Lets Talk Dark Knight

[Velhart]

Not necessarily...

WAR is a blunt instrument that smashes things with reckless abandon and survives due to High HP. (I think WAR needs to lose some Accuracy while it's tanking, but that's another topic)

On the other hand, DRK is a very dangerous job to both themselves and their enemies. They must delicately balance sacrificial abilities, draining and absorption spells, damage output, enmity, and a lower HP pool, in order to maximize DPS and still survive.

DRK job should gain skills that maximize damage and add effects as their own HP declines. They should have lower Defense, Atk Power, Accuracy, HP and MP than other jobs, but this is compensated by their absorption spells which can put them at the top of the list when used.

Like someone said, DRK can go in any direction and the mind set is too much like FFXI. If we went through the FFXI route, we would basically have a job that has what WAR and DRG already have.

There are plenty of reasons DRK can work on GLA or MRD, but in my opinion, I think it would work better on GLA. Not just mechanics sake, but lore sake also. DRK opposing PLD has a ton of potential and I think SE should take advantage of that.

But I think I can better form an opinion on how DRK could adapt once 2.0 hits.

[Ramsey]

Well 2.0 itself is a revamp, no? For all we know they could make classes compatible with more weapons and open to change animations around. Simply saying, it isn't impossible, and even developers themselves have expressed interest in having Dark Knight an alternative GLA job. I don't think they would of brought that up if it couldn't happen.

I did include a caveat in my post, specifying that it would be possible, but the job system would have to undergo an absolutely massive revamp. Which seems silly considering they just made a huge revamp. But perhaps it was simply a segue revamp all along. We'll have to wait and see.

Unless they totally rework base actions, it makes more sense to base DRK off of MRD.

[Lux_Rayna]

I did include a caveat in my post, specifying that it would be possible, but the job system would have to undergo an absolutely massive revamp. Which seems silly considering they just made a huge revamp. But perhaps it was simply a segue revamp all along. We'll have to wait and see.

Unless they totally rework base actions, it makes more sense to base DRK off of MRD.

I agree that GLA mechanics just don't fit DRK. GLA is your basic "sword and board" class, while MRD is the offensive powerhouse. Not saying DRK can't work for GLA, but you would have to completely change GLA to transition into something like DRK. And that is something I just don't really see happening (although it good). To clarify my point, lore-wise it makes more sense for DRK to come off of GLA, but mechanically DRK is a much better fit for MRD as you said.

Then again, DRK could be a drain tank rather than a heal-tank. Instead of relying on cures, maybe the DRK relies on hp drains, mp drains, etc. Basically it could be a tank with different ways of healing and reducing dmg. I can imagine something that sacrifices party members' hp to boost the DRK's health or def...or even siphons hp/mp from party members or monsters for its own benefit. It'd be quite interesting.

[Klive]

Then again, DRK could be a drain tank rather than a heal-tank. Instead of relying on cures, maybe the DRK relies on hp drains, mp drains, etc. Basically it could be a tank with different ways of healing and reducing dmg. I can imagine something that sacrifices party members' hp to boost the DRK's health or def...or even siphons hp/mp from party members or monsters for its own benefit. It'd be quite interesting.

I would much prefer this, something new and different take on Dark Knight. Every time I hear someone say "this job doesn't fit that class" I think of the bard and archer. People were so against bard and archer at first.

[Zantetsuken]

DRK as a drain-tank is a novel idea.. but the universal tradition of Dark Knight in the FF games has been one of a DD that sacrifices life for more damage via it's trademark ability "Soul Eater", with a secondary theme of 'draining'. This blood-for-power approach is the foundation of the FF Dark Knight.

It's not to say that a DRK tank couldn't be done, but DD is the tradition here.

[Velhart]

DRK as a drain-tank is a novel idea.. but the universal tradition of Dark Knight in the FF games has been one of a DD that sacrifices life for more damage via it's trademark ability "Soul Eater", with a secondary theme of 'draining'. This blood-for-power approach is the foundation of the FF Dark Knight.

It's not to say that a DRK tank couldn't be done, but DD is the tradition here.

This. I much rather play as a DRK DPS than tank, leave that to PLD and WAR. I think enfeebling effects and drain attacks would work well.

I have everything at 50, so honestly, as long as I have a DRK and a greatsword, I don't care where it comes from.

[KoujiGeki]

Well Shadow Knight was the Drain DD Tank in everquest so it would bring back a nice feel i use to have.

[Klive]

Simple give them a buff, like berserk for warriors, to increase damage and lower defense.

With a base of GLA the job could go like....

1)Dark Pack
-Greatly increase base weapon damage
-Negative side effect like constant damage over time on user or greatly increased damage taken
-Toggle buff like berserk and rampage

2) Infernal Strike
-WS Decreases enmity when Dark Pack is up
-Chances in place a DoT on the enemy that heals you for damage dealt by DoT

3)Dark Wave
- Spell that does AoE umbral damage at the cost of life

4) Eye for an Eye
-WS damage increased on lower life of Dark Knight

5)Unholy Sacrifice (15 min)
- Takes Dark Knight to 1 HP. Deal Massive AoE Damage.

If tanking, keep Dark Pack off. When doing damage turn dark pack on and go to town.
I picked two WS since the gla lacks spam-able damaging WS, like other damage classes.

[Velhart]

Simple give them a buff, like berserk for warriors, to increase damage and lower defense.

With a base of GLA the job could go like....

1)Dark Pack
-Greatly increase base weapon damage
-Negative side effect like constant damage over time on user or greatly increased damage taken
-Toggle buff like berserk and rampage

2) Infernal Strike
-WS Decreases enmity when Dark Pack is up
-Chances in place a DoT on the enemy that heals you for damage dealt by DoT

3)Dark Wave
- Spell that does AoE umbral damage at the cost of life

4) Eye for an Eye
-WS damage increased on lower life of Dark Knight

5)Unholy Sacrifice (15 min)
- Takes Dark Knight to 1 HP. Deal Massive AoE Damage.

If tanking, keep Dark Pack off. When doing damage turn dark pack on and go to town.
I picked two WS since the gla lacks spam-able damaging WS, like other damage classes.

Think concern with having GLA as the class is that alot of abilities are intentional hate generated abilities that are useless for DRK if they are DPS.

[KoujiGeki]

Simple give them a buff, like berserk for warriors, to increase damage and lower defense.

With a base of GLA the job could go like....

1)Dark Pack
-Greatly increase base weapon damage
-Negative side effect like constant damage over time on user or greatly increased damage taken
-Toggle buff like berserk and rampage

2) Infernal Strike
-WS Decreases enmity when Dark Pack is up
-Chances in place a DoT on the enemy that heals you for damage dealt by DoT

3)Dark Wave
- Spell that does AoE umbral damage at the cost of life

4) Eye for an Eye
-WS damage increased on lower life of Dark Knight

5)Unholy Sacrifice (15 min)
- Takes Dark Knight to 1 HP. Deal Massive AoE Damage.

If tanking, keep Dark Pack off. When doing damage turn dark pack on and go to town.
I picked two WS since the gla lacks spam-able damaging WS, like other damage classes.

oooooo i like that actually be kinda neat. but just call it Unholy. and let it do awesome dmg unlike holy.