeadSuppression1/1Blood Scent1/1Unholy Endurance1/1Osmosis1/1Insidious Chill1/1Runic ProtectionBlood Draw1/1Rune Mastery2/2Subduing Grasp1/1Will of the Necropolis2/2Null Magic1/1Unyielding WillDeath's Echo1/1Vestigial Shell

San'layn

Death Knight · Unholy

Death Knight · Unholy
Infliction of Sorrow1/1Incite Terror1/1Inevitable1/1The Blood is Life1/1Blood-Soaked Ground1/1Vampiric Strike1/1Gift of the San'layn1/1Sanguine Scent1/1Bloody Fortitude1/1Vampiric Speed1/1Frenzied Bloodthirst1/1Transfusion1/1Thrill of Blood1/1Visceral Strength1/1
Specialization
Outbreak1/1Scourge Strike1/1Sudden Doom1/1Clawing Shadows1/1Putrefy1/1Dark Transformation1/1Foul Infections1/1Plague Mastery1/1Necromancer's Cunning1/1Ebon Fever1/1Festering Scythe1/1SuperstrainSoul ReaperMagus of the Dead1/1Infected Claws1/1Cycle of DeathCoil of DevastationArmy of the Dead1/1ReapingMenacing Magus1/1Ghoulish Frenzy1/1Morbidity1/1Harbinger of Doom1/1Raise Abomination1/1Unholy Devotion1/1All Will ServeBlightburst1/1Putrid Echoes1/1Doomed Bidding1/1Scourging2/2Ancient PowerUnholy Aura2/2Commander of the Dead1/2Blightfall1/1Reanimation1/1OutnumberForbidden Knowledge4/4
Import string

CwPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAwMjZMGDz2MzMTziZmZMjZAAAAAAAAMPwgZAwygZWmZGzMjBGYGLastBYbwGGwMAmZmZGGMzghxA

Popularity:7.65%
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Unholy Death Knight Best In Slot Gear for Raid

Head Head

Neck Neck

Shoulder Shoulder

Back Back

Chest Chest

Wrist Wrist

Hands Hands

Waist Waist

Legs Legs

Feet Feet

Finger Finger

Trinket Trinket

Main Hand Main Hand

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Unholy Death Knight Best Sockets for Raid

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Unholy Death Knight Best Enchants for Raid

Head Head

Shoulder Shoulder

Chest Chest

Legs Legs

Feet Feet

Finger Finger

Main Hand Main Hand

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Unholy Death Knight Recommended Raid ilvl

