Thomas' dark knight guide
Overview
Dark Knight is the first custom class introduced on Trifecta RO. It's based on Ragnarok DS, Ragnarok Tactics(PSP), other various forms of media unrelated to RO, and my own ideas spun into the mix.
The class is meant to be a bit more technical compared to other classes, and have a wider variety of builds and options.
It currently has three different skill branches; magical, physical and summoning. Each branch has a handful of builds that work well with, or are only possible with the combination of other skills. As such, hybrid physical/magical builds are possible, and also viable on this job.
Magical skills offer unique skill effects and utility to the class, as well as apply crucial debuffs to enemies.
Physical skills offer high damaging critical based skills.
Summoning skills allow you to create an army of shadow monsters, which can attack for you. Each summon has unique skills or spells that work together with other summons.
Important mechanics, debuffs and buffs
Dark Knights are not able to regenerate SP because of their weapons, and are unable to use any SP healing items. This forces them to use their SP restoring skills if they want to keep their buffs up.
The main mechanics of dark knight revolve around triggering debuffs on the target, and maintaining your main buff on yourself. There are three main debuffs that are very important:
Scourge - Makes Dark Knight spells hit harder, and physical skills hit multiple times. Chaos - Triggers dark surge when hit by the skill massacre, gives additional effects or gives additional damage to physical skills. Nightmare - Any target hit with this skill will take more damage from Dark Knight summons.
Scourge is crucial to dealing high damage as a Dark Knight. There are four skills that are able to apply this debuff to targets, Dark Bolt, Blackout, Blood Crush and Hell Impact. Ideally, you will use these skills on targets before attacking. Scourge can not be resisted by any foe, so you don't need to worry about resistances.
The amount of damage gained, and extra hits a skill can deal are dependent on the individual skill.
Another very important aspect to Dark Knight is maintaining up time on their buffs. They don't have very many, but they are extremely important to their survival and for them to deal maximum damage.
Shadow Veil - The effect varies based on the skill, but typically, it increases damage dealt by the skill by a significant amount. Nightfall - Increase perfect dodge by 50, and increases MDEF by 20 skill level.
Shadow veil can affect skills in many different ways, it's important to read and check the skill descriptions to see how it affects each individual skill.
The notable effects that affect how a skill functions are as followed:
Massacre - When used while the user has Shadow Veil active, auto cast Dark Surge and immediately end Shadow Veil (if the target has the Darkness debuff, it will trigger an additional time, since they are independent effects). Curse Spike - Drastically increases the damage dealt while Shadow Veil is active(+54000%) Minus Strike - Ignores the HP conditions to deal max damage (You no longer need to be below 3 HP to deal good damage with minus strike). Summons - Doubles the summon caps of summons except Familiar and Shadow Lord
Nightfall doesn't really need too much explanation. It's a defensive buff that will help with survival.
Skills
| Magical - Spells will use the user's endowed element, unless stated otherwise. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Skill Name | Effect | Shadow Veil Effect | Cost |
| Dark Bolt | Deals magic damage, and applies the scourge debuff to a target. Restores 5% of the user's SP when hitting a target. | Deals increased damage | 5% current HP |
| Blackout | Deals AOE magic damage, and applies the scourge debuff to all targets hit. Restores 5% of the user's SP when hitting a target. | Deals increased damage(slightly more than dark bolt) | 5% current HP |
| Massacre | Deals magic damage to a target. Restores 5% of the user's SP when hitting a target. If the target has the chaos debuff, triggers dark surge. | Auto cast dark surge, and immediately end shadow veil | 5% current HP |
| Death Embrace | Pulls the target towards the user, then deals moderate AOE shadow element magic damage. | None | 10% current HP |
| Curse Spike | Deals low, shadow element magic damage, and reduces the target's DEF and MDEF to 0. | Significantly increases the damage dealt | 20% current HP |
| Drain | Deals moderate, AOE shadow element magic damage to enemies in an area around the target. Then heals the user for 150% of the damage dealt. | None | None |
| Minus Strike | Deals damage depending on how low your HP is. Will deal very low damage if your HP is above 3. Restores 5% of the user's max SP | User will always deal maximum damage, regardless of current HP, and deal increased damage. | None |
| Darkness Wave | Physical skill, that is based on physical stats and the user's INT stat, that will deal magical damage (calculates damage based on MDEF instead of DEF) in a line AOE. Can critically strike. | None | None |
| Dark Surge | This skill is not available to level. Deals massive, neutral property, AOE magic damage to a target, and targets near by. | Increases damage dealt | None |
| Dark Nebula | Deals damage to a target and enemies around it. The base damage increases depending on the combined levels of all dark knight spells learned. (Magic attacks) | None | None |
