Dark Knight

job · DRK

A two-handed bruiser that trades its own HP for damage and drains HP, MP and TP back from the monster with dark magic.

DRK · two-hour Blood Weapon · 12 job abilities · 40 trait ranks · 169 spells · 66 weapon skills

What the job does:
A Dark Knight swings a scythe, great sword or great axe, and everything else on the job makes that swing hit harder. Last Resort adds attack for less defense, Souleater turns your own HP into damage, Blood Weapon and Endark put drain and dark damage on every hit, and Drain, Aspir and the Absorb spells take HP, MP, stats and TP from the monster.

What it is good at:

- Burst damage. Last Resort, Souleater, Scarlet Delirium and Endark stack into a very large melee damage window.
- Taking from the monster. Drain and Aspir refill your HP and MP without a healer. Absorb-TP gives you TP. Absorb-ACC, Absorb-STR and the other Absorbs weaken the monster as they strengthen you.
- Interrupting. Stun and Weapon Bash both stop a monster's move.

What it is bad at: staying alive when you use the damage tools (Last Resort cuts your defense and Souleater eats your HP), holding hate (Muted Soul exists to reduce the hate Souleater makes), and anything that needs a shield.

From the Dark Knight's seat a fight is a series of burst windows. You stack the buffs, swing for a minute, and then drop the buffs and drain yourself back to health while they come back.

Role in a party:
Damage dealer (melee), with Stun and self-healing as extras.

What you bring:

- The highest-ceiling two-handed damage.
- Stun: the one spell that interrupts a monster's TP move from range.
- Arcane Circle protects the party against arcana (+15% damage and defense as a Dark Knight, +5% as a subjob).
- Self-sustain through Drain and Aspir, which takes pressure off the healer.

A Dark Knight needs a healer or healer Trust that keeps up with the HP Souleater spends, and a tank holding the monster so your enmity stays low.

Subjobs:
Your support job is as high as your main job, so every ability and spell it gives is open at once.

Subjob | When | What it gives |
Samurai | Best melee pairing | Hasso (25) for two-handed attack speed, Third Eye (15), Meditate (30), Sekkanoki (40), Hagakure (95); Zanshin and Store TP traits. |
Warrior | Hate and attack | Berserk (15), Aggressor (45), Warcry (35), Provoke (5); Double Attack trait. |
Dancer | Support melee | Haste Samba (45), Drain Samba (5) and Drain Samba II (35), steps and Flourishes for the TP you build. |
Ninja | Self-protection | Utsusemi: Ichi (12) and Ni (37) shadows; Dual Wield does not work with a two-hander. |
Red Mage | MP user | Haste (48), Refresh (41), Convert (40), Phalanx (33). |
Dragoon | Extra damage | Jump (10), High Jump (35), Ancient Circle (5), Angon (75). |

How the abilities work together:
Numbers. Recasts are the listed times; every job ability recasts 15% faster on Vanadreams.

Ability | Lasts | Recast | What it does |
Last Resort | 3 min | 5 min | +25% attack, -25% defense (merits improve both), shorter two-hander delay with Desperate Blows |
Souleater | 1 min | 6 min | Each hit costs 10% of your current HP and adds that much damage (half as a subjob); +25 accuracy |
Blood Weapon | 30 s | 60 min | Your melee hits drain HP |
Arcane Circle | 3 min | 5 min | Party resists arcana; you hit arcana harder |
Consume Mana | 1 min | 1 min | Your next attack turns all your MP into damage |
Dark Seal | 1 min | 5 min | Your next dark spell is more accurate; merits also shorten dark spell casting |
Nether Void | 1 min | 5 min | Your next Absorb or Drain is 50% stronger |
Diabolic Eye | 3 min | 5 min | More accuracy, but 15% less max HP |
Weapon Bash | instant | 3 min | Damage and a stun (two-handed weapon needed) |
Arcane Crest | 3 min | 5 min | Arcana only: lowers their accuracy, evasion, magic accuracy and TP gain |
Scarlet Delirium | 90 s | 90 s | Damage you take becomes attack and magic attack |
Soul Enslavement | 30 s | 60 min | Your hits absorb the monster's TP |

The standard opener for a damage window:

- Endark (level 85, a dark enspell that lasts 3 minutes; its strength comes from your Dark Magic skill).
- Last Resort.
- Souleater, then start hitting. Weapon skills at 1000 TP.

Souleater is the one to watch: ten per cent of current HP per hit means a dive from full to half in a handful of hits, and the cost falls as your HP falls. It pairs with a healer Trust that Cures at 50% and your own Drain II. If your HP is already low, do not turn it on; wait for the heal.

