From Faeries to Doom, transitioning from SCH to DRK [help]

[AkiraTachibana]

I have decided to pursue DRK as an ALT alongside my DRG, and main SCH to thus completing my FF holy trinity.
Currently I am lv43. and feel as though I've begun to understand how to tank, as I have not tanked previously. (motivation would just fall off) from what I have read he isn't a rotational but a situational and I have generally done alright In regards to keeping things hitting me. However from a Healers standpoint I feel as though the DRK is a lot less durable then MRD or PLD. Not sure if this is just my inexperience or something else.
As well I've not really found a comfortable Crossbar fit for him at this time
Currently I have all of my buffs/stances on my Extended hotbar. with the buffs on a side bar for tracking CD's, but for the main flow of offensive im a bit lost.
As well, any advice on X-Job skills. my plan at the moment is foresight,Bloodbath,Mercy,Convalescence, Awareness. Any and All advice on the DRK would be beneficial.

[TouchandFeel]

For cross class, drop Mercy and take Provoke.
Provoke is essentially a mandatory ability for all tanks.

Also read up on some DRK and general tanking guides.
Here is one that Syz has that is DRK specific that goes into some good stuff.
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...ng-On-The-Edge
P.S. That is a live thread so has been altered and updated as changes (such as 3.2) altered some things, so make sure to read to the end so you have the latest info.

[MagiusNecros]

Keep Mercy and drop Foresight IMO. If only because getting a stacked Sole Survivor with Mercy will be a nice 40% and 20% heal to HP and MP.

Definitely put Provoke under first CC slot.

[Sailysium]

Echoing what others have said provoke is mandatory to have. I typically cross class the rest that you took but would just swap between awareness and mercy stroke for the 5th slot depending on content (awareness on raid bosses, mercy stroke for dungeons and casual content).

[Anienai]

- Don't be afraid to use Low Blow when [tabbing] or running to the next set of mobs.
- Provoke on your CC bar or I will use "Low Blow' on you.
- Don't forget to mix in Soul Eater.
- You are not as sexy as a WAR FEMROE.
- Fall the love of all unholy please use CDs on big pulls.
- Get very comfortable with Dark Arts and read the descriptions on which abilities it powers up.

I have in order:
Provoke
Bloodbath
Foresight
Convalescence


Have fun and good luck!

[Syzygian]

Keep Mercy and drop Foresight IMO.

If you must take Mercy, keep Foresight and swap it for Awareness. The latter is situational but Foresight is a pretty decent cooldown at current gear levels - it is reliable, and without it, you're strapped for physical mitigation options.

I did the math on this once, I can't remember where, but Mercy Stroke, over the course of a boss fight anyway, is roughly the equivalent of a 13 potency attack every 30s, without buffs (of which DRK has none save for a pot). So make of that what you will OP.

[SpookyGhost]

I use Mercy over Awareness.

Though that's largely because I can't be bothered to level GLD up on my character that actually has a DRK.

Mercy Stroke is better for solo content since crits don't really matter there.

Awareness is better for dungeons (smoothing out damage on large packs) and raids (post-tank buster scenario, auto-crit adds, etc). I never had any problem not having Awareness outside of Savage though (where I'd prefer the mitigation over the damage).