(Don't) Fear The Reaper: A Dark Knight Guide

Ha, came back last year. Glad to see you’re still at it :)

I wanna share with other fellow DRKs some very cool multistep SC that you can do with Foenaria:

slightly extended LIGHT:
Vorpal Scytthe > Origin (Reverberation) > Origin (Induration) > Origin (Fragmentation) > Origin (Light)

(this one is pretty nice, opening with vorpal allows you to do 4x Origin in a row)

fully extended LIGHT:
Entropy > Origin (Induration) > Insurgency (Compression) > Vorpal Scythe (Transfixion) > Origin (Reverberation) > Origin (Induration) > Origin (Fragmentation) > Origin (Light)

slightly extended DARKNESS:
Vorpal Scythe > Origin (Reverberation) > Origin (Induration) > Origin (Fragmentation) > Cross Reaper (Distortion) > Origin (Fusion) > Entropy (Gravitation) > Cross Reaper (Darkness) > Quietus (Darkness [lvl.4])

fully extended DARKNESS:
Entropy > Origin (Induration) > Insurgency (Compression) > Vorpal Scythe (Transfixion) > Origin (Reverberation) > Origin (Induration) > Origin (Fragmentation) > Cross Reaper (Distortion) > Origin (Fusion) > Entropy (Gravitation) > Cross Reaper (Darkness) > Quietus (Darkness [lvl.4])



INFINITE LOOP:

INTRO = Entropy > Origin (Induration) OR Vorpal Scythe > Origin > Origin

Then the actual LOOP pattern starts: Insurgency (Compression) > Vorpal Scythe (Transfixion) > Origin (Reverberation) > Origin (Induration)

Eventually you can continue with 2 more Origin to close the loop with Light, or Origin + Cross Reaper + Origin + Entropy + Cross Reaper + Quietus for a strong double darkness end.


It's rare to fight something which lives long enough to do the longest multisteps, but when you find one it's very satisfying to see 4x Origin in a row smashing stuffs with SCs <3

Thank you for sharing these, but especially this one. I might try it solo on some climbs when I have only 3-trust support. Very cool!

I haven't seen any posts about it since February, how are we all feeling about the Prestige/Sworn set.

Any particular pieces looking most valuable to swap out Sakpata for? I assume like JSE necks the augments cap out at 20 for NQ, 25 for +1, and 30 for +2.

Do the +1 augments have value given they'd be missing 2-3% triple attack?

Seems as though Head, Hands, and Feet might be most reasonable while +1 body and legs are more difficult to make an argument for?

NQ,+1 and +2 can all be ranked up to 30.

All the pieces are really good IMO. Your sakpata rank, Ampulla access, content you play DRK all are a factor in the order of importance.

People are reporting that the NQ and +1 can go to 30, at least that's what it shows on the piece. I'm not sure if anyone has reported actually capping the augments on a +1 piece. Good news is that the augments transfer so you can always upgrade later (but it costs 1 extra gem).


See above, but basically the +1 is "bridge" gear I guess, until you can get the +2 which is just objectively better, augments aside.


Personally, if it weren't for the units/matter costs, I would probably 5/5 the set. The accuracy is absolutely insane, DT and meva are insane, and the TA is much stronger than the DA on Sakpata. There's no contest, in any slot, IMO. You could possibly argue for 8 STP 6% DA on hands being similar to 7% TA in terms of TP gain rate, so maybe Sakpata Hands R30 are better/comparable. The rest are just flat-out worse.

That's without even touching the fact that the set is 5/5 BiS, perfect DM aug Phalanx received set, and the body is better than perfect DM augs.

It's an incredible set for every job that can wear it.

Yeah and I hate to be this guy (because I run Hoxne all the time), but the entire set looks BIS and phenomenal with Ampulla up. Similar defensive stats (like 140+ more HP even), 34% TA and extra Endark damage, -35DT vs -40 DT, and you cap Haste with an Alabaster Earring or Sweordfaetels +1. Unless you want PDL in your melee set. As far as I can see (I don't sim a thing), 5/5 fulltime the entire set. As far as priority, all the pieces look good. I'd probably do the body first, then whatever after.

Yeah I was just replying to which piece first since Ampulla changes the values of sakpata. (and most other gear)

It does not change the fact that 5/5 Sworn is excellent but with the grind taking roughly a year, order is definitely a factor of importance.

I've been playing DRK lately trying to Justify spending 8.5mil galli on Scythe. The job plays very slow. From casting to TP gain. Going from WAR/SAM/DRG/DNC to DRK really magnifies the sludge. Ampulla helps a ton but that doesn't fix the job issue.

Anyways since I like to come up with solutions/ideas here are two suggestions to fixing the job:

1. Souleater converts 10% HP to 5% TP. Keep the useless damage effect, acc bonus and muted soul. Main job DRK gets 5% TP gained from the HP loss. This will speed up TP gain, bonus DRKs that use Drain2 effectively and fits the jobs bleed HP for damage theme.

It sounds crazy with a 9999 HP DRK, but go play SAM or DRG with all JAs up and they are spamming WSs at 2k TP.

