I don't think DK Cecil was evil. Maybe that's why he couldn't use Black Magic? Also, the idea of becoming a Paladin wasn't just about being able to fight the darkness. He was inheriting his father's sword of light. He was discovering his heritage... he was realizing who he really is. That's why the paladin class is right for him.

If I were to talk simply about Paladins or Dark Knights, I would be talking about a preference. I wouldn't try to think of one as better than the other. When I voted, I had to choose which one I prefer. I like Paladin's ability to heal. I also like their strong will and determination (esp. when it comes to smiting evil.) Dark Knights seem more brooding and less focused on destroying good. As with all evil, they're consumed with their own desires. While it may be the popular belief, I don't think that Dark Knights simply spend their days destroying everything. DKs are more about ego building and overpowering competitors. This is true of most evil fighting-types.

After I break it down in this manner, I really feel that I like crusaders more. But, at the same time, I have a fondness for the bully, too. Maybe that's why Cecil is so engaging. We see him in the evil stage, destroying those weaker than him for no good reason, and then we see him as this wonderful crusader. It's all part of the great theme of FFIV, you can't have good without evil.

I chose Dark Knight. Without it, the good woudn't be as good. Plus, he is a badass mofo.

I went with Dark Knight. Cecil is just awesome once he gets his final dark sword. As a paladin, Cecil is very strong, but lacks the Dark ability, which was my favorite part about using DK Cecil.

[Cloud Strife X]

Sure, the Dark Knight may look cooler, but I happen to own the old SNES version of the game, and all he gets to use are Fight and Item. Ouch.
But the Paladin Cecil can actually use some abilities (White Magic and Cover). Plus, the final Paladin weapon is better. So i'd say that the Paladin is better.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by Sega Kid

I'm sticking with the Dark Knight, If The 'Pally' could learn all the white magic like, Holy, then MAYBE, I'd change my mind,

Dark Knights should have Black Magic, Hmmmmm.....cool

That would then defeat the entire purpose of being a KNIGHT and not a MAGE. Fool.

Oh look at me, I'm a superior fighter with all white magic! I can easily beat your ass down and mega heal me and the rest of my party at the same time!

Tch. Lame ass idea.

Anyways, Who gives a shit about PAL and DRK, It's all about the RDM anyways. =P

Kidding. Though, RDM DOES own. >_>;

I'd prefer PAL. The ability to beat ass and heal yourself is always a plus.

[Elf]

Originally Posted by Cloud Strife X

Sure, the Dark Knight may look cooler, but I happen to own the old SNES version of the game, and all he gets to use are Fight and Item. Ouch.
But the Paladin Cecil can actually use some abilities (White Magic and Cover). Plus, the final Paladin weapon is better. So i'd say that the Paladin is better.

The Dark Knight definately looked cooler, and Fight and Item are all you really need throughout the major parts of the game, as most boss battles feature only one boss and the loss of life from Dark Wave would accumulate fast. So Paladin could use some abilities. His White Magic was weak, and could pretty much be taken care of from items. And Cover? Wow, let me waste a turn to allow myself to take more damage to save one of my weaker allies that aren't as strong as me. Plus, the final Paladin weapon was better because he was a Paladin. Had he stayed as a Dark Knight, the final Dark Knight weapon would have been better.

And that is why I voted for Paladin

April Fool's!

Dude, I'd screw Dark Knight anyday. MMMMMMmmm Darkness baby, mau. In Paladin version, I'd be worried whose butt his c.ock had been in last =p

... I think I'm trying to be as offensive as possible =x

[Galan0]

hmm, this is a tough one... the Dark Knight looks cool and all, yet gets weak in the game and theres a crap load of undead. The Paladin looks alright (exept for that damn tiara) and he is stronger. As they say "light triumphs over darkness" (well sometimes i guess).

I cant pick, they're both cool, maybe I'll choose.....bleh. 50/50 maybe

[Sega Kid]

Originally Posted by Cobain

Why?

You know this thread always happens every forum boards you go to. The ultimate question of Dark Knight vs. Paladin. When even though the Dark Knight looks cool, the change to Paladin is integral to the story. The story would not be the same without it. It wouldn't be as good.

Really people all this is, is a cosmetic and ability change. The paladin is stronger, and what are you losing in a 16 bit sprite change? I mean it's not like were seeing a dramatic change from a Dark Knight to a Paladin on beautiful polygon 128 bit graphics. See my point.

I don't give a shit how he looks. he works better this way, the dark attack, hits all enemies... If the Paladin had something like that, I'd side with that...
Before, I did only like the dark kinght for how he looked. Now I say, "Who gives a damn?" This is my point.

Dark Knight is great.end.of.story.

[Sega Kid]

But why do you think he is great? you have to have a reason.

