Dark knights and progression

[Snickerzbar]

So during progression Paladins are usually the main tanks due to their many defensive abilities, and Warriors are the off tank. With the introduction of a third tanking job, do you guys think that it will change the classic PLD/WAR raid comp? I know it's still too early to tell, since we don't have any info on new job abilities, but I think it's safe to assume that Dark Knights won't have as many defensive capabilities as a Paladin since they dual wield a great sword and all. Would they get pigeon holed as another off tank during progression?

[SirTaint]

3.0 progression will be PLD/WAR. With Alexander HM being delayed a couple weeks you might see a DRK here and there but most people will be progressing with jobs they already are comfortable playing extremely well. 3.2 will be the first content for the new jobs to be widly used during progression.

And that all depends on their abilities and utility.

[ZanzhizExaverion]

I watched an interview of the World First T13 raid group.

Their thoughts on DRK is that unless it does something Game-breaking nothing can break the mold of STR down, Storms Path, OT/MT power of WAR/PLD.

[Snickerzbar]

World / Server first groups probably won't break the mold for a while, but there will be lvl 60 DRKs by the time Alexander comes out that will want to raid. Will be interesting to see how they fit in and how many groups will try to progress with WAR/DRK

[Vlady]

My understanding is new level abilities will replace lower level abilities so play styles may very well change for pal/war.

[Risvertasashi]

World / Server first groups probably won't break the mold for a while, but there will be lvl 60 DRKs by the time Alexander comes out that will want to raid. Will be interesting to see how they fit in and how many groups will try to progress with WAR/DRK

It's tricky to really say that without knowing their particular abilities and mechanics, though. If DRK has some very powerful defenses (at the cost of offensive power when using them?), it could potentially fill in for PLD. If it has some very powerful debuffs, then perhaps PLD/DRK will be a viable combo. If DRK is worthwhile one way or another, we may well see those hardcore progression groups powerleveling it and having it ready to push those raids.

[Rbstr]

The short answer is that nobody knows.
The long answer is that, if they've done a good job of job balance, we'll see DRK/WAR, DRK/PLD and PLD/WAR based off of personal preference. Or the composition of the rest of the party depending on what kind of utility the DRK has. Like DRK gets int-down and Monks aren't quite as important or they add magic vulnerability so smn/blm become more desirable when you have a DRK.
Many interesting things may happen and everything now is pure speculation until we see the DRK's abilities.

I'd bet on it being decently balanced for any of the 3 combos. The idea that Paladin is default MT over the WAR is pretty much only the product of momentum at this point. Any competent group could use either one MT/OT and I expect that will continue with DRK.

A month before Alexander hard is certainly plenty of time to level a DRK and figure out how it works.

[Viviza]

Can't even begin to speculate on what people are going to bring, at this point. Any new ability could redefine the importance of a job.

Or the composition of the rest of the party depending on what kind of utility the DRK has. Like DRK gets int-down and Monks aren't quite as important or they add magic vulnerability so smn/blm become more desirable when you have a DRK.

I like these ideas. DRK manipulating magic various ways fits with its theme.

[Sleigh]

DRK is gonna be unlike NIN's release alongside a raid, where it was (and is) OP but people had to level it and figure it out and personally get good with it, thus it wasn't used week 1 of FCoB. DRK is gonna be leveled, figured out, and practiced before normal mode Alexander comes out, and damn well figured out before savage Alexander. If it's gonna be able to clear progression content, it'll be used.

I watched an interview of the World First T13 raid group.

Their thoughts on DRK is that unless it does something Game-breaking nothing can break the mold of STR down, Storms Path, OT/MT power of WAR/PLD.

While SP + RoH + DK pretty much covers every base, I think it's safe to say DRK is going to get a personal debuff, or at worst a clone of DK/SP/RoH. We'll just have to see what that is (my money is on a pure INT debuff, stronger than DK, to even out the loss of SP if you'd drop WAR).

[Marxam]

You guys forget that DRK can mitigate magic better than the two current tanks and is built around magic. So assuming ppl get good with DRK fast then it might be PLD/DRK for prog then for farm WAR/DRK, and this is if DRK can put out as much damage if not more than WAR. Though I'm not sure what else it could add other than stacking previous buffs SE, SP, RoH, of the current tanks.