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GUIDE TO BLACK MAGE
Chapter 1 : Introduction
Chapter 2 : Equipment
Chapter 3 : Weapons
Chapter 4 : Leveling Up
Chapter 5 : "With great power comes great responsibility."
Chapter 6 : The Good, The Bad, and The Resists
---------------------------- CHAPTER 1 : Introduction ----------------------------
If you are reading this, that means that you have taken some interrest in becoming a Black Mage. When most people think of a Black Mage, they think power and magic. The truth is that Black Mage is a very complex job, far more complicated than just casting a spell. In this guide, I will explain the "In's and Out's" of the Black Mage job so that you as the player can have be the best Black Mage you can be.
Lets start with the basics! My name is Mike, known in-game on the Midgardsormr server as Spazz. I am a Level 75 Tarutaru Black Mage who has fought more monsters then most can even remember and have died more times then most would like to admit. So I know exactly where you are coming from. Just know that it gets better - alot better! I started playing October 28th 2003 at 8:10am (USA Official Release Date), and I had no clue what I was doing when I started. I didn't have anyone to tell me what to do or anyone to buy me anything. Some would say I had a rough upraising, but it just meant I learned everything the hard way. So when you are reading this guide, please keep in mind I know exactly all the pains and tribulations that you will go through - but I also know what it feels like to get a hand up.
So now that you know a little about me, lets begin start where you are.
---------------------------- CHAPTER 2 : Equipment ---------------------------
As a Black Mage, you dont really have alot of gear to choose from; however, that does not mean that we dont get any good gear. Black Mages can get away with wearing level 10 gear up to lvl 30, where as other jobs like Warrior you have to change your gear almost every chance you get. Black Mages need to focus on only one stat increase, Intellegence (also known as INT). INT is what gives power that Black Mages need for all their spells. So any chance you get wear gear that increases your INT, take it! This includes Rings, Earrings, Back, Feet, Head, etc.
Now some may say, "But Mike, what if I'm a race that doesnt have alot of MP. Shouldn't I buy gear that boosts that up???"
Well the answer to that would be, You can if you want. The best gear for Black Mages is anything that boosts up INT. One main part of playing a Black Mage is learning to cast magic within your own limits. Meaning, I knew a Galka who only had around 500 MP, but he made awesome use of that MP. He never wore any MP+ gear . . . and he got by just fine. If you are however having troubles with "the lack of MP", then go ahead and buy yourself some MP gear. You should always feel comfortable while casting.
"So often should I change my gear??"
Well to answer that question, I would say, As often as you can. You should always want to keep your gear looking modern and new. Yes it would look bad if you are a level 50 Black Mage but only using level 10 gear. So try to look for updates on your gear atleast once every 5 levels. Now if your gear is perfectly fine the way it is, dont spend any more gil than you need to.
EXAMPLE: The Eremite Rings are INT+2 at level 10. At level 36 you can buy new rings that have the same exact stats. So there is no need to buy new rings, get it?
Some of my favorite pieces of gear to wear was Seer's (level 29) and Combat Casters (level 40). The reason behind these is for looks and effectiveness. Seer's has great stat increases and comes in handy... Combat Casters is old school. BLMs back in the day didnt have alot to choose from like people do now.
---------------------------- CHAPTER 3 : Weapons ---------------------------
"How about weapons? I saw a black mage with a sword equipped, should I get one too?"
For the most part, Black Mages need to stick with 1 of 2 kinds of weapons. Clubs (mainly wands that include INT stat increases) or Staffs. I highly recommend using the stat increasing wands because they will increase the damage output of your spells, and everyone likes that ^^. As for other weapons, including swords, Black Mages dont really have the power or skill level to be as effective as a melee job. So for the most part, other weapons such as Scythes or Swords are more for show and just having fun beating up on lower level monsters outside of an experience points party.
---------------------------- CHAPTER 4 : Leveling Up ---------------------------
There are a few things you need to know about leveling up. Firstly, always keep in mind of what spells you can learn and when. I used to have a piece of paper that told me what spells I could learn and what level (of course, that was before the time of strategy guides lol). Second, it's always a good idea to have atleast the next 2 spell scrolls with you in a group, just incase your group is really good and you level up a few times you will be set.
Now for the most important part of leveling up. FOCUS! Paying attention to every detail is key to success. As a black mage, you will need to pay attention to your MP, the healer's MP, the Monsters HP, the monsters around you, the distance between you and the monster you are fighting, what monster it is, what its weakness is, and most importantly the skillchain your melee are performing. Yes, this is alot of work and it will take practice, but let me explain it so you dont get overwhelmed.
~ You need to pay attention to your own magic pool - if you start to get low, stop casting and rest.
~ If your healer's MP is running low, think about stop casting elemental nukes and help cure a little until the situation is stable. If the situation gets worse, think about running for the zone or casting escape (which works in most places).
~ If you see the monster's HP going down and its less than 10%, you can get in some extra recovery time by resting at this point.
~ Take notice of the distance between you and the monster because the monster may have a nasty AoE (area of effect) that could hurt you if you are too close. So you may want to keep your distance.