251
LFR
262
Normal
277
Heroic
284
Mythic

Unholy Death Knight Minimum Raid ilvl

220
LFR
228
Normal
228
Heroic
265
Mythic

Unholy Death Knight Best comps for Raid

Blood Death KnightProtection WarriorHoly PriestRestoration DruidRestoration DruidRestoration ShamanRestoration ShamanArcane MageBeast Mastery HunterDemonology WarlockDevourer Demon HunterDevourer Demon HunterElemental ShamanFeral DruidFeral DruidFrost MageFrost MageFury WarriorHavoc Demon HunterMarksmanship HunterRetribution PaladinRetribution PaladinRetribution PaladinShadow PriestShadow PriestSurvival HunterUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death KnightWindwalker MonkWindwalker Monk
4.19%
Guardian DruidProtection PaladinHoly PriestMistweaver MonkPreservation EvokerRestoration ShamanRestoration ShamanRestoration ShamanAffliction WarlockArcane MageArms WarriorArms WarriorAssassination RogueAugmentation EvokerBeast Mastery HunterBeast Mastery HunterBeast Mastery HunterDemonology WarlockDevastation EvokerElemental ShamanFrost Death KnightFrost MageFrost MageFury WarriorHavoc Demon HunterRetribution PaladinSubtlety RogueUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death Knight
2.17%
Guardian DruidProtection PaladinMistweaver MonkPreservation EvokerRestoration ShamanRestoration ShamanRestoration ShamanAffliction WarlockArcane MageArms WarriorArms WarriorAssassination RogueAugmentation EvokerBeast Mastery HunterBeast Mastery HunterBeast Mastery HunterDemonology WarlockDevastation EvokerElemental ShamanFrost Death KnightFrost MageFrost MageFury WarriorHavoc Demon HunterRetribution PaladinShadow PriestSubtlety RogueUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death Knight
1.93%
Protection PaladinProtection WarriorDiscipline PriestMistweaver MonkRestoration DruidAugmentation EvokerAugmentation EvokerDemonology WarlockDemonology WarlockDemonology WarlockDevourer Demon HunterElemental ShamanFrost MageFrost MageMarksmanship HunterShadow PriestSubtlety RogueUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death KnightWindwalker Monk
1.29%
Guardian DruidProtection PaladinMistweaver MonkPreservation EvokerRestoration ShamanRestoration ShamanRestoration ShamanAffliction WarlockArcane MageArms WarriorAssassination RogueAugmentation EvokerBeast Mastery HunterBeast Mastery HunterBeast Mastery HunterDemonology WarlockDevastation EvokerElemental ShamanFrost Death KnightFrost MageFrost MageFury WarriorHavoc Demon HunterRetribution PaladinShadow PriestSubtlety RogueUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death Knight
1.21%
Guardian DruidProtection PaladinHoly PriestMistweaver MonkRestoration DruidRestoration ShamanBeast Mastery HunterBeast Mastery HunterDestruction WarlockDevourer Demon HunterElemental ShamanElemental ShamanFrost MageFury WarriorRetribution PaladinRetribution PaladinSubtlety RogueSubtlety RogueUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death Knight
0.97%
Guardian DruidProtection WarriorHoly PriestMistweaver MonkMistweaver MonkRestoration ShamanAffliction WarlockAugmentation EvokerBeast Mastery HunterBeast Mastery HunterDemonology WarlockDemonology WarlockDevastation EvokerDevourer Demon HunterElemental ShamanFrost MageRetribution PaladinSubtlety RogueUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death Knight
0.97%
Blood Death KnightProtection PaladinHoly PaladinHoly PriestMistweaver MonkRestoration ShamanRestoration ShamanAffliction WarlockAffliction WarlockAugmentation EvokerBalance DruidBeast Mastery HunterBeast Mastery HunterBeast Mastery HunterDemonology WarlockDevastation EvokerDevourer Demon HunterEnhancement ShamanEnhancement ShamanEnhancement ShamanFrost MageFrost MageFrost MageFury WarriorRetribution PaladinRetribution PaladinUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death KnightWindwalker MonkWindwalker Monk
0.97%
Blood Death KnightGuardian DruidHoly PaladinHoly PriestMistweaver MonkRestoration ShamanAffliction WarlockArcane MageBeast Mastery HunterDestruction WarlockDevourer Demon HunterDevourer Demon HunterElemental ShamanFrost MageFury WarriorHavoc Demon HunterMarksmanship HunterSubtlety RogueSurvival HunterSurvival HunterUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death KnightWindwalker Monk
0.97%
Protection PaladinProtection PaladinHoly PriestMistweaver MonkRestoration DruidRestoration ShamanRestoration ShamanAffliction WarlockArms WarriorBalance DruidBeast Mastery HunterBeast Mastery HunterDemonology WarlockDemonology WarlockDevourer Demon HunterElemental ShamanFire MageFrost Death KnightFrost MageFrost MageOutlaw RogueRetribution PaladinUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death KnightWindwalker Monk
0.81%
Brewmaster MonkProtection WarriorHoly PaladinMistweaver MonkRestoration DruidRestoration ShamanAugmentation EvokerBalance DruidBeast Mastery HunterDemonology WarlockDevourer Demon HunterFrost MageFrost MageFrost MageMarksmanship HunterShadow PriestUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death KnightWindwalker Monk
0.72%
Brewmaster MonkProtection WarriorDiscipline PriestMistweaver MonkRestoration DruidRestoration ShamanAffliction WarlockFrost MageFury WarriorFury WarriorHavoc Demon HunterHavoc Demon HunterRetribution PaladinRetribution PaladinRetribution PaladinShadow PriestShadow PriestUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death Knight
0.72%
Guardian DruidProtection PaladinMistweaver MonkPreservation EvokerRestoration ShamanRestoration ShamanRestoration ShamanAffliction WarlockArcane MageArms WarriorArms WarriorAssassination RogueAugmentation EvokerBeast Mastery HunterBeast Mastery HunterBeast Mastery HunterDemonology WarlockDevastation EvokerDevourer Demon HunterElemental ShamanFrost Death KnightFrost MageFrost MageFury WarriorRetribution PaladinShadow PriestSubtlety RogueUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death Knight
0.72%
Blood Death KnightProtection WarriorDiscipline PriestMistweaver MonkArms WarriorAugmentation EvokerBalance DruidBeast Mastery HunterBeast Mastery HunterDemonology WarlockDevourer Demon HunterDevourer Demon HunterElemental ShamanFrost MageRetribution PaladinShadow PriestUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death KnightWindwalker Monk
