Shadow Knight

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Description

PC shadowknight.gif

Only the blackest pits of hell can spew forth the soul that will become a Shadow Knight. Before birth, this soul is molded in the direct image of the evil god that is to be his master. This fact is known early in the child’s life, and the soul’s dark aura draws the priests from the temples in search of their evil god’s new servant. From birth Shadow Knights are taught to hate all things pure, and the destruction of all that is good and holy is their foul mission.

At a young age, fueled by the hatred and bitterness imbued by their god, they are brought into training to become a dark knight. Day after day they train, becoming proficient not only in the arts of killing, but in magnifying the inflicted pain, reveling in watching their opponents suffer as they die. This is the fire that drives them from the temples that have become their homes and out to slaughter indiscriminately until they feel that their destiny has been fulfilled.

Shadow Knights begin their unholy crusade with only the skills they learn in the temples and their natural fighting abilities. The first few months are a test to see whether or not the creature will fare well in the overworld. Upon attaining their ninth rank, the gods themselves touch their Shadow Knights, giving them direct control over the dark magics. Fear, pain and mastery of the undead are among the many gifts bestowed upon those paragons of evil who survive their initial tests. These, coupled with the devastating ability known more commonly as Harm Touch, make the newly reborn Shadow Knight an entity to fear and avoid.

Because of the evil aura that emanates from these dark knights, most inhabitants of Norrath react to them in a fearful, almost terrified manner. Even in their own cities, they are shunned, spoken about only in whispers and avoided at all costs. Like rats, Human Shadow Knights live beneath the cities in the sewers and tunnels. Even in the cities of the evil races — the homes of Trolls, Ogres and the mysterious Dark Elves — they are shunned and distrusted.

In battle, the Shadow Knight is a fanatic; charging into the fight to stand toe to toe with the enemy, ably assisted by a skeletal minion. Though fanatics, these knights are wise fighters and will back off to fight another day if the tide of battle turns against them. If they are terribly outnumbered, a well placed Harm Touch or a fear spell may even the odds a bit or at least give them time to flee.

by Chris Skinner

Class Titles

Level 1-50 Level 51-54 Level 55-59 Level 60
Shadow Knight Reaver Revenant Grave Lord

Creation Guide

It is important to make good decisions on Race, Starting Stats, and Religion. These things combined will allow you to create the Shadowknight that makes you most happy.

Choosing Race

Choosing a race for any class can be a difficult decision--do not choose a race based on abilities alone. Choose the Race that provides you with the right mix of racial benefits, religion, cultural armor sets, and statistics that benefit your class. Here are some considerations for your Shadowknight:

Dark Elf

Dark Elves make great Shadowknights. They have a decent Strength and a high Intelligence. These Elves can wear small to medium armor and have ultravision. While they are not the most frightening of the races, in full black plate with a skeletal minion by their side they are an awesome sight. Dark Elves are hated throughout Norrath, but so are the Shadow Knights of any other race. The biggest drawback Dark Elf Shadow Knights face is at higher levels, where it takes most of their Strength just to wear the extremely heavy Shadow Knight armor.

Erudite

Erudite Shadowknights are outcasts from Erudin and generally hated throughout the lands. They are the most intelligent of all the Shadow Knights, yet lack the infravision that the other races have. Erudite Shadow Knights can expect a hard life, particularly at lower levels where their unimpressive physical stats limit their development as fighters, and they face the hatred of almost all the creatures in their own starting lands.

Gnome

The addition of Gnomes as Shadowknights offers a unique opportunity to try something different during an era that did not offer this race/class combination. Don't let their small stature fool you--Gnomes can make formidable Shadowknights.

Human

Probably the most downtrodden of all the Shadow Knights, Human Shadow Knights are invariably banned from the cities and forced to live in underground sewer systems and tunnels. Even though they worship the same gods, and practice the same arts, they are also never allowed in the cities of the Dark Elves, Trolls or Ogres, unless they work long and hard to prove their sincere devotion to the dark arts. Humans lack infravision, regeneration or other unique abilities. They do have good all- around stats, and it’s somewhat easier for them to overcome hatred of their class than it is for their Erudite brethren.

Iksar

This race becomes playable after the launch of the Ruins of Kunark expansion. Iksars can only trade in Cabilis, and and are otherwise unwelcome in all other cities in Norrath except Thurgadin. They will level the slowest (along with Trolls) with a 20% racial experience penalty. On servers where the hybrid class experience penalty is still in place, which includes Original and Kunark servers, it will take an Iksar or Troll Shadowknight more than twice the experience to reach Level 60 as compared to a Halfling warrior. They cannot wear Plate armor until the Scars of Velious expansion. They do, however get to Forage, have increased armor class (+15AC), increased hp regeneration, infravision, swimming starting at 100, +5 Fire Resist, and -10 Cold Resist.