~ Also notice what monster your group is pulling and what its weakness is. By studying the monsters you go up against... you can exploit their weakness for an easy kill.
~ And the big important one... Magic Bursting on a Skillchain. This takes alot of practice to time your spells just right so that they hit the monster right after the skillchain ends. Not every spell takes the same length to cast - so it will take time and practice, but dont worry. You will get it down ^^!
---------------------------- CHAPTER 5 : "With great power comes great responsibility." ---------------------------
Yes its a really cheesy line that was repeated about 1000 times in Spiderman - but its true. Black Mages can make or break a party. Without a BLM, a party cant kill as fast. With a BLM, the party can kill fast enough to bring in monster after monster to keep an exp chain going. So we are a vital part of a group - but there is alot more to it than just that.
There are 3 types of Black Mages: Conservative, Combat Caster, and Paladin (or often referred to as Suicidal lol). Conservative BLMs will cast only enough spells to get by without gaining alot of hate. Combat Casters will cast nuke after nuke after nuke to kill the monster fast - and at lower levels get pissed off because the tank couldnt get the monster off them. "Paladin" BLMs are the kind of mages that have no problem tanking a monster. In which case... if other people are dieing, this mage will switch to Combat Caster to get enough hate to pull the monster onto them and the cast the right spells to keep the monster on them so that others have a short time to recover. This often results in the BLMs death - but it can save lives. Now the perfect Black Mage is someone who can harness the powers of all 3 types. Learn which type is best for which situation and carry it out.
Another thing to remember... It happens to us all, but keep this in mind. If you get hate and the monster comes to you. Please, for the love of god, stop casting! Dont even cure yourself. "But. . . Mike!!! I dont wanna die!" If you die, you die. It happens. Part of playing Black Mage is knowing that death is just a nuke away. Think of it this way:
You get into a fight with a guy in real life. You both start trash talking and everything. Now, your friend could piss the guy off and get him away from you. . . but while hes walking towards your friend you spout out with "Yeah, walk away!". Now think... did that help the situation.... Uhh.... if you said Yes. Slap yourself and pick another job because BLM is not for you!
But ya get what I mean? lol
---------------------------- CHAPTER 6 : The Good, The Bad, and The Resists ---------------------------
Now on your travels and adventures... your gonna notice something. Sometimes one of your spells will do 500 damage - and sometimes, with no warning, the same spell does 100. Why is this? Well, its because your spell was resisted. It happens to the best of us, no need to worry yourself too much about it. Let me explain something to you that might help you understand.
INT = Damage Modifier
Elemental Magic Skill = Resistance
The higher your Elemental Magic Skill, the less likely you will be resisted. Now, there are not alot of gear choices to raise elemental magic skills pre-level 60. However, once you get your Artifact armor, stand back and watch the nukes fly! The stat increases from your AF Gear are extremely helpful. Until that time though, concentrate on INT boosts so that when your spells arent resisted they can pack one hell of a punch. ^^
~ TO BE CONTINUED ~
I realize I left alot out . . . such as food and spells and that type of thing. I will finish it later.
Chapter 1 : Introduction
Chapter 2 : Equipment
Chapter 3 : Weapons
Chapter 4 : Leveling Up
Chapter 5 : "With great power comes great responsibility."
Chapter 6 : The Good, The Bad, and The Resists
---------------------------- CHAPTER 1 : Introduction ----------------------------
If you are reading this, that means that you have taken some interrest in becoming a Black Mage. When most people think of a Black Mage, they think power and magic. The truth is that Black Mage is a very complex job, far more complicated than just casting a spell. In this guide, I will explain the "In's and Out's" of the Black Mage job so that you as the player can have be the best Black Mage you can be.
Lets start with the basics! My name is Mike, known in-game on the Midgardsormr server as Spazz. I am a Level 75 Tarutaru Black Mage who has fought more monsters then most can even remember and have died more times then most would like to admit. So I know exactly where you are coming from. Just know that it gets better - alot better! I started playing October 28th 2003 at 8:10am (USA Official Release Date), and I had no clue what I was doing when I started. I didn't have anyone to tell me what to do or anyone to buy me anything. Some would say I had a rough upraising, but it just meant I learned everything the hard way. So when you are reading this guide, please keep in mind I know exactly all the pains and tribulations that you will go through - but I also know what it feels like to get a hand up.
So now that you know a little about me, lets begin start where you are.
---------------------------- CHAPTER 2 : Equipment ---------------------------
As a Black Mage, you dont really have alot of gear to choose from; however, that does not mean that we dont get any good gear. Black Mages can get away with wearing level 10 gear up to lvl 30, where as other jobs like Warrior you have to change your gear almost every chance you get. Black Mages need to focus on only one stat increase, Intellegence (also known as INT). INT is what gives power that Black Mages need for all their spells. So any chance you get wear gear that increases your INT, take it! This includes Rings, Earrings, Back, Feet, Head, etc.
Now some may say, "But Mike, what if I'm a race that doesnt have alot of MP. Shouldn't I buy gear that boosts that up???"