| Buffs | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Skill Name | Effect | Shadow Veil Effect | Cost |
| Shadow Veil | Increases damage dealt by skills, and/or changes the behavior of certain skills. Please refer to the buff section above. | None | 50% max SP |
| Nightfall | Perfect dodge + 50, increases MDEF by 20 * skill level | None | 50% Max SP |
| Physical - All physical skills can critically strike | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skill Name | Effect | Shadow Veil Effect | Chaos Effect | Cost |
| Blood Crush | Deals damage to a target, and applies the Scourge debuff. Restores 10% of the user's SP. | Deals increased damage | None | None |
| Punishment | Deals damage to a target. Deals more damage if the user's HP is below 50%. Restores 5% of the user's SP. | Deals increased damage. | Increases the base damage of the skill, then cancels the Chaos debuff | None |
| Death Blade | Hits a target 3 times, and inflicts the Darkness debuff on the target. | Deals increased damage. | Grants three additional hits to Death Blade, then cancels the Chaos debuff | 5% current HP |
| Guillotine | This skill will always critically strike. | Deals increased damage. | Grants three additional hits to guillotine, then cancels the Chaos debuff | 30% max SP |
| Hell Impact | Deals AOE damage to a target, and enemies around it. Inflicts the Scourge debuff on all targets hit. | Deals increased damage | Grants two additional hits to Hell Impact | None |
| Chaos | Deals moderate damage to a target. | None | Jumps to the target | None |
| Life Taker | Deals damage to a target, then heals a portion of the damage dealt as HP. Restores 10% SP. | Increases the base damage of the skill | None | None |
| Summon | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Skill Name | Effect | Shadow Veil Effect | Cost |
| Summon Familiar | Summons a familiar to fight for you. This summon's damage is influenced by the player's STR stat. Familiar's skill will inflict the "Sanguine" debuff, which makes the target hit by it to take more damage from Dark Knight Summons for a few seconds. | None | 10% max HP |
| Shadow Soldier | Summons a Shadow Soldier to fight for you. STR type summon. This summon's damage is influenced by the player's STR stat. You may only have one Shadow Soldier out at a time. | Increases the summon cap to two. | 20% max HP |
| Shadow Marksman | Summons a Shadow Marksman to fight for you. DEX type summon. This summon's damage is influenced by the player's DEX stat. You may only have up to two Shadow Marksman out at a time. | Increases the summon cap to four. | 20% max HP |
| Shadow Arcanist | Summons a Shadow Arcanist to fight for you. INT type summon. This summon's damage is influenced by the player's INT stat. You may only have one Shadow Arcanist out at a time. | Increases the summon cap to two. | 20% max HP |
| Shadow Lord | Summons a powerful, shadow element monster to fight for you. Each skill level will summon a different monster. You may summon multiple Shadow Lords at once if your cooldown is reduced. Each Shadow Lord gives different effects to different summon types. STR types will make STR type summons to deal more damage, INT types will make INT types stronger, etc. | None | 20% Max HP |
| Nightmare | Deals low AOE magic damage around the target. All enemies hit will take increased damage from summon's skills for a few seconds. | None | 10% max SP |
| Shadow Step | The caster back steps, and drops all monster agro. If the player is the only target in range, or is still the closest target, mobs may target the player again. | None | 20% max SP |
| Soul Siphon | Deals magic damage to a target. The user will heal for (skill level)% HP and SP. There is a 30 second delay before you're able to heal off of the same target again. | None | None |
| Catastrophe | Deals low magic damage to a target, and enemies around it. If the target has the "Sanguine" debuff, the damage is significantly increased. Any summon hit with this skill while in battle, will immediately die. | None | 20% max SP |
Summons:
Familiar - Standard Dark Knight summon, uses Sanguine Bite on targets, which causes the Sanguine debuff. Monsters afflicted with the Sanguine debuff take more damage from Dark Knight summon's skills. Shadow Soldier - STR type summon. Deals more skill damage based on the user's STR stat. Shadow Marksman - DEX type summon. Deals more skill damage based on the user's DEX stat. Able to summon two at a time. Shadow Arcanist - INT type summon. Deals more skill damage based on the user's INT stat. Shadow Lord level 1: Centaur - Will cast Chains of Hell, which deals high single target physical damage. STR type summons will deal more skill damage while this summon is out. Shadow Lord level 2: Lich - Will cast Blade of the Damned, which deals AOE physical damage to a target, and enemies around it. STR type summons will deal more skill damage while this summon is out. Shadow Lord level 3: Dark Mage - Will cast Corruption, which deals high AOE magic damage in a small area around the target. INT type summons will deal more skill damage while this summon is out. Shadow Lord level 4: Dark Naga - Will cast Explosion, which deals AOE magic damage in a large area around the target. INT type summons will deal more skill damage while this summon is out. Shadow Lord level 5: Dark Dragon - Will cast Evil Eye, which deals map-wide AOE damage. DEX type summons will deal more skill damage while this summon is out.
