Death Knight ( Warcraft III ) Death Knights were once proud Paladins and virtuous defenders of Humanity . However , once the Paladin ranks were disbanded by the failing Alliance , many of these holy warriors traveled to the quarantined lands to ease the suffering of those left within the plague - ridden colonies . Though the Paladins were immune to disease of any kind , they were persecuted by the general populace who believed that they had been infected by the foul plague . A small band of Paladins , embittered by society ' s cruelty , traveled north to find the plague ' s source . These renegade Paladins succumbed to bitter hatred over the course of their grueling quest . When they finally reached Ner ' zhul ' s icy fortress in Northrend they had become dark and brooding . The Lich King offered them untold power in exchange for their services and loyalty . The weary , vengeful warriors accepted his dark pact , and although they retained their humanity , their twisted souls were bound to his evil will for all time . Bestowed with black , vampiric Runeblades and shadowy steeds , Death Knights serve as the Scourge ' s mightiest generals . Information . The Death Knight is a melee Hero but attacks very slowly making him one of the lesser melee Heroes . The Death Knight is typically the second Hero built by Undead players with the Dread Lord being the first Hero . The Death Knight works very well with Ghouls because of his Unholy Aura , which also combines well with the Dread Lord ' s Vampiric Aura . Death Coil is useful for healing the Death Knight ' s army or allied Undead Heroes . Death Coil is also useful for attacking enemy Heroes or units . Death Pact is rarely used but can help keep the Death Knight alive by eating Skeleton Warriors . Animate Dead can be very powerful depending on the units raised and the timing . Some jokingly refer to him as the healing Knight because 3 of his abilities ( Death Coil , Death Pact , Unholy Aura ) can be used to heal damage . The Death Knight ' s Death Coil ability makes him useful for healing units and for attacking other Heroes . His Unholy Aura ability makes him helpful in large allied games where his aura can help a lot of units . Although the Death Knight is a melee guy it ' s best to watch him very closely and remove him from battle if attacked . He can be easily killed . For skill point spending strategies most players research either Unholy Aura or Death Coil first and maximize those stopping only to get Animate Dead at Level 6 . Proper names . Lord Nightsorrow , Lord Soulrender , Lord Dethstorm , Lord Maldazzar , Lord Darkhallow , Lord Lightstalker , Baron Bloodbane , Baron Felblade , Duke Dreadmoore , Duke Ragereaver , Baron Frostfel , Lord Darkscythe , Duke Wintermaul , Baron Perenolde , Baron Morte Spells and abilities . Death Coil . The Death Knight ' s Death Coil ability is a great healer for Undead units and even for the Neutral Heroes Dark Ranger and Pit lord . Death Coil can also be used to heal allied Heroes and your own second Hero . Advanced players often use a Death Knight for this purpose . Death Coil is also good against early rushes where the enemy targets your workers . You can use a Death Coil to heal your Acolytes that are under attack or combat units . Death Coil is especially useful to finish off running enemy Heroes that are near death .