2. Consume Mana converts MP 100% to TP 50%. Sekkanoki/Reverse Flourish type effect but bleeds your MP.

Just narrowing the gap on LR up/downtime would do wonders for the jobs TP rate, that or somehow lowering but unlinking the non-merit half of DB from LR so its just applied when using a 2 hander natively. But that's likely overboard given the other job hastes have some kind of requirement to get theirs(hasso/wyvern/sambas), however small that is.

I'm not really worried about DRK being slower than other DD. Technically it hits harder and from a lore perspective, holds a heavier weapon and wears heavier gear. Does it make sense for the strongest job wearing the heaviest gear to also be a fast damage dealer? I think Dark knight is in a fantastic position. Specifically with Foenaria, the weapon is incredible. It's actually not really that slow to be honest, Hoxne turned it into a beast. Go play BST and tell me how bad DRK feels. :)

Compared to SAM or DRG, it may be slower (R30 Sworn set is probably not being considered in your assessment), but it's far far far more tanky and durable than either of those jobs. That alone makes it's better job for beginners and experienced players to play because it's less likely to die, or can still keep itself alive when things go left. Add to that, Origin is busted with a full heal, it can wear the best defensive gear, have the highest HP value of any job, with the highest ceiling of damage possible. I think that unique role of a damn near "unkillable" DD immediately ranks it higher than any other job in it's class.

As far as pure damage per second, DRK destroys WAR and Dancer, those jobs aren't even close. WAR isn't even faster than DRK if the DRK is using Hoxne ampulla. I really don't know what you mean by that. It's not slow compared to those jobs. Dancer is also quite weak outside of Grand Pas/Climactic manipulation, not even in the same category of DD as DRK.

It's not always about who is the fastest/strongest DD. Some jobs just offer unique perks besides pure damage, and DRK is quite unique with Foenaria. I'd say it's absolutely worth the 8m galli for the kind of job it transforms DRK into. And I don't see any reason DRK needs an adjustment.

I just hate that 1 min of 0% job haste, yeah hasso exists or using apoc, just a minor annoyance

I'd agree in the older FFXI days. Now, it's practically unnoticeable in segments, Limbus, and Sortie because you're spending all your time running instead of straight fighting. The timer tends to tick back up when you're not needing it, so it's almost always ready, with the exception of something like a longer fight or Master Levels.

DRK does not destroy WAR...thats one of the hottest takes I've seen you type.

Lol.

Not spent much time with the average Drk I take it.

Anyway, drk is fine. Why should a job that can wear Sakpata, drain to 9,999 HP, can cast dread spikes and stun among other things also be just as fast at TP-ing as jobs that can do none of those things nor wear Sakpata.

IMO all the heavy hitter jobs are well balanced as it is. Change nothing.

So you brought up attack speed as a concern for DRK as far as how it is "slow", and you specifically included DNC and WAR in your comparison. Can you explain how WAR is faster DPS wise than DRK? All things considered, Hoxne is in play, so there's no double attack advantage. Warrior has no job ability haste, so it relies on a support job. As far as pure damage per second, dark knight is faster and stronger than warrior, that's not a hot take, it's literally job design.

What you are accustomed to is Warrior constantly being included in comps where the fights are short, so their damage is often exaggerated because they can one shot mobs in segments or sub 1 minute fight in Sortie/Limbus/zergs where Warcry bloats damage and you only get 3-6 WS for each boss or mob (and thus, white damage is practically non existence and not important), so you can abuse jumps (or in the case of DNC, Reverse Flourish), and not have to worry about JA haste impediment. But pound for pound across longer fights and just in general, Dark is stronger.

I don't know what scenario you're referring to, but it's very easy to test. Do a master level test comparison, the Dark will be well ahead. Go to Kalunga (or any slashing vulnerable Gaol boss) with a Warrior and Dark Knight in your setup (we did our very first v25s using this setup). By the time the second add comes out, check the parse and let me know which DD is far ahead and who is pulling hate from the tank. The Dark Knight is WELL ahead of the Warrior, and both are getting the same buffs. We consistently lost v25 Kalunga early on because the dark knight was far too strong and constantly hit the cap, even with Schere and dirge. We had to tell him to just turn around for 5% to even let the Warrior catch up. Both jobs were equally geared, so why the huge difference in damage? Obviously the PDL (warrior severely lacks) and the job ability haste are major factors. And this was pre Hoxne.

No I have. Funnily enough, that's why Dark Knight is so desired among gooners. Being able to drain enormous amounts of HP and hit hard is a selling point to beginners. They just don't appreciate defensive stances. That's an "average DRK" problem though, not a dark knight problem

Hoxne WAR (STP TA focus) is crazy just like Hoxne DRK. I personally use Hoxne but I don't think its good game design to need a gil sinking item to be competitive.

Stuff like v25s, Tomahawk/warcry is a game changer. DRK is well down the useful ladder in there. Even with s5 primes we didn't use DRK in any of our clears, but WAR was very valuable.

I'm only missing Foenaria in terms of job comparison weapons. My DRK uses S5 GS. WAR uses s5 GA/GS as well as 1 hand weapons. Foe seems like a fun toy and its BiS AFK.

