Dark Knight - Great Sword or Great Scythe poll

[Myrhn]

I want to see DRK with a Scythe and been a DPS. I rather see a Tamplar-like job tanking with a Gread Sword.

[FritoBandito]

Doesn't seem likely unless DRK is INT-based because you'd otherwise be making shields with duplicate stats for cosmetic reasons. If it were INT-based, you'd end up needing to make an entire new set of weapons to match. Just messy all around.

I don't understand. When I think of DRK, I see it as a melee DPS job, thus using stats such as STR and DEX. What's all this you're saying about INT?

Let's look at Holy Shield. It uses STR, VIT, Skill Speed, and Parry. A relic shield for DRK could use STR, VIT, CRIT, and Determination. So, tell me again what your concern is?

And an entire new set of weapons....what's the problem with that? New content is a good thing, right?

[Bakiraka]

Also, for people who argue scythes are impractical, Zhagnals are an Indian battle scythe, and ninjas used Kamas, which are hand scythes. Anything weighted properly is a good weapon.

Can I get some more context on Zhagnals? From which tribe/area in India do they derive themselves? What were some historical battles when they were used successfully? When I look into them all I get are results from FF and half the pictures on google images that show up are daggers. A weapon site defined it as a type of war pick which it seems to be closer to than a war scythe based on some of the diagrams I am seeing. Kamas are also useful because they purposefully take away all the pitfalls of a scythe i.e. the length/ridiculous proportions/weight while swinging, etc. A scythe in it's basic form which is what the OP wanted/implied, isn't in fact practical. Adaptations of said tool are practical, but we shouldn't include random junk because "anything weighted properly is a good weapon". I mean if that is the case I want a stick with a sharp rock tied to it for my Maruader.

The more research I do the more it seems like people defined zhagnals as a type of axe/pick weapon than a scythe. Also apparently kamas derived themselves from something akin to sickles, not scythes. Even viewing the "war scythes" article linked earlier you will find that it is much more akin to a halberd/fauchard/polearm than a scythe. The pictures people have been showing of scythes in this thread haven't been war scythes or kamas or zhagnals either. People have just been posting random big ass scythes from their anime cartoons/grimdark deviantart fan-art. That is precisely where the idea of scythes as legitimate/useful weapons belongs and should stay, in the realm of bad fan-fiction.

[Gamemako]

I don't understand. When I think of DRK, I see it as a melee DPS job, thus using stats such as STR and DEX. What's all this you're saying about INT?

Existing equipment is already STR stuff. You'd basically be creating a second grouping of items with identical or nearly-identical stat stats. Creating content takes time and resources, and creating duplicate equipment (would be equally valuable for PLD and DRK) and locking it away behind an arbitrary barrier is frustrating and wasteful. The alternative is to focus on stats which are not on the current pieces of GLA/PLD equipment, which would be INT/MND; however, if you made your Dark Knight INT-focused, a new group of weapons would also have to created to suit that stat requirement. If both are useful, then everybody will use melded equipment.

[Karnyboy]

Some of you speak of the DRK class in FFXIV like you already know what it will entail. I will help you out real quick, you have NO idea that it will be an INT based class, you have NO idea what stat they will base any of it off of. You can speculate, but you cannot say for certain. Additionally, whilst I prefer a 2H sword for them, I am not against a scythe albeit being terribly cliche.

My personal preference, I will reiterate, I prefer my DRK to have a 2H sword, command a presence and tank like any self respecting man (or woman) in heavy armor would do.
I would envision them as a class that utilizes aoe dark spells to lower the damage received from targets around them and increase their damage/enmity

Kind of like a mixed bag of a warrior and a scholar with respect to the health and shields of each respective class.

Maintaining a rotation to basically keep those buffs/debuffs active at all times.

[Rubieus]

While I would accept either weapon to be Dark Knight potential. I have to say that it will most likely be a branch of Mar. Which means Great Axe, unless they change it up and give Mar, Scythes past lvl 30. Could be cool.
As for all the haters saying scythes are for farmers. You should do some homework on scythe wielders. Duo Maxwell has a few things to say to you.

[Bakiraka]

As for all the haters saying scythes are for farmers. You should do some homework on scythe wielders. Duo Maxwell has a few things to say to you.

We are the ones that should do some HW? If you've been reading the thread you'd see the most of people arguing against its use have in-fact done some semblance of research. It is the "omg scythes look so cool" crowd that keeps coming back with "oh you just don't know about extreme exception x!"

I mean, did you really just cite Gundam as an example for realistic weapon-use?

I'm not sure whether to feel insulted or pity.

[Gamemako]

Some of you speak of the DRK class in FFXIV like you already know what it will entail.

Nobody even knows if it will appear in the game at all. However, we can make educated guesses at what it could happen based on FFXIV mechanics and abilities. People often suggest things that would be useless, redundant, or insanely hard to implement; these just aren't likely to happen regardless of what weapons or jobs appear. For example, a Beastmaster with 9 summons is not likely due to redundancy.

[Rubieus]

We are the ones that should do some HW? If you've been reading the thread you'd see the most of people arguing against its use have in-fact done some semblance of research. It is the "omg scythes look so cool" crowd that keeps coming back with "oh you just don't know about extreme exception x!"

I mean, did you really just cite Gundam as an example for realistic weapon-use?

I'm not sure whether to feel insulted or pity.

Realistic weapon use.. in a fantasy based game. Oh my, the contradictions run amok. Seriously, Dark Knight is a DD class, it always has been. Cecil didn't go around begging people to let him tank and take all the damage. Darkside, that skill is not a tank skill. It is a dps skill, which means GS, GA, or GS. Seeing as Mar is still the most likely branch, GA is the main choice. and GS is closer to GA than GS.I could site alot more than just gundam, Magus from Chrono Trigger is pretty much Dark Knight. He oozes it.

I don't really understand why anyone wants to argue about what isn't even on the table. It's like fighting over who gets to be Yoshi P's adopted child. _-_

[Bakiraka]

Realistic weapon use.. in a fantasy based game.

I typed up a few paragraphs in response, re-read them then deleted them. My tone is becoming too snide/bitter, I think I'm gonna have to stop here before I post something I regret. Ah well, best of luck to the people who want scythes.