Taru DRK ?

[Oboro]

I'm thinking of making a DRK, or a SAM. My problem is that I want to be a TaruTaru, because lets face it, they're undeniably sweet. :shocked:

Although from I've read it seems people seem to shy away from Taru melee, and I've even heard some people go as far to say that they're excluded from groups. My main reasoning for wanting to do this is for the look. I think the Taru are the best looking race, Humes run too funny for me, Elvaans have the pelvic thrust thing going on and giraffe necks, and Galka's are just far too ugly.

So my question, will being a Taru DRK make my damage extremely low? Really the only other race I would play would be Hume. So how much str and hp would I be losing by going chosing to go Taru? And also, do groups really discriminate against the Taru?

[Simatumma]

Back when I stopped playing about 2 years ago I would put my party flag up and randomly get tells in the auto translator saying "Tarutaru Dark Night No thanks" but it seems since I've been back that people are no longer ignorant and realize that it's not going to gimp the party just because you're taru. The only problem is you'll need to keep updated on your gear more so as a taru the job will end up costing more over time.

Edit: Looking back over my post it makes it seem like it was the japanese that were rejecting taru drks but really the japanese were alot more willing to party with one.

[Nazo]

I played as a taru drk for a while, and got to 42. Invites got harder to come by the higher I got but I assume it's that way for a lot of drks, while levelling other jobs drks never seemed high on the priority list for DD slots for our parties.
I wouldn't say I felt terribly disadvantaged damage wise, I often had to hold back to avoid pulling hate off the tank and my mp pool meant I could cast my absorb spells more than another race could and my int gave me an advantage there too.

[Oboro]

So DRK does not make a good DD job?

[ValisOfValefor]

So DRK does not make a good DD job?

No, Dark Knight is an excelent DD. Through both High Damage/Delay weapons, ok use of elemental spells, and Dark Knight only Absorb spells as support.

Yes they are a pain to keep hate from (especially the good ones), but when used properly, they can be a great addition to a party.

As for race, any race works for any job. I don't even think I look at a race, when inviting someone. I look what jobs i need.

And with the high number of Taru Taru, i really doubt you'll find a lack of invites from the race you choose. The thing is, that most the time, when a race chooses (note the word most the time) a job that isn't their race's slice of pie (per say), i believe they work harder at it, than what another more suitable race would. With the right gear, and skill any race can play any jobs.

Heck the best Ranger, Black mages, and Thieves I've played with have been Elvaan

The best Dark Knights, Samurai, and Warriors I've played with have been Taru and Mithra

The best mages i've played with have been Gilka.

The best monk i've ever played with has been a hume (And by god she was pimped out, tons of +attack, and +accuaracy gear, she was a nightmare to keep hate from -consistant 500-600 raging fists, highly accurate)

The lack of invites on Dark Knight is most likely becuase of the influx of War/nin and the large percentage of people who thinks anything /nin is uber.

But now with absorb-tp Dark Knights seem to be getting more popular again, and more invites seem to be flowing.

Don't be discouraged to play a job, due to it's not right for your race, or the lack of invites. Just play the job that suits you best, and that is fun to you.

[Rai]

In the past it was simple, people were on their 1st trip to 75 and had overly aggressive elitist nature. Now many people have 1-2 jobs to 75 and many others into the mid levels. They grew up and realized it is a game, people want to have fun and some of the jobs they now want to try out are not ideally suited to their race but the fact is Player>Gear>Race.

[Eohmer]

As I always say, it really doesn't matter what race you have to be to be any particular job. Any race can be any job. It's all up to the player and how they play. I do have to say though that you may have to be a little more choosy sometimes about what gear you need/want though. So go ahead and be a Taru DRK if you want. People shouldn't be so closed-minded and ignore you just for that. Good luck.

[Oboro]

Thanks for the help, and advice guys.

[Eohmer]

No prob. Don't be discouraged by what ignorance you can find in game. :)

[Oboro]

Also, quick question. Why does everyone wear optical hats? They're ungodly ugly, is it a neccesity to wear that? I think DRK AF looks so much sexier, especially on Taru.

[Hearshot]

i used to be a tarudrk, had an awesome MP Pool lol. Was a very fun combo to do. Just make sure you have sufficient equipment just like every other job regardless of race, and you'll do great.

Double Post Edited:
Also, quick question. Why does everyone wear optical hats? They're ungodly ugly, is it a neccesity to wear that? I think DRK AF looks so much sexier, especially on Taru.

Most jobs use O-hat for the +10ACC. This is a stat you wont find in too many other head pieces. Very very good piece of gear.

As a DRK, you will need to strive to land every single hit possible till you are ready to SC. Then you can swap in whatever stat gear you deem necessary to enhance your WS DMG.


The ohat will grow on ya, don't worry lol.

[Oboro]

Maybe, it doesn't look too bad on a Taru. :D

[Hantz]

The best mages i've played with have been Gilka.


