Frost DK DPS BIS Gear Cataclysm Classic | Guide

Stat Priority For Frost Death Knight DPS

Your Stat Priority for Frost Death Knight DPS BiS in Cataclysm Classic should be like this (left to right):

Strength → Haste Rating → Critical Strike Rating → Mastery → Hit Rating → Expertise Rating.

Strength, Haste Rating, and Critical Strike Rating are the most important stats for maximizing damage as a Frost Death Knight. Strength becomes even more valuable in raids due to buffs like Mark of the Wild and Abomination’s Might.
Often, it’s better to choose items with higher overall stats rather than focusing on specific ones. In Cataclysm, items with higher item levels usually provide more stats overall, making them more beneficial. Unfortunately, collecting these items might take you months, and if you don’t have that kind of time, our Cataclysm boost services might help!

A useful way to compare items is to convert each stat into an equivalent amount of attack power. This method isn’t perfect since the value of each stat can change based on various factors, but it’s generally effective for determining the best items. These values are derived from detailed simulations specific to Death Knights.

It’s crucial to reach the hit rating cap, but once you exceed it, any additional hit rating becomes useless. The cap is 8%, and any extra hit rating beyond that won’t benefit your character. The specific details of caps and their influencing factors are provided in further sections.

Gear

Weapon

Main Hand for Frost Death Knight DPS (2-Handed)

Lava Spine: A must-have weapon from the first boss in Blackwing Descent. This weapon offers excellent stats, including strength, haste, and crit, and features the desired slow speed, making it highly effective for a Frost Death Knight.

Best Enchant: Rune of Razorice.

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Lava Spine	Magmaw	Blackwing Descent
Alt	Stormwake, the Tempest’s Reach of the Faultline	Al’Akir	Throne of the Four Winds
Alt	Stormwake, the Tempest’s Reach of the Earthfall	Al’Akir	Throne of the Four Winds
Pre-Raid Alt	Scimitar of the Sirocco	Archaeology	–

Offhand for Frost Death Knight DPS

Same as Main Hand: The best off-hand weapon is the same as your main hand weapon, Lava Spine. This consistency ensures that you maximize your stats and damage output.

Recommended Enchant: Rune of the Fallen Crusader.

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Lava Spine	Magmaw	Blackwing Descent
Alt	Mace of Acrid Death	Maloriak	Blackwing Descent
Alt	Soul Blade	Zone Drop	–
Pre-Raid Alt	Scimitar of the Sirocco	Archaeology	–

Two-Handed Weapon for Frost Death Knight DPS

Reclaimed Ashkandi, Greatsword of the Brotherhood: Ideal for Frost Death Knights using two-handed weapons. It has a slow swing speed and high strength, making it perfect for dealing substantial damage. Note that using a two-handed weapon prevents the Masterfrost build and results in less damage compared to dual-wielding.

Recommended Enchant: Rune of the Fallen Crusader.

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Reclaimed Ashkandi, Greatsword of the Brotherhood	Nefarian	Blackwing Descent (Heroic)
Alt	Akirus the Worm-Breaker	Magmaw	Blackwing Descent
Alt	Shalug’doom, the Axe of Unmaking	Cho’gall	The Bastion of Twilight
Alt	Reclaimed Ashkandi, Greatsword of the Brotherhood	Nefarian	Blackwing Descent

Sigils for Frost Death Knight DPS

Relic of Aggramar: This is the best option available, as there are no better sigils from raids. Until you obtain this relic, use the Conch of Thundering Waves.

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Relic of Aggramar	700 Valor Points	Jamus’Vaz Faldren Tillsdale
Alt	Conch of Thundering Waves	Mindbender Ghur’sha	Throne of the Tides

Body Armor

Shoulders for Frost Death Knight DPS

Magma Plated Pauldrons: These tier shoulders are excellent, providing a substantial amount of hit rating and a useful red socket. They are superior to most other options.

Second Best: Pauldrons of the Great Ettin, which have a large portion of their stat budget in Mastery, but overall fall short compared to tier shoulders.