Drain loop. Between windows, Drain (level 10) and Drain II (62) restore HP, Aspir and Aspir II restore MP. For a stronger one use Dark Seal and Nether Void first, then cast Drain II or Aspir II; Nether Void raises what the next drain or absorb gives you.

Absorb spells. Absorb-STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR (levels 31 to 43) take stats; Absorb-ACC (61) takes accuracy; Absorb-TP (45) takes TP; Absorb-Attri (91) takes buffs from the monster. Cast the ones your fight needs: Absorb-ACC and Absorb-STR against a hard hitter, Absorb-TP when you want a weapon skill sooner.

The big one. Scarlet Delirium (level 95): it lasts 90 seconds and turns damage you take into attack and magic attack, so use it when a monster is hitting you and the healer is keeping you up. It stacks with Last Resor [cut off]

Working with other jobs:
Skillchains. Which Dark Knight weapon skill opens, and what closes it:

Weapon skill | Properties | A partner closes with | Result |
Shadow of Death | Induration, Reverberation | Compression, Impaction, Induration or Reverberation | Compression, Impaction, Induration, Fragmentation |
Nightmare Scythe | Compression, Scission | Transfixion, Detonation, Liquefaction or Reverberation | the same property |
Cross Reaper | Distortion | Fusion or Gravitation | Fusion or Darkness |
Spiral Hell | Distortion, Scission | Fusion, Gravitation, Detonation, Liquefaction or Reverberation | Fusion, Darkness, or the same property |
Infernal Scythe | Compression, Reverberation | Transfixion, Detonation, Impaction or Induration | the same property |
Entropy (Anguta) | Gravitation, Reverberation | Distortion, Fragmentation, Impaction or Induration | Darkness, Fragmentation, or the same property |
Torcleaver (Caladbolg) | Light, Distortion | Gravitation, Fusion or Light | Darkness, Fusion or Light |
Fell Cleave | Scission, Detonation, Impaction | Compression, Detonation, Liquefaction, Reverberation or Scission | Gravitation or the same property |
Quietus (Redemption) | Darkness, Distortion | Darkness, Fusion or Gravitation | Darkness, Fusion or Darkness |

With Trusts: Ayame (UC) closes anything you open. Gessho and Maat hold their TP to close; Selh'teus, Iroha, Iroha II, Ingrid II, Volker, Mildaurion and Karaha-Baruha save TP too. Pair Cross Reaper with Gravitation and you get Darkness, the strongest chain a pair of weapon skills can make.

Magic bursts. Drain and Drain II (Dark) burst on Compression, Gravitation and Darkness. The nukes burst on theirs: Stone (Earth: Scission, Gravitation, Darkness), Water (Reverberation, Distortion, Darkness), Aero (Detonation, Fragmentation, Light), Fire (Liquefaction, Fusion, Light), Blizzard (Induration, Distortion, Darkness), Thunder (Impaction, Fragmentation, Light). Cast within the chain's window; the more steps in the chain, the bigger the burst.

Healers. A Dark Knight takes damage from itself. A healer or a healer Trust that Cures you at 50% HP is the minimum: Kupipi, Curilla and Fablinix Cure everyone but the tank at 50%. Pair Souleater with Ygnas, who casts strong Cures at range.

Tanks. You need one. Hard hits and Souleater build enmity, and the Muted Soul trait cuts the enmity Souleater adds. A Paladin, Invincible Shield (UC) or Halver keeps the monster off you. Zeid and Balamor are Dark Knight Trusts that cast Absorb spells and D [cut off]

Levelling it:
Every job is open from level 1, and your level cap is 70 until you finish Shattering Stars with Maat in Ru'Lude Gardens (level 65 or higher, with your job's testimony, solo and with no support job). That opens level 99 for every job.

Level | What arrives |
1 to 14 | Scythe or great sword. Stone (5), Poison (6), Drain (10), Arcane Circle (5). |
15 to 29 | Last Resort (15), Bio (15), Weapon Bash (20), Aspir (20), Bind (20). |
30 to 49 | Souleater (30), Sleep (30), the Absorb spells (31 to 43), Stun (37), Bio II (40), Absorb-TP (45). |
50 to 69 | Consume Mana (55), Sleep II (56), Absorb-ACC (61), Drain II (62). |
70 | Level cap. Do Shattering Stars. |
71 to 99 | Dread Spikes (71), Dark Seal and Diabolic Eye (75), Aspir II (78), Nether Void (78), Endark (85), Arcane Crest (87), Impact (90), Absorb-Attri (91), Break and Scarlet Delirium (95), Soul Enslavement (96), Thunder III (96). |

To level, call a healer Trust and a tank Trust such as Halver and let them hold the monster while you swing. Keep Drain up between pulls instead of resting. Classic mode holds you at level 75 until you finish each era's list (the Dark Knight's Classic skill is Scythe). Moogle Mode gives faster rates.

