The Death Knight is a new class recently known to (soon to be) exist inside the World of Warcraft database.

I despise myself for saying this but.. Im desperate! I have Googled it, Yahooed it, gone to Ask.com, and still havent found anything beyond the Death Knight Interview. Please post any information you have here, especially considering how to begin the class itself...

And yes, I probably am obsessing

How about you go outside instead?

Im sorry.. What does that mean exactly?

basically he means get a life, hardly anybody knows much about the Death Knight because Wrath of the Lich King is still being made thus Death Knight is still being modified. Just wait a few months and just keep searching.

Very well. I apologize for wasting your time...

Exactly. I'll I know is what they said at BlizzCon, which was basically, 'We dunno. It's still in development. Ask again later'.

I don't mean to be a prick, but isn't this that derailing stuff ghis was talking about?

Anyone know any good new metal bands? (this is the derailing ghis talked about. Its my job to be a prick, dont think ill let you take it from me without a fight.)

But seriously, guh? and general, stop being f***ing dicks, i mean he just asked a simple question wondering if any one had any further info, which we dont. Thats all that needed to be said.

God i feel schizo right now.

Blind I think I've suggested Three Inches of Blood before but I'm doing it again, they are good. Guy, don't worry about not knowing whats going on right now, later on the info will just flood to you and you won't need to ask really.

Man, I am being a prick. >< Sorry, Guy.

PST! (this is gonna get closed, i can feel it DX )

I think the Death Knight class was one of the reasons I quit WoW (not that I think it's a bad game by any means). Why, you wonder for about three microseconds? Because you have to get to level 80 in order to make one. And, being the textbook n00b that I am, it would take me about two years to reach level 70, and by then another expansion pack would most likely be out. There wasn't really much point playing after that.
The idea of a "hero class" puts too much pressure on casual/noobish players like myself to get to the highest level, in my opinion.

Actually, I think it's level 75 that you have to be.

Everything i have read point to the hero class actually being available at lvl 60, and thats why i was like WTF, what about the people that already got to lvl 70. Does that mean they loose out on ten lvls of hero class. Maybe they changed it but when they first announced WotLK, they said hero class at 60.

they might still be changing it. you never know.

But Fork, once you get use to the game, you won't be a noob and Now they changed the lvling to be tons faster. I currently only have one lvl 70, but i've been working on my epic flyer (which i'm failing at) and then raiding which can take up to 60g and more. Come on Mug'thol and make a character. I'll help ya get to 70. ^^

don't be a noob >_>

(and having a hero class at 60? I actually believe that, Blizz usually do those kinds of things)

One bit of info I did manage to snatch out of the internet is that when you DO make a death knight, it will not replace your current charecter.. That being said, I would believe that it would just give you the option to start a new char AS a death knight.

The way blizz discusses it on the sight does make it sound like they are just adding another class to the system, i admit but when they first announced it, it sounded a lot different. Like it was a change you could make a higher lvls, but i dont know anymore.


This info was leaked on the blizz forums a while back and the mods were quick to lock it down and delete it so i dont know what that means. Could be nothing but here


Sources inside Blizz have revealed their plans for hero classes. Blizzard does plan to release hero classes with the expansion, but they haven't explicitly stated it because they want to announce it close to the release date, insuring a huge amount of hype. I haven't been told much more than the basics, but I'll try to explain the system as best as I can:

At any given level there is a certain amount of content; at level 60, the amount of content is very disproportionate with the available content for other levels. The reason is obvious: it is the current endgame, and players need something to enjoy. However, with the level cap raised players would be able to blow through and skip a lot of the content that has been developed over the past year, and allowing players to do so would be a poor use of the developers' time. This is where hero classes come in.

