Its best to lvl a paladin first,

then you need to be in heavensward expansion.

Paladin plays the most similar to dark knight so practice with paladin
then switch to dark knight once you unlock.

Also edgy macros is a must, if you are not a max height male Au Ra,
go fantasia into one.
You also must have a dark and gritty name,
if not, buy a name change. Dye all your amour with jet black dye,
soot black isnt black enough to be a real dark knight,
even if you are broke after buying jet black dye,
still go for the jet black dye.