Ogre

Their immense size and Strength give them an ominous presence, and their Strength is a bonus in many other ways. Not only will the Ogre be able to carry more equipment, she will also hit much harder in later levels. Their biggest drawback is their low Intelligence, but this is more than made up for by their massive physical abilities. The Ogre Shadow Knight is a truly fearsome creature.

Troll

An extremely fun combination to play, the Troll Shadow Knight is strong and hardy, and comes fully equipped with infravision and enhanced regeneration. The large stature of this race can be somewhat cumbersome, but the image of a massive creature in solid black followed by an undead minion is one that will leave your opponents with nightmares. Their biggest downside is their low Intelligence and slow accumulation of experience, the worst of all the races.

Starting Statistics

It is important to note that each race has slightly different starting statistics. For Clerics, your WIS is important for a larger mana pool, and AGI contributes to your AC. You will likely find that it is easiest to max WIS if you pursue raiding and high-end gear.

Race STR DEX AGI STA INT WIS CHA Bonus
Dark Elf 70 75 90 70 109 83 65 20
Erudite 70 70 70 75 117 83 75 20
Gnome 70 85 85 75 108 67 65 20
Human 85 75 75 80 85 75 80 20
Iksar 80 85 90 75 85 80 60 20
Ogre 140 70 70 127 70 67 42 20
Troll 118 75 83 114 62 60 45 20

Each race gets 20 bonus points to apply to the base stats of their choosing.

Religion

Religion is not of a huge concern to Shadow Knights as they are already hated. Most choose to worship Innoruuk the Prince of Hate, as it ties in well their role. The other choices are Cazic-Thule, Bertoxxulous, or Rallos Zek. Shadow Knights cannot be agnostic, as their dark powers are directly linked to their study or worship of their deity and the dead.

Skills

Male Shadowknight from Casters Realm ~2000

Casting Skills

Level Trained Skill Cap Until 50 Cap Above 50
1 No Abjuration 235 235
1 No Alteration 235 235
1 No Channeling 200 220
1 No Conjuration 235 235
1 No Divination 235 235
1 No Evocation 235 235
8 Yes Meditate 185 235
30 Yes Specialization

Combat Skills

Level Trained Skill Cap Until 50 Cap Above 50 Feb 21, 2001* Oct 8, 2001*
1 No 1 Hand Blunt 200 225
1 No 2 Hand Blunt 200 225
1 No Bind Wound 100 200
1 No Defense 210 230 252
1 No Hand to Hand 75 100
1 No Offense 200 230
15 Yes Dodge 125 155

Note: Defense skill cap made exactly same as warriors in the Feb 21, 2001 patch.

Miscellaneous Skills

Like all classes, Shadowknights can raise the following skills:

Level Trained Skill Cap Until 50 Cap Above 50
1 No Alcohol Tolerance 200 200
1 No Begging 200 200
1 No Fishing 200 200
1 No Sense Heading 200 200
1 No Swimming 200 200

Disciplines

Shadow Knight disciplines were introduced with the Velious expansion; they offer short term advantages with a long re-use: These are most useful in dragon/boss encounters.

Discipline Name Level Obtained Description Duration Reuse Time Expansion Feb 21, 2001
Resistant Discipline 51 +10 to all resistances. The reuse time for this discipline will decrease as you level. 1 Min 72 Min Veliousicon.gif
Fearless Discipline 54 Immunity to "Fear" and all spells that cause "fear". The reuse time for this discipline will decrease as you level. 11 Sec 72 Min Veliousicon.gif
Unholy Aura Discipline 55 25% increase to damage done by Harm Touch in addition to making it nearly un-resistable. Next Harm Touch 72 Min Veliousicon.gif
Leechcurse Discipline 60 Heal self for every point of melee damage dealt while discipline is active. 15 Seconds 72 Min Veliousicon.gif Increases hit probability in addition to its other effects.

Hybrid Casting

The following patch message was included in the February 21, 2001 patch on EQ Live just over two months after the launch of The Scars of Velious. It will not apply to FV server until the project reaches Velious:

Hybrids that cast spells in combat were taking double penalties at higher levels. The casting times of their spells went up, and the amount of melee damage they do per second went up. This results is having to take longer to cast spells, and losing more damage/second for each second taken in casting. To help offset this, Rangers, Paladins and Shadowknights casting non-beneficial spells that have casting times greater than or equal to 3 seconds, now get a 3 % reduction in casting time for each level over 50. 3% at 51, 6% at 52, etc., to 30% at 60. Again, this applies only to non-beneficial spells.