Equipment
| Starter Item List | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Item ID | Item Name | Effects | How to Obtain |
| ??? | Dark Knight Mask | Critical damage +10% ATK+(BaseLevel) MATK+(BaseLevel) |
Starter Gear or DK Shop Darius |
| ??? | Solitude Armor | Increase EXP gain by 5% All stats + 5 ATK and MATK + (refine rate) |
Starter Gear or DK Shop Darius |
| ??? | Solitude Muffler | Increase EXP gain by 5% All stats + 5 ATK and MATK + (refine rate) |
Starter Gear or DK Shop Darius |
| ??? | Solitude Boots | Increase EXP gain by 5% All stats + 5 ATK and MATK + (refine rate) |
Starter Gear or DK Shop Darius |
| ??? | Dark Knight Belt | Max HP +20 (BaseLevel) Defeated monsters will drop Dark Essence |
Starter Gear or DK Shop Darius |
| ??? | Dark Knight Glove | STR +(BaseLevel/20) INT +(BaseLevel/20) |
Starter Gear or DK Shop Darius |
| ??? | Broadsword | Disables SP recovery ATK +(BaseLevel) MATK +(BaseLevel) |
Starter Gear or DK Shop Darius |
| Two-handed swords | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Item Name | Effects | ATK | MATK | Weapon Level | Refinable | How to Obtain |
| Broadsword | Disables SP recovery ATK +(BaseLevel/10) MATK +(BaseLevel/10) |
10 | 10 | 1 | @Darius Dark Essence + Zeny |
Starter Gear or DK Shop Darius |
| Dark Broadsword | Disables SP recovery ATK +(BaseLevel/5) MATK +(BaseLevel/5) |
20 | 20 | 2 | @Darius Dark Essence + Zeny |
Evolve from a +20 Broadsword |
| Evil Broadsword | Disables SP recovery ATK +(BaseLevel/4) MATK +(BaseLevel/4) |
40 | 40 | 3 | @Darius Dark Essence + Zeny |
Evolve from a +20 Dark Broadsword |
| Malice Broadsword | Disables SP recovery ATK +(BaseLevel/2) MATK +(BaseLevel/2) |
80 | 80 | 3 | @Darius Dark Essence + Zeny |
Evolve from a +20 Evil Broadsword |
| Hybrid Broadsword | Disables SP recovery ATK+(refine rate)% Increase damage dealt by all elemental magic by (refine rate)%. Increase damage dealt by Death Embrace, Massacre and Death Blade by (refine rate)% |
300 | 300 | 4 | Normal | Evolve from a +20 Malice Broadsword |
| Dark Wave Broadsword | Disables SP recovery Increase damage dealt by Darkness Wave by (refine rate)% |
300 | 300 | 4 | Normal | Evolve from a +20 Malice Broadsword |
| Blood Sword | Disables SP recovery Increase damage dealt by Life Taker by (refine rate * 2)%. When dealing a short range physical attack, the user heals 1000 HP. Can be enchanted up to three times. |
300 | 300 | 4 | Normal | Dark Monastery Dungeon |
| Greataxes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Item Name | Effects | ATK | MATK | Weapon Level | Refinable | How to Obtain |
| Greataxe | Disables SP recovery ATK +(BaseLevel/10) CRIT +(BaseLevel/20) Critical damage +(BaseLevel/20) |
10 | 10 | 1 | @Darius Dark Essence + Zeny |
Starter Gear or DK Shop Darius |
| Dark Greataxe | Disables SP recovery ATK +(BaseLevel/5) CRIT +(BaseLevel/20) Critical damage +(BaseLevel/20) |
20 | 20 | 2 | @Darius Dark Essence + Zeny |
Evolve from a +20 Greataxe |
| Evil Greataxe | Disables SP recovery ATK +(BaseLevel/4) CRIT +(BaseLevel/20) Critical damage +(BaseLevel/20) |
40 | 40 | 3 | @Darius Dark Essence + Zeny |
Evolve from a +20 Dark Greataxe |
| Malice Greataxe | Disables SP recovery ATK +(BaseLevel/2) CRIT +(BaseLevel/20) Critical damage +(BaseLevel/20) |
80 | 80 | 3 | @Darius Dark Essence + Zeny |
Evolve from a +20 Evil Greataxe |
| Abyssal Greataxe | Disables SP recovery ATK +(refine rate)% CRIT +(refine rate) Critical damage +(refine rate)% |
200 | 100 | 4 | Normal | Evolve from a +20 Malice Greataxe |
| Punisher Greataxe | Disables SP recovery CRIT +(refine rate) Critical damage +(refine rate)% Increase damage dealt by Punishment by (refine rate)% |
200 | 100 | 4 | Normal | Evolve from a +20 Malice Greataxe |
