Will two hands replace one hand, and dark knights replace paladins?

[Seriphyn]

So the PLD job is cool because it gives RPers the foundation to play a crusading knight person for good. But then DRK comes along and from the limited lore we have, it seems that they too are also crusading knight persons for good. And they're not tied to a standing military body on top of that. Will we see a shift of people who want to play the White Knight archetype away from PLD and towards DRK?

 

Secondly, even I am finding it hard to resist the allure of a two-handed sword. I am stubbornly trying to fly the flag that I can be just as cool with a sword and shield. If I'm having trouble with trying to fight it, then well...there is surely going to be a rush. But are the days of sword-and-board numbered in the face of the sheer awesomeness total commonness of the greatsword?

[Kellach Woods]

From what I hear, it's warriors that are looking for the new class rather than paladins.

I'll be leveling one as well, but I'm leveling everything on Kell anyway.

[Iex]

No.

 

I don't see many people playing the "White Knight" stereotype when playing paladins. I actually don't see many people playing paladins at all. Most folks if at all, are free paladins. A lot of people play as "gladiators" or just mercs that know a shield is an extremely valuable weapon as well as a defensive measure.

 

Since we have no clue about the Dark Knights damage mitigation, but can assume that it is going to be sort of magical in nature (maybe... I mean warriors just can take a beating because the inner beast helps them defy normal limits of damage and pain). Shields will always be a better IC non-magic 'protection thing' without being self sacrifice of just taking the blow.

 

My prediction is if folks aren't RPing the Dark Knight as the dark knight, they will treat the class in the same way Warriors are often treated. "A RP DPS CLASS" Just using a sword instead of an axe. I also predict the two handed sword will just be added on as a weapon to the character's arsenal. Sometimes you need a shield sometimes you need a huge ass sword to break something.

 

As Rpers we are not restricted by 'class' not to mention you can be every class on a character. The two-handed vs sword and board are not mutually exclusive.

 

I am sure though, we will see some 'fallen paladins' treating Dark Knight as the anti-paladin or Blackguard of D&D.

[Chris Ganale]

Honestly, I've been waiting for DRK since I joined. In every other setting I've played Ganale where he's used non-modern weapons--and even in one notable instance where he did have a modern arsenal, he's always mainlined a greatsword. Ever since I once played D&D and stumbled across the exotic weapon mercurial greatsword.

[Dante Abigor]

Cloud Strife butcher knife life is superior easier to be a badass with compared to LITTLE GIRLY SHIELD MEN, so I expect that...there wont really be a change. Most people that Rp with a shield I find often have a reason for their character using a shield at all. Id be more concerned about the Warrior Rp base really, seeing as Greatswords are generally more popular than a massive axe.

[Tiergan]

No.

 

I don't see many people playing the "White Knight" stereotype when playing paladins. I actually don't see many people playing paladins at all. Most folks if at all, are free paladins. A lot of people play as "gladiators" or just mercs that know a shield is an extremely valuable weapon as well as a defensive measure.

 

Since we have no clue about the Dark Knights damage mitigation, but can assume that it is going to be sort of magical in nature (maybe... I mean warriors just can take a beating because the inner beast helps them defy normal limits of damage and pain). Shields will always be a better IC non-magic 'protection thing' without being self sacrifice of just taking the blow.

 

My prediction is if folks aren't RPing the Dark Knight as the dark knight, they will treat the class in the same way Warriors are often treated. "A RP DPS CLASS" Just using a sword instead of an axe. I also predict the two handed sword will just be added on as a weapon to the character's arsenal. Sometimes you need a shield sometimes you need a huge ass sword to break something.

 

 

This pretty much nails exactly what I'm doing currently with Tiergan and what I will do with him when I pick up the DRK class for funsies.

 

As much as Tiergan is considered a defender/protector figure by a couple of folks, it doesn't entirely make sense for Tiergan to become a paladin, so he's just a 'gladiator'. If I have him become something DRK-ish IC, it will literally just be him going "Well, I like swords. WHY NOT USE A BIGGER SWORD?!" No darkness powers, no batman.

 

Tiergan will just be a regular dude who really likes swords.

 

PLD will probably still stay my main tanking class though unless DRK turns out to be so astoundingly fun that none can resist its siren call.

[Harmonixer]

Considering the sheer size of the blade, it can likely protect quite a bit of space. It just requires better placement, martial strength and perception. The way I see it, in some ways it would be better to be behind such a huge weapon than a shield! Obviously it's more limiting, but perhaps more stylish if nothing else. Conduits for magiks as well.

 

I can't imagine anything being a replacement eitherway. There's a place for it all.

