Dread Knight
Description
The Dread Knight is a dark crusader, using fear and pain to devastating effect on the battlefield. Throug their dark arts, they're able to weaken, panic, and maim their foes and augment their own combat powerss. While Dread Knights are able to us one-handed weapons and shields, typically wielding a two-handed weapon is the best weapon type to use since many of their abilities actually require a two-handed weapon equiped to use.
Players who may be familar with the Shadow Knight from EverQuest may find that they enjoy playing the Dread Knight since they are simiilar in many ways. However there are also some differences, most notable being that Dread Knights in Vanguard do not have a Feign Death ability nor are they able to summon any undead allies. The Dread Knight is a tank with unholy powers, but they do not pull directly from the Necromancer skill set as the Shadow Knight did in EverQuest.
Dreadful Countenance
As the Dread Knights fights, their terrifying presence and dark aura gradually overwhelm their enemies. All enemies within a certain range of the dread knight are effected, but particularly the one on whom he is focusing. As their fear grows, the enemy's ability to fight back and defend itself is gradually reduced.
- Rank I: Incoming Critical +5%, All Resistances Reduced
- Rank II: Incoming Critical +7%, All Resistances Reduced, Incoming Spiritual Damage +5%
(Unlocked at level 10) - Rank III: Incoming Critical +9%, All Resistances Reduced, Incoming Spiritual Damage +10%, Damage -5%
(Unlocked at level 20) - Rank IV: Incoming Critical +11%, All Resistances Reduced, Incoming Spiritual Damage +15%, Damage -7%
(Unlocked at level 25) - Rank V: Incoming Critical +13%, All Resistances Reduced, Incoming Spiritual Damage +20%, Damage -10%
(Unlocked at level 40)
So how do you tell what rank your Dreadful Countenance is currently while you're fighting? Currently on VGO the Dreadful Countenance indicator from live is not operational so for now your DC rank is displayed as a debuff on your current target. You will notice the next rank up will appear and the previous will disappear as you gain more.
This may change as the restoration of the game progresses and the actual Dreadful Countenance indicator from live is brought back.
Example of Dreadful Countenance indicator |
---|
Dread Knight Abilities
Stances
Dread Knights have three stances they can switch between for Tanking, DPSing, and Evasion:
Stance | Effect | Level |
---|---|---|
Ebon Blade |
This form allows a dark aura to surround your weapon, increasing your damage.
|
1 |
Armor of Darkness |
This form allows a thick husk of darkness to surround every part of your body. While covered in shadows you have increased mitigation hate generation.
|
10 |
Shadow Meld |
This form allows you to become one with the shadows increasing many areas of your damage evasion.
|
20 |
Level 1
Alpha | Icon | Name | Description | - | Endurance | Energy | Cast |
Working | Vexing Strike I | Melee attack (increases DC) |
20 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Devour Strength I | Siphon opponent's STR and DEX (5 min) | - | 19 | Instant |
Level 2
Alpha | Icon | Name | Description | - | Endurance | Energy | Cast |
Working | Malice I | Melee attack, adds additional damage if ally is flanking (increases DC) |
24 | - | Instant |
Level 4
Alpha | Icon | Name | Description | - | Endurance | Energy | Cast |
Working | Anthamine's Charge I | Self only damage shield (60 min) (only while wielding 2H wepaon) |
- | 27 | Instant | ||
Working | Torture I | Damage over time and hate over time spell (24 sec) | - | 56 | Instant |
Level 6
Alpha | Icon | Name | Description | - | Endurance | Energy | Cast |
Working | Bleak Foeman I | Block next attack (only while wielding 2H wepaon) |
10 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Vexing Strike II | Melee attack (increases DC) |
20 | - | Instant |
Level 8
Alpha | Icon | Name | Description | - | Endurance | Energy | Cast |
Working | Harrow I | Life tap melee attack (only usable from behind) |
28 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Retaliate I | Counterattack that generates hate | 10 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Shadow Step | Teleports you behind your offensive target | - | 19 | - |
Level 10
Alpha | Icon | Name | Description | - | Endurance | Energy | Cast |