0.72%
Protection WarriorVengeance Demon HunterDiscipline PriestDiscipline PriestMistweaver MonkRestoration ShamanRestoration ShamanArms WarriorBalance DruidBeast Mastery HunterBeast Mastery HunterDemonology WarlockDemonology WarlockFrost MageMarksmanship HunterRetribution PaladinRetribution PaladinRetribution PaladinUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death KnightWindwalker Monk
0.72%
Blood Death KnightVengeance Demon HunterDiscipline PriestHoly PaladinMistweaver MonkRestoration DruidAugmentation EvokerAugmentation EvokerAugmentation EvokerBalance DruidDemonology WarlockDevourer Demon HunterElemental ShamanFrost MageFury WarriorRetribution PaladinShadow PriestSubtlety RogueSurvival HunterUnholy Death Knight
0.72%
Brewmaster MonkGuardian DruidDiscipline PriestHoly PaladinRestoration DruidRestoration ShamanRestoration ShamanAffliction WarlockArms WarriorBeast Mastery HunterBeast Mastery HunterDevourer Demon HunterDevourer Demon HunterFrost MageFrost MageFury WarriorRetribution PaladinRetribution PaladinRetribution PaladinSubtlety RogueSubtlety RogueUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death Knight
0.72%
Protection PaladinProtection WarriorDiscipline PriestMistweaver MonkRestoration DruidRestoration ShamanAugmentation EvokerAugmentation EvokerDemonology WarlockDemonology WarlockDemonology WarlockDevourer Demon HunterFrost MageFrost MageMarksmanship HunterShadow PriestSubtlety RogueUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death KnightWindwalker Monk
0.64%
Blood Death KnightProtection PaladinDiscipline PriestMistweaver MonkMistweaver MonkRestoration DruidArcane MageAssassination RogueAugmentation EvokerBalance DruidBeast Mastery HunterDemonology WarlockDemonology WarlockDevourer Demon HunterDevourer Demon HunterElemental ShamanFrost Death KnightFrost MageFury WarriorFury WarriorMarksmanship HunterUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death Knight
0.64%
Blood Death KnightBrewmaster MonkDiscipline PriestHoly PriestRestoration DruidRestoration ShamanAffliction WarlockArcane MageArms WarriorBeast Mastery HunterBeast Mastery HunterDemonology WarlockDevastation EvokerDevourer Demon HunterDevourer Demon HunterElemental ShamanElemental ShamanFeral DruidFeral DruidFire MageFrost Death KnightFrost MageFrost MageHavoc Demon HunterMarksmanship HunterOutlaw RogueRetribution PaladinSurvival HunterUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death Knight
0.64%
Blood Death KnightGuardian DruidHoly PaladinRestoration ShamanRestoration ShamanRestoration ShamanArcane MageArcane MageArcane MageBeast Mastery HunterBeast Mastery HunterDemonology WarlockDevourer Demon HunterDevourer Demon HunterEnhancement ShamanFrost MageRetribution PaladinUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death KnightWindwalker Monk
0.64%
Blood Death KnightGuardian DruidDiscipline PriestHoly PaladinHoly PaladinMistweaver MonkRestoration ShamanAffliction WarlockArcane MageAugmentation EvokerBeast Mastery HunterDemonology WarlockDevourer Demon HunterFury WarriorFury WarriorHavoc Demon HunterMarksmanship HunterRetribution PaladinRetribution PaladinShadow PriestSubtlety RogueUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death Knight
0.64%
Guardian DruidProtection WarriorDiscipline PriestHoly PriestMistweaver MonkRestoration ShamanBeast Mastery HunterDestruction WarlockDevourer Demon HunterElemental ShamanFire MageFrost Death KnightFrost MageHavoc Demon HunterRetribution PaladinRetribution PaladinShadow PriestUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death KnightWindwalker Monk
0.64%
Blood Death KnightGuardian DruidDiscipline PriestHoly PaladinMistweaver MonkRestoration ShamanArcane MageArms WarriorAugmentation EvokerBalance DruidBeast Mastery HunterBeast Mastery HunterDemonology WarlockDemonology WarlockDevourer Demon HunterDevourer Demon HunterFrost MageFrost MageUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death KnightWindwalker Monk
0.64%
Guardian DruidProtection PaladinMistweaver MonkPreservation EvokerRestoration ShamanAffliction WarlockAffliction WarlockAugmentation EvokerBeast Mastery HunterDestruction WarlockDevourer Demon HunterElemental ShamanFire MageFrost MageFury WarriorHavoc Demon HunterRetribution PaladinShadow PriestUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death Knight
0.64%
Guardian DruidProtection PaladinMistweaver MonkPreservation EvokerRestoration ShamanAffliction WarlockAugmentation EvokerBeast Mastery HunterDemonology WarlockDestruction WarlockDevourer Demon HunterElemental ShamanFire MageFrost MageFury WarriorHavoc Demon HunterRetribution PaladinShadow PriestUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death Knight
0.64%
Protection WarriorVengeance Demon HunterDiscipline PriestMistweaver MonkRestoration ShamanRestoration ShamanBalance DruidBalance DruidBeast Mastery HunterBeast Mastery HunterDemonology WarlockDemonology WarlockEnhancement ShamanFrost MageFrost MageFrost MageFury WarriorUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death KnightWindwalker Monk
0.48%
Blood Death KnightBrewmaster MonkDiscipline PriestDiscipline PriestMistweaver MonkRestoration ShamanAffliction WarlockArms WarriorAugmentation EvokerAugmentation EvokerBalance DruidBeast Mastery HunterBeast Mastery HunterBeast Mastery HunterDemonology WarlockDevourer Demon HunterFrost MageFrost MageSurvival HunterUnholy Death Knight
0.48%
Protection PaladinProtection PaladinHoly PaladinHoly PriestMistweaver MonkPreservation EvokerRestoration DruidRestoration DruidAffliction WarlockArcane MageBalance DruidBalance DruidBalance DruidBeast Mastery HunterBeast Mastery HunterDemonology WarlockElemental ShamanElemental ShamanElemental ShamanFeral DruidFrost Death KnightHavoc Demon HunterHavoc Demon HunterShadow PriestSubtlety RogueSurvival HunterUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death Knight
0.48%
Blood Death KnightGuardian DruidHoly PaladinHoly PriestRestoration DruidRestoration ShamanAffliction WarlockArms WarriorAugmentation EvokerBalance DruidBeast Mastery HunterDevastation EvokerDevourer Demon HunterDevourer Demon HunterFrost MageOutlaw RogueSubtlety RogueUnholy Death KnightUnholy Death KnightWindwalker Monk
0.48%