Mmmm, the much overlooked Gilka. It's hard to find these guys, mostly because not many Galka williingly mate with sacks of money. But when they do, WOOO! Gilka Mages! :thumbsup: Spectacular!!

[Lambeaus]

I have a Taru DRK at level 22 now. It is fun doing as much damage as the others in the party....just don't get the hate :x

[Oboro]

Any great starting advice? Any you guys play on Bahamut, and would let me pester you for in-game advice? :D

[Lambeaus]

Any great starting advice? Any you guys play on Bahamut, and would let me pester you for in-game advice? :Duse a scythe right from the start

[Oboro]

use a scythe right from the start

Like even when I'm leveling up as a Warrior to start with?

[ValisOfValefor]

No, when your a Warrior, keep with Great axe, and axes. (Both of these are a Warrior's best friend, Great axe for support/damage, axe for well damage)

When you get to Dark Knight use Scythes, and Greatswords (keep both capped becuase their both very good, my brother leanred this the hard way, i.e. at 50 hes finally trying to cap GS and it is a bitch)

[Talisien]

I have a Taru drk that's a few kills away from 24 as well. I spent the weekend levelling Warrior to 29 (had to run before I hit 30 ><) and then Dark Knight through the dunes. I'm on Hades, so idk if the matters, but I've had compliments about my Drk so far.

The thing that I've worked on though is that as a non-caster job and a Taru, I'm focusing on walking into a group prepared. I have a 47 BLM so I can solo some of the gear you need, or make money to buy it, and I'm not going to level without the good pieces of RSE armor that give lots of +STR. Make sure you pick up +2 str rings and a spike necklace. Beetle Earrings +1 are used almost to 50 as well, so they're worth the increase in price over the NQ versions. at level 24 I have 38 strength counting food (using Meat Jerky right now, what can I say I'm cheap and like str =)) and hit for consistently 40-50 with my Scythe and great sword.

Speaking of weapons, make sure to keep them both levelled up and also up to date. Again, as a non "preferred" class, it helps even more to make sure you have the best gear you can. I'm using Cruel Scythe as my scythe and Braveheart as my sword, both of which I'll have to sell back and upgrade once I hit Yhoator. When I was levelling War I used Neckchopper (a friend had one I could borrow =D) and I was keeping pace with our DD easily, both in dmg and TP generation.

One last thing, make sure you get Drain/aspir as a Taru Drk. Drain by itself can land for 100 with a maxed dark skill on pugils, and Aspir for 30-50 on crabs. That' a significant damage boost. The nukes have been very lackluster (even with magic bursts) but man, Drain is great, and your huge mana pool means you rarely have to rest, if ever if you're facing a crab or have a drink on you.

In short, I'm having a great time as Drk, and even comparing side to side to Galka and Elvaan, I keep pace with a little gear investment.

I've also had no problems getting groups, I've experienced the typical wait for a DD in Valkurm and Qufim, but no mention of my race/job combo.

-Talisien

[Hearshot]

Like even when I'm leveling up as a Warrior to start with?

A strong suggestion when lvling up any job, whether it be a sub or your main. Lvl the weapons you should for that job specifically.

War = Axe/Greataxe
Drk = Scythe/GreatSword
Sam = Great Katana
DRG = Polearm
Etc, etc.

While each of these jobs can interchange weapons, each job has specific advantages with certain weapons.

You're Scythe/Greatsword will be leveled with DRK regardless of what weapon you use with Warrior. And if by chance in the distant future, you want to piick up Warrior as a main job again, you will need to have Axe/Greataxe already lvl'd.

[Lambeaus]

here are a few pics of my Taru Dark Knight, I'll post links, since this isn't the screenshot forum

doing the DRK flag quest
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/lambeaus04/FFXI/May7/4c7bfffe.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/lambeaus04/FFXI/May7/56412aed.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/lambeaus04/FFXI/May7/bf201210.jpg

my early DRK levels
(with great sword)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/lambeaus04/FFXI/May7/3b421196.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/lambeaus04/FFXI/May7/ca5dbf44.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/lambeaus04/FFXI/May7/695dfa0b.jpg

(with scythe)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/lambeaus04/FFXI/May7/1d0f64d9.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/lambeaus04/FFXI/May15/640b171c.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/lambeaus04/FFXI/May%2022/53b25b30.jpg

and later in early 20s with Baron and Traders gear and Cruel Scythe
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/lambeaus04/FFXI/May%2031/f4101d80.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/lambeaus04/FFXI/May%2031/b8be1b1b.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/lambeaus04/FFXI/May%2031/60afedd8.jpg


It really is a fun job. After doing nothing but magic, it was a nice change of pace to get in the fight and get my hands dirty. Plus able to 'heal' yourself with drain is definitely cool, and casting elemental spells in between hits (you'll have time) is a nice plus to finish a mob as well.