Death knights, often abbreviated to DK, are melee fighters that wield dark magic and runeforged weapons. The death knight is the first hero class of World of Warcraft, introduced in the Wrath of the Lich King expansion. Each death knight begins at level 55 in a phased, instanced area known as Plaguelands: The Scarlet Enclave. Originally, only one death knight could be created per realm per account, but this restriction was lifted in patch 5.3. The requirement of already having a level 55+ character in order to create a death knight was lifted in patch 6.1.

Death Knight abilities rely on a rune system which, when used to perform attacks, generates Runic Power as a resource for different attacks. Runic Power is capped at 100. Blood death knights primarily focus on building enough runic power to consistently self-heal through attacks. Frost death knights deal large amounts of damage through powerful strikes and use of runic power. Unholy death knights focus more on rune regeneration, fast-paced attacks, and the aid of undead minions.

Death knights can wear any type of armor (though they specialize in Plate) from the moment of creation and begin with a full set of Uncommon-quality plate armor. They can wield any type of sword, mace, axe, or polearm and can dual-wield one-handed swords, maces, or axes. Death knights have their own, unique, enchantments acquired by [Runeforging], and also have three unique mounts, the [Acherus Deathcharger], the purchasable [Winged Steed of the Ebon Blade], and the quest reward [Deathlord’s Vilebrood Vanquisher].