Getting refused to EX groups as a DRK

[Allyrion]

It's hard figuring out the character niche of the Dark Knight as well for group play. The Warrior is a powerful beast who runs wild on his enemies; a trash-talking, mouth smashing brute carved out of rock who dishes out more pain than he receives. The Paladin is a gallant protector, a chivalrous knight, the quintessential 'heroic figure' who never leaves a comrade behind, and fears nothing and no one. The traditional theme for dark Knights is 'selfishness and pain' but where does that fit in for his tanking theme? Like, how do you translate something like that into fun gameplay that involves protecting others? The most memorable DK I can recall was Gaffgarion from FF:Tactics, and he was pretty much a jaded dick.

Could be wrong, but I got the impression that DRK has a decent archetype.
Yoshida even mentioned Berserk's Guts as an example. It's an anti-hero that uses dark powers (the powers of his enemies) to defend the weak.
There's still a theme of sacrifice, but its their sacrifice since you drain their power for health and mp. That's the impression I'm getting anyway.
Also, feels like Batman, lol.

For story purposes, you shouldn't look further than Cecil (for in-house references) in FFIV.
Cecil was a defender and righteous even as a Dark Knight, and he is the quintessential DRK being the breakout character for the Job (like Kain is to DRG).
And he was anything but selfish.
He sacrificed himself to darkness to serve a greater cause of defending the weak, like all the anti-heroes of that type (Guts, Batman, etc.)