You will be stuck at level 60, just like you are now, even when the expansion comes out. An epic quest (of REALLY epic proportions) for each hero class will be made available to level 60 players. The only way to break the level 60 barrier will be to go on one of these quests to become a hero class. The quest will require the player to do a lot of solo content as well as a variety of group and raid content. Upon completion of the quest, the player will become a level 61 hero class . They can then once again begin their normal level progression. A hero class is not innately more powerful than a normal class (but the level differentiation makes them more powerful of course). Hero classes will be available to everyone and although the hardcore players will naturally get their hero classes first, it is designed so that players of all play styles will be able to become a hero class in a reasonable amount of time. Blizzard's implementation of hero classes will accomplish a lot of things. It will create a natural barrier at level 60 that will insure that the average player will experience more of the content Blizz has developed, it gives players a way of further differentiating themselves, and it adds a huge amount of new dynamics between different classes.

Each race/class combination will have 2 hero classes available to them (with several overlapping). This presents a monumental balance job (there are about 50 hero classes), which is probably another reason why Blizzard is delaying the information release. Choosing your hero class will be irreversible, much like the tradeskill masteries. Some hero classes are an extension of the "father" class, some have tweaked mechanics, while others are radically different. The easiest example I can think of is a Night Elf priest, for which the 2 hero classes are a Priest(ess) of the Moon (a continuation of the priest's current form) and Demon Hunter (an agility-based combat hero with a variety of discipline-esque abilities).

So without further ado, here is a brief overview of some of the hero classes:

Druids

Night Elf Druid
Arch Druid: This will be a hybrid class in the same vein as its "father" class, and Storm Crow form may make a reappearance.

Keeper of the Grove: The druid will sacrifice some of his shapeshifting abilities in exchange for improved healing and casting, and will even be able to command treants on occasion.

Tauren Druid
Arch Druid: see above

Elder: This is essentially a druid that has lost some shapeshifting abilities and gained some beast-like abilities similar to the hunter. The casting and healing abilities are also amped up, but not nearly as much as the Keeper of the Grove. The Elder also has a bit of the Diablo II druid mixed in for good measure.
Hunters

Night Elf Hunter
Ranger: The Ranger is sort of a hunter/rogue mix. The Ranger will use the energy bar, will have a few stealthy abilities (but not of the same caliber as the rogue), and will no longer have a pet.

Beastmaster: The Beastmaster focuses more on the beast aspect than the ranged aspect of the hunter. He gains new beast abilities, such as switching pets in battle, and is a bit meaner in melee combat in exchange for a lot of his ranged hitting power.

Dwarf Hunter:
Mountaineer: The Mountaineer is similar to the ranger (no pet, energy bar), but without the stealth aspects. The Mountaineer is hardier in melee combat than the hunter and and also has more extensive tracking and detection abilities.

Beastmaster: see above

Orc Hunter:
Outrider: The Outrider is very similar to the wolfrider from Warcraft III, focusing on swift maneuvers and incapacitating enemies. He uses the energy bar.

Beastmaster: see above

Tauren Hunter:
Tracker: The Tracker uses the energy bar like the Mountaineer, but still retains the hunter pet, and as a result is not as tough as the Mountaineer.

Beastmaster: see above

Troll Hunter:
Shadowhunter: This is essentially a hunter that drops some of it's beast and survival abilities for some shadow spells (think Hex). The Shadowhunter still uses mana.

Headhunter: The Headhunter still has the ranged emphasis of the hunter, but it focuses on throwing weapons (a massive revamp for throwing weapons is planned). The Headhunter uses energy, has more combat abilities, and drops the pet.
Mages

Human Mage:
Archmage: The Archmage is an exact extension of the mage class, with arcane, fire, and frost spells. Apparently one of the abilities being toyed around with is Summon Water Elemental. The planned incarnation of the spell will be a long-cooldown summon that will not function like a normal pet, and will instead function more along the lines of the Mechanical Yeti (no player control).

Necromancer: The only similarity between the Necromancer and the mage is the emphasis on magical damage. The necromancer uses shadow damage and has a major focus on pets, similar to the warlock. However, unlike other pet classes, the majority of the Necromancer's damage will come from the pet instead of the Necromancer. I do not know if the Necromancer will be able to have multiple pets out at once.

Gnome Mage:
Archmage: see above

Arcanist: The Arcanist is similar to the mage, with a focus on arcane magic. The Arcanist does slightly less damage than the Archmage, but gains added utility and new support spells.

