Dark Knight (Dark Arts)

Explore bravely default's Dark Knight job abilities, including Dark Bane, Black Bane, and the HP-sacrificing Rage.

Aptitudes:

• Swords and Katana: S
• Spears: A
• Axes: C
• All other weapons: E~D
• Shields and Armor: A
• Helms: S

Specialty: Adversity

The user’s Physical Attack, Physical Defense, Magic Attack and Magic Defense each rise by 10% for three turns every time they accumulate damage equal to 25% of their maximum HP. This ability tracks accumulated damage, including sacrificed HP. It triggers again at 50% HP, 75% HP, and so on. Healing does not affect the running total. Adversity is useful when using HP-sacrificing abilities or facing frequent enemy attacks.

Level 1: Dark Bane

A Dark-element attack on one enemy that does 1.25 times damage; requires the user sacrifice 20% of their maximum HP. This ability is generally not recommended unless the enemy is weak to Dark or you are trying to trigger Adversity, as many other abilities offer similar damage for a lower HP cost.

Level 2: Abate Dark

Reduces damage taken from dark-based attacks. This does not stack with equipment and is beneficial against enemies that primarily use Dark-element attacks.

Level 3: Adversity

The user’s Physical Attack, Physical Defense, Magic Attack and Magic Defense each rise by 10% for three turns every time they accumulate damage equal to 25% of their maximum HP. This is useful against enemies or bosses that frequently attack.

Level 4: Demon Master

Inflicts Charm on one demon-kind enemy. When charmed, the enemy will attack its allies and use abilities to aid your characters.

Level 5: See You in Hell

When the user reaches zero HP, they will do four times damage to all enemies. This ability does not work if the user has Reraise active. It can be an effective way to deal massive damage if you can resurrect your Dark Knight quickly and reliably. However, your Dark Knight will not receive EXP and JP if they end the battle with this move.

Level 6: Minus Strike

Attacks one enemy, dealing damage equal to your Maximum HP minus Current HP. This ability is more effective when you have more HP. It works better with Double HP from a Giant’s Draft, allowing you to use it effectively without being at critical HP.

Level 7: Helm Lore

Raises the armor aptitude for Helms to S, allowing your character to gain the highest Defense bonus for Helms in any job.

Level 8: Black Bane

A Dark-element attack on all enemies that does 1.5 times damage; requires the user sacrifice 30% of their maximum HP. This is an improvement over Dark Bane, effective for dealing with groups of enemies.

Level 9: Gloom

The user’s Dark-element attacks all do 1.25 times their original damage. This enhances abilities like Dark Bane and Black Bane, and also applies to Dark-element magic spells or weapons.

Level 10: Absorb Magic

From the start of the turn, the user takes zero damage from magic and restores MP equal to the MP cost of the magic used against them. This does not apply to reflected magic. This ability is effective against non-elemental magic as well.

Level 11: Dark Nebula

A Dark-element attack on everyone that does four times damage; requires the user sacrifice 20% of their maximum HP. This ability hits EVERYONE, including the Dark Knight using it. To avoid party wipe-out, you must use abilities or equipment to negate Dark damage.

Level 12: Physical Attack 30% Up

Raises the character’s Physical Attack by 30%.

Level 13: Life or Death

The user’s Physical Attack, Physical Defense, Magic Attack and Magic Defense each rise by 50% for four turns, but they are inflicted by Doom. After the four turns, your Dark Knight will drop to zero HP. This can be countered by using the Spiritmaster’s Fairy Ward beforehand to negate Doom or Reraise to automatically revive them. Alternatively, you can let your Dark Knight die and use See You in Hell.

Level 14: Rage

Uses Dark Bane on a random enemy 5 times or until your HP falls to 1. If the Dark Knight starts with maximum HP, they will finish with 1 HP and deal 6.25 times damage altogether. This ability requires sacrificing two additional turns on top of the HP cost.