Welcome to our Blood Death Knight guide for World of Warcraft — Battle for Azeroth (BfA) 8.2.Here, you will learn how to tank as a Blood Death Knight in both raidsand Mythic+ dungeons. We cover everything from the basics all the way to min-maxing techniques to optimize your survivability.
General Information
Pages in this Guide
1Introduction2Easy Mode3Spell Summary4Builds and Talents5Azerite Traits and Armor6Essences7Rotation, Cooldowns, and Abilities8Mythic+ Tips9Crucible of Storms as Blood Death Knight10Battle of Dazar'alor as Blood Death Knight11Uldir as Blood Death Knight12Stat Priority13Gems, Enchants, and Consumables14Macros and Addons15Gear and Best in Slot16Simulations17How to Improve18Frequently Asked Questions
1. Blood Death Knight Overview
The Blood specialization has an engaging playstyle, using self-healingthrough Death Strike as a primary source of damage mitigation. Bloodhas a versatile defensive toolkit and is effective in the full range of currentcontent.
Note that this guide focuses on aspects that are specific to Blood DeathKnights and general tanking strategies are beyond its scope. If you wish toknow more about the tanking role and what you can do to improve, we recommendthat you read our tanking guide.
2. Patch 8.2 Changes for Blood Death Knight
Blood Death Knights received no changes in Patch 8.2, except for the additionof Essences for the Heart of Azeroth.
3. Patch 8.1 Changes for Blood Death Knight
- Healing from Bonestorm now caps at 15% maximum health per tick.
- Will of the Necropolis now absorbs 30% of all damage taken below30% health, down from 35% of damage below 35% health.
- The debuff from Purgatory no longer clears upon death.
- The Azerite trait Embrace of the Darkfallen has been removed andreplaced with Bloody Runeblade.
- Veteran of the Third War no longer provides additional armor.
- The PvP talent Dark Simulacrum has had its Runic Power cost removed,and the cooldown reduced to 20 seconds, down from 25 seconds.
- The PvP talent Heartstop Aura is no longer available to Blood DeathKnights.
4. Viability of Blood Death Knight in 8.1
Despite a noticeable nerf to Armor, Blood Death Knight remains viable in bothraiding and Mythic+. Blood will struggle with encounter mechanics that dealmassive damage, but continues to have strong self-healing that allows for fastrecovery from dangerous damage situations.
5. Blood Death Knight Strengths
- High self-sustain
- Many specialized defensive cooldowns
- Unique utility with Gorefiend's Grasp
- Two separate taunt cooldowns with Dark Command andDeath Grip
6. Blood Death Knight Weaknesses
- Limited mobility
- Reactive mitigation model, leading to spiky health
7. Changelog
- 26 Jun. 2019 (enchants page): Added new potions section.
- 26 Jun. 2019 (how to improve page): Added notes about spending runes.
- 26 Jun. 2019 (FAQ page): Updated for Patch 8.2. Removed false claims about rune strike and re-worked the Defensive vs. Offensive section.
- 26 Jun. 2019 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 8.2. Minor changes and clarifications, including changes to the priority list to reflect up-to-date knowledge.
- 26 Jun. 2019 (talents page): Updated for Patch 8.2.
- 25 Jun. 2019 (enchants page): This page has been updated for Patch 8.2.
- 25 Jun. 2019 (Crucible of Storms page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
- 25 Jun. 2019 (mythic+ page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
- 25 Jun. 2019 (addons page): Macro added for Re-controling pet.
- 25 Jun. 2019 (how to improve page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
- 25 Jun. 2019 (azerite traits and gear page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
- 25 Jun. 2019 (Essences page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
- 25 Jun. 2019 (this page): Updated for Patch 8.2.
- 25 Jun. 2019 (stats page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
- 25 Jun. 2019 (Uldir page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
- 25 Jun. 2019 (simulations page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
- 25 Jun. 2019 (easy mode page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
- 25 Jun. 2019 (Battle of Dazar'alor page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
- 25 Jun. 2019 (gear page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
- 25 Jun. 2019 (spells page): This page has been reviewed for the release of Patch 8.2 and no changes are necessary.
- 24 Jun. 2019 (Essences page): Page added.
- 26 May 2019 (azerite traits and gear page): Page was completely reworked with new information and recommendations.
- 25 May 2019 (easy mode page): Removed Reference to Refreshing Blood Shield.
- 21 Apr. 2019 (Crucible of Storms page): Guide added.
- 22 Jan. 2019 (Uldir page): Updated wording in the introduction.
- 22 Jan. 2019 (Battle of Dazar'alor page): Guide created for Season 2.
- 22 Jan. 2019 (simulations page): This page has been reviewed for Season 2 and no changes are necessary.
- 22 Jan. 2019 (easy mode page): Fixed the ordering of secondary stats in the stat priority.
- 22 Jan. 2019 (gear page): Added Season 2 trinkets; removed Legion legendary discussion.
- 22 Jan. 2019 (FAQ page): This page has been reviewed for Season 2 and no changes are necessary.
- 22 Jan. 2019 (addons page): This page has been reviewed for Season 2 and no changes are necessary.
- 22 Jan. 2019 (spells page): This page has been reviewed for Season 2 and no changes are necessary.
- 22 Jan. 2019 (talents page): This page has been reviewed for Season 2 and no changes are necessary.
- 22 Jan. 2019 (enchants page): This page has been reviewed for Season 2 and no changes are necessary.
