DRK - Teach me when/how/where/why to use The Blackest Night

[Mekhana]

The mana return on unboosted C&S is a safety net or an AoE supplement and something you should never ever do in single target unless you screw up badly. This has been the case since the job launched 2 years ago.

I haven't DA C&S in a while unless the DPS is really, really lacking. However, I never would say never. Intimacy is essential in any encounter/pull/boss fight and if a window comes up you could DA it I don't really see why not especially if you aren't using it over the period a second C&S would become available.

I'm also talking about five mans or in general of course.

[Mithron]

I'm like 99% sure that Dark Arts Siphon Strike gives more MP than not Dark Artsing it... Maybe it's different with/without grit but I make it a point to Dark Arts Siphon Strike because of the extra MP refund.

I guess I'm thinking it gives more MP simply because of the damage increase.

[SyzzleSpark]

I'm like 99% sure that Dark Arts Siphon Strike gives more MP than not Dark Artsing it... Maybe it's different with/without grit but I make it a point to Dark Arts Siphon Strike because of the extra MP refund.

I guess I'm thinking it gives more MP simply because of the damage increase.

It doesn't. Grit Syphon gives you more mana than non-Grit Syphon (twice as much). DAing it affects the damage but not the mana return.

[Falar]

Where I struggle is being too low on mp to use it when I see a window, only for that window to close by the time I spit out my next SS. Seems to happen always when I am hard slashing, just can't get the next SS fast enough....

[ExLegen]

it works like this:

You will want to DA everything when BW+delirium up. I mean you will be DAing basically everything for the next 3 combos.
now, tips:
- if there is no need for mobility, save plunge to use when BW is up.
- DA order: C&S>BS>SE=SS (SE in grit gives health, so if you have to choose, choose SE).
- if you can save Bloodspillers for grit, do it. Just dont sit on 100 blood waiting to get back on grit, you are wasting resources!!
- DA to your hearts content, until you reach 40-50% mana, you want mana for TBN, C&S or a stance swap.
- C&S should aways be DAed, unless: 1-multiple trash pulls, use C&S to keep the AoE going; 2-you screwed and need mana asap.
- you really dont want to waste delirium on blood price. Use it with BW. unless you screwed up and need that delirium mana asap on grit.
- if you are ot, make a macro to TBN the main tank, a trigered TBN is the best use of mana whatsoever.

TL-DR
TBN and DA C&S > all
mana>40-50%.... DA whatever you want bro.
mana<40-50%.... save for TBN and DA C&S.
The mana reserve is somewhat personal, im confortable with 40% mana reserve, maybe less depending on the situation and encounter knowledge.

[bweisnicht]

Follow-up question, should Bloodspiller only be used in conjunction with DA?

[bswpayton]

dark arts your dark arts

[Reynhart]

Follow-up question, should Bloodspiller only be used in conjunction with DA?

Out of Grit, DA does the same for BS, SS and SE, so if you don't have enough MP, it doesn't matter which one you don't DA.

In Grit, it's a slight DPS loss to DA SE (or SS) above BS, but if you need the HP or are capped on Blood but miss the MP, it's not a huge drop.

[ManuelBravo]

The Darkest night is based used to nullify / lower major attacks damage. Example Shin fight use it on Primal Major attacks, if well geared and timed dmg is 0. Dark arts on other skills like Dark Mind help a lot as well. It's all about timing and MP management. If yoru a massive dungeon puller is a nice way to get constant Dark bar up and get some quick breath in for healers.

[bswpayton]

on a serious note tho does drk even have a rotation mines only 64 leveled pali first but wouldnt you basicly dark arts soul eater constantly, use cs when its up and bloodspiller are is there a set type rotation youd use.