Undead Mage:
Archmage: see above

Necromancer: see above

Troll Mage:
Hydromancer: The Hydromancer is similar to the Arcanist, but with a focus on the frost tree. The Hydromancer may also receive the Summon Water Elemental spell. In addition to added utility and support spells, the Hydromancer will also get some limited healing abilities.

Shadowcaster: The Shadowcaster is essentially a mage that uses shadow magic instead of fire and frost.
Paladins

Human Paladin:
Templar: The Templar is the holy warrior that so many paladins wanted their class to be. The Templar has limited healing, but receives a slew of new combat abilities, making the Templar much better at tanking and melee damage than the paladin.

Cleric: The Cleric is the other side of the paladin spectrum. Instead gaining new combat abilities, the Cleric gains improved healing, more utility and support, and some holy damage spells.

Dwarf Paladin:
Templar: see above

Cleric: see above
Priests

Human Priest:
High Priest: The High Priest is essentially a priest that drops the shadow tree, but gains new damage spells from holy and discipline. The High Priest will be the most powerful healer in the game.

Spellbreaker: The Spellbreaker wears mail, has several combat abilities and diminished healing, and has several anti-caster abilities.

Dwarf Priest:
Thane: The Thane is basically a priest in mail, with a slight hit to healing abilities but a few new combat abilities.

Runelord: The Runelord is similar to the High Priest, although not as healing heavy.

Night Elf Priest:
Priest of the Moon: The Priest of the Moon is similar to the High Priest as well, but has some extra damage and utility spells coming from arcane and nature magics.

Demon Hunter: The Demon Hunter is radically different in playstyle from the priest. The Demon Hunter is a mana-using melee damage hero class. The Demon Hunter has a mix of discipline spells and combat abilities with some shadow spells mixed in.

Undead Priest:
High Priest: see above

Shadow Priest: The name is pretty self-explanatory. The Shadow Priest does not have all the healing abilities of the High Priest, but makes several gains in the damage, utility, and crowd control departments.

Troll Priest:
Shadow Priest: see above

?:
Rogues

Gnome Rogue:
Assassin: The Assassin is an extension of the rogue with damage, stealth, poisons, and martial arts.

Scout: The Scout has slightly less damage than the Assassin, but is tougher in combat, and has the ability to use traps among other new utilities.

Human Rogue:
Assassin: see above

Scout: see above

Dwarf Rogue:
Assassin: see above

Pitfighter: The Pitfighter is a rogue without stealth, but with improved combat and defensive abilities.

Night Elf Rogue:
Assassin: see above

Scout: see above

Orc Rogue:
Assassin: see above

Pitfighter: see above

Undead Rogue:
Assassin: see above

Scout: see above

Troll Rogue:
Assassin: see above

Scout: see above
Shamans

Orc Shaman:
Farseer: The Farseer has more emphasis on healing and casting than the shaman, and as a result has less combat ability. The Farseer doesn't use totems but gains it utility from other abilities. Feral Spirit might make an appearance using a system similar to the Water Elemental.

Spirit Walker: The Spirit Walker is a more direct extension of the shaman than the Farseer, maintaining a rough balance of combat, casting, and healing ability.

Tauren Shaman:
Farseer: see above

Spirit Walker: see above

Troll Shaman:
Witch Doctor: The Witch Doctor is similar to the Farseer, but has a heavy emphasis on totems. In addition to the elemental magics the Witch Doctor also uses some shadow magic.

Spirit Walker: see above
Warlocks

Human Warlock:
Master Warlock: The Master Warlock is an extension of the warlock class, keeping the pet and the vast majority of the warlock mechanics.

Shadowguard: The Shadowguard has more melee emphasis than the warlock, and loses the demonic pet. The Shadowguard on his own is weaker than other melee classes, but is aided by demonic-type abilities (such as burning blood and fiery breath) to power himself up.

