The PLD/DRK relationship

[Varo]

Hello noble Paladins. I am quickly approaching level 30 and many things will begin to change at that time as far as party tactics go. I am fairly confindent in my abilities as a DRK. I know when to turn around and not attack (setting up sneak attack), I know when to turn around because i'm dragging too much hate, and so forth. There is still a lot I do not know.

Obviously, all of us know that Dark Knights have the unique ability to get huge amounts of hate in a short amount of time without anyway to get rid of it. With the addition of Soul Eater and Beserk, this becomes even more of a concern. Of course, I should never use Soul Eater every single battle how horribly inefficient that would be.

From a Paladins point of view. When is it a good time to use Soul Eater and/or Beserk? Basically, I don't want to be a pain in the ass to the Paladins. I want to be able to fight efficiently, along there side, as a team. Give me some tips. What to watch for, how do I know when to turn around and stop attacking, etc.

This thread is for all Paladins to respond too. Regardless of level or playtime. All replies are valid and will be taken into consideration. Just trying to make myself a better Dark Knight. Thanks guys.

[nuvas]

Only advice I can offer is for you to balance out your atk up abilities. Don't stack them all ontop of each other, try to maintain a constant amount of high damage by alternating using them and don't create too many spikes in your hate so we dont have to blow too many of our abilities or MP in one fight. Hopefully that makes sense to you.

Elidrin
56 Paladin/Warrior
Midgardsormr

[Varo]

That makes perfect sence to me. Thanks for the input. ^^

It sounds as though you have to play DRK in a very controlled way with restrictions. I am only beginning to discover the effects my hate has on the party when I screw up the thiefs yokodama because I draw too much hate. Yes, I have heard that stacking abilities like Beserk, Last Resort, and Soul Eater is a horrible idea. Not only does it suck up the parties mp like mad but it can also get yourself killed.

I have another question in regards to the Cover ability. Let's say I screw up really bad and the Paladin simply cannot get the hate off of me after provoking it, and cure 2'ing himself. He uses Cover and stands in front of me. Does this block ALL incomming attacks or just a percentage of them (making me still at risk)? Also, during this time, do I still attack the monster or would it be a better idea if I turn around and let others try to get the hate off me?

Again, I apologize for the excessive questions. I just want to be a team player, starting with my Paladin friends.

[Kagi]

In addition to what Eli has said, I still maintain that all strong attacks should be kept to the 2nd half of the fight, because I usually stockpile the hate in the first half. By then even if you use SE I should be able to get it back onto me with a cure or flash. Sometimes SE won't even get it off me if it's used in the home stretch of the battle (normally as a desperation measure ^^).

When a paladin covers you, it blocks all the attacks directed at you 100%. You don't get hit at all, and many plds take this short amount of time to try and gain back as much hate as possible. If the pld's mp is out and his/her job abilities are not ready then you really should turn around, but if the pld still has some juice left to get back hate then you can possibly keep attacking.

[Elite]

If you have a RDM or a BRD in your pt and your MP is not going up stuck at 12....they need to be /slapped. You ask or the rdm should know to mp refresh you at all times so you are worry free about using your cures. Cover is usually the choice to use on rng's as they stand behind you and will always take hate 50-75% of the time during a rennkei at high levels(Side-winder for instance).

As for DRK, you shouldn't be able to take away hate from a good pld who will use taunt+flash at the beginning of the fight. The only way it will face you is if the thf decides to go behind you and fuidama then it creates this hate disorder. Its recommended the DRK taunt first and thf does fui behind the tank. Before with sideways fuidama, this was never a problem infact keeping hate was never a problem but for all those that been here before sideways if you remember, old school fuidama was always done behind the player that the enemy is not facing.

If you have hard times cooperatnig with the THF like that, you will need to get the hang of it and learn as you go dont worry.

[Cade]

short amount of time

Short is right. What is it, like 5 seconds?

Don't get me wrong, Cover is handy, I tell the RNG or DRK to get behind me to let me know when they're gonna do Barrage or SE, but geez... they need to up its duration....