Recommended Enchant: Greater Inscription of Jagged Stone from Therazane (Exalted).

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Magma Plated Pauldrons	Lava SpinShoulders of the Forlorn Vanquisher + Magma Plated Pauldrons	Jamus’Vaz, Faldren Tillsdale
Alt	Pauldrons of the Great Ettin	Halfus Wyrmbreaker	The Bastion of Twilight
Alt	Magma Plated Pauldrons	Mantle of the Forlorn Vanquisher	Jamus’Vaz, Faldren Tillsdale

Chest for Frost Death Knight DPS

Magma Plated Battleplate: This tier piece is one of the best, offering all the desired stats and a great socket bonus. Using an Etched Demonseye helps reach the hit cap without losing strength.

Recommended Enchant: Enchant Chest – Peerless Stats.

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Magma Plated Battleplate	Chest of the Forlorn Vanquisher + Magma Plated Battleplate	Jamus’Vaz, Faldren Tillsdale
Alt	Battleplate of Ancient Kingsv	Atramedes	Blackwing Descent
Alt	Magma Plated Battleplate	2200 Valor Points	Jamus’Vaz, Faldren Tillsdale
Pre-Raid Alt	Elementium Deathplate	Blacksmithing	–

Back for Frost Death Knight DPS

Glittering Epidermis: The best option, offering all desired stats and good reforging options. It’s easier to obtain than other high-end cloaks.

Recommended Enchant (Tailoring Only): Swordguard Embroidery.

Recommended Enchant: Enchant Cloak – Greater Critical Strike.

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Glittering Epidermis	Elementium Monstrosity	The Bastion of Twilight
Alt	Cloudburst Cloak of the Faultline	Al’Akir	Throne of the Four Winds
Alt	Cloudburst Cloak of the Earthfall	Al’Akir	Throne of the Four Winds
Pre-Raid Alt	Drape of Inimitable Fate	BoE Worlld Drop	–

Head for Frost Death Knight DPS

Helm of Maddening Whispers: This helmet is slightly better than the tier option. It allows activation of powerful set bonuses that significantly increase DPS.

Recommended Enchant: Arcanum of the Dragonmaw (Revered with Dragonmaw Clan) or Arcanum of the Wildhammer (Revered with Wildhammer Clan).

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Helm of Maddening Whispers	Cho’gall	The Bastion of Twilight
Alt	Magma Plated Helmet	Crown of the Forlorn Vanquisher + Magma Plated Helmet	Jamus’Vaz, Faldren Tillsdale
Alt	Magma Plated Helmet	Helm of the Forlorn Vanquisher	Jamus’Vaz, Faldren Tillsdale
Pre-Raid Alt	Reinforced Bio-Optic Killshades	Engineering	–

Waist for Frost Death Knight DPS

Belt of Absolute Zero: Slightly better than Sky Strider Belt, and more likely to be obtained. Either belt is a good choice, so take whichever you get first.

Recommended Enchant for Engineers: Nitro Boosts.

Recommended Enchant: Ebonsteel Belt Buckle.

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Belt of Absolute Zero	Maloriak	Blackwing Descent
Alt	Sky Strider Belt of the Faultline	Anshal	Throne of the Four Winds
Alt	Sky Strider Belt of the Earthfall	Anshal	Throne of the Four Winds
Pre-Raid Alt	Elementium Girdle of Pain	Blacksmithing	–

Legs for Frost Death Knight DPS

Magma Plated Legplates: Preferred tier piece with high hit rating. Alternatively, use the randomly statted legs from Al’akir. The tier piece is preferred to help with hit-rating.

Recommended Enchant: Dragonscale Leg Armor.

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Magma Plated Legplates	Leggings of the Forlorn Vanquisher + Magma Plated Legplates	Jamus’Vaz, Faldren Tillsdale
Alt	Sky Strider Greaves of the Faultline	Al’Akir	Throne of the Four Winds
Alt	Terrastra’s Legguards	Elementium Monstrosity	–

Feet for Frost Death Knight DPS

Massacre Treads: The best DPS boots, offering a high stat budget and beneficial stats. They are a great source of Mastery.