Gnome Warlock:
Master Warlock: see above

Shadowguard: see above

Orc Warlock:
Master Warlock: see above

Shadowguard: see above

Undead Warlock:
Master Warlock: see above

Shadowguard: see above
Warriors

Blizz hasn't fleshed out warrior hero classes as much as the others, so I wasn't able to get much on them. However, it has been confirmed that Orc warriors do have the option to become a Blademaster!

Question marks (?) denote a hero class that hasn't been decided on by the developers yet. I don't know the Blood Elf hero classes. I don't know the new Alliance race (although I hear they're going to reveal it soon). I have no idea how talent/abilities are going to work, I don't know what will happen to armor requirements and class specific sets, etc. Everything I know I've posted here, and it is subject to change as it is still in fairly early development stages.

no info about warriors, again.... like always. *shakes head*

Thanks for posting that I3

But like i said, this was posted about a while back and the mods at blizz trashed the thread it was in so i cant vouche for the authenticity of the info.

Well, It's better than nothing. /shrug

...wait. there's nothing in there about blood elves and dranei. Do they get to join in on the fun or should I start lvling a difference race now?

also..... does that mean that if your toon is already 70 that it can't become a hero class? questions questions.....

I'm pretty sure that that was made before BC. So, it is very un-current. Probably, most of that is no longer true. For instance? Note the lack of death knight. Also it says in there that 'I don't know the new alliance race'

I just have to tell you that you aren't alone. I've been playing since the game came out and I just hit 70 on Tuesday. D:

And the level that you get the Death Knight hasn't been determined, has it? Last I hear they were thinking that you'd get it at level 40.

I kinda like the set-up of what that leak was describing.

You know what'd be interesting? Swimming mounts.

When I saw that "Ranger" part of the NE hunter hero class, part of me died inside. This is because theres still a chance, as I3 implied in a ghastly way, that anyone over 60 will not get the chance to go through with the change.

THINK about it! A stealthy archer! A friggen RANGER! Come out of the stealth with a bow in one hand and a dagger in the other!!

As I said, whoever leaked that leaked it before BC. Therefore, the level sixty thing? Null and void. If they do go with that system(A good one—I hope they do) then it will apply the same way(approximately)(probably) except that anything dealing with the level 60 will be changed to level seventy. Blizzard was probably originally planning on putting the hero class stuff in BC, but ran out of time and had to save it for later, be it a big patch later on, or maybe they were already planning on the next expansion.

You know what else would be interesting? Spirit mounts. For when you're dead. What other kind of mounts they could make?

I don't believe it'd be at 60 or 70. This is a new class and they want the players to travel the new areas and level before they have a chance at the new hero class. I read on the site that there will also be two different path areas to level in. Also saying that they are now focusing more into alternate routes. So you take one path and if you have an alt, you can experience another path.

I can't wait for the expansion, I'm happy with BC and WOTLK will be even better. Specially with the new effects and the hero class.

And spirit mounts? I don't think Blizz would go to the trouble with that lol. Wish they had mounts if you were raiding an alliance city. The walk is terrible!

Meh. I like the system that guy stated. Probably not going to happen, as they have only been talking about the deathknight, and not a whole hero class system. 'Sigh. Live the dream, fighter. Live the dream.'

I3 mentioned that they tried to destroy any way of this info getting out in the forums. Perhaps if they are so precautios there is a greater chance of this happening.. Then again, they might do that to keep everyone from getting their hopes up.

Yet still we will not no until the release date or close to it.

They were probably planning on doing it for BC, but then something made them change their name.

Am I the only person who likes the idea of using what is basically the anti paladin to destroy all of arthas' little minions

I think that they are saying that "any race can become DK atm" but they are thinking about changing that, I mean gnome death knights? But I sincerly hope they allow dren to be so severly corrupted as to become the very thing they have fought against for their entire life .