Can confirm, many average DRK players don't appreciate defensive stances and might even consider panaceas or moving out of an H-boss fetter, a "DPS Loss". (But yet, being dead as a result of poor choices, isn't?)

SE could give DRK players an invincible stance, while WS'ing for 0 damage, or while TP<1000, whatever. I still DRKs would find a way to die. (But at the same time, a good DRK is more or less dying while trying to be top parse. I watched one DRK do a Drain 3 Absorb in sortie for ~8000 HP and then proceed to do ~50-75% of G boss. It was fun to watch, but I don't think that was necessary in a DDx2 sortie party).

Ok so you're kind of missing the point so let me clarify my last post.

I used Gaol, not as a "usefulness" comparison in the overall comp, but an example as a straight "damage" comparison. The discussion was about attack speed and subsequent damage between jobs, not which job is more useful in each comp. Two slashing pure DD jobs fighting one singular monster, who pulls ahead and by how much. That's it. That's the claim to backup my "DRK destroys WAR" statement, which you said was a hot take. Everything else about tomahawk, what your team used, what you find more useful is irrelevant to the point you presented in how Dark Knight is slower than warrior. But you still didn't answer my question: How is Warrior faster than Dark Knight?




You're not being serious here. Dark knight can use Sworn set for TA, WAR needs Tatenashi +1. I'm not even going to go into the defensive differences between the two. Also, Hoxne on Warrior is less advantageous since the core job traits are double attack; you're essentially overwriting your normal job trait for a guaranteed bonus. That's less impactful than the straight increase it gives for dark knight. Put another way: if 100da warrior vs standard dark knight is close or slight lead to dark knight, with same 100da on both jobs the lead clearly favors DRK.


I don't subscribe to this mindset anymore, I'm sorry. Gil is just a fictitious number on a screen that just allows you to get things done. It's not a hot unicorn of untouchable currency to where it's immoral to use for certain things. The game gives you more gil than you can do with. It's just numbers translating into more numbers. Why is it "good game design" to carry 250 pieces of gear to increase your damage, but not"good game design" to use your own gil to increase your damage? Why is it good "good game design" to spend millions of gil on HQ food for a sub 1% increase in damage or productivity, but not "good game design" to spend money with Hoxne ampulla for that same occasion, which often comes out to less than that HQ food cost? This mentality is archaic and gil no longer has the value it once had, it's just in your minds. You're better off using it to increase your damage, the same way you would pay someone to get you master levels to make you stronger, or pay for expensive gear to make you stronger. You're still trading currency for damage, but Hoxne is more direct.

For what it's worth, I do think Souleater lasts too short. Let us decide if we want to eat yourselves for damage, fulltime please.

I will say as a mid-tier geared player who doesn't have primes or hoxnes or anything, Dark Knight feels pretty awful to play compared to when I switch to Sam or War. The slow TP gain is definitely the biggest issue for me.

I'm going you ask it again because I'm not understanding something. How is Warrior faster as a job DPS wise than dark knight? Both of you have said dark knight feels slow compared to warrior, and I can't see how. Context please and not "it feels slow". (SAM is a cheat code with Ikishoten and Zanshin). If what you mean is scythe is slower than sword or great sword, dark knight can also use great sword for less delay.

(Like BST feels slow because it has to either DW axes with moderately high delay and gear for DW and use samba, or single wield axe and swing faster for less TP gain. A real example of why it's slow)

I made some suggestions based on my experience playing DRK with every item outside of Sworn set and Foenaria.

The job isn't great. Its not one of the best DDs for anything.

It IS powerful, Ampulla enhances it greatly, its cosmetically awesome.

That's the job.

I asked three times for you to specifically qualify what makes Warrior faster than Dark Knight and how my "DRK destroys WAR" statement as far as effective damage over time was a "hot take" and you refuse to give me actual examples to support that. So it seems your experience feels underwhelming because you had higher hopes for the job at high level compared to what you consider "superior" DDs like SAM, WAR(?), and DNC(?).

I had the same disappointment when I made my Dokoku 4 (and I stand by the criticism I gave it) as far as a prime weapon goes. So I get it. Just sounds like you're voicing a meta job preference/frustration and not an actual job problem tbh, because you're a huge fan of the job and wish it was on par with other jobs in the same class (still not sure how it isn't). Kinda how I feel about Ninja, Thief, and Beastmaster (the latter two have actual problems).

Well there it is. Just like Tomahawk/Warcry is a game changer for Warrior, Foenaria is THE game changer for DRK

Probably the main thing for me, again as a middle tiered geared player, is that I'm comparing a Chango War to a Caladbolg Drk. War with Chango+Legs has TP+600 that Drk doesn't have, so I'm hitting my WS time much faster, not even including Warcry just turbo charging that. Drk on the other hand I have downtime on LR, which drops my TTWS by a decent chunk, and I need to build 3000 TP for AM upkeep every once in a while. It's kind of comparing different things, but if you don't have a prime this is what you are comparing.

Like if I calculator it, aiming at 2k TP WSes (so 1150 and 1750) my Warrior TTWS is 5.131 and my Dark Knight is 8.340 with LR (9.173 without)