[ArmachiA]

I think we'll see quite a few people switch to Two handed swords since quite a few people were waiting for that option. I think less people then you think will switch to the Dark Knight JOB though, I'm sure quite a few will, but the majority will probably just be two handed sword users. I've noticed most roleplayers - even when the lore for jobs is easy - stick to classes and I don't expect this to be much different (Yes, I'm aware there's no class attached but you know what I mean).

[Mahorela]

I think a number of people have been using pld as a stand in for when they can use a 2h sword, but for the most part I don't think people who have established themselves as a gladiator or paladin IC will be making the switch. I have a feeling drk will have a different feel to it than pld so people will RP it for different reasons than just wanting to be a dude with a sword.

 

With that being said I'm expecting paladin to be less prominent as the most common class but still be the number 1 due to how sword+shield feels in terms of reflecting a character as opposed to a 2h sword. Sword+Shield has always felt like the do gooder, the defender, the knight in shining armor. 2h sword is going to be more generic mercenary types and those who want to rp "I'm da strongest" without having to level warrior because "omg axes aren't cool like swords." Not to mention just having a sword hanging at your side is kinda classy, can't look classy with a greatsword on your back lol.

 

I could also be totally wrong and we'll see practically nothing but dark knights walking around even if they are just 'a swordsman who likes 2h swords' which I have a feeling most people will be.

[Flashhelix]

unbeknownst to most, swords as a whole have actually been obsolete since the beginning of FFXIV

 

[Aaron]

If you switch just be ready for the hate.

 

Was on Skype with a friend and all he was yapping my ear off was there influx to come on new sudden greatswords and Au Ra takeover.

 

Im like, it's a new class. . . Of course people will swarm it. . .

 

I honestly don't understand what's up with hating new stuff. Is it because you wanted it for yourself to feel special? 

 

Anyway I doubt that people will switch. Many ROG will probably stay ROG and PLD will stay PLD simply because some people like dual wield > two hand or single Sephiroth style sword > two hand.

 

As everyone else said you'd probably see a lot less WAR though unless DRK isn't as dps fun asWAR is.

[Seriphyn]

Kale uses a sword-and-shield since that seems to be the dominant military weapon of Ul'dah...alas, the greatsword as a heavier extension of that seems the most suitable. Before, I had him use an axe as the heavy weapon (for like, fighting monsters). But the allure is too strong. His Flame Elite  armour suits a greatsword perfectly, too!

[Imo]

Fittingly, Dark Knight lore is almost 100% Batman. He's not the hero Ishgard needs, but one it deserves.

 

Personally, I find Dark Knight to be a bit too edgy. I'll stay with my good old knight in shining armor Paladin class, thank you very much.

[Aaron]

Anyone else bet DRK will have shit vanity clothing like all tank classes?

[ShoggMommy]

If you switch just be ready for the hate.

 

 

I honestly don't understand what's up with hating new stuff. Is it because you wanted it for yourself to feel special? 

 

I don't really see the hate in this thread; though I also know you're talking in general. I don't understand it either. It almost comes off that it's "edgy" or "cool" to hate everything that's new. It's sort of like the fad of "Oh I like this series; but it's popular now so I hate it" and I see -that- really often with tv shows, anime, etc. It's kind of disconcerting. I wish people would just not be so hostile with it and let people play what they want.

 

As for the topic itself; I'm making a new char completely. I used to Rift Stalk-tank in RIFT all the time. But I haven't done any tanking yet in XIV. I've been a bit intimidated honestly to do so. So I'm going to try my hand at it with this class. Sure it'll take me time to get to 50 with a new character (Level 15 anyway); but I'll get there. I'll try out MRD and PLD for understanding mechanics but it's supposed to be a different way of tanking with DRK.

[Aduu Avagnar]

If I went DRK at any point, it is all dependant on the lore, rather than anything else. That and it allows me to use my HEMA knowledge to even more use

 

just remember, against someone in heavy armour, slashing is actually pretty useless, apart from transfering concusive force. Mordstreich. Murder strokes for everyone

[Kismet]

...Meanwhile, I'm just sitting here giggling at "two hands replacing one hand". :lol:

[Erik Mynhier]

Erik has been training of late on other weapons for a side project with the Red Wings, and will most likely take on the greatsword along with the few others he has been working on, (Axe and Bow recently). But primarily I think he is a sword and board guy. I wanted the DRK from before day one, and I still intend to explore the job ic as it relates to his father, and definitely ooc for the tanking challenge. But I think Erik will keep his shield in the long run. My real hope is maybe more/better shield models, and the ability to dye more of them.

[Saefinn]

One of my alts, X'hayu, she is a Sultansworn, rather than a Free Paladin, originally I felt Free Paladin would make sense for her, but realised that she basically shares the same morality and principles as the Sultana, so she is somebody she'd get behind, she has previously been military, she is a Garlean defector who has worked hard and selflessly to attain that title, Sultansworn. So the military mentality sticks with her somewhat, so being among the sultansworn suits some of what she knows.