If anyone has anymore questions on DK lore/queries I am more than able to look them up

World of WarCraft's first Hero Class is a plate-wearing tank/DPS hybrid that works a little something like this: When players hit level 80, they'll be able to embark on a quest (similar in difficulty to the Warlock's epic mount quest, back before the level cap was raised to 70) that unlocks the ability to create a Death Knight character. The Death Knight starts at a high level (somewhere around 60 or 70, though Blizzard isn't certain yet), so you won't have to grind your way back up all over again. It's intended as an alternative, advanced class for end-game use only.
Rather than using rage, energy, or mana, Death Knights have a special "rune sword" displayed beneath their health bar, onto which the player can etch six different runes (choose between Frost, Blood, and Unholy). Different abilities require different mixes of runes, and using abilities consumes the requisite runes until a cooldown timer causes them to be available again. Stuff like talents, spells, and other specifics are still being finalized. So are key questions like what races can be a Death Knight (start a Gnome petition now) and whether unlocking the Hero Class on one server means you can create a Death Knight on any server.

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3161725


Information About the Death Knight Warcraft News

Blizzard wanted to get this information out about the Death Knight, check it out...
There are a lot of things still being worked out with the Death Knight class such as specific spell abilities. Unlike a traditional caster type however, a Death Knight's spell power comes from runes that are etched into their blade. Think Warcraft III when you think about the possibilities of abilities for the Death Knight. I say possibilities because things are still in process for the development of the class and there will be (of course) a lot of testing for balance done. Given that this is our first Hero class we're unveiling, you can be sure we're going for the coolest of the cool for this class.

Runes and Mana pool
The runes they inscribe on their weapons are their mana pool (of a sort). As they use their abilities, the runes will be exhausted. After a period of time the runes will refresh. So, they don't have a traditional type of mana pool. You'll most likely see some screenshots of it, but the Death Knight (at current) has three different types of runes that they can inscribe on their weapon: Blood, Frost, and Unholy. Runes can only be inscribed out of combat ( all of this is subject to change as development continues.)

The rune types don't dictate a new damage type, they're simply a resource that spells and abilities will use when you activate them. The spells and abilities won't necessarily be "blood, unholy, or frost" damage.

Imagine it being three different energy pools which you can change the size of before you get into combat.

About weapons
There's no final decision or announcement on how multiple weapons would be etched, or how weapon switching may affect the etched runes. What has been discussed to some degree is that the main-hand weapon would be etched and that's it, but it's too early to say what would be allowed in the final game.

Which level?
Also, we haven't decided on what level you will start as your Death Knight, but it seems that it should be easy enough for someone who has levelled a character to level 80 and done the quest to be able to adapt to a Death Knight fairly well. It's not quite the same as handing it over to someone who is still learning the game. There are lots of opportunities for someone to solo and group to learn how to play the class.

Which race?
It's true that the current plan has been heavily discussed to go ahead with all races, but no final decision has been made. After talking to Chris he wasn't totally sold on the idea. Both are technically correct in that the current plan of some of the developers is to go ahead with all races, there's been no final decision made and no real work has progressed to force a decision just yet. The FAQ is more accurate at this time, in my opinion.

Lore-wise there's really no reason why a specific race couldn't become a Death Knight.

All races can be challenged mentally and physically, their will dulled, and be cast down into madness ... and darkness. Their souls drawn into the runeblade they wield.

Compared to other classes
They are not planned to be more powerful, them being a hero class simply means they're introduced at a higher level, and in general will reference the more powerful hero types of Warcraft history.

It's our intention to integrate them into the current classes, balance them appropriately, and have them provide an additional - but equal - role in groups and raids as compared to other classes.

Will there be other hero classes?
Yeah, well that kind figures in to the new definition of what a hero class is. It allows us to add new classes that start at higher levels, keeping players relatively kept up as we continue to release expansions and raise the level cap, and ultimately it really fits to use the heroes from past Warcraft games as inspiration. Some other hero classes could definitely be things like Demon Hunter, Blademaster, etc.

http://wowvault.ign.com/


More info from the Devs:
Moving onto the Death Knight, which will be the first hero class, it is expected to be able to fill a tank & DPS role. It will have the ability to tank with a two-hander or while dual-wielding (Tom Chilton then commented that you never saw Arthas wielding a shield). The class will be able to wield plate armor and will have a nice mix of spells & abilities which will be a mixture of casting & melee. Being the first hero class there were many questions that were in peoples minds that Tom answered fairly well.


