BLU/DRK: Could this work?

[Maerina]

I've recently been leveling DRK to 37 because I've met two BLUs on my server who both say BLU/DRK is really good. I can see where they're comming from: Souleater stacks with physical spells, making things like Hysteric Barage and Frentic Rip absolutely own, plus Last Resort is there whenever you need a quick attack bonus. DRK aslo gives Attack Bonus II post 30 (the only time I'd ever sub it) as well as the moderate STR and MP bonuses from the subjob itself.

To counter Souleater hate, BLU gets Zephyr Mantle, Diamondhide, Feather Barrier, and Cocoon (as well as others I can't remember now). To gain back lost HP from Souleater, BLU can use Magic Fruit.

Again, this in theory would only be an effective sub 60+, but is there anything I'm forgeting about that would make BLU/DRK a bad idea?

[Armando]

Re: BLU/DRK: Could this work?

It's not really that good all-around. You're comparing it in vacuum instead of comparing it to other subs. Kinda like saying "/RNG really helps MNK out, you get two Accuracy bonuses, and you have A-ranked HP, Chakra, and Counter to deal with hate."

Souleater generates a lot of hate just on activation and its damage efficiency is bad (sacrifice 10% HP to add half that much to your damage.) Plus it's on a 6 minute timer. Last Resort also generates a lot of hate, only lasts 30 secs, and Attack doesn't help Blue Magic. 5 minute timer. Setting up Zephyr Mantle and whatnot doesn't counter the hate you make, and it makes you use more MP just to use the sub.

Compare that BLU/THF which can add a large amount of damage to a spell once every minute for free, and can pass the hate from that on to someone else. Or BLU/WAR that gets 10% Double Attack, 1 Attack Bonus (vs DRK's 2) and Berserk which gives more Attack than Last Resort and is there 3/5ths for the time. All of that, once again, without costing any MP. Or BLU/NIN which gives you 17.6% more sword swings while giving you MP-less shadows for when you pull hate.

[Ziero]

Re: BLU/DRK: Could this work?

Only two jobs should really be subbing drk that I know of. Thf and Rdm, and both on HNMs only. As pointed out, for all the boosts /Drk offers, other jobs offer better ones.

[Armando]

Re: BLU/DRK: Could this work?

And NIN. But that's for entirely different reasons.

[Ziero]

Re: BLU/DRK: Could this work?

....right!

I knew I was forgetting something =X

[711rocks]

Re: BLU/DRK: Could this work?

/drk stun spell works on most mobs; even big ones as long as they don't naturally really resist lightning; maybe spamming stun and headbutt could make blu/drk some sort of stunning beast for certain things?

[Callisto]

Re: BLU/DRK: Could this work?

BLU/DRK is rather useful in some fights, where extra stunning is extremely helpful and the BLU is not as likely to take hate(ToAU44 fight is a good example of where I've made solid use of BLU/DRKs) but definitely not something you'd want to make your main subjob overall.

BLU/THF is great for most big fights, Sneak Attack does wonders for Vertical Cleave/Cannonball, and of course you can shift the hate to a proper tank(or WHM!) with Trick Attack, on top of other minor bonuses.

Aside from the bonuses that Armando mentioned for /NIN, you also get an extra swing on your Sword weaponskills, while they mainly only serve the purpose of opening skill chains, there's no reason to not be concerned about the damage of the WS itself.

And /WAR is actually a decent subjob in many cases. Aside from the offensive boosts mentioned, Defender + Cocoon actually makes for very nice and consistent Cannonball damage without the need for SA, and a well geared/experienced BLU can actually bloodtank rather well as /WAR(we use one frequently to tank city Dynamis).

Not that /DRK is useless, but compared to the other 3 it's nowhere near as functional, it has less capability both offensively and defensively, and really just has a somewhat more reliable Stun than Head Butt going for it.

[Maerina]

Re: BLU/DRK: Could this work?

Well, it's a good thing I only got DRK to 20, and my WAR is also sitting there at 20, meaning I can switch over to it easy with all the gear I have. I have THF, NIN, and WHM to 37, so I guess I should probably drop DRK and go with WAR to 37.

Thanks for the info.

[Callisto]

Re: BLU/DRK: Could this work?

While you already have gear and such I would still recommend taking DRK to 37, you may occassionally find use for it and you may wish to level another job to 75 later that would make use of it as a sub. Generally I've found that just finishing a subjob while you're at it is a lot easier and less annoying that putting it down at 20-30 and trying to get back to it later.

[Durahansolo]

Re: BLU/DRK: Could this work?

Generally I've found that just finishing a subjob while you're at it is a lot easier and less annoying that putting it down at 20-30 and trying to get back to it later.

Or in my case THF15, I can't for the life of me get myself together to go level it to 37. By the time I get BLU to 60 though, I plan to have it together.

[Viceroy]

Re: BLU/DRK: Could this work?

I went /DRK into Wajaom once just for fun and nearly killed myself.

I TP'd to 300, used Souleater and did Dissverment and nearly wiped myself out in the process. Head Butt pretty much saved my life so I can spam magic fruit. XD

[Malacite]

Re: BLU/DRK: Could this work?

Doesn't BLU have 5 separate stun spells already though?

[Losrase]

Re: BLU/DRK: Could this work?

Doesn't BLU have 5 separate stun spells already though?

yes, but all the phyiscal ones can miss.

[Tickmeoff]

Re: BLU/DRK: Could this work?

In after a year old necro.

[Losrase]

Re: BLU/DRK: Could this work?

In after a year old necro.

BAH! I have to start paying attention to the age of posts before the new ones.