DK, empty hand styleFollow

My 75 DK is slowly working his way through Northrend, and I'm attempting to keep my 2-handed weapon skills maxed out. Just for fun, the other night I decided to put up my trusty 2-handers and work on my unarmed skill a bit.

I was more than a little surprised to learn that, of my primary attacks (unholy build), only Icy Touch worked while unarmed.

Has anyone else ever worked on their unarmed skill? What was your attack routine if so? Thanks!

You were surprised to discover that weapon-based attacks wouldn't work without a weapon? It's like trying to Parry or Riposte without an epee or something (which, I guess, is a bad example if you don't know anything about fencing). Or, more simply, like trying to stab someone without a blade.

In general, DKs only work on their unarmed skill enough to get the achievement. If I recall correctly, weapon skill doesn't effect spell hit. PvP ones may do it to squeeze more DpS out when they are disarmed.

And, yes, all of your spell abilities should have worked. Besides those Maz named, you can also use DnD, CoI, and your silences. Garg, too, if you have the RP.

And, as a note, every ability that requires a melee weapon equipped will tell you that in its tooltip.

I advise just waiting until 80 to level it. And, as far as I know, you CAN level weapon skill on those training dummies in town. Just stand in front of one and auto-attack. Move up or down every 5 minutes to keep from going afk.

Alternatively, find a mount that has a regen. Put on Blood Presence and auto-attack it to death. You should gain a good two-digits worth of skill before it dies, and your damage will heal you (Naturally, the mob you choose shouldn't be capable or putting out large quantities of damage).

Or you can level it while doing dailies. When killing 15 Scourge for the tourny, just do that without a wep. I advise you spec Blood with Virulence, though, because you'll want self healing. Imp BP and BWs should be enough. Don't use any damage skills--you won't get the chance for skill-up then.

I haven't tried recently, but someone was telling me you could (but that it is slow). I would definitely check before trying.

The ignorance of not realizing they were weapon attacks was born out of laziness on my part hehe. Yes, I just admitted I am lazy and ignorant. *grin*

I just assumed they were more magical in nature and not dependent upon having a weapon in hand. My lil gnome DK is my fun toon, so I don't study the tooltips as well as I should.

I may have to go back at some point and do the lower level instances unarmed as one poster suggested. That could be fun.

Thanks!