what role does a DRK function in avatar fights?

[AtraposBLM]

I was wondering what role, if any, a DRK could fill in the Prime Avatar battles. Up to now, I've only done BLM/BLM/WHM/WHM/BRD/PLD, and I've only lost once (an odd case where the taru pld was taking 200+ damage off titan's enstones (with carol and barstonra)). I was wondering if it was at all possible to replace anything with a DRK, and have it still work.

If so, what equips/items should the DRK bring/use? What minimum/ideal level should he be? How much harder will it be to use a drk than a blm?

Any info you could give would be most appreciated. Thanks for your time

--Atrapos

[Moo]

I'd say be a minimum of level 60 before going to fight them. A solid group of 60's with a WHM and a BRD can take them down. DRKs are always welcome in these fights if they are high enough. You could take the place of a WHM or a BLM in the set up you have.

If you're going with lower level BLMs (55-59), I'd recommend you get to level 65 before going with them. Someone has to make up all the damage.

I'd imagine that they would be pretty useful in the Fenrir battle also. For Fenrir, you want a very good tank, a healer, and tons and tons of damage.

[Teffie]

Guillotine has a pretty high chance of Silencing the enemy it is done upon. So a DRK with Guillotine and alot of concentration can Stop the Tier IV Spells that they throw at you

[Deodorant]

For my Shiva and Ramuh battles I had a drk/war tanking

[AtraposBLM]

well I pretty much assumed the lv60+ requirement. I wanted to know what exactly the dark would be doing.

With a dark in the group, is it pretty much mandated that you have a bard for carols? Does he just attack the prime with the paladin and spam guillotine? If he tanks, what exactly should he do?

Thanks again

[Oompa]

In my experiance, skillchains are very important to avatar battles. A DRK with Guillitine almost saved the day against our first fight against Ifrit. I'd take a DRK anyday with me.

Each fight we were using a level 3 skillchain and magic bursting like crazy. A high powered, heavy damage dealing DRK would be invaluable. The best strategy I can give from my experiance is drop the avatar as quickly as possible and keep hitting him heavily each time. SE+LR+skillchain will do boatloads of damage. Very useful.

So yeah....DRKs roll is fairly important in Avatar battles if you ask me.