Dark Knight Megathread

[Crater]

Oblation is a weird skill in that, while it does feel very weak and unsatisfying, it's also right on the cusp of being powerful with basically any small buff, in any direction:

If it were 15% mitigation instead of 10%, it would be strong.
If it had a 15s duration instead of 10s, it would be strong.
If the cooldown were reduced from 60s to 30s or even 45s, it would be strong.
If it had a heal attached, it would be strong.
If it had a Blood Price effect, it would be strong.

On the one hand, I can sort of understand why it isn't particularly strong: Given that you get it at level 82, the same level that Sheltron, Raw Intutition, and Heart of Stone get their upgrades, it's pretty obviously meant to be DRK's version of a companion effect to TBN - but since TBN at a baseline is considerably stronger than the pre-upgrade versions of those skills, it makes sense that its "upgrade" would be relatively small in comparison.
On the other hand, being considerably weaker than Knight's Resolve/Benediction, Stem the Flow/Tide, or Clarity/Catharsis of Corundum and having a full 60-second cooldown when those other buffs are applied on every use of their respective skills, is a bitter pill to swallow, and having a second charge doesn't really make things square.

I wonder if the best thing for it might be for TBN to get a trait at 82 that reduces the cooldown on Oblation by 30 seconds when it breaks, or even just expires.

[Shurrikhan]

if i wanted to be a DPS with almost zero selfsustain i play a DPS not a TANK.

Self-sustain does not encompass any and all of a tank's defensive throughput, though. It's just the part (especially when reduced to flat cures per hit, as all are in EW) that's the least affected by timing, and typically therefore least affected by skill and typically therefore the least satisfying.

I expect more from a tank than to just be a dps with what amounts mostly just to a 90s 20%, a 120s 30% defensive, and a rolling self-HoT. All these HoTs and cures-per-hit are a bandwagon I'd honestly rather DRK stay clear of, focusing instead on defensive throughput more affected by timing.

[Mekhana]

As far I can tell, we're only good with bursting. GNB still will out damage you in the long run.

[Shurrikhan]

As far I can tell, we're only good with bursting. GNB still will out damage you in the long run.

Drop down as 'low' as the 99th percentile and you'll find DRK on top "in the long run" too.

There's all of 8 recorded parses worldwide in which GNB has beat out DRK, and there was a DRK in only 2 of those GNB's groups, so some of that is arguably skewed by fight length to put GNB ahead of DRK (and by an inconsequential amount at that).

DRK really is doing fine damage-wise. It's everything else that's at issue.

[ArthurATDayne]

Self-sustain does not encompass any and all of a tank's defensive throughput, though. It's just the part (especially when reduced to flat cures per hit, as all are in EW) that's the least affected by timing, and typically therefore least affected by skill and typically therefore the least satisfying.

I expect more from a tank than to just be a dps with what amounts mostly just to a 90s 20%, a 120s 30% defensive, and a rolling self-HoT. All these HoTs and cures-per-hit are a bandwagon I'd honestly rather DRK stay clear of, focusing instead on defensive throughput more affected by timing.

I don't usually agree with you but this post 100%, the good timing and reward for it is satisfying.

[Kalaam]

I'd much prefer healing to be something you time or choose to use, like the old abyssal spam that could top you up, or using Dark Art Soul Eater (though would need to make it so it doesn't increase damage, just the heal) or, and I know some will feel bad from this, Clemency.

[ArthurATDayne]

I'd much prefer healing to be something you time or choose to use, like the old abyssal spam that could top you up, or using Dark Art Soul Eater (though would need to make it so it doesn't increase damage, just the heal) or, and I know some will feel bad from this, Clemency.

You can still sort of do that with current Abyssal Drain but it's 60s CD and could be Life or Death if you use it up at the wrong time. Risk feels higher, nearly all your eggs in one basket at that moment sort of feel. These days I try to time it on at least 4+ Mobs and if TBN is about few seconds away from being up while health is plummeting under 50%. I give healers a chance to do something before hitting that AD button and raising TBN shields. And No, I'm not eating these hits unmitigated, Rampart/Shadow Wall/Oblation/Reprisal etc is always rotated or I'm a dead man.

[Kalaam]

Abyssal drain is sadly only useful against massive packs of mobs.

[Zordrage]

Abyssal drain is sadly only useful against massive packs of mobs.

And even then its mostly a One time use thing...

[ArthurATDayne]

Abyssal drain is sadly only useful against massive packs of mobs.

Yeah unfortunately.

What I would've give to have Unleash + Stalwart Soul upgraded to be DRK's AOE version of Soul Eater Combo, especially for small 3 pack mobs.