Working | Scourge I | Rescue your defensive target, force taunt the opponent, deal damage, and increase hate | 5 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Word of Doom: Althen | Powerful direct damage spell which also generates significant hate (increases DC) |
- | 43 | Instant | ||
Working | Wrack I | Chain melee attack (increases DC) (only available after landing a melee critical hit) |
10 | - | Instant |
Level 12
Alpha | Icon | Name | Description | - | Endurance | Energy | Cast |
Working | Devour Strength II | Siphon opponent's STR and DEX (5 min) | - | 36 | Instant | ||
Working | Frighten I | Fear spell (increases DC) |
- | 39 | 2.0 | ||
Working | Malice II | Melee attack, adds additional damage if ally is flanking (increases DC) |
24 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Master of Fear | You become immune to most fear effects | - | - | Passive | ||
Working | Torture II | Damage over time and hate over time spell (24 sec) | - | 87 | Instant |
Level 14
Alpha | Icon | Name | Description | - | Endurance | Energy | Cast |
Working | Abyssal Chains I | Snare spell (30sec) | - | 49 | 1.0 | ||
Unscripted | Dark Ward I | The next 5 incoming hits are mitigated by 25% (60sec) | - | 24 | Instant | ||
Working | Incite I | Chain melee attack which generates significant hate (only available after landing a melee critical hit) |
10 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Vengeance I | Counterattack with a short stun effect | 10 | - | Instant |
Level 16
Alpha | Icon | Name | Description | - | Endurance | Energy | Cast |
Working | Retaliate II | Counterattack that generates hate | 10 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Vexing Strike III | Melee attack (increases DC) |
20 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Wrack II | Chain melee attack (increases DC) (only available after landing a melee critical hit) |
10 | - | Instant |
Level 18
Alpha | Icon | Name | Description | - | Endurance | Energy | Cast |
Working | Dreadful Visage I | Increases DC | - | 29 | Instant | ||
Working | Harrow II | Life tap melee attack (only usable from behind) |
28 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Hex of Ill Omen I | Chain direct damage spell which lowers your opponent's damage (2m) (only available after landing a spell critical hit) |
- | 51 | Instant | ||
Working | Phantasmal Blade I | Melee attack that mesmerizes your opponent (30sec) (only usable while out of combat and from behind) |
20 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Provoke I | Increases hate | - | 36 | Instant | ||
Working | Ravaging Darkness I | Melee attack which siphons your opponent's endurance (increases DC) |
10 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Scythe of Doom I | Frontal cone life tap melee attack hitting up to 6 opponents | 48 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Seething Hatred I | Force taunt (increases DC) |
- | - | Instant |
Level 20
Alpha | Icon | Name | Description | - | Endurance | Energy | Cast |
Working | Bleak Foeman II | Block next attack (only while wielding 2H wepaon) |
10 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Devour Strength III | Siphon opponent's STR and DEX (5 min) | - | 54 | Instant | ||
Working | Malice III | Melee attack, adds additional damage if ally is flanking (increases DC) |
24 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Mutilate I | Melee attack (increases DC) (only while wielding 2H wepaon) |
40 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Torture III | Damage over time and hate over time spell (24 sec) | - | 121 | Instant |
Level 22
Alpha | Icon | Name | Description | - | Endurance | Energy | Cast |
Working | Anthamine's Charge II | Self only damage shield (60 min) (only while wielding 2H wepaon) |
- | 43 | Instant | ||
Working | Black Wind I | Frontal cone melee attack which generates hate | 46 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Ruin I | Chain melee attack (increases DC) (only available after performing Wrack) |
10 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Scourge II | Rescue your defensive target, force taunt the opponent, deal damage, and increase hate | 5 | - | Instant | ||
Unscripted | Symbol of Despair I | Self buff which adds chance to stun those who attack you and absorbs a small amount of damage | - | 1/sec | Instant | ||
