Our main focus in this discussion is looking into a theorycraft option that i have not seen mentioned throughout several forums that i monitor in dk dealings. I'm calling this theorycraft "Improved Rune Usage Focus" as i think that sums it up pretty well. I will discuss how i situationally use my current build to maximize rune usage while minimizing ability downtimes in an effort to create the most effective constant flow of continual burst damage.
A focusing point of my current build, is that just because you have the abilities, does not mean that you have to use them all. I found with the wide range of abilities, especially in PVP that it can become confusing to try and monitor/administer them all. This in turn leads to screwed up rotations and death. the main idea is to use abilities that require the least amount of rune usage. Keeping those runes rotated and available to use for situational abilities as the fight progresses. Here is my current build. Some of the magic resistances can be moved around in frost to other areas, but as I like to PVP and following my goal of survivability I tend to strengthen my physical and magical defenses.
http://www.wow-tools.org/ptr-talent-calculator/Deathknight/23a5b15a3r32525b1a5a2a31b331251313a1
In this build we focus on a high burst damage ranged build. Using icy touch and howling blast we work to effectively be able to constantly spam it. We can fight much like a hunter keeping our enemies at range using chains of ice. Originaly this build incorperated obliterate. It is a very powerful ability, this i know. However frost strike can be almost as effective and at the same time cost 0 runes, leaving them open for continual IT/HB Spam. The rotation is going to look similar to this, adding in situational abilities when needed.
IT/HB/BS/BS/HB/Rune Dump
Were using our IT to infect the target with frost fever. From here if fighting multiple enemies (Situationally) you can put down a pestilence to spread, then follow up with HB to do the double damage. Double BS's are going to convert those blood runes to death runes in order to prepare for the HB spam as well as any situational needs for runes.
I went ahead and took out PS from the rotation completely. It does minimal "strike" damage without being buffed, uses up a unholy rune and doesn't really bring a lot to the table as far as increased damage from other abilities. Leaving those unholy runes open is going to allow for non-stop HB pain. It will also open up the ability for situational instances to utilize death strike more effectively for heals. maintaining core abilities that require a unholy rune to be ready and available when you need them.
For our rune dump, we have two options. the obvious is frost strike, with the increased rune cap from talents we can drop 3x FS in a row on someone up close putting them in check, chains of icing and moving back to ranged to build up the RP again. The other option, in following this ranged burst dps build is your death coil. Less potent in damage, however it has the added ability of being ranged and with full RP we can dump 3x death coils on them.
so what were doing is minimizing rune usage and maximizing survivability/versatility/ranged capabilities. Our rotations become extremely simple focusing on IT/HB/BS/BS/rune dump. It gives us the ability and runes to add in situational effects anywhere in between with the limited rune usage focus.
I macro my defenses together; Lichborne/unbreakable armor/icebound fortitude giving extreme survivability for roughly 20+ seconds to survive long enough to beat down and live through a gank sqaud. Where you will either beat them down and hungering cold them giving you enough time to heal up, followed by a deathchill (next IT/HB/OB is crit) and HB to max crit the group at range waking them up and finishing them off. It could also just give you enough time to stay alive until help arrives. The AMS is used situationally against casters of course and can often be used in conjunction when fighting a gank sqaud simultaneously. The improved rune usage focus of this build allows all of this versatility to be able to happen effectively.
I am definately frost all the way at this point. I am a believer, and I think it is the most underestimated build out there right now.
Edited, Mar 10th 2009 11:06am by QwestKnyte