Frost Death Knight PvE Guide - Cataclysm Classic

Cataclysm Classic Frost Death Knight Rotation

Frost Death Knights gain 2 permanent Death Runes thanks to
Blood of the North
. Their rotation includes two DoT effects that need to be maintained, as well as two important procs to watch out for in
Killing Machine
and
Rime
. As with any Death Knight specialization, proper Rune and Runic Power management will be critical for optimal DPS and using
Frost Strike
at the correct times to benefit from
Runic Empowerment
will also be extremely important.

Single Target

1. Use
   Rune of Razorice
   on Main-hand and
   Rune of the Fallen Crusader
   on Off-hand.
2. Be in
   Unholy Presence
   .
3. Maintain
   Horn of Winter
   if assigned.
4. Cast
   Army of the Dead
   . Best used before pull, or during non combat phases in encounters.
5. Cast
   Blood Tap
   to refresh a Rune.
6. Cast
   Pillar of Frost
   .
7. Cast
   Empower Rune Weapon
   when all Runes are on cooldown and you won't cap on Runic Power.
8. Cast
   Raise Dead
   . Try to snapshot it with your cooldowns and trinket procs.
9. Maintain
   Frost Fever
   and
   Blood Plague
   .
   Howling Blast
   applies
   Frost Fever
   thanks to
   Glyph of Howling Blast
   .
   Outbreak
   and
   Plague Strike
   will need to be used to maintain
   Blood Plague
   .
10. Cast
    Obliterate
    with
    Killing Machine
    procs or to avoid capping on Runes.
11. Cast
    Frost Strike
    to avoid capping on Runic Power.
12. Cast
    Howling Blast
    with
    Rime
    proc.
13. Cast
    Obliterate
    . During downtime, you can delay your
    Obliterate
    to line them up with
    Killing Machine
    procs.
14. Cast
    Frost Strike
    . This may sometimes consume
    Killing Machine
    procs if
    Obliterate
    is unavailable.
15. Cast
    Howling Blast
    .
16. Cast
    Horn of Winter
    .

AoE

1. Cast
   Howling Blast
   to avoid capping on Frost Runes and Death Runes.
2. Cast
   Death and Decay
   or
   Plague Strike
   if it's on cooldown to avoid capping on Unholy Runes.
3. Cast
   Frost Strike
   to avoid capping on Runic Power.
4. Cast
   Howling Blast
   .
5. Cast
   Death and Decay
   or
   Plague Strike
   if it's on cooldown.
6. Cast
   Frost Strike
   .
7. Cast
   Horn of Winter
   .

Cataclysm Classic Frost Death Knight Talents

Standard Build

Cataclysm Classic Frost Death Knight Glyphs

Prime:
Obliterate
,
Frost Strike
,
Howling Blast
Major:
Anti-Magic Shell
,
Hungering Cold
,
Death Grip
Minor:
Horn of Winter
,
Blood Tap
,
Resilient Grip

Cataclysm Classic Frost Death Knight Best Consumables

Flasks and Elixirs

Best:
• Flask of Titanic Strength

Food

Best:
• Seafood Magnifique Feast
  ,
• Beer-Basted Crocolisk
  ,
• Fortune Cookie

Alternatives:
• Broiled Dragon Feast
  ,
• Hearty Seafood Soup

Potions

Best:
• Golemblood Potion

Cataclysm Classic Frost Death Knight Best Races

Alliance

1. Worgen:
   Viciousness
   and
   Darkflight
2. Human:
   Sword Specialization
   and
   Mace Specialization
3. Gnome:
   Shortblade Specialization
4. Dwarf:
   Mace Specialization
5. Draenei:
   Heroic Presence

Horde

1. Orc:
   Axe Specialization
   and
   Blood Fury
2. Troll:
   Berserking
3. Goblin:
   Time is Money
   ,
   Rocket Barrage
   , and
   Rocket Jump
4. Blood Elf:
   Arcane Torrent

Cataclysm Classic Frost Death Knight Best Professions

1. Engineering:
   Synapse Springs
   .
2. Tailoring:
   Swordguard Embroidery
   .
3. Blacksmithing:
   Socket Bracer
   and
   Socket Gloves
   . Becomes 2nd best in T13.
4. The rest of the Crafting Professions provide nearly identical benefits.