Being the first hero class it will be an unlocked class, meaning a quest chain of some time (think of the Warlock Epic Mount questline), which after that you can create a Death Knight (any race) that will start at a relatively high level (assumedly 55-70 at this point), and this will also allow the ability to unlock more hero classes which are suppose to be down the pipeline. Alliance and Horde alike will be able to use the Death Knight.

The combat system for the Death Knight is very unique to itself and there is a rune resource system. You will be able to cast using three unique rune school of magic: blood, frost, and unholy. You can restore these runes and carve them into your weapons out of combat. Rune cooldowns can be affected by talents and attributes. Certain spells can also activate runes and spells can consume more that one rune. Shown there were only six slots to use for the runes. The Death Knight class unfortunately was not playable at the show, but it looks like it will be a very unique class, it will just be interesting to see how they balance it with the nine classes currently in the game.

Wow, and here i thought kay had died. Thanks for update .

No, I've been being stealthy mod =)

Stealthy? But things where so much funner back when we could hear you making others scream.

That death knight stuff is... Interesting. However, if that is how it is likely to be, then I do not feel I wish to play anymore. I dunno, I just think that kicked the last of the life out of what was left of enthusiasm I had for the game. Blizzard obviously has no idea how hard they made it (At least for me) to get from 60-70. And they said that they would have the same grind 70-80.

60 to 70 was the easiest grind ever for me...I hated the levels between 20 and 50. It sucked.

No, no. Maybe in other forums but we have a level of our own here.


You know, I'm considered a jerk (mostly because I am) and it has been said I'm intimidating and can, maybe even do scare off a lot of newcomers (which is plausible since if they express a view I consider wrong I can be a little intense) but I've never, aside from one time, been as casually or consistently rude to people as a few of the other regulars.

It's still a bit confusing for me, to be honest. I think that perhaps my presence or my honesty gets me saddled with things I don't do. I mean, a while back (in a locked thread) I was accused of being aggressive and using all-caps to personally insult somebody. I'd never use all-caps. Not when I have italics and bold (which I also didn't use). Sometimes I just have to wonder, I guess.


Oh, that was probably because it was never actually confirmed or mentioned by Blizzard. Never would be, either. They have enough trouble with balance now. Adding thirty odd classes to the game would not really help with that. Plus, the complication would be cutting off their casual audience. It'd be a bad business move.

It was most likely some fan writing up a wish list.


Back in the old days (meaning, before 2.3) the grind from 1-58 was about three days longer than from 58-70. A lot of that was from quest density and reduced travel time but still. Dragging a Draenei Shaman up to 70 in two weeks indicated to me that 1-60 will want to get even easier in Wrath because it's unbelievably painful - especially on an old or sparsely populated server.

couldn't agree with you anymore Kay. I can't even level a priest so I can heal raids.

What I dont understand is why the first few levels in HP (hellfire penninsula) gave me a godlike surge of gold and then it leveled out to crap from then on.. Am I the only one who experienced this strange phenomenon?

You came early. They nerfed the grind from 20-60.

This was to balance the discrepancy (somewhat) between people with some raid gear and people without. A goodly portion of that gold came from equipment. HFP is the biggest gear boost in Outland prior to raids and is there to make the transition from 60 to 60+ easier for alts and new people (read: just levelled) trying to keep up.

Hit 70, then do dailies, you'll rake in 120 gold a day =) There's a nice surge of gold there

Plus, if you can get good groups or a handy guild, you can do the daily Heroics as well as Karazhan and Zul'Aman and earn yourself some Badge of Justice equipment. Not to mention the loot.

I've started doing that since my guild reformed and I have finished the damn essays I was on at the time.

Also Netherwing drake acquired

>_O ...Must... take out... Netherdrake!! ... Mnf!

lol, I am swooping of Shat with the greatest of ease *starts humming*

>_< ...I will destroy your Netherdrake if its the last thing I do!!

You can try, if you can catch me on my 280% flight speed bonus *cackles maniaclly*

what if it's the second to last thing you do?