| Chaotic Greataxe | Disables SP recovery CRIT +(refine rate) Critical damage +(refine rate)% Increase damage dealt by Chaos by 5 * (refine rate)% |
200 | 100 | 4 | Normal | Evolve from a +20 Malice Greataxe |
| Underworld Greataxe | Disables SP recovery CRIT +(refine rate) Critical damage +(refine rate)% Increase damage dealt by Blood Crush and hell Impact by (refine rate)% |
200 | 100 | 4 | Normal | Evolve from a +20 Malice Greataxe |
| Blade Greataxe | Disables SP recovery CRIT +(refine rate) Critical damage +(refine rate)% Increase damage dealt by Death Blade (refine rate)% Increase damage dealt by Guillotine by 10% |
200 | 100 | 4 | Normal | Evolve from a +20 Malice Greataxe |
| Parashu | Disables SP recovery CRIT + (refine rate) Critical damage + (refine rate)% Can be enchanted up to three times. |
400 | 100 | 4 | Normal | Dark Monastery |
| Scythes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Item Name | Effects | ATK | MATK | Weapon Level | Refinable | How to Obtain |
| Scythe | Disables SP recovery MATK +(BaseLevel)/10 |
10 | 20 | 1 | @Darius Dark Essence + Zeny |
Starter Gear or DK Shop Darius |
| Dark Scythe | Disables SP recovery MATK +(BaseLevel)/5 |
20 | 40 | 2 | @Darius Dark Essence + Zeny |
Evolve from a +20 Scythe |
| Evil Scythe | Disables SP recovery MATK +(BaseLevel)/4 |
40 | 80 | 3 | @Darius Dark Essence + Zeny |
Evolve from a +20 Dark Scythe |
| Malice Scythe | Disables SP recovery MATK +(BaseLevel)/2 |
80 | 160 | 3 | @Darius Dark Essence + Zeny |
Evolve from a +20 Evil Scythe |
| Retribution Scythe | Disables SP recovery Disables HP recovery Drains your HP over time Increase damage of Minus Strike by (10 * refine rate)% Increase magic damage dealt against all element foes by 5% Increase magic damage dealt against all class foes by 5% Increase magic damage dealt against all size foes by 5% Increase magic damage dealt with all elements by 5% |
100 | 500 | 4 | Normal | Evolve from a +20 Malice Scythe |
| Eerie Scythe | Disables SP recovery Increase magic damage dealt against all class foes by (refine rate)% Increase magic damage dealt with all elements by (refine rate)% |
100 | 500 | 4 | Normal | Evolve from a +20 Malice Scythe |
| Murderous Scythe | Disables SP recovery Increase damage of Massacre by (2 * refine rate)% Increase magic damage dealt against all class foes by (refine rate)% |
100 | 500 | 4 | Normal | Evolve from a +20 Malice Scythe |
| Vampire Scythe | Disables SP recovery Increase damage of Drain by (2 * refine rate)% Increase magic damage dealt against all class foes by (refine rate)% |
100 | 500 | 4 | Normal | Evolve from a +20 Malice Scythe |
| Harvester Scythe | Disables SP recovery Increase magic damage dealt against all class foes by (refine rate)% Reduce the cooldown of Shadow Marksman by 0.125 *(refine rate) seconds Reduce the cooldown of Shadow Soldier and Shadow Arcanist by 0.5 * (refine rate) seconds When equipped with Cursed Vestments, Cursed Shawl and Cursed Boots,All stats + 15 When equipped with a Darkside set, Penumbral set or Nightshade set,All stats + 10 |
1 | 1 | 4 | Normal | Evolve from a +20 Malice Scythe |
| War Scythe | Disables SP recovery Increase magic damage dealt with all elements by (refine rate)% Increase magic damage dealt against all class foes by (refine rate)% Can be enchanted up to three times. |
100 | 500 | 4 | Normal | Dark Monastery Dungeon |
| Cronus | Disables HP recovery Disables SP recovery Reduces damage dealt with Dark Wave by 2000% Reduce the cooldown of Shadow Marksman by 0.8 *(refine rate) seconds Reduces the cooldown of Shadow Lord by 1*(refine rate) seconds Reduce the cooldown of Shadow Soldier and Shadow Arcanist by 2 * (refine rate) seconds When equipped with Cursed Vestments, Cursed Shawl and Cursed Boots,All stats + 15 Can be enchanted up to three times. |
1 | 1 | 4 | Normal | Dark Monastery Dungeon |
