Dark Knight (DRK)
Tank -- Heavensward
Role
Tank
Difficulty
Medium (2/3)
Primary Stat
Strength
Weapon
Greatsword
PvE Rating
★★★★★
PvP Rating
★★★★★
Description
An edgy greatsword-wielding tank that manipulates darkness. DRK has the best single-target shield in The Blackest Night and summons a shadow clone for burst damage.
Playstyle
Manage two resources (MP and Blood Gauge) while keeping Darkside active. TBN is the most powerful short shield in the game, rewarding good timing with free damage.
Strengths
- +The Blackest Night is the strongest on-demand shield in the game
- +Living Shadow provides strong passive burst damage
- +High burst damage during Delirium windows
- +Excellent at mitigating tank busters with TBN timing
Weaknesses
- -Living Dead is the worst invulnerability skill -- requires healer cooperation
- -MP management adds complexity without proportional reward
- -Less self-sustain than Warrior or Paladin
- -TBN not breaking is a significant DPS loss
Key Mechanics
- 1The Blackest Night (TBN) shield
- 2Blood Gauge and Living Shadow
- 3Delirium burst phase
- 4Edge/Flood of Shadow for oGCD damage
- 5Mana management alongside gauge
Rotation Overview
Maintain Darkside timer with Edge of Shadow. Build Blood Gauge with Souleater combo. Use Delirium for guaranteed Bloodspiller uses. Summon Living Shadow at 50 gauge. Manage MP for TBN and Edge of Shadow.
Utility
The Blackest Night -- strongest single-target shieldDark Missionary -- party-wide magic mitigationOblation -- targeted mitigationLiving Dead -- invulnerability (requires healing)Shadow Wall -- personal mitigation
Tips & Strategy
- 1TBN breaking grants a free Edge of Shadow -- always aim for it to break.
- 2Living Shadow takes time to start attacking so summon it early in burst.
- 3Living Dead requires full HP healing within 10s -- coordinate with your healer.
- 4Pool Edge of Shadow charges for raid buff windows when possible.
- 5In dungeons, Flood of Shadow for AoE and spam Quietus during Delirium.