I'm thinking Dark Knight's rework will be more extensive than I initially thought.

[Izsha]

Very much this ^

Just giving Drk a dreadspikes CD 'cuz XI had it' makes it as much of a lifesteal tank as War is a parry tank because of raw intuition. I have previously heralded Pld's shield KIT as one of the best things SE has done for tanks in a while because it is a series of interlocking parts that really help sell the fantasy of a sword n board protective Pld just as the dual physical/holy rotation helps solidify the holy part of the paladin fantasy. Paladin is the best example of a class living up to its concept with a well designed kit. Just giving Drk dreadspikes doesnt do that.

The same way I wouldnt mind (for example) warrior going further into the HP synergy system they started to scratch at with Thrill/defiance/upheaval and move any support features into a warcry theme to really sell the barbarian feel they went with in this game (controlling and unleashing the inner beast etc.) Delete skills that dont add to the fantasy like raw intuition. Add things that help sell the concept of the class.

The western Holy Paladin archetype is pretty clear cut and the job's kit works toward that fantasy very well as of now.
The berserker barbarian straddling the line between control and rage is (ok-ishly) presented war's kit. But has some underdeveloped aspects like HP synergy and tacked on extras like SIO and Raw intuition for example that could be realigned to the concept.
Drk is a little lost in this area. When I think of Drk, I think of much of the old FF Drks but as discussed, those mechanics that sell that fantasy dont really work in 14 for various reasons. 'Lifesteal' doesnt fill that void.

Theres nothing inherently wrong with lifesteal and dread spikes was a cool skill in XI and fit the theme of the class in almost every angle. It fit the absorb/steal side stealing mob HP. It fit the hurt myself to hurt my enemy/lower defense to increase offense concept. It was dark magic on the class with the highest dark magic skills and spells. And it was a actually a good skill in the context of being useful in the game.

Giving it to Drk right now does none of that. Its just giving war raw intuition. Sure it is a functional skill that helps tanks be tanks, but its just tacked on. Doesnt help sell the character concept.

Me saying just handing out dreadspikes because 'lifesteal' isnt a good tank identity has nothing to do with keeping drk from getting toys. It has to do with it doesnt really do anything about drk identity. Drk is a perfectly capable and functional tank right now regarding balance etc. You can make any tank functional and good with a hodgepodge of skills that get the job done. But when were talking about a complete ground up redesign, you need more than just tacked on skills or you might as well leave drk as it is. You need a strong concept. An Identity. Lifesteal isnt a character. I would want to read a story about a paladin because thats an idea. A character. An Identity. The question is what would a book about a Dark Knight be? Far more than dreadspikes or lifesteal, though they could play a role if it somehow helped anchor the character the way a well developed shield system helps anchor Paladin.