Dark Knight - OT or MT?

[Kassiekane]

So we all know DRK will be an "evasion and parry" tank. The question is if this job will be MT-centric like paladins or OT-centric like warrior.

If the evasion and parry aspects are controlled ( i.e. abilities similar to perfect dodge; guaranteed dodge/parry on the next magic/physical attack) then DRK would make a terrific main tank. I imagine if they do this, then the 'lolyoucantkillme' ability wouldn't be anywhere near as strong as hallowed ground.

However, if the evasion and parry aspects are governed with RNG (i.e. abilities like Keen Flurry/Featherfoot; increased chance of dodge/parry for x amount of time) then DRK would be better suited for OT.

What I'm hoping the devs do with DRK is that they make it something in-between; good for either OT or MT but not the best in either role.

[Marxam]

Evasion and Parry? lol Your basing tank qualities on rng rather than straight mitigation?

As for the PLD vs WAR its exactly the same and the only difference is the fact that PLD has 10 sec immunity and WAR has slightly better dps while tanking (holmgang still sucks though). WAR is very competitive when it comes to mitigation having a 20% dmg reduction on demand. Also, WAR can survive longer in certain situations better than PLD because of the self heals. I survived Fenrir after our healer died at 80% by berserk IB's and SP's and proper use of def cd's. People opt for PLD as MT due to the utility it has being a stun bot and access to silence and HG. Plus its much easier on the healers where as WAR's, healers will be seeing our hp's ping pong from critical to full hp and they normally panic in those situations since they think we are going to die and start spamming heals.


I'm hoping DRK takes this concept and fleshes it out fully since people who have played war at launch (including myself) know how crazy 300% heals are. More emphasis on the Life/Soul drain the DRK is so well known for. If this goes through I may just have to rename myself to Goffard Gaffgarion.

[Krr]

Good WARs are actually a lot more stable in the HP department than most people think, because properly timed and cycled Inner Beast/Vengeance/Thrill of Battle pops will significantly flatten the amount of damage most 'tank killer' attacks will deal.

Both of the tanks actually have their own pros and cons to being the MT and OT - PLD actually has higher singletarget OT DPS with Sword Oath and Fracture brought in, TMK, it's far easier for them to stunbot when not spending their GCDs to keep an aggro lead, and they aren't any worse-off than WAR in single-target add phases, WAR has more DPS in Defiance than a PLD does in Shield Oath and more 'holy crap I need aggro NOW' tools, etc, etc.

I'm curious not as to what DRK will use to 'mitigate damage' but what utility they will bring to the party. A tank class is a lot more than its dodge, parry, block, and HP values.

Especially because Dodge, Parry, and Block all suck.

[Psykotsu]

I'm pretty sure it will have the tools to play as either role just like both of the current tanks.


I'm not sure where you assume that it'll be evasion or parry though..

[Nexxus]

I'm curious not as to what DRK will use to 'mitigate damage' but what utility they will bring to the party. A tank class is a lot more than its dodge, parry, block, and HP values.

I'd say, spells. Drain effect spells. Absorb stats/strenght/etc...
It could lead to a tank that lower enemies strenght while getting stronger defense for himself, so it benefit the entire party. but it could also be something else, we have to wait and see...

[Kassiekane]

Evasion and Parry? lol Your basing tank qualities on rng rather than straight mitigation?

Ask Yoshi-P that. When they announced DRK, all they literally said that it would be an evasion/parry tank and would use the power of darkness. There's only 2 ways parry/evasion are usually implemented in a tab-targeting game, which I listed in op.

I'm not starting a WAR vs PLD argument here, the whole MT/OT statement is just the typical set up. As WAR main I'm well aware that war is a good MT.

[DududeDude]

Judging by currently available information I can with complete certainty say that dark knights will be either off or main tanking.

[Inzoum]

So we all know DRK will be an "evasion and parry" tank.

Can you quote where this is from? I saw the reveal announcement and I don't remember anything of the sort in there.

Traditionally (that is not FFXI), Dark Knights sacrifice their HP to enhance their attacks. I'd put my money on this more than I would on your "evasion tank" theory.

[Garlyle]

Judging by currently available information I can with complete certainty say that dark knights will be either off or main tanking.

aww shoot, and here I was gonna play mine as a healer

[Inzoum]

Especially because Dodge, Parry, and Block all suck.

Block doesn't suck. Try tanking as PLD without a shield. It's part of the overall damage mitigation process, just more RNG based. Cut it out entirely and you'll see the difference.