Working | Vengeance II | Counterattack with a short stun effect | 10 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Word of Doom: Amarthic | Powerful direct damage spell which also generates significant hate (increases DC) |
- | 68 | Instant |
Level 24
Alpha | Icon | Name | Description | - | Endurance | Energy | Cast |
Working | Incite II | Chain melee attack which generates significant hate (only available after landing a melee critical hit) |
10 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Retaliate III | Counterattack that generates hate | 10 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Scythe of Doom II | Frontal cone life tap melee attack hitting up to 6 opponents | 48 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Vexing Strike IV | Melee attack (increases DC) |
20 | - | Instant |
Level 26
Alpha | Icon | Name | Description | - | Endurance | Energy | Cast |
Unscripted | Despoil I | Remove lesser magic buff from opponent | - | 40 | 1.0 | ||
Working | Frighten II | Fear spell (increases DC) |
- | 72 | 2.0 | ||
Working | Harrow III | Life tap melee attack (only usable from behind) |
28 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Nexus of Hatred | Rescue your defensive target with an area of effect force taunt | 15 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Ravaging Darkness II | Melee attack which siphons your opponent's endurance (increases DC) |
10 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Shadowy Veil | Self only invisibility | - | 40 | Instant | ||
Working | Shield of Fear I | Chain melee attack which increases your block chance (5 min) (only available after landing a melee critical hit) |
10 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Slay I | Killing blow melee attack with root effect (only usable when target is below 20% HP) |
30 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Wrack III | Chain melee attack (increases DC) (only available after landing a melee critical hit) |
10 | - | Instant |
Level 28
Alpha | Icon | Name | Description | - | Endurance | Energy | Cast |
Working | Abyssal Chains II | Snare spell (30sec) | - | 86 | 1.0 | ||
Working | Hex of Ill Omen II | Chain direct damage spell which lowers your opponent's damage (2m) (increases DC) (only available after landing a spell critical hit) |
- | 71 | Instant | ||
Working | Hex of Impending Doom I | Chain direct damage spell (increases DC) (only available after performing Hex of Ill Omen) |
- | 71 | Instant | ||
Working | Malice IV | Melee attack, adds additional damage if ally is flanking (increases DC) |
24 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Provoke II | Increases hate | - | 49 | Instant | ||
Unscripted | Symbol of Despair II | Self buff which adds chance to stun those who attack you and absorbs a small amount of damage | - | 1/sec | Instant | ||
Working | Torture IV | Damage over time and hate over time spell (24 sec) | - | 156 | Instant |
Level 30
Alpha | Icon | Name | Description | - | Endurance | Energy | Cast |
Working | Cull I | Life tap spell (learned ability) |
- | 223 | 1.5 | ||
Working | Devour Mind I | Siphon opponent's INT and WIS (5 min) | - | 107 | 1.0 | ||
Working | Devour Strength IV | Siphon opponent's STR and DEX (5 min) | - | 73 | Instant | ||
Unscripted | Dreadful Visage II | Increases DC | - | 53 | Instant | ||
Working | Inflame I | Chain melee attack which generates significant hate (increases DC) (only available after performing Incite) |
10 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Mutilate II | Melee attack (increases DC) (only while wielding 2H wepaon) |
40 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Phantasmal Blade II | Melee attack that mesmerizes your opponent (35sec) (only usable while out of combat and from behind) |
20 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Ruin II | Chain melee attack (increases DC) (only available after performing Wrack) |
10 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Scythe of Doom III | Frontal cone life tap melee attack hitting up to 6 opponents | 48 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Seething Hatred II | Force taunt (increases DC) |
- | - | Instant | ||
Working | Vengeance III | Counterattack with a short stun effect | 10 | - | Instant |
Level 32
