The Strongest Death Knight in Warcraft history lore wise

[McNeil]

Out of the list I'd rank them from strongest to weakest:

Arthas > Teron > Darion > Rivendare > Dranosh > Thassarian > Koltira > Sir Zeliek

Is Sir Zeliek even a death knight?

[Adramalech]

Arthas as a death knight was an impressive warrior, but not that hugely powerful. He had a huge advantage in Frostmourne, but we can't just consider Arthas superior because of his weapon and his body count. I'd say that in a vaccuum, it's a tie between Arthas and Teron. I can't just pick one to come out on top because they're way too different.

[Deleted]

Out of the list I'd rank them from strongest to weakest:

Arthas > Teron > Darion > Rivendare > Dranosh > Thassarian > Koltira > Sir Zeliek

Is Sir Zeliek even a death knight?

I think all the Horsemen are death knights.

[Daara]

Out of the list I'd rank them from strongest to weakest:

Arthas > Teron > Darion > Rivendare > Dranosh > Thassarian > Koltira > Sir Zeliek

Is Sir Zeliek even a death knight?

Yes, Zeliek is so strong willed that even in death he is able to wield the light. He holds back his strength and even tells the players to flee. I wish the would give him more history because that alone was really intriguing on it's own. He is in control of everything but his body.

If I remember correctly the only reason the undead even had Priests in WoW was for balance reasons. Blizzard has since changed their minds and stated that only the strongest willed undead can use the holy light. However, this is extremely painful to them. Also the light can heal the undead but is also painful.

My order would be Arthas > Teron > Darion > Zeliek > Rivendare > Dranosh > Thassarian/Koltira

[Batmonishere]

Arthas, no question, and having Frostmourne solidified this. There's a reason he was picked to be Ner'zhul's champion. But I'd put Darion Mograine as the strongest one if you exclude Arthas and Teron and Dranosh (those two being dead).

[GennGreymane]

I had the impression that Teron was just chilling in black temple and Illidan was ok with that.

i feel like that for tons of bosses in black temple

[Phuongvi]

Darion, because he's alive

[Kaleredar]

Thassarian, because he's awesome. He's an unholy specced DK that dual wields two-handed swords. Come on.

But in all seriousness... Arthas. Most certainly Arthas. He was raising frostwyrms before it was cool.

I had the impression that Teron was just chilling in black temple and Illidan was ok with that.

I think Illidan just arrived back at the black temple one day, found he left it unlocked, and that a whole bunch of people had just moved in.

[Icaras]

I think we can safely ignore the boss soloers, as that's kind of like saying "My personal character is more powerful than Superman, I put them both in MAME and I WON!"

[inboundpaper]

Alexandros should be on here somewhere. He was one hardcore homeboy.

[Wildmoon]

It should be Arthas because of Frostmourne. People who said Arthas was really that stronger than Illidan should read Rise of the Lich King. Arthas was pushed back many times and he shit his pant when Illidan turned iinto demon form. He only won because Frostmourne callled him to blindly thrust upward when Illidan was going to land a killing blow and it happened to knock Illidan out. Illidan's raw demonic power actually overwhelmed Arthas in the novel. Illidan lost mostly because of his arrogant. That's why he was still in shocked at BT that he couldn't believe he lost that fight. This proved why Frostmourne is so freaking strong. It's the sword with life of its own. Illidan would beat the crap out of all of them in the list except Arthas with Frostmourne.

[Drakesong]

Arthas wasn't weakened when he fought Illidan. Ner'zhul sent him everything he could spare to get him to beat Illidan to the throne. In the book, Arthas was as strong as ever when Ner'zhul did this.

Still, it was Arthas only (no Lich King) who barely killed Illidan. And Gorefiend is weaker than Illidan

[Deleted]

Teron Gorefiend.

[Raiju]

Still, it was Arthas only (no Lich King) who barely killed Illidan. And Gorefiend is weaker than Illidan

By what reasoning?

[bionics]

Have to go with Teron Gorefiend. He wins as creepiest looking Death Knight as well.

Although no slight to Arthas pre-Lich King, much of his success can be attributed to Frostmourne.

[Eazy]

Teron, because he's cool and first Death Knight, his mount was Deathwing, any questions?

Arthas wasn't so strong as a Deathknight, without Frostmourne or The Crown he wouldn't be so powerful.

[Shiny212]

Arthas by FAR

Teron isn't really the same kind of death knight..more of a spellcaster with necromatic properties.

[Sj]

Jaina is not only the strongest, but in fact the most evil character on Azeroth. By a massive margin. Like, she's worse than all of the old gods combined. Basically every bad thing that has happened since the beginning of the third war can be traced to her.

I remember there was a thread about that back in the day, but damn if I can't find it.

[Deleted]

I think Teron Gorefiend wins this. He always finds a way to return to the realm of the living.

Arthas was pretty strong as a Death Knight, but most of his fame comes from becoming the Lich King. People give him too much credit.
But it's hard to compare their power. For all we know Saurfang as a DK was just as strong as Arthas. One is seen in an RTS and the other in an MMORPG, it's very hard to compare them. But we do know most notable Orcs are total badasses, and him being the son of the legendary Saurfang must mean a thing.

I think in sheer power it's Saurfang > Arthas > Teron Gorefiend > others
But Saurfang isn't the best tactician, and Arthas isn't either since we've seen him make mistakes in the WC3:TFT campaign.

Teron Gorefiend on the other hand, he's the most cunning of all. He always has a plan.
Well, until Blizzard decided to randomly put him in the Black Temple Raid. That was a little weird.

[Nearmyth]

Sure, Arthas is a badass and all. But Frostmourne is what gave him his strength! Without Frostmourne he was just another paladin. (Well, one that "killed" Mal'Ganis and Kel'Thuzad, so I'll give you that).
Teron was the first original Death Knight if I'm not mistaken, my vote goes to him.