Am I missing something about DRK?

[Hundred]

Using Syphon strike at least once every 20 seconds pays for Darkside.
Additional syphon strikes after that work to alleviate the cost of Darkside and pay for other abilities.
Given an initial set up such as
Power slash combo + 2x De/SE combo you'll gain back 1768 mana. Darkside will take 846 of that.

Soul Eater is more-so just retroactive AA mitigation. Given AA's are typically every 3s. an 800 soul eater for instance after getting whacked for 2.4k AA's x3 gives you back basically 10% of what you lost. That doesn't make it great mind you, but it contributes.

Passive mitigation is slightly lacking to PLD in the context of physical (and assuredly in terms of active mitigation). Gap isn't particularly large @ current because Shield strengths have been reset, but it will widen overtime.)

Basically just a bit more dmg then PLD and an extra skill for magi busters. That is drk yes their passive magical mitigation is less then PLD and their magical mitigation is basically good for 1 hit.


Mana without blood weapon is fine, handle your syphon strikes.