There are 1900 posts in this thread. There is no earthly way I was able to commit to reading all of that. So, if this has been suggested before, apologies. I've levelled DRK 8 times across various characters and versions (hey, what can I say? NG+ is a relatively recent addition, and there was only one way to replay plot before then!)

My thoughts on improving TBN is to add a trait at 82, same as all the other tanks, called Dread Spikes. I would also move Oblation to earlier in the levelling process, since I do feel DRK could use some extra mitigation prior to TBN. If it comes at the cost of a lower effect which is later upgraded, fine.


Anyway! Dread Spikes! As an FF11 player, this was one of my favourite DRK spells back then. Simply put, I'd get the broken shield of TBN to apply Dread Spikes to the target for some duration, and any enemy that hits the target in that timeframe would damage themselves and the target would absorb a portion of that damage as HP. I know it's conceptually a little similiar to current Warrior territory, but it is flipped to the degree that the enemy continues to kill themselves on your Dread Spikes, and you get better as a result. I'd probably also get the effect to wear off after a little less % than the shield was worth has been absorbed. Improved sustain, keep the DA proc for Flood / Edge so that you are still getting usage out of applying TBN to other party members in OT situations, and you're still spending something for the mitigation, but slip over into being DPS positive due to the Dread Spikes damage on all targets hitting you.