Unholy Death Knight race distribution for Raid

Alliance

  • Night Elf
    Night Elf29.2%
  • Human
    Human28.2%
  • Dwarf
    Dwarf15.5%
  • Void Elf
    Void Elf7.7%
  • Worgen
    Worgen4.3%
  • Draenei
    Draenei4.1%
  • Dark Iron Dwarf
    Dark Iron Dwarf3.7%
  • Pandaren
    Pandaren3.4%
  • Gnome
    Gnome1.8%
  • Kul Tiran
    Kul Tiran1.2%
  • Lightforged Draenei
    Lightforged Draenei0.5%
  • Mechagnome
    Mechagnome0.4%

Horde

  • Blood Elf
    Blood Elf24.3%
  • Orc
    Orc22%
  • Mag'har Orc
    Mag'har Orc17.4%
  • Troll
    Troll9.7%
  • Pandaren
    Pandaren7.7%
  • Undead
    Undead5.5%
  • Tauren
    Tauren4.3%
  • Goblin
    Goblin3.5%
  • Vulpera
    Vulpera2.2%
  • Highmountain Tauren
    Highmountain Tauren1.7%
  • Zandalari Troll
    Zandalari Troll1%
  • Nightborne
    Nightborne0.7%

Top picks

Compare top specs of other classes

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How the Unholy Death Knight guide is built

Where the data comes from

This Unholy Death Knight raid guide is built from real boss kill logs uploaded to Warcraft Logs for the current raid, enriched with character data from the official Blizzard API. The talents, gear, item levels, and stat priorities shown here reflect how Unholy Death Knight players actually perform on raid bosses, while the pick rate shows how often the spec appears in those logs. Extreme outlier parses are capped so a few standout kills cannot skew the numbers.

How tiers are assigned

The raid tier shown for Unholy Death Knight comes from two factors. Performance compares its average damage against the highest damage spec among raid damage dealers, and popularity compares its raid pick rate against an even share across all damage specs. Strong damage with real representation earns S or A, while weaker output or low usage moves it down through B and C to D.

This Unholy Death Knight raid placement is a snapshot of the current tier and shifts with patches, class tuning, and sample size. Use the guide as a starting point and adapt the build to your fight and group.

Back to DPS tier list for Raid