Alpha | Icon | Name | Description | - | Endurance | Energy | Cast |
Working | Black Wind II | Frontal cone melee attack which generates hate | 46 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Retaliate IV | Counterattack that generates hate | 10 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Vexing Strike V | Melee attack (increases DC) |
20 | - | Instant |
Level 34
Alpha | Icon | Name | Description | - | Endurance | Energy | Cast |
Working | Anthamine's Charge III | Self only damage shield (60 min) (only while wielding 2H wepaon) |
- | 59 | Instant | ||
Working | Bleak Foeman III | Block next attack (only while wielding 2H wepaon) |
10 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Dark Bastion I | Chain melee attack which increases your AC (5 min) (only available after performing Shield of Fear) |
10 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Harrow IV | Life tap melee attack (only usable from behind) |
28 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Incite III | Chain melee attack which generates significant hate (only available after landing a melee critical hit) |
10 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Ominous Fate I | Short stun | - | 110 | Instant | ||
Working | Ravaging Darkness III | Melee attack which siphons your opponent's endurance (increases DC) |
10 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Scourge III | Rescue your defensive target, force taunt the opponent, deal damage, and increase hate | 5 | - | Instant | ||
Unscripted | Symbol of Despair III | Self buff which adds chance to stun those who attack you and absorbs a small amount of damage | - | 1/sec | Instant | ||
Unscripted | Symbol of Wrath I | Self buff that increases your damage and Dreadful Countenance generation | - | 1/sec | Instant | ||
Working | Word of Doom: Ceim Dor | Powerful direct damage spell which also generates significant hate (increases DC) |
- | 94 | Instant |
Level 36
Alpha | Icon | Name | Description | - | Endurance | Energy | Cast |
Unscripted | Despoil II | Remove magic buff from opponent | - | 53 | 1.0 | ||
Working | Malice V | Melee attack, adds additional damage if ally is flanking (increases DC) |
24 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Scythe of Doom IV | Frontal cone life tap melee attack hitting up to 6 opponents | 48 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Shield of Fear II | Chain melee attack which increases your block chance (5 min) (only available after landing a melee critical hit) |
10 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Torture V | Damage over time and hate over time spell (24 sec) | - | 191 | Instant | ||
Working | Wrack IV | Chain melee attack (increases DC) (only available after landing a melee critical hit) |
10 | - | Instant |
Level 38
Alpha | Icon | Name | Description | - | Endurance | Energy | Cast |
Working | Hex of Ill Omen III | Chain direct damage spell which lowers your opponent's damage (2m) (increases DC) (only available after landing a spell critical hit) |
- | 90 | Instant | ||
Working | Hex of Impending Doom II | Chain direct damage spell (increases DC) (only available after performing Hex of Ill Omen) |
- | 90 | Instant | ||
Working | Inflame II | Chain melee attack which generates significant hate (increases DC) (only available after performing Incite) |
10 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Provoke III | Increases hate | - | 63 | Instant | ||
Working | Ruin III | Chain melee attack (increases DC) (only available after performing Wrack) |
10 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Slay II | Killing blow melee attack with root effect (only usable when target is below 20% HP) |
30 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Terror Incarnate | Instantly increase your Dreadful Countenance to it's maximum rank | - | 113 | Instant | ||
Working | Vengeance IV | Counterattack with a short stun effect | 10 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Vile Strike I | Chain melee attack which steals health from your opponent and converts it to energy for you (only available after landing a melee critical hit) |
10 | - | Instant |
Level 40
Alpha | Icon | Name | Description | - | Endurance | Energy | Cast |
Working | Cull II | Life tap spell (learned ability) |
- | 281 | 1.5 | ||
