What about creating an ACTUAL Dark Knight?

[MaraD_]

Nope. I've played FF IV a LOT and Cecil doesn't do this. He casts some damaging spells (Fire - For example) but that's it.

He uses "Black Magic" hence Dark. When he becomes a Paladin he uses "White Magic" that's all it is.

Darkness takes up HP, to deal damage.
I cant remember if it was called that, or Soul Eater in the SNES version.
EDIT: SNES version was "Dark Wave" (and no, he didnt have black magic. Only in the NES version of FF3 did Magic Knights have Black magic (and white magic) which was replaced with soul eater in the DS versions.

If i remember correctly, one of the SNES versions was glitched, so it doesnt eat his HP. most likely the US version. This may be why you dont know about it, since you may have only played the US SNES version. (The original JP version took HP. Plus the US team felt the need to tamper with a lot of stuff, like removing Rosas Pray ability, boss mechanics, etc)
The remakes fixed this glitch. (maybe intentional by the US team)
EDIT: seems i was beaten to the punch by the others lol

option 1 to 3 kills scholar bubble
ask for an adjustment to tenacity to make it a viable stats so we can stack survival instead of dps

Currently a SCH/AST bubble gets eaten before TBN does.
So its currently possible to reorder the priorities to eat HP before temp HP, based on the games current programming.

As for tenacity, it does need a slight buff, but not too much, it still needs to be less than the other options.
It would be possible to "balance it" based on a tank buff that raises their own Tenacity by a %.
As a replacement to some other forms of mitigation. It would end up being used like Vengeance, as an offensive skill, but can still double as a defensive skill.
Make it an ability unique to one job, and it helps bring some variance in the jobs materia options.

[Reynhart]

If i remember correctly, one of the SNES versions was glitched, so it doesnt eat his HP. most likely the US version.

The US version, "Final Fantasy II" removed this skill, alongside some skills from Rosa and Yang

As for tenacity, it does need a slight buff, but not too much, it still needs to be less than the other options.

For me, mitigation skills should have a potency, and scale on Tenacity. After all, offensive and healing skills works that way, why not mitigation ?

[IBLazORI]

I would like to rework Delirium, instead of a Bloodspiller spam, it increases your potency but each hit you lose a %hp. Or have it work like in FFXI "Last Resort" Increases dmg but lowers defense. Any of those 2 could work in FFXIV. Make it feel less like a copy of War, give it more of its own identity.

[Hierro]

High risk, high reward? Can you imagine how many people would complain about how hard a job like that would be to play? Most of y'all couldn't even handle SB DRK, and you're asking for something even harder? Let's not forget how plenty are STILL struggling with the current iteration of DRK.

Get real. The whole idea stinks anyways.

[IBLazORI]

What exactly are people struggling with on this new iteration of DRK? its really dumbed down right now and just a war clone(almost)

[ashwich]

What exactly are people struggling with on this new iteration of DRK? its really dumbed down right now and just a war clone(almost)

good question. According to "statistics" the difference between the top 10% and bottom 10% is almost 2K dps in currently relevant content. That's just the damage dealing aspect of it. Utilization of other tools put aside.

[IBLazORI]

good question. According to "statistics" the difference between the top 10% and bottom 10% is almost 2K dps in currently relevant content. That's just the damage dealing aspect of it. Utilization of other tools put aside.

I believe that may relate to other roles than just drk, with the influx of level boosts.

[DonovanLifeweaver]

You know, these "high-risk high-reward" tanky jobs that sacrifices their own HP to protect themselves or deliver strong blows?
That literally steals vitality from their foes to survive?
Makes shield out of their foes' blood?
That do ACTUAL DARK STUFF.

Does is speaks to anybody?
Or is that just me? '^'

not happening. too hard for players as it kills the dps

[Nephyleem]

I'm glad to see such a silly idea creating debate.

I'll come back on an excuse I heard a lot "It makes no sence for a tank to sacrifice HP".
In virtue of what? If what you gain exceeds what you spent, it becomes viable. If you are able to steal it back from the enemy, it even becomes entirely a benefit.

I am not specially talking about a tank who would sacrifice HP for big damage. Again, we're talking of a tank. (though such a possibility would be interesting nonetheless to spice up the gameplay. But this is another story)

The vibe I had of dark knights always were fighters who spend their HP and then make up for it somehow, by lifestealing, or creating barriers. It would not kill the Scholars' if they can overlap. And still, the Scholar's only costs MPs, when the Dark Knight would need to make a bet on if he can afford to spend said health or not.

But if we talk further, we could also change how the actual filling of bloodgauge happens!
Now, it comes mostly from skills like Souleather and so. It could also come from the damage we are dealt directly. Hence another gain to lose health as it would refill their secondary ressource (hopefully do so something more interesting than just Bloodspiller or Quietus.)

The possibilities are actually near endless. Saying otherwise is either dishonesty or intellectual laziness.
All it needs it so be thought about.

And if it is too hard for some people to play...
Well, remember that some do not even need a job to be hard to suck at them.
There are some very easy jobs to content them. Why not giving some challenge to those willing to take it, for once?

I wonder...

[Niurok]

Make a dark version of PLD with sword and shield and I'd play it.