At 99 and endgame:
Merits. The Dark Knight's merits are Souleater, Arcane Circle and Last Resort recasts, Last Resort effect, Weapon Bash effect, and Dark Seal, Diabolic Eye, Muted Soul and Desperate Blows. Take Desperate Blows first (the delay cut you get with Last Resort and a two-hander), then Last Resort effect, Diabolic Eye and Muted Soul.

Job points (from level 99, with the Job Breaker):

- Last Resort Effect (+2 attack per rank) and Endark Effect (+1 enspell damage, attack and accuracy per rank) first.
- Souleater Duration, Scarlet Delirium Duration, Blood Weapon Effect (more HP drain), Soul Enslavement Effect (more TP absorbed), Nether Void Effect, Arcane Circle Effect, Arcane Crest Duration, Weapon Bash Effect.

Gifts worth reaching: Attack Bonus (10, 210, 660, 1360 JP), Weapon Skill Damage Bonus (150, 500, 1125, 2000), Critical Damage Bonus (125, 450, 1050, 1900), Dark Magic Skill Bonus (80, 405, 980, 1805) and Dread Spikes Effect (1200). Superior gear opens at 50 JP.

Spend all 2100 job points on a level 99 Dark Knight to master it; with the Master Breaker, Master Levels open.

Where it shines. Anywhere damage matters and a tank is present: Omen, Odyssey, Ambuscade, Vagary and Dynamis all allow Trusts, so a Dark Knight can bring a tank Trust and two healers. In Sortie and Nyzul Isle the party is human and a Dark Knight with Absorb-Attri and Stun is welcome.

Gear to aim for:
Level | Sets |
1 to 29 | Bronze Cap, Bronze Harness, Bronze Mittens, Bronze Subligar, Bronze Leggings; Mythril Scythe (40) from level 40 |
30 to 59 | Artifact: Chaos Burgeonet (enhances Souleater), Chaos Cuirass, Chaos Gauntlets (Weapon Bash), Chaos Flanchard, Chaos Sollerets (Arcane Circle); Zweihander (60), Nagan (71) |
60 to 75 | Abyss Flanchard (73), Darksteel Scythe (65), Death Sickle (75) |
76 to 99 | Artifact Ignominy, Relic Fallen's, Empyrean Heathen's (each with +1 to +3 upgrades); Ratri Sallet, Ratri Plate, Ratri Gadlings, Ratri Cuisses, Ratri Sollerets |

Weapons:

- Scythes: Anguta (Entropy), Cronus (Oboro in Port Jeuno makes it), Redemption (Quietus), Liberator (Insurgency, boosts Absorb), Apocalypse, Kaja Scythe.
- Great swords: Caladbolg (Torcleaver), Ragnarok, Montante, Kaja Claymore, Agwu's Claymore.
- Axes: Dolichenus, Kaja Axe.
- Accessories: Brutal Earring, Cessance Earring, Telos Earring, Niqmaddu Ring, Regal Ring, Ilabrat Ring.

Vanagear builds a Souleater and Last Resort set for you; see its guide.

Common mistakes:
- Souleater at low HP. It costs a fraction of your current HP per hit, so turn it on when you have HP to spare.
- Starting Last Resort before the tank has hate. You have 25% less defense with it on. Let the tank get ahead first.
- Forgetting Dark Seal and Nether Void before Drain or Absorb.
- Skipping Stun. It is the only spell that interrupts a monster from range.
- Dual Wield or shield. Last Resort's delay cut, Weapon Bash and Desperate Blows need a two-handed weapon.
- Diabolic Eye with a thin HP pool. It cuts max HP by 15%.
- Not using Scarlet Delirium. It is the free attack boost for fights where you are hit.

Job abilities: Blood Weapon (SP, recast 1h): Allows you to drain your target's HP with your melee attacks. | Arcane Circle (Lv 5, recast 5 min): Grants enhanced resistance, defense, and attack against arcana to party members within area of effect. | Last Resort (Lv 15, recast 5 min): Enhances attacks but weakens defense. | Weapon Bash (Lv 20, recast 3 min): Delivers an attack that can stun the target. Two-handed weapon required. | Souleater (Lv 30, recast 6 min): Consumes HP to enhance attacks. | Consume Mana (Lv 55, recast 1 min): Converts all MP into damage for the next attack. | Dark Seal (Lv 75, recast 5 min): Enhances the accuracy of your next dark magic spell. | Diabolic Eye (Lv 75, recast 5 min): Reduces max. HP, increases accuracy. | Nether Void (Lv 78, recast 5 min): Increases the absorption of your next dark magic spell. | Arcane Crest (Lv 87, recast 5 min): Lowers accuracy, evasion, magic accuracy, magic evasion, and TP gain for arcana. | Scarlet Delirium (Lv 95, recast 2 min): Channels damage taken into enhanced attack and magic attack. | Soul Enslavement (Lv 96, recast 1h): Melee attacks absorb target's TP.