 

I was umming and ahhing as to whether she should stay a Paladin or go Dark Knight, because she is very broody, moody and has little faith in people - she's done and seen some pretty dark stuff, but her title as a Paladin become a shining light for her, to do good and with a Sultana who believes she should help her people and with her giving refuge to Ala Mhigans and her wanting to give refuge to Domans, X'hayu backed the right horse. So to speak.

 

But now, here's the spoiler stuff.

 

 

 

 

What place does X'hayu have among the Sultansworn now there's no Sultana? Her "faith in humanity" will be ranking quite low and she will be kicking herself because she couldn't prevent it from happening. For a long time, she, and her friend Steinn have been working to undermine the Sultana's opposition for some time. This is where sometimes help from my Pirate crew has come in. The Monetarists are against lending refuge, but the Sultana wishes she could - meaning X'hayu may go behind her back a little and hire a trusted pirate crew to acquire provisions to give to the needy, mainly the Ala Mhigans.

 

So the fact, with their position in Ul'dah, my characters X'hayu and Steinn will be very down beaten that they couldn't save the Sultana.

 

This means, X'hayu will be questioning her own position and her own principles, with our pirate crew seeking business in Ishgard (something we have negotiated for probably the best part of a year ICly, with some Ishgard related RP) and having provided business to Ishgardians, this might be the inspiration for X'hayu to end up going down the road of being a Dark Knight, particularly as one of her friends in the pirate crew, is heading down the same road and will likely play influence in their dark thoughts.

 

I was considering keeping her a Paladin, because don't want to level Dark Knight on 2 characters. But this is actually looking like the right direction for her. Dammit.

 

In this case, Dark Knight will replace Paladin. But, will 2 hands replace 1? I doubt it. She is proficient with a one-handed sword, a person can learn to wield more than one weapon type, this restriction is only a game mechanic issue.

 

Of course, taking into account of her military background, Dark Knight will be somewhat challenging for her, as she will not be allied to a state, but I might have her follow under Captain Saefinn, if she finds her need to follow somebody. That will be interesting, considering she doesn't like him. He's a drunken lout and can be reckless and unpredictable, she doesn't respect those qualities.

 

 

 

[Steel Wolf]

Ultimately the population of DRKs will rely on mechanics. RP'ers are no less susceptible to the draw of what's fun than any other MMO gamer.

 

Case in point--I was positive Steel would be a shining knight, but Paladin ended up being an absolute snore to play as. WAR is better in terms of engagement as well as thematics. Her story has her going to DRK, but whether she maintains the weapon or not is going to be really dependent on how the class feels overall--the combination of gameplay sensation and how the weapon looks on her back or in her hands or how she carries herself while in the Job.

[Dogberry]

unbeknownst to most, swords as a whole have actually been obsolete since the beginning of FFXIV

 

 

Charles Barkley Shut Up And Slam Gaiden Online?! You got into the beta for that?! Man, I CAN'T WAIT for that game!

[Brynhilde]

The Zweihänder, or great sword, was very often used by the German Landsknechte in the middle ages. I'm therefore claiming that two-handed swords are old hat to the martial Ala Mhigans, and saying that Bryn already has proficiency with them from her youth.

 

That's as far as I'll touch DRK, lore-wise. I may level the class, but while Bryn is generally all over protecting the underdog, she wants nothing to do with Ishgard whatsoever.

 

Besides, why do you need a job title to do good deeds?

[Coatleque]

Coatleque rarely uses a shield as it is. Even the description of gladiator says the shield is optional. I wish SE would actually implement that. She uses a hand and a half sword, so she can easily switch between both styles.

 

I don't need to level another class just to RP that concept.

[Gegenji]

As someone mentioned, I'm one of those folks where my PLD will remain a PLD. Even if I end up liking DRK tanking more, Chachan is - as an RP character - a Free Paladin. He'll likely stay sword and board up until I can somehow have him use a smithing hammer in his sword hand (but still keep the shield).

 

Of course, I will level DRK (and AST and MCH) on Gogon, since he's my "cap everything" character, and Judge has been "waiting" for DRK to drop. So I suppose I cover all the bases on the DRK spectrum - the not doing it, the waiting to do it, and the "do it because it's there"... all spread over my three characters. :lol:

[Martiallais]

I fall in the camp of people who've been waiting on a 2handed sword class to come along since I got on the bandwagon for FFXIV back when 2.0 launched. The announcement that DRK was coming was actually something my FC-leader used to help nudge me back into the game believe it or not LOL.

 

That said, I want to try and level both PLD and DRK for my (new! shiny!) Elezen so he'll probably alternate between both for RPtimes.