[T.G. Oskar]

Oh my, Dark Knight vs. Paladin... I think both are equally good, what with the DK's ability of the darkwave (hit all!!!!...mmm, tasty), and the Pal's ability to cast White Magic (ok, so leaving him on Cure 2 was a bit lame, up to Cure 3 would be nice, but Esuna. ESUNA!!!! With the buncha of status effects-dealing monsters, having only Rosa and Remedies aren't enough), but, bottom-line, Cecil's only function is to deal lotsa damage and withstanding lotsa damage. Unfortunately, my perception of DK/Pal was disturbed by FFT, so I think both classes suck (Shame on you, programmers. I don't care the game's old, fix that stuff!!!) Ah, the possibilities...first Cecil kicking mucho a** with Night Sword, then Dark Wave, then repeat dose...then Cecil kicking mucho a** with status dealing Holy skills...oh yeah!!!! Guess the game's too old for me to give a concrete opinion, but I root for both.

[Sega Kid]

Well, the paladin is stronger, but is strength what matters most? No! It's skill that matters most! There is NOT one enemy in the game that is overly powerful, except the Mad Ogre, but that's it! And you don't even have to fight it. T.G....Why fix what isn't broken? The game is somewhat old, I agree with you there, but they don't CHANGE Classics....Not the storyline, but they change the names of The character classes, Like Fighter to Warrior, no big deal. You may say "Then why isn't Rydia a caller anymore?" I say "She still is, they just call them summoners now" Minor things have been changed...Oh, one more thing, If you don't like the game, THEN GO PLAY ANOTHER ONE!


How can you be too old for Final Fantasy? I can see Crystal Chronicles....

[Gorath Sodom]

Can't stand Cecil as a Paladin. Wtf? His special ability is cover? If his magic rating wasn't so crappy, I'd say the white magic is a nice touch, but Rosa's magic rating is 3 times better.

[ToroMor]

A paladin? Gnnaaarrrrrr! Cecil is a black soul. He was only forced to the paladin crap by some greater powers. You don't see it? Come over here!!!!

I guess I'm in the minority, but, ah, well, what the hell. I voted for Paladin Cecil. *dodges thrown tomatoes* Wait, wait, wait--I do have some case for that. First of all, I found the paladin more versatile. I played the SNES version first, and thus, DK only item and fight. I found the cover ablility actually quite useful, especially when my mages starting dying. He'd jump in, take some minimal damage (due to his defense), protect Rydia from dying and then Rydia would cast some awesome spell that wins the battle. And, as mentioned, Esuna came in handy especially in the summon caves, when Rosa wasn't quite enough. DK's dark wave was powerful, I'll grant you that, but it annoyed me that after a few shots he would be entirely depleted of energy and it would require several potions (potions that were rare at that time) or else he'd die in the next battle.

I also like the whole finding father story that transforms Cecil. It was a necessary change, to show his redemption and leadership and willingness to fight evil full force. While the dark knight was an entertaining persona, with an awesome look, becoming a paladin was like the first step in becoming a new person.

[Hiroshino]

I'm kind of late in this thread, but hopefully since there are few in the FFIV forum this won't be considered bad to reviving it.

The Dark Knight Class looks kick ass in the begining. If they could have made the game longer before Cecil realized his ways weren't the right ways to follow, they should of had him go on more missions and short quests as a Dark Knight. More selections of equipment and misc items to add to his collection of Dark Knight Equipment. He should have had abilities as a Dark Knight, not magic though, Sword Abilities, MORE abilities. And he should have mastered the Dark Sword. THEN, he could feel bad about it and turn to a Paladin.

If it were me I would have mastered the Dark Knight, and then since I'm not evil at heart I would turn Paladin/Holy Knight just to fight off the evil/darkness. Then master the Paladin/Holy Knight and become a regular Knight like in Final Fantasy 1. As much as the Paladin and Dark Knight look kickass, I like the plain Knight better. Then as a plain Knight I would find my strongest sword and master that. Yeah.

As for the vote. I voted for the third option. Either one.

[Brotherhood]

I liked Cecil way better as a Dark Knight. He looked more badass and had that awesome Dark attack. Also his swords were pretty cool.

As a Paladin his unique ability sucked, his White Magic was weak as he could only learn up to Cure 2 and he just didn't look as cool as he did as a Dark Knight. Ditch the ****ing robe, he would have been better if they just just turned his sword and armor holy and he had a Holy blast attack that replaced Dark.

[Emperor Adriano]

I like Dark Cecil more because he was awesome looking guy and as you all know paladins are too but DARK CECIL RULES!

Don't have a preferance...

...though it strikes me that if Cecil had stayed on that path he might have surpassed Golbez...

I'd say Dark Knight. I loved the few battles with the Deathbringer (?) which could kill with a single hit. If the Paladin could equip it, then I would definitely vote for it, especially with the white magic spells. Nevertheless, the Dark Knight's special attack is much more useful than the Paladin's wimpy "Cover" maneuver. Hence: Dark Knight.