In Dark and Darker, duo players have been in need of a strong lineup to face the darkness, and now we are sharing a strong build that many players have been using in duo games, and it has been working. We're calling this the Tank Lock build. This build focuses on being a durable Warlock that can absorb tons of damage while dishing out consistent spells, especially in High Roller Duos. If you're facing sneaky Rogues hiding in bushes or Wizards pelting you from afar, this build will help you hold your ground and counter those threats.

Perks and Skills

Let's break down the perks, skills, and spells that make this build work.

Spells:

Power of Sacrifice

Curse of Pain

Bolt

These spells are crucial, but you can tweak them based on your playstyle. If you're encountering lots of Rogues, or players camping with potions, this setup will help deal with those pesky situations. In certain cases, you could swap in Hellfire to break down doors or Ray of Darkness for extra pressure on enemies.

Perks:

Malice

Vampirism

Torture Mastery

Demon Armor

Most Warlock builds typically run Hydrin when using Demon Armor, but we decided to try it out with Torture Mastery, and honestly, it surprised us with how well it worked. This setup turns you into a damage-absorbing monster while still being able to dish out devastating spells.

Stats Breakdown

To maximize this build, aim for these core stat thresholds:

Magic Power: 45%

Physical Damage Reduction (PDR): 45%

Spell Casting Speed: 10% minimum, 15% ideally

You're going to be slow in terms of movement speed, but don't worry—it's less of an issue in Duos than it would be in solo games. With a partner, you can make up for your lack of mobility. Additionally, you'll want around 150 HP once your gear is equipped.

Gear

The key to making this build shine is your gear. Here's a breakdown of what I've been running:

Rings: Two Rings of Cages (True Magic) with magical healing.

Chest Piece: Max health with magical healing and your choice of secondary stat (I prefer knowledge).

Boots: Five additional move speed, two knowledge.

Gauntlets: This will depend on what stats you need to boost, but I recommend a balance between defense and casting speed.

Weapons: Crystal Ball and Fchan with magical healing. Boost your magic stats or health on these weapons, depending on your needs.

With this gear setup, you're going to be extremely tanky, with a high PDR and around 17% magic resist. The magic resist is a nice bonus that protects you from enemy spellcasters without sacrificing your durability in melee encounters.

Playstyle and Strategy

This build excels in Duo High Roller games, where you're less likely to get kited to death by ranged players. Your goal is to absorb damage, get close, and hit hard with spells like Curse of Pain and Bolt. With Vampirism in your perk setup, you'll be able to regain health while dishing out damage, allowing you to survive longer in intense battles.

When playing Duos, always communicate with your partner to cover your movement weaknesses. Ideally, your Duo partner should either be a ranged class to pick off enemies from afar or someone with high mobility to chase down opponents.

Final Thoughts

This Tank Lock build is incredibly durable, making it one of the best choices for Duos. The ability to tank hits while maintaining consistent spell damage is a game-changer. While this build might struggle in solos due to its slow speed, in Duos, you'll find yourself dominating most encounters. Make sure your partner complements your playstyle, and you'll find that the Tank Lock can carry you to victory!

Dark and Darker Gold is also one of the keys to victory, and buying it at MMOexp is a convenient option. In the meantime, I hope this guide can help you, and I wish you good luck in Dark and Darker!

MMOexp Dark and Darker Team