Patch 3.1 has been out long enough for it to be re-patched (twice) already, so how goes all of the patch changes for you death knights out there? Here’s what I’ve tried and noted.
Dual Spec
With dual spec I went with a mostly pure DPS build (what can I say, I like my fast mount talent) and a pure tank build. Before the patch I was hovering between the two or a DPS/tank hybrid build. I do play in Winterspring semi-regularly, but the DPS build has typically been good enough for me and I don’t do arena, so a PvP build seemed a distant third.
Popular Talents & Glyphs
On the note of talent builds TalentChic, a site that lists popular talent builds, has updated for patch 3.1. They have also expanded to include popular glyphs on GlyphChic.
These sites don’t track all members of a class on the armory. Instead they identified the more accomplished and active players for each class and then track just them, using their information to conduct a poll of the most popular builds and glyphs. I think you all will recognize many of the top talent builds and glyphs. For those who like to know what others are doing for their in game setups these sites are a great resource.
Argent Tournament
The Argent Tournament has struck me as being anti-death knight in style. Oh we’re not at a disadvantage, the jousting is the same for everyone and the rest is just playing your character for dailies. There are some nice weapons for those death knights who don’t have raid epics already (two-handed and dual wield). What I mean is the fighting style the tournament is advocating. Jousting, really? You expect us to charge Arthas on mounts with pointy sticks? Slight problem with your plan… Death Grip! Now try fighting at close melee range with your big stick. Silly paladins…
Travel Time
This has become my new gripe about the game. With the daily quests I’m doing I’m spending way too much time traveling, especially when I want to get my dailies knocked out quickly if I have limited play time. Currently I’m doing the fishing daily and the Argent Tournament dailies, adding in the jewelcrafting and Argent Crusade dailies if I have time. The fishing daily is obviously a trip, but it is just one so not a big deal. The tournament dailies send me to the far side of Icecrown. That’s fine, but then the sword quest sends me to two different zones in addition to that. If I do my jewelcrafting daily I likely add yet another zone to my travel itinerary. It isn’t a game ender, but it gets annoying when it feels like half your daily time is spent waiting for your flight to end.
Noblegarden
Finally, we have the new and improved Noblegarden. A common comment I’ve heard made about the new egg hunting: “It is like someone sat down and thought, ‘How can we make something more boring than fishing?’” Personally I enjoyed fishing enough to get the Salty title, but I get their point. Once you have all the items you need to actually do the achievements they are more enjoyable than camping eggs. Like the Argent Tournament this isn’t what I’d consider a death knight friendly holiday. Brightly colored eggs, bunnies, flowers… yeah, not so much. I can’t wait for Hallow’s End.
by Cervantez, on May 5 2009 @ 7:23 am
Hello Dedbitt,
Thanks for this very informative blog. I enjoy reading your takes on DK tanking.
Since we are progressing nicely in Ulduar25 I was wondering if you perhpas could do a priotized list of the new weaps for tanking Death knights?
Greetings from an avid reader
/Cervantez of Talnivarr EU
Total Comments by Cervantez: 2
by Dedbitt, on May 5 2009 @ 11:07 am
Cervantez – I’ll see about doing a post on the weapons later this week. In the meantime the big boy you want is Worldcarver (http://www.wowhead.com/?item=45165). Perfect stats, the most stamina, and drops from an early boss. That being said any Ulduar 25-man two-handed weapon is going to beat whatever you have now.