The classic fighter in Dark and Darker is a source of solace to many, with the class’s ability to wield a wide variety of armor and weapons and the safety of a large shield to block most incoming attacks. The true variety of a Luchador, however, comes in a surprisingly deep perk tree that offers 9 different variations. At level 15, four boons can be equipped at once, turning a fighter from a handyman into a lean killing machine. Here are the best Fighter perks in Dark and Darker.
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Note: This guide is updated for alpha playtest 4.
All Perks of Dark and Darker Fighters, Ranked
There are a total of nine Fighter perks, and we’ve gone through them all to find the strongest of the bunch. If you’re in a hurry, simply equip the last four perks from this list, though we recommend reading carefully to understand when and why certain perks need to be picked up.
9. Missile Resistance
Dark and Darker developer Ironmace wasn’t redefining the mold with this perk, as Projectile Resistance offers a 10% reduction in projectile damage. However, with a shield you can completely blunt most enemies. In PvP, archers tend to aim for the head, so just raise your shield while closing the distance; if they choose to attack their legs, the damage is minimal.
8. Defense Expert
Defense Expert grants players a 10% increase in armor worn. As you get to the end of the team grind, this can turn into a significant buff that could give you a slight advantage in combat. However, in testing, this meager percentage just isn’t good enough compared to what’s available. This advantage could be useful with the dual purpose advantage, but relying on the shield (and your accuracy to block) is much more reliable.
7. Dual Weapon
One of the Fighter’s biggest perks is the Sword & Board ability, so removing the “Board” part to add another weapon is a headache, even with the 15% increase in attack speed. While weapons have different attack approaches, meaning some weapons work better indoors while others shine better outdoors, the chances of a fighter being trained in combat and having results drastic with two weapons equipped simultaneously are extremely low. Learn how to use the shield or play the barbarian. This benefit could work with weapon mastery.
6. Weapon Mastery
Weapon proficiency allows the fighter to use all weapons in the game, with a 10% penalty for out-of-class weapons. It’s a dangerous bet, but it can work for smart players. Picking up a ranged weapon to harass distant enemies, in PvE or PvP scenarios, then switching to Sword & Board for melee kills, is awesome. Whether it’s worth losing a buff slot, however, is a tough decision that needs to be carefully weighed against party composition and dungeon type.
5. Barricade
While holding the shield, Barricade grants an additional 15% defensive rating. It can work well with both shield specialist there Fast, increasing the level of shield play possible during combat. The final issue is that there are simply more appropriate perks for the limited number of slots.
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4. Combined Attack
Combo Attack gives players a short-lasting buff each time they successfully hit an enemy: 10% increased damage for 3 seconds. It’s an interesting equation to balance, where you’ll be amply rewarded for completing a standard three-hit combo against enemies, but whether or not you have enough time to strike often is another matter. Most NPC enemies have a 2 hit window after which the player must back off or block, meaning this is a niche buff outside of party play.
3. Counterattack
Counter Attack plays very well with combined attack. With Counter Attack, an enemy hitting your shield increases both your movement speed and attack speed, allowing you to land more hits while your opponent recovers. The more hits you can land, the higher the combo attack procs, which means you can crush your opponents much faster.
2. Shield Expert
Shield Expert grants an additional 10% movement speed when blocking. This, with counter attack, can be invaluable, as you can strafe most enemies faster than they can look at you. This leads to additional visits, which means combined attack you can stack even higher. These three buffs are a fantastic combination for Fighters in Dark and Darker – if you’re offered a shield, might as well use it.
1. Fast
With the Cleric, the combatant usually finds himself in the late game clad in heavy armor as he takes to the front lines with the Barbarian. Heavier armor will slow your character, which is mitigated by Swift. Swift reduces movement speed penalty on armor by 20%, allowing fighters to move much faster with it shield specialist y counter attack.
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