In this article, we explain what the best statistics are for Unholy Death Knights (WoW 4.3), how the class benefits from each of them, and what your reforging strategy should be. We also detail what the various caps are and why they should be attained. The statistics priority is important as it influences reforging strategies as well as itemisation choices (gear, enchants, and gems).

Make sure to check our Gear Optimisation Guide, which serves as a support guide for this article. The other articles of our Unholy Death Knight guide can be accessed from the table of contents on the right.

1. Basics↑top

The stat priority for Unholy Death Knights is:

1. Strength;
2. Hit Rating (until 8% chance to hit);
3. Haste Rating;
4. Critical Strike Rating;
5. Mastery Rating;
6. Expertise Rating (until 26).

Note that if you possess Gurthalak, Voice of the Deeps (LFR, Heroic), Mastery Rating becomes (slightly) more valuable than Critical Strike Rating.

If you are unsure what the optimal reforging strategy is for this priority, please refer to the reforging section of our Gear Optimisation Guide.

2. Getting a Better Understanding↑top

2.1. Statistics Priority

Strength is your most important stat, which provides the most benefit; you should look for this stat in all of your upgrades, as point for point it surpasses any other stat. It provides you with Attack Power.

Hit Rating, until the cap, is your next best stat. It ensures that your attacks will always land and that you will not waste any resources.

Haste Rating will increase your attack speed and rune regeneration, as well as the attack speed of your ghoul and your gargoyle. It is your most beneficial secondary statistic after reaching the hit cap.

Critical Strike Rating increases your chance to critically hit with all spells and abilities.

Mastery Rating increases your Shadow damage. Shadow damage makes up roughly 40% of your total damage.

Expertise Rating reduces the chance that your attacks will be dodged. For Unholy, this statistic has little value and you should always reforge out of it and generally avoid it.

2.2. Hit Cap

As with most other melee classes, you will want to reach the hit cap of 8%. Past this point, the value of Hit Rating is zero.

To reach the 8% hit cap, Draenei only need 841 Hit Rating, while other races need 961 Hit Rating.