Dark Knight: How I'd Do It

[Bloodclaw]

I just can't see Dark knight as anything else but a Damage Dealer, and that makes them unable to use a shield. While shield use would work in other games, especially tactics where shields actually gave you HP, not so much in FFXIV. I would have to say the base class would be MRD or a new one like soldier to where they can use a Two handed sword from the start.

P.S. Interesting enough:
Leon the first dark knight from FFII used axes, but his best weapon was a spear. He could use a shield, but it was one of his lowest proficiencies 2nd only to unarmed.