- 22 Jan. 2019 (stats page): This page has been reviewed for Season 2 and no changes are necessary.
- 22 Jan. 2019 (azerite traits and gear page): Added Season 2 traits and added discussion of a larger array of trait choices.
- 22 Jan. 2019 (rotation page): Added rotation consideration for Bloody Runeblade.
- 22 Jan. 2019 (how to improve page): This page has been reviewed for Season 2 and no changes are necessary.
- 18 Dec. 2018 (this page): Added 8.1 viability section.
- 18 Dec. 2018 (FAQ page): Updated stats answer; added race selection.
- 11 Dec. 2018 (this page): Added change to Purgatory.
- 10 Dec. 2018 (FAQ page): Updated stat distribution answer.
- 10 Dec. 2018 (how to improve page): This page has been reviewed for Patch 8.1 and no changes are necessary.
- 10 Dec. 2018 (gear page): This page has been reviewed for Patch 8.1 and no changes are necessary.
- 10 Dec. 2018 (addons page): This page has been reviewed for Patch 8.1 and no changes are necessary.
- 10 Dec. 2018 (enchants page): Added new 8.1 food, clarified runeforge recommendation, updated flask/feast usage for 8.1.
- 10 Dec. 2018 (stats page): Updated and clarified stat priority.
- 10 Dec. 2018 (Uldir page): Updated recommendations for Fetid Devourer, Vectis, Zul, Mythrax, and G'huun.
- 10 Dec. 2018 (mythic+ page): Updated tips for Freehold.
- 10 Dec. 2018 (azerite traits and gear page): Updated trait recommendations for Patch 8.1.
- 10 Dec. 2018 (talents page): Added Patch 8.1 talent changes.
- 10 Dec. 2018 (spells page): Added consideration of Bloody Runeblade to the Crimson Scourge proc.
- 10 Dec. 2018 (easy mode page): This page has been reviewed for Patch 8.1 and no changes are necessary.
- 10 Dec. 2018 (this page): Updated for Patch 8.1.
- 10 Dec. 2018 (simulations page): Simulations updated to use Raidbots.
- 09 Dec. 2018 (rotation page): Removed references to legendary effects and tier bonuses, fixed an error in Icebound Fortitude Detailed Usage, clarified wording in rotation.
- 24 Sep. 2018 (Uldir page): Updated recommendations for several bosses.
- 24 Sep. 2018 (stats page): Updated stat priority.
- 24 Sep. 2018 (enchants page): Updated consumables with changes to stat priority.
- 24 Sep. 2018 (mythic+ page): Updated tips for Atal'Dazar and Temple of Sethraliss.
- 24 Sep. 2018 (gear page): Added trinket recommendations.
- 24 Sep. 2018 (easy mode page): Updated stat priority.
- 06 Sep. 2018 (Uldir page): Updated MOTHER and Fetid Devourer recommendations.
- 04 Sep. 2018 (Uldir page): Added Uldir boss recommendations.
- 04 Sep. 2018 (enchants page): Added Strength gem recommendation.
- 02 Sep. 2018 (mythic+ page): Added dungeon tips.
- 26 Aug. 2018 (addons page): Fixed Death and Decay macro to cast at cursor.
- 24 Aug. 2018 (mythic+ page): Made minor changes to talent recommendations.
- 24 Aug. 2018 (talents page): Updated talent recommendations for Levels 56, 75, and 100.
- 24 Aug. 2018 (easy mode page): Clarified stat/upgrade priority.
- 24 Aug. 2018 (azerite traits and gear page): Made a few tweaks to the page.
- 24 Aug. 2018 (Uldir page): Updated Azerite Trait and Gear recommendations.
- 13 Aug. 2018 (Uldir page): Page added.
- 13 Aug. 2018 (talents page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
- 13 Aug. 2018 (rotation page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
- 13 Aug. 2018 (FAQ page): Page added.
- 13 Aug. 2018 (enchants page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
- 13 Aug. 2018 (easy mode page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
- 13 Aug. 2018 (azerite traits and gear page): Page added.
- 13 Aug. 2018 (gear page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
- 13 Aug. 2018 (mythic+ page): Page added.
- 13 Aug. 2018 (stats page): Updated for Battle for Azeroth launch.
- 13 Aug. 2018 (simulations page): Page added.
- 04 Aug. 2018 (rotation page): Updated the rotation to include new optimizations.
- 04 Aug. 2018 (easy mode page): Updated Rotation to include new optimizations.
- 23 Jul. 2018 (gear page): Updated Legendary ranking.
- 16 Jul. 2018 (this page): Updated for the Battle for Azeroth pre-patch.
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Pages in this Guide
1Introduction2Easy Mode3Spell Summary4Builds and Talents5Azerite Traits and Armor6Essences7Rotation, Cooldowns, and Abilities8Mythic+ Tips9Crucible of Storms as Blood Death Knight10Battle of Dazar'alor as Blood Death Knight11Uldir as Blood Death Knight12Stat Priority13Gems, Enchants, and Consumables14Macros and Addons15Gear and Best in Slot16Simulations17How to Improve18Frequently Asked Questions
More Death Knight Guides
Guides from Other Classes
Raid Guides
BfA Guides
Patch 8.2 Profession Changes
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Panthea raids in Catalystand is the author of TankNotes. He plays alltanks and is a 'Useful Minion' for the Acherus Death Knight Discord.You can follow him on Twitter.
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