DRK - Teach me when/how/where/why to use The Blackest Night

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Originally Posted by SyzzleSpark

The mana return on unboosted C&S is a safety net or an AoE supplement and something you should never ever do in single target unless you screw up badly. This has been the case since the job launched 2 years ago.

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I haven't DA C&S in a while unless the DPS is really, really lacking. However, I never would say never. Intimacy is essential in any encounter/pull/boss fight and if a window comes up you could DA it I don't really see why not especially if you aren't using it over the period a second C&S would become available.

I'm also talking about five mans or in general of course.

I'm like 99% sure that Dark Arts Siphon Strike gives more MP than not Dark Artsing it... Maybe it's different with/without grit but I make it a point to Dark Arts Siphon Strike because of the extra MP refund.

I guess I'm thinking it gives more MP simply because of the damage increase.

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Originally Posted by Mithron

I'm like 99% sure that Dark Arts Siphon Strike gives more MP than not Dark Artsing it... Maybe it's different with/without grit but I make it a point to Dark Arts Siphon Strike because of the extra MP refund.

I guess I'm thinking it gives more MP simply because of the damage increase.

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It doesn't. Grit Syphon gives you more mana than non-Grit Syphon (twice as much). DAing it affects the damage but not the mana return.

Where I struggle is being too low on mp to use it when I see a window, only for that window to close by the time I spit out my next SS. Seems to happen always when I am hard slashing, just can't get the next SS fast enough....

it works like this:

You will want to DA everything when BW+delirium up. I mean you will be DAing basically everything for the next 3 combos.
now, tips:
- if there is no need for mobility, save plunge to use when BW is up.
- DA order: C&S>BS>SE=SS (SE in grit gives health, so if you have to choose, choose SE).
- if you can save Bloodspillers for grit, do it. Just dont sit on 100 blood waiting to get back on grit, you are wasting resources!!
- DA to your hearts content, until you reach 40-50% mana, you want mana for TBN, C&S or a stance swap.
- C&S should aways be DAed, unless: 1-multiple trash pulls, use C&S to keep the AoE going; 2-you screwed and need mana asap.
- you really dont want to waste delirium on blood price. Use it with BW. unless you screwed up and need that delirium mana asap on grit.
- if you are ot, make a macro to TBN the main tank, a trigered TBN is the best use of mana whatsoever.

TL-DR
TBN and DA C&S > all
mana>40-50%.... DA whatever you want bro.
mana<40-50%.... save for TBN and DA C&S.
The mana reserve is somewhat personal, im confortable with 40% mana reserve, maybe less depending on the situation and encounter knowledge.

Follow-up question, should Bloodspiller only be used in conjunction with DA?

dark arts your dark arts

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Originally Posted by bweisnicht

Follow-up question, should Bloodspiller only be used in conjunction with DA?

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Out of Grit, DA does the same for BS, SS and SE, so if you don't have enough MP, it doesn't matter which one you don't DA.

In Grit, it's a slight DPS loss to DA SE (or SS) above BS, but if you need the HP or are capped on Blood but miss the MP, it's not a huge drop.

The Darkest night is based used to nullify / lower major attacks damage. Example Shin fight use it on Primal Major attacks, if well geared and timed dmg is 0. Dark arts on other skills like Dark Mind help a lot as well. It's all about timing and MP management. If yoru a massive dungeon puller is a nice way to get constant Dark bar up and get some quick breath in for healers.

on a serious note tho does drk even have a rotation mines only 64 leveled pali first but wouldnt you basicly dark arts soul eater constantly, use cs when its up and bloodspiller are is there a set type rotation youd use.