I’ve been using going in, with DnD, rune tap, plague, trying to build up to 10 bone shards, and popping Death Strike when I get to like 75%, but for every like 25% of HP I lose I only get like 5-10 back, so I’m constantly falling behind. If I pull more than 1 pack it’s quite a bit worse. I’m only 33, so I’m sure not having my full kit is a part of it, but I’ve gotten every tank except DH/DK to 60 and never had this much trouble staying alive. Is there some big part of the rotation I’m doing wrong, or is it just something that comes once you get your entire kit?
So your healing is based off the damage you took in the last 5 seconds. And you only heal 30% of that. So if you lose 25% over 5 seconds and Death Strike, you’re only getting 7.5% (10% minimum, so 10%) back.
Rune Tap also only lasts 4 seconds. Using it on the pull is kinda /meh IMO. I haven’t been that low of a level on a character in awhile so I may be a bit rusty, but if you’re running into a group, Blood Boil is your friend (AoE damage, and spread Plague to everyone).
Your big Cooldown is Vampiric Blood, I think you should have gotten that about level 30ish? Increases your HP, and the amount you heal/are healed for by 30%. Definitely a big help.
And also Dancing Rune Weapon boosts your parry by 40% while it’s up. Also a big boon in defense, but also a 2 minute CD.
BDK is on the lower end of tank damage though. So that may just be a part of it.
My rotation would be: Run in, drop DnD, Blood Boil, Marrowrend, Marrowrend, Heartstrikes to continue to build Runic Power, Deathstrike to keep from capping and/or keep myself alive as needed.
I save Rune Tap for big hits personally (like going against a Rare that’s got some big bad attack). Run the Fallen Crusader rune on your weapon (chance to heal you for a heft amount per proc).
BDK is definitely the slowest going tank for awhile. It’s a lot more smooth and fun once you do have a full tool kit and all your talents. So stick it out if possible sir and reap what you sow! (you’ll be reaping a lot 
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If you don’t have weak auras, I highly recommend it. There are a few weak aura strings you can import to track what % your deathstrike is going to heal for. Helps tremendously in timing them.
Retain as much rp and bone shield stacks at the end of a pull to start the next one with plenty of resources. The first few seconds of a pull are when we are the softest.
In m15s, which hit harder then the leveling experience, I rarely see that number get over 25%. Death strike isn’t as bomb of a heal as the forum leads you to believe.
Not sure what level you get these abilities at but you can use chains of ice to kite a melee mob or two. You can stun a mob with asphyxiate to buy some breathing room. You have ghoul sac to get a chunk of health. Blood plague will leech health for you. If you have runeforging then fallen crusader is a small heal that procs a few times a minute. You can buy health pots off ah for cheap honestly. May be worth spending a few dozen gold to have an oh crap button.
It all adds up to noticeable health regen.
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Made a vulpera dk, the vulpera racials (bag of tricks on yourself and nose for trouble) help a bunch. I was also getting trucked.
I agree, rp gen at low levels is absolutely awful and it shows.
In particular, the conduit that gives rp on interrupt makes a huge impact in dungeons in SL. It’s half a death strike every time you use it almost PLUS you don’t take the spell damage.
Crusader enchant is better than fallen crusader at lower levels, the heal is substantially higher.
Haste gear is probably worth a premium so you can roll abilities more quickly to get that RP back up for survival.