Pet Information

Spell Level Pet Level Pet Class Pet ~HP Max Hit Misc Necromancer Pet Level
Leering Corpse 9 3-5 Warrior 70-90 8-12 - 4
Bone Walk 15 7-9 Warrior 180-200 9-14 Gains Bash and Kick 8
Convoke Shadow 22 9-11 Warrior 180-200 12-16 - 12
Restless Bones 30 12-16 Warrior 260-300 13-20 Gains innate magic attacks (without wielding a magic weapon) 16
Animate Dead 39 15-19 Warrior 325-375 14-22 Gains Dual Wield @ pet level 19 (requires weapons) 20
Summon Dead 49 22-25 Warrior 675-775 20-28 - 29
Malignant Dead 52 29-33 Warrior 800-1000 31-39 Gains innate Dual Wield (no weapons needed) and fast regen 39
Cackling Bones 58 33-37 Warrior 1100-1400 39-47 Gains Lifetap proc 44

Spells

Level 9

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Disease Cloud 10 1.5 6 Con 6m Single 200 Increase Disease Counter by 1, Decrease HP when cast by 5, Decrease Hitpoints by 1 per tick Original.gif
Invisibility versus Undead 40 4 4 Div 27m Single 100 Invisibility versus Undead Original.gif
Leering Corpse 40 6 9.5 Con 0 Self 0 Summon Skeleton Pet: skel_pet_5_, Uses: Bone Chips x 1 Original.gif
Lifetap 9 1.5 2.25 Alt 0 Lifetap 200 Decrease Hitpoints by 3 (L1) to 5 (L4) Original.gif
Locate Corpse 5 1.5 3 Div 0 Self 10000 Locate Corpse, (Area 1000) Original.gif
Sense the Dead 5 2 2.25 Div 0 Self 0 Sense Undead, (Area 240) Original.gif
Siphon Strength 5 1.5 6 Alt 6m Single 200 Decrease STR by 5 (L1) to 10 (L10) Original.gif

Level 15

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Bone Walk 80 7 9.5 Con 0 Self 0 Summon Skeleton Pet: skel_pet_9_, Uses: Bone Chips x 1 Original.gif
Clinging Darkness 20 1.75 4 Alt 36s Single 200 Decrease Hitpoints by 5 per tick, Decrease Movement by 24% (L4) to 30% (L10) Original.gif
Endure Cold 20 2.5 2.25 Abj 27m Single 100 Increase Cold Resist by 11 (L1) to 20 (L10) Original.gif
Fear 40 3.5 7 Alt 18s Single 200 Fear(1) Original.gif
Lifespike 18 1.75 2.25 Alt 0 Lifetap 200 Decrease Hitpoints by 9 (L4) to 11 (L8) Original.gif
Numb the Dead 20 2 3 Abj 2m Und 200 Frenzy Radius(15/30), Reaction Radius(25/30), Pacify Original.gif
Shadow Step 10 1 5 Alt 0 Self 900 Shadowstep Original.gif

Level 22

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Convoke Shadow 120 8 11 Con 0 Self 0 Summon Skeleton Pet: skel_pet_11_, Uses: Bone Chips x 1 Original.gif
Dark Empathy 20 4 7.5 Alt 0 Single 100 Increase Hitpoints by 30 Original.gif
Deadeye 35 3 2.25 Div 27m Self 0 See Invisible(1), Infravision Original.gif
Engulfing Darkness 60 2.45 4 Con 1m Single 200 Decrease Hitpoints by 11 per tick, Decrease Movement by 40% Original.gif
Grim Aura* 25 3.00 2.25 Alt 12 minutes @L4 to 27 minutes @L9 Self Increase ATK by 7 (L4) to 10 (L10) ***14 on my SK lvl 22*** Veliousicon.gif
Spook the Dead 10 2 4 Alt 18s Und 200 Fear(1) Original.gif
Vampiric Embrace 30 3 6 Alt 7:30 Self 0 Add Proc: VampEmbraceNecro Original.gif
Ward Undead 30 2.1 2.25 Evo 0 Und 200 Decrease Hitpoints by 35 (L5) to 41 (L11) Original.gif

Note: Grim Aura was added at L22 for Shadowknights and enhanced in the February 21, 2001 3:00 am patch a few months after Velious launch. It was previously a Necromancer-only spell.

