The Best Writeup I've Seen About Current DRK Status + Concerns - Check it out!

[Giantbane]

One more problem on the pile is its TP usage. PLDs can use shield swipe to mitigate tp drain without losing out on DPS or enmity. WARs have GCD Infuriated abilities that give it a break from TP drain that are a DPS BOOST. DRKs have nothing of the sort as a MT and run out of TP faster than the other two which really seems quite backwards on a Tank that was sold as MP management. its an unfair disadvantage to darks, and there is no reasonable way to mitigate it. (spamming a spell like unmend or unleash is not a reasonable way to mitigate tp drain as a main tank as it is a definitive dps loss and hurts your MP).

unmend isn't that bad, really. It's 150 pot move that, for all intents and purposes regens 50tp. It *is* a DPS loss, but so is shield swipe (when you consider goring & royal authority). Shield swipe is less of a DPS loss, but it only regens 10tp (it is 40tp, right?). So Unmend is a larger dps loss compared to shield swipe, but unmend gives the DRK 5x more TP than shield swipe gives the PLD. The result being you have to do it less often. And as was stated, unmend is not dependent upon a block proc, you can do it whenever needed. This also works for the DRK as an OT. PLD gets nothing when OT to deal with TP loss, they're just out and have to switch to heals/stoneskin.

Granted, I still think both classes could use a little more in the TP department. For DRK, it would be nice to have a stronger melee version of unmend that would serve the same purpose. Probably more conventional TP restoration for the PLD. Maybe have sheltron restore TP in sword oath?

I have no idea why they gave WAR deliverance AND equilibrium's TP restoration. You'd think Deliverance would have been enough, as you'll be putting out fel cleaves on the regular (no TP cost).

•Switch cross-class skills from GLD/MRD to GLD/LNC - this gives it a second parry tool and fixes any tp problems and adds an extra OT DPS booster benefit.

this is a bad idea. Foresight is actually pretty good with current armor levels. Something like 16%+ pure mitigation not dependent on RNG. Keen flurry is nowhere near as effective.

[Xenosan]

Even power slash is its own worst enemy. Buffed with Dark Arts one power slash is really enough enmity for an entire fight. That's awesome. But it also means using it is pointless as long as you have the MP to be buffing Souleater. don't have the MP to do that? well don't power slash combo either because you need that syphon strike to regen. PLD's and WAR's three combo finishers? all have a definitive benefit.

^I think addressing this should be the first practical thing to do. The WS rotations are sort of a foundation..

Needs some love. Utility, potency+ (merge with Scourge?), MP/HP absorb, idk anything.

PLD has a reason to use all 3 combos. WAR has a reason to at least consider all 3 combos.. DRK outside aggro: no reason. I've actually put Spinning Slash & Power Slash down at the bottom of my hotbars where potions and LB usually go - just cuz it's such an infrequent thing

[Jandor]

I can't figure out why parrying resets low blow instead of reprisal...

[spelley]

^I think addressing this should be the first practical thing to do. The WS rotations are sort of a foundation..

Needs some love. Utility, potency+ (merge with Scourge?), MP/HP absorb, idk anything.

PLD has a reason to use all 3 combos. WAR has a reason to at least consider all 3 combos.. DRK outside aggro: no reason.

As I've said before in other threads, Dark Dance should give back TP when not in Grit, probably 200 TP or 300 with Dark Arts. Gives usually useless OT skill a purpose on an appropriate CD.

As for Power Slash, I don't see a problem having it be a specialty tool. You use it once, maybe reapplying later if your DPSers are really good and then stick to your mana regening abilities. Dark Arts Power Slash is your "snap aggro" skill, like a Warrior doing Berserk/Unchained + Overpower.

[Hundred]

I can't figure out why parrying resets low blow instead of reprisal...

Because low blows has the highest CD of all tanks stuns, but the fact that it can be reset is to make up for this.

[Jandor]

Because low blows has the highest CD of all tanks stuns, but the fact that it can be reset is to make up for this.

Just give low blows a lower CD then :/

[Ladon]

Why are people bringing up using Unmend to allow for TP regen?

Unmend cost mana and doesn't return any mana from Blood Weapon. So not only is it a big DPS loss by just using it, but you are destroying your ability to dish out damage again when you actually get TP back.

[saber_alter]

something about unmend and shield swipe

but that's not the only tp regen tool that paladin has, no? paladin has access to both stoneskin and clemency. yes during big hits it gets stunned, but it's the same amount of regen, helps with mitigation, and doesn't use a primary resource like drk does. meanwhile unmend doesn't work with blood weapon, forces us to guzzle our mp (because remember, unless your that afraid to bottom out, darkside will still be up), and doesn't really help anything.

[Dererk]

I really must be doing something right or very wrong because IV only ran out of tp 1 or 2 times as far as i can remember.

[Kynian]

I really must be doing something right or very wrong because IV only ran out of tp 1 or 2 times as far as i can remember.

No offense then, but you're doing something wrong.