Working | Devour Strength V | Siphon opponent's STR and DEX (5 min) | - | 92 | Instant | ||
Working | Mutilate III | Melee attack (increases DC) (only while wielding 2H wepaon) |
40 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Ominous Fate II | Short stun | - | 127 | Instant | ||
Working | Retaliate V | Counterattack that generates hate | 10 | - | Instant | ||
Unscripted | Symbol of Despair IV | Self buff which adds chance to stun those who attack you and absorbs a small amount of damage | - | 1/sec | Instant | ||
Working | Vexing Strike VI | Melee attack (increases DC) |
20 | - | Instant |
Level 42
Alpha | Icon | Name | Description | - | Endurance | Energy | Cast |
Working | Abyssal Chains III | Snare spell (30sec) | - | 124 | 1.0 | ||
Working | Aphotic Shield | Blocks all incoming damage (10 sec) | - | 186 | Instant | ||
Working | Backlash I | Powerful self damage shield that only lasts for one hit | 15 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Black Wind III | Frontal cone melee attack which generates hate | 46 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Dark Bastion II | Chain melee attack which increases your AC (5 min) (only available after performing Shield of Fear) |
10 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Devour Mind II | Siphon opponent's INT and WIS (5 min) | - | 140 | 1.0 | ||
Unscripted | Dreadful Visage III | Increases DC | - | 70 | Instant | ||
Working | Harrow V | Life tap melee attack (only usable from behind) |
28 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Phantasmal Blade III | Melee attack that mesmerizes your opponent (30sec) (only usable while out of combat and from behind) |
20 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Ravaging Darkness IV | Melee attack which siphons your opponent's endurance (increases DC) |
10 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Scythe of Doom V | Frontal cone life tap melee attack hitting up to 6 opponents | 48 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Seething Hatred III | Force taunt (increases DC) |
- | - | Instant |
Level 44
Alpha | Icon | Name | Description | - | Endurance | Energy | Cast |
Unscripted | Dark Ward II | The next 5 incoming hits are mitigated by 25% (60sec) | - | 64 | Instant | ||
Working | Incite IV | Chain melee attack which generates significant hate (only available after landing a melee critical hit) |
10 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Malice VI | Melee attack, adds additional damage if ally is flanking (increases DC) |
24 | - | Instant | ||
Unscripted | Symbol of Wrath II | Self buff that increases your damage and Dreadful Countenance generation | - | 1/sec | Instant | ||
Working | Torture VI | Damage over time and hate over time spell (24 sec) | - | 226 | Instant |
Level 46
Alpha | Icon | Name | Description | - | Endurance | Energy | Cast |
Working | Anguish | Chain melee attack which steals health from your opponent and converts it to energy for you (only available after performing Vile Strike) |
10 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Anthamine's Charge IV | Self only damage shield (60 min) (only while wielding 2H wepaon) |
- | 73 | Instant | ||
Unscripted | Despoil III | Remove greater magic buff from opponent | - | 67 | 1.0 | ||
Working | Inflame III | Chain melee attack which generates significant hate (increases DC) (only available after performing Incite) |
10 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Ominous Fate III | Short stun (increases DC) |
- | 143 | Instant | ||
Working | Ruin IV | Chain melee attack (increases DC) (only available after performing Wrack) |
10 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Scourge IV | Rescue your defensive target, force taunt the opponent, deal damage, and increase hate | 5 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Shield of Fear III | Chain melee attack which increases your block chance (5 min) (only available after landing a melee critical hit) |
10 | - | Instant | ||
Unscripted | Symbol of Despair V | Self buff which adds chance to stun those who attack you and absorbs a small amount of damage | - | 1/sec | Instant | ||
Working | Vengeance V | Counterattack with a short stun effect | 10 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Vile Howl | Area of effect fear (10 sec) | - | 270 | Instant | ||