Level 29

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Strengthen Death 50 6.00 30.00 Alt 1 hour Pet 100 Pet Only Melee Buff Veliousicon.gif

Note: Strengthen Death was was the pet buff added at L29 in the February 21, 2001 3:00 am patch a few months after Velious launch.

Level 30

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Endure Disease 20 2.5 2.25 Abj 27m Single 100 Increase Disease Resist by 19 (L9) to 20 (L10) Original.gif
Feign Death 60 1.5 15 Abj 0 Self 0 Feign Death Original.gif
Gather Shadows 35 5 2.25 Div 20m Self 0 Invisibility Original.gif
Heat Blood 72 2.45 4 Alt 1m Single 200 Decrease Hitpoints by 17 per tick Original.gif
Lifedraw 63 2.45 2.25 Alt 0 Lifetap 200 Decrease Hitpoints by 39 (L12) to 45 (L18) Original.gif
Restless Bones 160 9 2.25 Con 0 Self 0 Summon Skeleton Pet: skel_pet_16_, Uses: Bone Chips x 1 Original.gif
Wave of Enfeeblement 40 2.5 5.5 Alt 4m PB AE 0 Decrease STR by 11 (L12) to 15 (L20), (Area 30) Original.gif

Level 34

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Shieldskin* 41 3.50 2.25 Abj 36 minutes Self Protective Skin Spell Veliousicon.gif

Note: Shieldskin was moved from L39 to L34 in the February 21, 2001 3:00 am patch a few months after Velious launch.

Level 39

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Animate Dead 200 10 2.25 Con 0 Self 0 Summon Skeleton Pet: skel_pet_19_, Uses: Bone Chips x 1 Original.gif
Cancel Magic 30 3.5 5 Abj 0 Single 200 Cancel Magic(1) Original.gif
Expulse Undead 60 2.75 2.25 Evo 0 Und 200 Decrease Hitpoints by 88 (L14) to 94 (L20) Original.gif
Heart Flutter 80 2.75 7 Alt 1:12 Single 200 Decrease STR by 15 (L16) to 20 (L26), Decrease AC by 7 (L16) to 9 (L24), Decrease Hitpoints by 12 per tick Original.gif
Resist Cold 50 4.5 2.25 Abj 36m Single 100 Increase Cold Resist by 39 (L24) to 40 (L25) Original.gif
Shadow Vortex 40 1.5 6 Alt 7:30 Single 200 Decrease AC by 9 (L20) to 12 (L30) Original.gif
Shieldskin* 41 3.50 2.25 Abj 36 minutes Self Protective Skin Spell Original.gif
Shroud of Hate 60 1.50 6.00 Alt 10 minutes Single 200 Transfer ATK from target to caster Veliousicon.gif

Note: Shieldskin was moved from L39 to L34 in the February 21, 2001 3:00 am patch a few months after Velious launch.

Level 49

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Breath of the Dead 45 2.5 2.25 Alt 27m Self 0 Water Breathing(1), Uses: Fish Scales x 1 Original.gif
Dismiss Undead 90 3.3 2.25 Evo 0 Und 200 Decrease Hitpoints by 140 (L24) to 162 (L35) Original.gif
Dooming Darkness 120 4 2.25 Con 1:30 Single 200 Decrease Hitpoints by 20 per tick, Decrease Movement by 49% (L29) to 59% (L48) Original.gif
Invoke Fear 100 2.5 7 Alt 42s Single 200 Fear(1) Original.gif
Life Leech 315 2.5 120 Alt 0 Lifetap 200 Decrease Hitpoints by 280 Original.gif
Shadow Sight 50 3 2.25 Div 27m Self 100 Ultravision, See Invisible(1) Original.gif
Summon Dead 290 12 2.25 Con 0 Self 0 Summon Skeleton Pet: skel_pet_25_, Uses: Bone Chips x 1 Original.gif
Word of Spirit 133 3.5 9 Evo 0 PB AE 0 Decrease Hitpoints by 97 (L29) to 103 (L32), (Area 20) Original.gif

Level 50

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Shroud of Pain 100 1.50 6.00 Alt 10 min Single 200 Transfer AC from target to caster Veliousicon.gif

Level 51

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Siphon Life 72 3.10 2.25 Abj Instant Single 200 transfer life from target to caster Kunarkicon.gif
Summon Corpse 700 5.00 12.00 Alt Instant Single summons corpse to your location, within the same zone Veliousicon.gif