Recommended Enchant: Enchant Boots – Mastery or Enchant Boots.

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Massacre Treads	Chimaeron	Blackwing Descent
Pre-Raid Alt	Woe Breeder’s Boots	1650 Valor Points	Jamus’Vaz, Faldren Tillsdale

Wrist for Frost Death Knight DPS

Bracers of the Mat’redor: The best option, although hard to obtain from Heroic Sinestra in Bastion of Twilight. Their higher item level gives them a significant advantage.

Recommended Enchant: Enchant Bracer – Major Strength.

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Bracers of the Mat’redor	Sinestra	The Bastion of Twilight
Alt	Electron Inductor Coils	Magmatron	Blackwing Descent
Alt	Bracers of Impossible Strength	Halfus Wyrmbreaker	The Bastion of Twilight
Pre-Raid Alt	Alpha Bracers	Anraphet	Halls of Origination

Hands for Frost Death Knight DPS

Magma Plated Gauntlets: The final tier piece with good Mastery and Haste. Engineers should also use Synapse Springs, which stack with regular enchants.

Recommended Enchant for Engineers: Synapse Springs.

Recommended Enchant: Enchant Gloves – Mighty Strength.

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Magma Plated Gauntlets	Gauntlets of the Forlorn Vanquisher + Magma Plated Gauntlets	Jamus’Vaz, Faldren Tillsdale
Alt	Plated Fists of Provocation	Chimaeron	Blackwing Descent
Alt	Magma Plated Gauntlets	1650 Valor Points	Jamus’Vaz, Faldren Tillsdale
Pre-Raid Alt	Hematite Plate Gloves	Slabhide	The Stonecore

Jewelry

Trinkets for Frost Death Knight DPS

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Heart of Rage	Chimaeron	Blackwing Descent
Best	Impatience of Youth	Hellscream’s Reach (Exalted), Baradin’s Wardens (Exalted)	Tol Barad
Alt	Heart of Solace	Lockmaw, Augh	Lost City of the Tol’vir
Alt	Crushing Weight	Elementium Monstrosity	The Bastion of Twilight
Alt	License to Slay	1650 Valor Points	Jamus’Vaz, Faldren Tillsdale

Rings for Frost Death Knight DPS

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Dargonax’s Signet	Sinestra	The Bastion of Twilight
Best	Ring of Rivalry	Theralion, Valiona	The Bastion of Twilight
Best	Cloudburst Ring of the Faultline	Al’Akir	Throne of the Four Winds
Alt	Cloudburst Ring of the Earthfall	Al’Akir	Throne of the Four Winds
Alt	Blauvelt’s Family Crest	BoE World Drop	–
Alt	Band of Bees	1250 Valor Points	Jamus’Vaz, Faldren Tillsdale

Neck for Frost Death Knight DPS

Rank	Item	Source	Location
Best	Rage of Ages	Nefarian	Blackwing Descent
Alt	Cloudburst Necklace of the Faultline	Al’Akir	Throne of the Four Winds
Alt	Caelestrasz’s Will	Sinestra	The Bastion of Twilight
Alt	Cloudburst Necklace of the Earthfall	Al’Akir	Throne of the Four Winds
Pre-Raid Alt	Gift of Nadun	Ramkahen (Exalted)	Blacksmith Abasi (Uldum)

F.A.Q.

What are the best Races for Frost Death Knight?

Alliance – Human and Worgen, Horde – Orcs and Trolls.

How to play Frost Death Knight

Frost DPS is a highly engaging and fast-paced playstyle, known for its impressive sustained single target and AoE damage. This spec keeps you constantly active, with always an impactful ability ready to press. The Frost Death Knight uses two resource systems: Runes and Runic Power, which are essential for different types of abilities.

What tier is Frost Death Knight in?

Frost DK is A tier in Cataclysm Classic, along with Demonology Warlock, Ele Shaman, Assassination Rogue and Unholy Death Knight.

What are the best professions for Frost Death Knight?

It’s Engineering and Blacksmithing.