How To Improve As Frost Death Knight — The War Within (11.2)

Last updated on Aug 04, 2025 at 19:30 by Bicepspump 58 comments
General Information

On this page, you will find out how you can improve at playing Frost Death Knight in World of Warcraft — The War Within (11.2). We list the common mistakes that you should try to avoid and the small details that can greatly improve your performance.

1.

Not Capping Runes or Runic Power

Because you can have 3 Runes recharging at the same time, any time you are holding 4 or more Runes, you are effectively capped on Runes and wasting potential Rune regeneration. There is never a point in your play where it would be valuable to not cast anything or where you need more than 3 Runes saved up; always keep 3 Runes on cooldown.

Similarly, every point of Runic Power you generate when already at maximum Runic Power is a fraction of a lost Frost Strike Icon Frost Strike or Glacial Advance Icon Glacial Advance. You will sometimes overcap Runic Power as you prioritise other things but you should in general avoid overcapping!

2.

Not Managing Your GCDs in Your Obliteration Window

When playing the Obliteration Icon Obliteration talent, your damage is highly dependent on how many powerful GCDs you can fit into your Pillar of Frost Icon Pillar of Frost windows. If you mess these up ever so slightly, it will have a significant impact on your DPS. Practice the weaving rotation a lot and try and anticipate ahead of time what you are pressing next during the window.

It is also important that you use your first GCD as soon as possible within the window. For Deathbringer, macro Reaper's Mark Icon Reaper's Mark with Pillar of Frost Icon Pillar of Frost. For Rider of the Apocalypse, create one macro for each one of Howling Blast Icon Howling Blast, Frost Strike Icon Frost Strike and Glacial Advance Icon Glacial Advance. Keep in mind that your GCD must be "free", wait for the previous one to finish before pressing the macro!

3.

Pooling Resources for Pillar of Frost

Pillar of Frost Icon Pillar of Frost amps up your damage significantly, making it really important to prepare yourself properly for the window. Make sure to save up some Runes and Runic Power before the ability comes off cooldown, so you do not end up starving in the middle of it!

4.

Changelog

  • 04 Aug. 2025: Updated for Patch 11.2.
  • 15 Jun. 2025: Reviewed for Patch 11.1.7.
  • 21 Apr. 2025: Reviewed for Patch 11.1.5.
  • 24 Feb. 2025: Reviewed and updated for Patch 11.1.
  • 15 Dec. 2024: Reviewed and update for Patch 11.0.7.
  • 21 Oct. 2024: Reviewed for Patch 11.0.5.
  • 09 Sep. 2024: Reviewed for The War Within Season 1.
  • 21 Aug. 2024: Reviewed for The War Within.
  • 23 Jul. 2024: Updated for The War Within Pre-Patch.
  • 07 May 2024: Reviewed for 10.2.7.
  • 22 Apr. 2024: Reviewed for Season 4.
  • 22 Mar. 2024: Reviewed for Patch 10.2.6.
  • 15 Jan. 2024: Reviewed for Patch 10.2.5.
  • 06 Nov. 2023: Updated for Patch 10.2.
  • 04 Sep. 2023: Reviewed for Patch 10.1.7
  • 10 Jul. 2023: Reviewed for Patch 10.1.5.
  • 01 Jun. 2023: Updated talents and reworded Mythic+ rotation text.
  • 01 May 2023: Reviewed for Patch 10.1.
  • 20 Mar. 2023: Reviewed for Patch 10.0.7.
  • 24 Jan. 2023: Reviewed for Patch 10.0.5.
  • 11 Dec. 2022: Reviewed for Dragonflight Season 1.
  • 28 Nov. 2022: Updated for Dragonflight launch.
  • 25 Oct. 2022: Updated for Dragonflight pre-patch.
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