Like every other class in World of Warcraft Death Knights can invest their talent points in three different talent trees. Death Knight talents are divided into Blood, Frost and Unholy. Unlike most other classes the Death Knight does not have one specific role for each of the talent trees, but there is a new concept in the works: Death Knights have the ability to utilize every tree for either damage dealing, tanking or PvPing. Even a hybrid spec using all three talent trees is possible.

The Blood Talent tree stands out due to its strong self healing talents, making Blood one of the most famous leveling specs.

The Frost talent tree contains many talents with a strong defensive character, which makes this talent tree often seem like the "tanking tree". Nevertheless it still contains a large variety of offensive skills that make a Frost Death Knight a formidable opponent.

The Unholy talent tree improves the Death Knight's companions and is the visually most flamboyant of the talent trees. The ghoul every Death Knight is able to summon turns into a permanent pet and in dire situations the Death Knight can summon a Gargoyle for additional help.

No matter which talent tree the Death Knight invests in, each tree has the needed talents for tanking, damage dealing and PvP survival. You have to make your decisions within the trees though.

Even if you select a specific DPS or PvP spec you will still be able to tank non-heroic dungeons in Wrath of the Lich King with your Death Knight.