Traits: Attack Bonus (Lv 10), Desperate Blows (Lv 15), Smite (Lv 15), Damage Limit+ (Lv 20), Resist Paralyze (Lv 20), Arcana Killer (Lv 25), Attack Bonus II (Lv 30), Desperate Blows II (Lv 30), Smite II (Lv 35), Damage Limit+ II (Lv 40), Resist Paralyze II (Lv 40), Desperate Blows III (Lv 45), Occult Acumen (Lv 45), Stalwart Soul (Lv 45), Attack Bonus III (Lv 50), Damage Limit+ III (Lv 55), Smite III (Lv 55), Occult Acumen II (Lv 58), Resist Paralyze III (Lv 60), Attack Bonus IV (Lv 70), Damage Limit+ IV (Lv 70), Occult Acumen III (Lv 71), Muted Soul (Lv 75), Resist Paralyze IV (Lv 75), Smite IV (Lv 75), Attack Bonus V (Lv 76), Damage Limit+ V (Lv 80), Resist Paralyze V (Lv 81), Attack Bonus VI (Lv 83), Occult Acumen IV (Lv 84), Crit. Atk. Bonus (Lv 85), Arcana Killer II (Lv 86), Tactical Parry (Lv 88), Stalwart Soul II (Lv 90), Attack Bonus VII (Lv 91), Crit. Atk. Bonus II (Lv 95), Smite V (Lv 95), Occult Acumen V (Lv 97), Tactical Parry II (Lv 98), Attack Bonus VIII (Lv 99)

Spells by level: Shantotto 1, Naji 1, Kupipi 1, Excenmille 1, Ayame 1, Nanaa Mihgo 1, Curilla 1, Volker 1, Ajido-Marujido 1, Trion 1, Zeid 1, Lion 1, Tenzen 1, Mihli Aliapoh 1, Valaineral 1, Joachim 1, Naja Salaheem 1, Prishe 1, Ulmia 1, Shikaree Z 1, Cherukiki 1, Iron Eater 1, Gessho 1, Gadalar 1, Rainemard 1, Ingrid 1, Lehko Habhoka 1, Nashmeira 1, Zazarg 1, Ovjang 1, Mnejing 1, Sakura 1, Luzaf 1, Najelith 1, Aldo 1, Moogle 1, Fablinix 1, Maat 1, D. Shantotto 1, Star Sibyl 1, Karaha-Baruha 1, Cid 1, Gilgamesh 1, Areuhat 1, Semih Lafihna 1, Elivira 1, Noillurie 1, Lhu Mhakaracca 1, Ferreous Coffin 1, Lilisette 1, Mumor 1, Uka Totlihn 1, Klara 1, Romaa Mihgo 1, Kuyin Hathdenna 1, Rahal 1, Koru-Moru 1, Pieuje (UC) 1, I. Shield (UC) 1, Apururu (UC) 1, Jakoh (UC) 1, Flaviria (UC) 1, Babban 1, Abenzio 1, Rughadjeen 1, Kukki-Chebukki 1, Margret 1, Chacharoon 1, Lhe Lhangavo 1, Arciela 1, Mayakov 1, Qultada 1, Adelheid 1, Amchuchu 1, Brygid 1, Mildaurion 1, Halver 1, Rongelouts 1, Leonoyne 1, Maximilian 1, Kayeel-Payeel 1, Robel-Akbel 1, Kupofried 1, Selh'teus 1, Yoran-Oran (UC) 1, Sylvie (UC) 1, Abquhbah 1, Balamor 1, August 1, Rosulatia 1, Teodor 1, Ullegore 1, Makki-Chebukki 1, King of Hearts 1, Morimar 1, Darrcuiln 1, AAHM 1, AAEV 1, AAMR 1, AATT 1, AAGK 1, Iroha 1, Ygnas 1, Monberaux 1, Cornelia 1, Matsui-P 1, Excenmille [S] 1, Ayame (UC) 1, Maat (UC) 1, Aldo (UC) 1, Naja (UC) 1, Lion II 1, Zeid II 1, Prishe II 1, Nashmeira II 1, Lilisette II 1, Tenzen II 1, Mumor II 1, Ingrid II 1, Arciela II 1, Iroha II 1, Shantotto II 1, Stone 5, Poison 6, Drain 10, Water 11, Bio 15, Aero 17, Aspir 20, Bind 20, Fire 23, Poisonga 26, Blizzard 29, Sleep 30, Absorb-MND 31, Tractor 32, Absorb-CHR 33, Thunder 35, Absorb-VIT 35, Stun 37, Absorb-AGI 37, Absorb-INT 39, Bio II 40, Absorb-DEX 41, Stone II 42, Absorb-STR 43, Absorb-TP 45, Poison II 46, Water II 48, Aero II 54, Sleep II 56, Fire II 60, Absorb-ACC 61, Drain II 62, Blizzard II 66, Poisonga II 66, Dread Spikes 71, Thunder II 72, Stone III 76, Aspir II 78, Water III 80, Aero III 84, Endark 85, Fire III 88, Impact 90, Absorb-Attri 91, Blizzard III 92, Break 95, Thunder III 96

