Wild Idea - Change DRK damage from Slashing to Magic + Give Resistance Down Debuff

[LordHousewife]

BLM & SMN would be way too strong if DRK could reduce target magic resistance. Blunt is somewhat understandable to increase synergy with MNK, but even that is pushing it with the DPS boost gained. I'd rather just see Dark Dance turned into a parry version of Sheltron so I could Reprisal on command.

First of all, while I agree with the Dark Dance thing and have often said the same thing myself, it is completely off topic. That's besides the point however. How would this change make BLM and SMN too strong? Foe Requiem already does the same thing and I am pretty sure OP said they wouldn't stack.

[Mattiux]

I have done a similar proposal some time ago.
I'll report here the quote of my thread:

Hi fellow Tanks

i apologize in advance for my english,i'll try my best. ^^

So, i know currently we have TONS of Dark Knight revamp post and... sandly this is another one. But this proposal has been around in my head for a while.

-Delirium:
With a MnK in the party is a pretty useless skill. Change it to a magical resistance down debuff. Something like 5% to help the Dark knight utility to fit in the party. The debuff can't stack with foe ballad (otherwise it will be too powerfull) not sure about the Hypercharged effect of Mch, this needs developer test.

-Reprisal
Reprisal can stay as it is, just add a possibility to use it without the proc if you are under the effect of Dark Arts. Obv Dark Arts fade upon execution. This change will cover the lost of Delirium effect in non-mnk-party and help the DrK to be in pair with the warrior debuff. If the effect with Storm path is too strong, just make that it lower the potency if stacked up with it.
-Dark Arts
The DA reprisal will cost tons of MP, less souleater buffed less damage. To fix it i wonder if we can make the DA buffed attack as also magic attack. in this way it will provide a little buff from Delirium and make the Dark knight a kind of magic tank. (well... not so much but more on pair with the lore and the ability mood)

Carve and Spit
Add a little regene of TP if you are using it outside of Dark Arts.

Conclusion
With this changes the DrK will have more utility for the party on the same route of the other Tanks skill ( Pld have huge party mitigation and help skill now, Warrior still prove the two Storm skill debuff). Moreover, in that way the Drk will have less conflictual skill (delirium with monk), reliance on other job (War, Nin) and less situation skill (reprisal).

If you have readed so far, Thank you for your time ^^

[pandabearcat]

I support the whole magic + magic resist down thing.

It would certainly make DRK be more viable for a magic heavy party, reduce the need for BRD/MCH, and allow them their own place.

However, the problem is now PLD suck...even more. Give PLD slashing and damage down (stacking with warrior) and call it a day.

[Xenosan]

Before Early Access, when Famitsu article teased about new Job Abilities, anticipation for PLD getting the Slashing Debuff & DRK getting a Trick Attack Vulnerability Up for utility was there - at least I think.

I think the magic damage and Foe Req alternate can work if done properly - it'd be a pretty big change but could be fun. Not related to OPs suggestion but spit-ball utility for DRK via Absorbs:

Combo'd Delirium, Magic Absorb: Magic Damage Down (a la Rend Mind) debuff + Magic Damage Up (only effects Passenger, Unleashed, Unmend, Abyssal Drain) buff
Combo'd Power Slash, Power Absorb: Physical Damage Down (a la Rend Weapon) debuff + Physical Damage Up buff
Reprisal, Defense Absorb: Vulnerability Up debuff + Damage Reduction buff (recast&proc mechanic altered if necessary)

Even if debuffs didn't stack DRK would still have incentive to maintain them for the buff aspects..

DRK doesn't really need DPS buffs, but just for IMO improved gameplay enjoyment, I would like to see more buff/debuff management on DRK since it's really right now only about oGCD recast management, MP conservation, and maintaining Scourge.

IMO the silver-lining for the no utility DRK at the moment is they have a WS oGCD & combo layout that does have a spread where utility would fit in nicely (and this is even before factoring in Dark Arts, whether that works as an added gate to utility application). IMO the big 4 are C&S, Reprisal, Power Slash, Delirium. If 3.1 has utility additions to DRK, I think that's where they'd go

[Nektulos-Tuor]

The issue to this is. We won't be able to hold aggro against Summoners or Black Mages in normal groups or have a much harder time. Unless our main source of damage is Magic.

I would love the Dark Knight to have more Physical+Magical attacks and cast timers on his spells but more powerful effects.

[Disc]

How would this change make BLM and SMN too strong? Foe Requiem already does the same thing and I am pretty sure OP said they wouldn't stack.

Foe Requiem is nowhere near 100% up time.

[Freyyy]

The issue to this is. We won't be able to hold aggro against Summoners or Black Mages in normal groups or have a much harder time. Unless our main source of damage is Magic.

Wtf man that's complete BS. We already have no issues at all holding agro against SMN and BLM with Foe Requiem on, and our AoE moves are already only magic. And single target we have like the most powerful enmity combo out of the 3 tanks lol. And OP clearly said he wanted to make all DRK attacks magic instead of slaying, it's even in the freaking title.

[Deusteele]

To step on the weapon types conversation. But a katana is a really BAD weapon. Very prone to breaking and shattering. The fancy folding method wasn't to make it super strong.. it was used to mask the poor construction. You can watch youtube videos of katana's breaking in half from normal style chopping style swings. They required a very different swing type that closely resembles certain fishing rod movements.

As for the damascus steel issue. The reason it's so sharp is due to micro carbides that occur due to the types of iron,carbon and magnetite ores used and forging techniques. It goes by many names, Wootz Steel, Seric Iron and Damascus Steel. It comes from Southern India. Damascus is a Syrian city

[Disc]

Folding steel for katanas had more to do with the quality of materials available. It was meant to overcome impurities in the metal, not cover a flaw in construction. The iron found in Japan was lower quality than a lot of what you would've found in many European countries. This issue actually persists today with components of modern weapons when comparing the resources of countries like China & Romania.

I'm a fan of war history.

[Ladon]

I'm not entirely convinced that even stacking with Foe's, a 10% boost in SMN and BLM single target would overpower them even if it does stack with Foe's. Based on the numbers I am currently seeing, SMNs and BLMs are doing around 1100-1200 single target while the melees are over 1500 (with a bard in the group). A 10% boost to the magic users would put them in the realm of 1200-1350 single target.

Also keep in mind, realistically a DRK is going to be able to keep this on one enemy, so situations like A1S where SMNs see higher numbers because they can DOT both Oppressors, they will only see a boost from one Oppressor. And of course this isn't much of a boost in AE fights like A2S and can't really be applied to add heavy fights either. Foes would continue to be the far superior option here.

Of course healers will see a damage boost as well so there is always that as a factor. But again, keep in mind here the idea is to boost raid effectiveness so that is kind of the point here. Does 10% stacking boost increase raid damage too much overall with a DRK in a party? Maybe. Drop it down to 5% if that is the case(which might not be a bad idea because then it make sense for Foe's to overwrite this. It could stack with MCH still though and then a MCH+DRK party would get a similar benefit to when a BRD is around). And again, as mentioned if there are stacking concerns then this game has dealt with debuff stacking plenty of times so I don't really see this concern a huge issue here as well.