The Gaming Lizard

After taking a short break, we're now back to more Deathknights discussions. Fresh from the oven of Blizzard's Underdevelopment page, we have the newly unveiled changes that will affect DKs of all colors.

• Icy Touch: This ability now causes a very high amount of threat while the death knight is in Frost Presence.

First up, we have a tanking threat change to Icy Touch. This will certainly help alleviate the instant snapaggro issues that DK tanks are now facing as well as boosting their threat in Icecrown Citadel. DK Tanks rejoice!

• Rune of Razorice: Now stacks 5 stacks of 2% Frost Vulnerability instead of 10 stacks of 1% Frost Vulnerability. Proc chance changed to 100%.

Second on the list is a change to Dual Wielding Frost DKs. Having the proc changed to 100% is welcomed since any DWing Frost DK will tell you that getting the full stack up is a major PITA. Using a 2.6 speed OH, you'll now need 13 seconds to build up your stacks instead of a minimum 26 seconds [And that's on a good day]

• Abomination's Might: This effect is now passive instead of being a proc on certain strikes. Rank 1 is 5% attack power and Rank 2 is 10% attack power. The self strength buff remains unchanged.

Now we move onto talent changes. This change concerns our Red buddies and is certainly a good change. Having the buff to passive puts it on par with MM hunter's Trueshot Aura

• Will of the Necropolis: There is no longer a cooldown on the frequency at which this talent can be activated. In addition, this ability can now also be triggered by damage which deals less than 5% of your health.

And now, a tanking change for our dear ultra-rare blood tanks. This will help them survive the more brutal attacks found in ICC.

• Endless Winter: No longer causes Frost Fever to be applied by Chains of Ice, but instead grants 2/4% strength. The previous functionality of this talent can now be attained via the Glyph of Chains of Ice.
• Glyph of Chains of Ice: Now causes Chains of Ice to apply Frost Fever instead of dealing damage.

Up next is changes for our cool cousins. This change turns a previously PVP talent to one used for PVE purpose. Frost DKs will appreciate having Mind Freeze for freeeee while getting a Strength boosting talent that the Frost tree lacks.

• Improved Icy Talons: This effect is now passive instead of being a proc. The self haste buff remains unchanged.

Another buff change, this time for Frosties. This actually makes it better than Enhance Shammies who don't know how to refresh totems.

• Nerves of Cold Steel: Now increases off-hand damage by 8/16/25%, up from 5/10/15%.

Pure DPS increase for DW specs.

• Unbreakable Armor: The amount of strength granted is now 20%, up from 10%.

After the Str nerf to it, UA is finally back to providing 20% increase in strength. Another welcomed change.

• Scourge Strike: Now deals 70% weapon damage, plus 12% of physical damage done as shadow damage for each of the death knight's diseases on the target. The net result should be larger strikes with no diseases present, while maximum damage with all diseases applied to the target should stay the same.

Not much buff for Unholy, would help in extremly short fights found in Heroics nowadays.

All in all, DW Frost gets the most attention in this patch [Not complaining there!]. Will it be enough to make it on par with Unholy builds? We'll see when patch day hits.