Weapon skills: Wasp Sting (Dagger 5; Scission), Shadowstitch (Dagger 70; Reverberation), Gust Slash (Dagger 40; Detonation), Energy Steal (Dagger 150; ), Fast Blade (Sword 5; Scission), Burning Blade (Sword 30; Liquefaction), Red Lotus Blade (Sword 50; Liquefaction/Detonation), Flat Blade (Sword 75; Impaction), Shining Blade (Sword 100; Scission), Seraph Blade (Sword 125; Scission), Circle Blade (Sword 150; Reverberation/Impaction), Spirits Within (Sword 175; ), Vorpal Blade (Sword 200; Scission/Impaction), Savage Blade (Sword 240; Fragmentation/Scission), Sanguine Blade (Sword 300; ), Hard Slash (Great Sword 5; Scission), Power Slash (Great Sword 30; Transfixion), Frostbite (Great Sword 70; Induration), Freezebite (Great Sword 100; Induration/Detonation), Shockwave (Great Sword 150; Reverberation), Crescent Moon (Great Sword 175; Scission), Sickle Moon (Great Sword 200; Scission/Impaction), Spinning Slash (Great Sword 225; Fragmentation), Ground Strike (Great Sword 250; Fragmentation/Distortion), Herculean Slash (Great Sword 290; Induration/Impaction/Detonation), Torcleaver (Great Sword; Light/Distortion), Resolution (Great Sword 357; Fragmentation/Scission), Raging Axe (Axe 5; Detonation/Impaction), Smash Axe (Axe 40; Induration/Reverberation), Gale Axe (Axe 70; Detonation), Avalanche Axe (Axe 100; Scission/Impaction), Spinning Axe (Axe 150; Liquefaction/Scission/Impaction), Rampage (Axe 175; Scission), Decimation (Axe 240; Fusion/Reverberation), Ruinator (Axe 357; Distortion/Detonation), Shield Break (Great Axe 5; Impaction), Iron Tempest (Great Axe 40; Scission), Sturmwind (Great Axe 70; Reverberation/Scission), Armor Break (Great Axe 100; Impaction), Keen Edge (Great Axe 150; Compression), Weapon Break (Great Axe 175; Impaction), Steel Cyclone (Great Axe 240; Distortion/Detonation), Fell Cleave (Great Axe 300; Scission/Detonation/Impaction), Upheaval (Great Axe 357; Fusion/Compression), Slice (Scythe 5; Scission), Dark Harvest (Scythe 30; Reverberation), Shadow of Death (Scythe 70; Induration/Reverberation), Nightmare Scythe (Scythe 100; Compression/Scission), Spinning Scythe (Scythe 125; Reverberation/Scission), Vorpal Scythe (Scythe 150; Transfixion/Scission), Guillotine (Scythe 200; Induration), Cross Reaper (Scythe 225; Distortion), Spiral Hell (Scythe 240; Distortion/Scission), Insurgency (Scythe; Fusion/Compression), Infernal Scythe (Scythe 300; Compression/Reverberation), Quietus (Scythe; Darkness/Distortion), Entropy (Scythe 357; Gravitation/Reverberation), Shining Strike (Club 5; Impaction), Seraph Strike (Club 40; Impaction), Brainshaker (Club 70; Reverberation), Starlight (Club 100; ), Moonlight (Club 125; ), Skullbreaker (Club 150; Induration/Reverberation), True Strike (Club 175; Impaction/Detonation), Judgment (Club 200; Impaction), Requiescat (Sword 357; Gravitation/Scission)