Age of Conan Dark Templar Guide

Dark Templar FAQ
by Ralin http://forums.ageofconan.com/showthread.php?t=22678

Just thought I would take a moment here to write up a quick FAQ for all new Dark Templars or people that want to try out the Dark Templar class. If the community likes it I’ll see if we can get it stickied and hopefully it can also be edited in the future as more information is discovered and shared.
In case you haven’t read the class description here is what a Dark Templar in Age of Conan is:

Dark Templar:
Archetype: Soldier

Permitted races: Aquilonian, Cimmerian

Weapons: One-handed edged, one-handed blunts, crossbows, and thrown weapons.

Armor: Heavy armor, medium armor, light armor, and shields and talismans

*NOTE* The Dark Templar is the SUM of all his abilities. There isn't one super feat or power. It's when all skills and abilities are added together that the power of the Dark Templar comes out.

Now that we have that covered, onto some basic questions.

*QUICK NOTE* This applies to all melee characters, but DTs really need to do this: DISABLE AUTOFACE in the Interface Options. This will allow you to move around a bit while whacking things to get everything clustered up nicely. Once everything is clustered up nicely proceed to unleash combos and watch the mobs drop like flies.

Q: What is Sadism?
A: As posted by SolKyoshiro:
sa•dism –noun
1. Psychiatry. sexual gratification gained through causing pain or degradation to others. Compare masochism.
2. any enjoyment in being cruel.
3. extreme cruelty.
4. Amazing Dark Templar skill that will make you amazing.

:-p
Sadism is an inherent ability of Dark Templars which is with us from the get go, but one will not see it unless grouped up with others. When grouped with other classes, sadism will proc when group members are taking damage from mobs. Sadism stacks till 10, at which point it will start pulsing AoE type Unholy damage. The buff of Sadism is increase in lifetap and damage. (Specific numbers to be added in the future)

Q: What is AoE?
A: AoE = Area of Effect, so a personal AoE is an effect (spell) surrounding the caster.

Q: Do Dark Templars ever get to use 2 handed weapons?
A: No, and they probably will never get to use 2 handed weapons, the DPS increase + life leeches would overpower the DTs. Sword and Board or Sword and Talisman, learn to love em.
Sword and Board is just terminology for Sword and Shield
Talismans are off-hand items wielded by DT's and casters. Supposedly to help in damage. Currently there is no noticeable increase in damage when yielding a talisman. So far talismans look like books, not sure if they will get different skins later on.

Q: Why isn't Slam working?
A: Slam is used by all melee classes to allow the lower levels a taste of the AoC combat mechanics. Slam will can be used after level 6, but it will no longer knockdown opponents or throw them back. Some DTs will use Slam as a finishing move for increased Fatalities, but I haven't tested this nor use it much as I find the other Combos that DTs use to be more efficient for leveling.

Q: What is Active Blocking?
A: Active Blocking is the ability of soliders wielding a shield to block incoming damage to amost 0. This is done by holding down the default key of X. WARNING: This will drain stamina fast, Good for holding out just long enough for a healer to pop a heal onto you. Use it wisely.

Q: Where are my Spells / Abilities? I think I’m bugged….
A: No you are not bugged. Spells can be accessed on the Spells and Combo tab at the top of the screen or by pressing the “B” key. Combos and abilities are on the left, Spells are on the right. Sometimes spells wont’ show up till you click on the friendly tab of the spell side. Spells are available after level 10.

Q: Can Dark Templars Tank?
A: Of course they can, According to Funcom all solider classes can tank, each class just does it differently. Guardian is known for single target Main Tanking due to high HP and Plate. Dark Templars are known for AoE tanking through their Auras, Covenants, Life Leeches and Sadism. The Desecration tree of the DT feats is geared for AoE tanking ability.

Q: What are stances and what do they do?
A: Stances allow the solider classes to either migitate damage (defensive stance) or increase damage (frenzy stance). While in Defensive stance a solider will do 15% less damage but also allow the Dark Templar to absorb more damage. Defensive stance is for 3+ mobs or tanking in either an instance or raid setting.
Frenzy stance will increase damage, but the Dark Templar will also take extra damage as well. Frenzy stance is mainly used for single or double mobs of equal level for fast killing or while in an instance or raid and NOT tanking.
Once you've gained stances as a solider, one only has to click on the stance to enter it. You'll notice your characters will shift their weapon slightly as well as seeing an icon down above your combo bar above your health meter. To leave a stance, one justs clicks on the stance icon again (frenzy or defensive) and you'll go back to normal stance.
Experienced players are known to "Stance Dance" which is fancy talk for switching between stances to maximize damage given and minimize damage taken. This is tricky to pull of but is possible with practice and good timing.
*NOTE ON STANCES* (Thanks Kujako)
One thing to remember. If you zone, your stance is removed even though the icon is still there. In which case, clicking it to remove it will in fact put it back on.

Q: What are the specific spells and combos that a Dark Templar gets?
A: Thanks goes to kitturn for this link: http://www.hybes.org/?s=abilities&cl...emplar&lang=en

Q: Enraging Wounds and Brutal Enraging Wounds; What’s the difference?
A: Yes they are both taunt attacks. The main difference is the side the combo finishes on. Why is this important? If a mob or player has their shield on the right side and nothing on the left side, you want to aim most of your attacks to the unshielded side. This causes more damage and means the drop quicker.

Q: What are those white arrows around the mob or players?
A: Those are shields. They represent the defenses of the mob, These can be shifted around and mobs will frequently shift theirs during combat, while players generally leave them in the default position. Hitting a mob or player on an unguarded side causes more damage.
*HOW TO MOVE THE SHIELDS* (Thanks Agett)
Holding control and double tapping 1/2/3 will put all three shields in that position. Holding control and tapping in the direction of a shield and then the desired direction will move one shield there. While not entirely useful yet, it can help if you know what your enemy will be using (say, throwing all your shields straight up when a ranger is going to salvo).

Q: When do Dark Templars get Heavy Armour?
A: Dark Templars get Heavy Armour at level 30. These pieces can be bought from the vendor and the first level is Iron from a Fine Armour vendor.

Feat Planners for those that haven't found one yet:
http://www.conanarmory.com/feat.aspx?id=5
http://hybes.de/featPlaner.php?class...emplar&lang=en

Good post from Pesus on PvP and general DT tactics
http://forums.ageofconan.com/showthr...d=1#post503639

Some good information from Grondax on the various aspects of the DT (work in progress as is this FAQ)
http://forums.ageofconan.com/showthread.php?t=39251

Web Based Combat Parser found by Beezel:
http://www.aocstats.com/freeParse.aspx

Dark Templar Guide by Beezel:
http://forums.ageofconan.com/showthread.php?t=21169

Dark Templar Tips and Tricks by SolKyoshiro:
http://forums.ageofconan.com/showthread.php?t=9615

How to Increase your DPS by 50% by Beezel:
http://forums.ageofconan.com/showthread.php?t=7383

DT - Review and impressions by Alkyolk:
http://forums.ageofconan.com/showthread.php?t=16824