Wrath of the Lich King Classicis now a thing of the past, andWorld of Warcraft: Cataclysm Classichas taken its place. Azeroth has changed forever (again) and you may once again relive Deathwing’s return and his horrificefforts to bring about the Hour of Twilight.
But before you can put a stop to Deathwing and his minions, you will need to gear up first. While Dragon Soul is not coming out until January of next year, you have several phases to acquire best-in-slot (referred to as BIS for short) gear so that you will be raid ready. If you want to gear upyour Death Knight, here is what is BIS for you.
This article will be updated overtime with the BIS for each phase. Since Blackwing Descent, Throne of Four Winds, and Bastion of Twilightdon’t release until May 30th, this guide will cover pre-raid BIS.
BIS Gear For Blood Death Knights (Pre-Raid)
After the changes to stats and the addition of Mastery, Blood Death Knights became formidable tanks in the originalCataclysm, and that has not changed forCataclysm Classic. After you reach Level 85, here is the gear you will want to obtain as soon as possible in order to be ready for the raids when they unlock. Alternatives have been provided as well, especially in the case where an epic from Archaeology is considered BIS.
Epic BoE gear has been excluded due to the fact that they aren’t guaranteed drops and will be ludicrously expensive on the Auction House at this point inCataclysm Classic. They aren’t worth the cost when you may just wait to get some 359 gear from raids.
Reinforced Bi-Optic Killshades
Crafted through Engineering, only usable by Engineers
Helm of Satesh (Drop from Satesh in Halls of Origination Heroic)
Hardened Elementium Hauberk
Crafted through Blacksmithing
Lord Walden’s Breastplate (Drop from Lord Godfrey in Shadowfang Keep Heroic)
Drops from Halls of Origination (Heroic)
Hardened Elementium Girdle
Sand Dune Belt (Drop from Augh in Lost City of the Tol’vir Heroic)
Purchased with 2,200Valor Pointsin Stormwind (Alliance) or Orgrimmar (Horde)
Greaves of Splendor (Purchased with 2,200 Justice Points)
Boots of Sullen Rock (Horde only)
Purchased from Grot Deathblow, requires Exalted with Dragonmaw Clan
Gryphon Rider’s Boots (Alliance only, purchased from Craw MacGraw. Requires Exalted with Wildhammer Clan)
Requires Exalted with Baradin’s Wardens (Alliance) or Hellscream’s Reach (Horde)
Lifebound Alchemist Stone
Crafted through Alchemy, it can only be used by Alchemists.
Leaden Despair (Drops from High Priestess Azil in The Stonecore Heroic)
Zin’rokh, Destroyer of Worlds
Acquired through Archaeology
Sword of the Bottomless Pit (Drops from Ozruk in The Stonecore Heroic), Whitefin Axe (Drops from Ozumat in Throne of the Tides Heroic)
Stalagmite Dragon (Drops from Slabhide in The Stonecore Heroic)
BIS Gear For Frost and Unholy Death Knights (Pre-Raid)
Frost Death Knights can provide not only solid DPS for their group, but also provide their team with the Improved Icy Talons passive buff. While they don’t provide a passive party buff, Unholy Death Knights can also be a solid melee DPS in a raid group. It is important to note that some items that are BIS for Blood Death Knights are also BIS for Frost and Unholy as well. Especially Zin’rokh, Destroyer of Worlds. Of course, getting this weapon should not be relied on since it requires a terrifying amount of hours worth of farming Archaeology (unless you get really lucky).
Helm of Easeful Death (Purchased with 2,200 Justice Points), Stonemason’s Helm (Drops from Vanessa VanCleef in The Deadmines Heroic)
Pauldron’s of the High Requiem (Purchased with 1,650 Justice Points)
Shadow of the Past
Drops from The Deadmines (Heroic)
Eagle Ray Cloak (Drops from Commander Ulthok in Throne of the Tides Heroic)
Elementium Deathplate
Lord Walden’s Breastplate (Drops from Lord Godfrey in Shadowfang Keep Heroic)
Elementium Girdle of Pain
Belt of the Ferocious Wolf (Purchased from Provisioner Whitecloud, requires Exalted with Guardians of Hyjal)
Greaves of Gallantry (Purchased with 2,200 Justice Points)
Waywatcher’s Boots
Purchased from Provisioner Whitecloud, requires Revered with Guardians of Hyjal
Greaves of Wu the Elder (Drops from General Husam in Lost City of the Tol’vir Heroic)
License to Slay
Purchased with 1,650 Valor Points
Right Eye of Rajh (Drops from Rajh in Halls of Origination Heroic)
Weapon (If dual wielding)
Scimitar of the Sirocco
Drops from Lost City of the Tol’vir (Heroic)
Sword of the Bottomless Pit (Drops from Ozruk in The Stonecore Heroic)
