In the fantastical realm of Final Fantasy XIV (FFXIV), a game renowned for its tale depth, mechanical complexity, and graceful beauty, every class brings a unique flavor to the table. Among them, the Dark Knight stands tall and foreboding—a beacon for those who favor a blend of heavy armor and darker, more brooding themes. This guide is a deep-rooted dive into the world of the Dark Knight, from its origins to mastering its rotations and picking the right gear. Whether you’re a newcomer adventurer or a seasoned warrior, this compendium will shine a light on the paths shrouded in shadow.
Becoming a Dark Knight
Embarking on the path of the Dark Knight is no simple decision; it is a journey born from a desire to protect, albeit through means that some might view as unconventional. The Dark Knight is not a starting class but a job that can be unlocked in the expansion Heavensward. To wield the power of darkness, your character must first reach level 50 and complete the Main Scenario Quest (MSQ) up to “Before the Dawn.” Once these prerequisites are cleared, a new quest titled “Our End” will beckon from the brooding figure Ishgard, setting you on a path fraught with moral complexities and the weight of your own emotions.
The First Steps
Embark on your journey by seeking out the quest giver in the Pillars. The unfolding story will introduce you to your mentor, who will guide you through the intricacies of controlling the darkness within and using it to protect those you care about. It’s a tale that weaves personal growth with the heavy burden of power, characteristic of FFXIV’s saga richness.
Dark Knight Stances
The Dark Knight, like other tank classes in FFXIV, employs stances to fit different roles and situations in battle. Mastery over these stances is essential to both effective tanking and maximizing your potential in both solo and group content.
Grit Stance
Grit is your go-to stance for tanking, reducing the damage you take while increasing your enmity generation. It’s the bedrock upon which you’ll build your defense, making you an unbreakable shield for your allies. Managing Grit effectively to maintain aggro while minimizing damage intake is a fundamental skill for any Dark Knight.
Darkside Stance
Darkside is a stance that represents the duality of the Dark Knight, requiring careful management of your MP to maintain. It increases your damage output at the cost of a constant drain on your mana pool. Balancing Darkside with your defensive duties showcases the nuanced playstyle of the Dark Knight, a constant dance between darkness and light.
Dark Knight Rotation
Mastering the Dark Knight’s rotation is akin to conducting an orchestra of destruction, with each skill and ability playing its part in harmony. The rotation can be generalized into two phases: your opener and your sustained damage (sustained) phase, with the mitigation of incoming damage as a continual backdrop.
The Opener
The opener is a series of abilities executed at the start of combat designed to rapidly build enmity and establish a solid threat lead. It typically involves using high-potency abilities in quick succession, paired with cooldowns to maximize damage output. An exemplary opener may start with pre-casting Blood Weapon, followed by Hard Slash, Syphon Strike, Delirium, and then flowing into your Bloodspiller for high burst damage.
Sustained Phase
After the opener, the Dark Knight transitions into the sustained phase, a cycle that balances resource generation with expenditure, weaving in mitigation and utility skills as needed. This phase revolves around maintaining Darkside while using Edge of Darkness and Bloodspiller for damage, and The Blackest Night for damage mitigation.
Managing resources like Blood and the use of Dark Arts to empower abilities are key in this phase. It’s a balancing act between dishing out punishment and shielding yourself (and allies) from it.
Dark Knight Gear
Your arsenal and attire as a Dark Knight not only define your visual appeal but significantly impact your performance in battle. The gear you don should bolster your defensive capabilities without sacrificing too much on the offense.
iLevel Matters
In FFXIV, gear is king. The item level (iLevel) of your equipment determines its effectiveness, with higher iLevels providing better stats. As a Dark Knight, prioritize gear that boosts your Vitality (which increases your HP) and your Strength (which increases your damage output). Secondary stats to look for include Direct Hit Rate for more consistent damage output, Critical Hit Rate for the chance of dealing amplified damage, and Tenacity for a blend of offense and defense.
Best in Slot (BiS)
Finding the Best in Slot (BiS) gear for your Dark Knight involves a mix of raiding, crafting, and sometimes a bit of luck with drops. Websites and community resources like the Balance Discord are invaluable for keeping up with the BiS recommendations each patch.
Glamours
And let’s not forget about glamours—the true endgame. Your appearance doesn’t affect your performance, but in a game as visually rich as FFXIV, standing out or embodying the tasteful you envision for your Dark Knight is a joy unto itself. After all, if you’re going to tank the forces of evil, you might as well look good doing it.
Dark Knight Quests
The journey of the Dark Knight is not only about mastering combat but also about threading a compelling storyline that explores the psyche of those who choose to wield the power of darkness to protect the light. Each job quest is a step further into this saga—exploring themes of justice, sacrifice, and the struggle against one’s own demons.
From level 30, when you first embrace the dark, to level 80, where you confront the culmination of your journey, these quests offer not just powerful abilities but insights into the lore of FFXIV and the role of Dark Knights within it. They’re beautifully written tales that add depth to your journey, making each ability learned and each trial overcome feel earned and meaningful.