Level 52

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Malignant Dead 390 14.00 2.25 Conj Instant Self Summon a Skeleton Pet that has fast regen and innately dual wields Kunarkicon.gif
Summon Companion 50 5.00 2.50 Conj Instant Self Summons your pet to your current location Veliousicon.gif
Rest the Dead 75 3.00 2.25 Abj 3 min Undead 200 Undead only aggro radius reducer Kunarkicon.gif

Level 53

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Boil Blood 150 4.00 2.25 Alt 16 ticks @L29 to 21 ticks @L42 Single 200 Fire Based DoT Kunarkicon.gif

Level 54

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Banshee Aura 60 5.00 9.50 Abj 4.2 minutes @L16 to 9 minutes @L40 Self Self Only Damage Shield Kunarkicon.gif
Panic the Dead 50 2.00 4.00 Alt 9 ticks Undead 200 Causes target to flee Kunarkicon.gif

Level 55

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Bobbing Corpse 100 6.00 2.25 Abj 1 hour 3 minutes Self Levitate, Water Breathing and poison Resist. Kunarkicon.gif
Expel Undead 130 4.30 2.25 Evo Instant Undead 200 Undead Only Direct Damage Kunarkicon.gif
Shroud of Death 100 3.00 6.00 Alt 20 minutes Self Imbue Self with Lifetap Proc Veliousicon.gif
Shroud of Undeath 100 3.00 6.00 Alt 20 minutes Self Skeletal Form and Imbue Self with Lifetap Proc Veliousicon.gif
Spirit Tap* 144 4.00 2.25 Alt Instant Lifetap 200 Transfer life from target to caster Veliousicon.gif

Note: Spirit Tap was moved from L56 (Kunark Era launch) to L55 in the February 21, 2001 3:00 am patch a few months after Velious launch.

Level 56

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Steelskin 149 4.50 2.25 Abj 1 hour 12 minutes Self Damage Absorber Kunarkicon.gif
Spirit Tap* 144 4.00 2.25 Alt Instant Lifetap 200 Transfer life from target to caster Kunarkicon.gif

Note: Spirit Tap was moved from L56 (Kunark Era launch) to L55 in the February 21, 2001 3:00 am patch a few months after Velious launch.

Level 57

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Drain Spirit* 189 5.30 2.25 Alt Instant Single 200 Transfer life from target to caster Veliousicon.gif
Vampiric Curse 144 4.00 10.00 Alt 9 ticks Single 200 Transfers life from target to caster over time Kunarkicon.gif

Note: Drain Spirit was moved from L60 to L57 in the February 21, 2001 3:00 am patch a few months after Velious launch.

Level 58

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Cackling Bones 450 15.00 2.25 Conj Instant Self Summon a skeleton pet with a lifetap proc Kunarkicon.gif
Nullify Magic 50 4.50 6.00 Div Instant Single 200 Summon a skeleton pet with a lifetap proc Kunarkicon.gif

Level 59

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Cascading Darkness 300 7.00 2.25 Conj 1.6 minutes Single 200 Deals damage and slows movement of target Kunarkicon.gif
Diamondskin* 236 5.00 2.25 Alt 1 hour 30 minutes Self Self Only Damage Absorption Veliousicon.gif

Note: Diamondskin was added at L59 for Shadowknights in the February 21, 2001 3:00 am patch a few months after Velious launch.

Level 60

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Asystole 210 6.10 2.25 Alt 1 minutes Single 200 Debuffs AC, Str and does damage over time Kunarkicon.gif
Drain Spirit* 189 5.30 2.25 Alt Instant Single 200 Transfer life from target to caster Kunarkicon.gif
Drain Soul* 225 6.10 2.25 Alt Instant Single 200 Transfers life from target to caster Veliousicon.gif
Death Peace 120 1.00 4.00 Abj Instant Self Self Only Fake Death Veliousicon.gif

Note: Drain Soul was added at L60 in the February 21, 2001 3:00 am patch a few months after Velious launch.

Note: Drain Spirit was moved from L60 to L57 in the February 21, 2001 3:00 am patch a few months after Velious launch.

Shadowknight-Specific Quests

Original

  • Darkforge Armor Quests
  • Hero Bracers Quest
  • The Etched Stone (Spell: Life Leech)
  • Ridossan's Spirit

Original - Plane of Sky Era

  • Shadow Knight Plane of Sky Tests

Kunark - Core Era

  • Crusader's Tests
  • Dreadscale Armor Quests (Iksar)

Kunark - Epics Era

  • Shadow Knight Epic Quest

Velious Era

  • Shadowknight Thurgadin Armor Quests
  • Shadowknight Kael Armor Quests
  • Shadowknight Skyshrine Armor Quests

Gearing

Best in Slot

References