Working | Word of Doom: Har Daal Mur | Powerful direct damage spell which also generates significant hate (increases DC) |
- | 116 | Instant | ||
Working | Wrack V | Chain melee attack (increases DC) (only available after landing a melee critical hit) |
10 | - | Instant |
Level 48
Alpha | Icon | Name | Description | - | Endurance | Energy | Cast |
Working | Bleak Foeman IV | Block next attack (only while wielding 2H wepaon) |
10 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Hex of Ill Omen IV | Chain direct damage spell which lowers your opponent's damage (2m) (increases DC) (only available after landing a spell critical hit) |
- | 104 | Instant | ||
Working | Hex of Impending Doom III | Chain direct damage spell (increases DC) (only available after performing Hex of Ill Omen) |
- | 104 | Instant | ||
Working | Provoke IV | Increases hate | - | 77 | Instant | ||
Working | Retaliate VI | Counterattack that generates hate | 10 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Scythe of Doom VI | Frontal cone life tap melee attack hitting up to 6 opponents | 48 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Vexing Strike VII | Melee attack (increases DC) |
20 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Vile Strike II | Chain melee attack which steals health from your opponent and converts it to energy for you (only available after landing a melee critical hit) |
10 | - | Instant |
Level 50
Alpha | Icon | Name | Description | - | Endurance | Energy | Cast |
Working | Ancient Word of Doom | Powerful direct damage spell which also generates significant hate (increases DC) (learned ability) |
- | 124 | Instant | ||
Working | Cull III | Life tap spell (learned ability) |
- | 310 | 1.5 | ||
Working | Backlash II | Powerful self damage shield that only lasts for one hit | 15 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Bane | Extremely powerful direct damage spell (only usable on opponets with rank 5 DC) |
- | 116 | Instant | ||
Working | Dark Bastion III | Chain melee attack which increases your AC (5 min) (only available after performing Shield of Fear) |
10 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Devour Strength VI | Siphon opponent's STR and DEX (5 min) | - | 102 | Instant | ||
Working | Harrow VI | Life tap melee attack (only usable from behind) |
28 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Hatred Incarnate | Self buff which increases damage by 100% and reduces endurance costs by 75% (30 sec) | - | - | Instant | ||
Working | Incantation of Hate | Direct damage spell with hate over time effect | - | 260 | Instant | ||
Working | Mutilate IV | Melee attack (increases DC) (only while wielding 2H wepaon) |
40 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Ravaging Darkness IV | Melee attack which siphons your opponent's endurance (increases DC) |
10 | - | Instant | ||
Working | Slay III | Killing blow melee attack with root effect (only usable when target is below 20% HP) |
30 | - | Instant |
Learned Abilities
Cull I: (Lvl 30)
- Fight Infinium Elders, Infinium Patriarchs, and Infinium Scholars in Coterie Infineum Sanctuary or Gulgrethor Death Knights and Gulgrethor Warlocks in Ruins of Trengal Keep until you learn the ability.
Cull II: (Lvl 40)
- Fight Risen Attendants and Risen Vassals in Beranid Hills until you learn the ability.
Cull III: (Lvl 50)
- Fight Efreeti Champions in Rahz Inkur until you learn the ability.
Ancient Word of Doom: (Lvl 50)
- Fight DREAD LORD MALAZATH or Tiraslee until you learn the ability.
Skills
Wield Types | Weapon Types | Weapon Specialization |
One-handed Wielding | One-handed Blunt | Spear & Javelin |
Sword and Shield Wielding | Two-handed Blunt | Axe |
Two-handed Wielding | One-handed Slashing | Thrown Hammers |
Two-handed Slashing | Greatsword | |
Two-handed Piercing | Longsword | |
Thrown | Great Maul | |
Hand to Hand | Hammer | |
Archery | Great Spear | |
Short Sword | ||
Great Axe | ||
Bow | ||
Crossbow | ||
Staff | ||
Thrown Axe | ||
Club | ||
Mace |
Perception and Concealment | Combat | Spell Schools |
Awareness | Block | Alteration |
Combat Awareness | Parry | Conjuration |
Detection | Evocation | |
Tactic Recognition | ||
General |
Fishing |
Bard • Blood Mage • Cleric • Disciple • Dread Knight • Druid • Monk • Necromancer • Paladin • Psionicist • Ranger • Rogue • Shaman • Sorcerer • Warrior