Instead of having rune swapping in Wrath of the Lich King, there is going to be a new entity all together called Runeforging that will allow Death Knights the ability to modify their weapons with certain runes. The cooldown on these runes is yet unknown and it seems that the biggest drawback so far is that you must teleport back to Ebon Hold in order to modify the rune weapons. Other than that, it seems that World of Warcraft's Wrath of the Lich King is going to be full of surprises and new items that is sure to delight its over nine million subscribers.
Runeforging
The Runeforging skill will allow the Death Knight to modify their rune weapons with different runes with the rune forge in Ebon Hold. It has an Instant cast.
Rune of Cinderglacier
The Rune of Cinderglacier so far is showing as a 5 second cast and will affix the Death Knight's rune weapon with a rune that has a chance to increase your Shadow and Frost spell damage by 10% for 15 seconds. This rune of cinderglacier modification will require a rune forge in Ebon Hold.
Rune of Frostfever
The Rune of Frostfever so far is showing as a 5 second cast and will affix the Death Knight's rune weapon with a rune that has a chance to inflict a disease that causes damage by Frost and will lower the attack power by 10% for 20 seconds. This rune of frostfever modification will require a rune forge in Ebon Hold.
Rune of Spellbreaking
The Rune of Spellbreaking so far is showing as a 5 second cast and will affix the Death Knight's two handed rune weapon with a rune that will deflect 5% of all spell damage. This rune of spellbreaking modification will require a rune forge in Ebon Hold.
Rune of Lichbane
The Rune of Lichbane so far is showing as a 5 second cast and will affix the Death Knight's rune weapon with a rune that has a chance to strike the undead for extra damage by fire and will stun them for 5 seconds. This rune of lichbane modification will require a rune forge in Ebon Hold.
Rune of Swordbreaking
The Rune of Swordbreaking so far is showing as a 5 second cast and will affix the Death Knight's two handed rune weapon with a rune that has a chance to increase your Parry chance by 3%. This rune of swordbreaking modification will require a rune forge in Ebon Hold.
Rune of Fallen Crusader
The Rune of Fallen Crusader so far is showing as a 5 second cast and will affix the Death Knight's rune weapon with a rune that has a chance to heal you for 3% and to increase your total strength by 30% for 15 seconds. This rune of fallen crusader modification will require a rune forge in Ebon Hold.