Well the answer to that would be, You can if you want. The best gear for Black Mages is anything that boosts up INT. One main part of playing a Black Mage is learning to cast magic within your own limits. Meaning, I knew a Galka who only had around 500 MP, but he made awesome use of that MP. He never wore any MP+ gear . . . and he got by just fine. If you are however having troubles with "the lack of MP", then go ahead and buy yourself some MP gear. You should always feel comfortable while casting.
"So often should I change my gear??"
Well to answer that question, I would say, As often as you can. You should always want to keep your gear looking modern and new. Yes it would look bad if you are a level 50 Black Mage but only using level 10 gear. So try to look for updates on your gear atleast once every 5 levels. Now if your gear is perfectly fine the way it is, dont spend any more gil than you need to.
EXAMPLE: The Eremite Rings are INT+2 at level 10. At level 36 you can buy new rings that have the same exact stats. So there is no need to buy new rings, get it?
Some of my favorite pieces of gear to wear was Seer's (level 29) and Combat Casters (level 40). The reason behind these is for looks and effectiveness. Seer's has great stat increases and comes in handy... Combat Casters is old school. BLMs back in the day didnt have alot to choose from like people do now.
---------------------------- CHAPTER 3 : Weapons ---------------------------
"How about weapons? I saw a black mage with a sword equipped, should I get one too?"
For the most part, Black Mages need to stick with 1 of 2 kinds of weapons. Clubs (mainly wands that include INT stat increases) or Staffs. I highly recommend using the stat increasing wands because they will increase the damage output of your spells, and everyone likes that ^^. As for other weapons, including swords, Black Mages dont really have the power or skill level to be as effective as a melee job. So for the most part, other weapons such as Scythes or Swords are more for show and just having fun beating up on lower level monsters outside of an experience points party.
---------------------------- CHAPTER 4 : Leveling Up ---------------------------
There are a few things you need to know about leveling up. Firstly, always keep in mind of what spells you can learn and when. I used to have a piece of paper that told me what spells I could learn and what level (of course, that was before the time of strategy guides lol). Second, it's always a good idea to have atleast the next 2 spell scrolls with you in a group, just incase your group is really good and you level up a few times you will be set.
Now for the most important part of leveling up. FOCUS! Paying attention to every detail is key to success. As a black mage, you will need to pay attention to your MP, the healer's MP, the Monsters HP, the monsters around you, the distance between you and the monster you are fighting, what monster it is, what its weakness is, and most importantly the skillchain your melee are performing. Yes, this is alot of work and it will take practice, but let me explain it so you dont get overwhelmed.
~ You need to pay attention to your own magic pool - if you start to get low, stop casting and rest.
~ If your healer's MP is running low, think about stop casting elemental nukes and help cure a little until the situation is stable. If the situation gets worse, think about running for the zone or casting escape (which works in most places).
~ If you see the monster's HP going down and its less than 10%, you can get in some extra recovery time by resting at this point.
~ Take notice of the distance between you and the monster because the monster may have a nasty AoE (area of effect) that could hurt you if you are too close. So you may want to keep your distance.
~ Also notice what monster your group is pulling and what its weakness is. By studying the monsters you go up against... you can exploit their weakness for an easy kill.
~ And the big important one... Magic Bursting on a Skillchain. This takes alot of practice to time your spells just right so that they hit the monster right after the skillchain ends. Not every spell takes the same length to cast - so it will take time and practice, but dont worry. You will get it down ^^!
---------------------------- CHAPTER 5 : "With great power comes great responsibility." ---------------------------
Yes its a really cheesy line that was repeated about 1000 times in Spiderman - but its true. Black Mages can make or break a party. Without a BLM, a party cant kill as fast. With a BLM, the party can kill fast enough to bring in monster after monster to keep an exp chain going. So we are a vital part of a group - but there is alot more to it than just that.
There are 3 types of Black Mages: Conservative, Combat Caster, and Paladin (or often referred to as Suicidal lol). Conservative BLMs will cast only enough spells to get by without gaining alot of hate. Combat Casters will cast nuke after nuke after nuke to kill the monster fast - and at lower levels get pissed off because the tank couldnt get the monster off them. "Paladin" BLMs are the kind of mages that have no problem tanking a monster. In which case... if other people are dieing, this mage will switch to Combat Caster to get enough hate to pull the monster onto them and the cast the right spells to keep the monster on them so that others have a short time to recover. This often results in the BLMs death - but it can save lives. Now the perfect Black Mage is someone who can harness the powers of all 3 types. Learn which type is best for which situation and carry it out.
Another thing to remember... It happens to us all, but keep this in mind. If you get hate and the monster comes to you. Please, for the love of god, stop casting! Dont even cure yourself. "But. . . Mike!!! I dont wanna die!" If you die, you die. It happens. Part of playing Black Mage is knowing that death is just a nuke away. Think of it this way:
You get into a fight with a guy in real life. You both start trash talking and everything. Now, your friend could piss the guy off and get him away from you. . . but while hes walking towards your friend you spout out with "Yeah, walk away!". Now think... did that help the situation.... Uhh.... if you said Yes. Slap yourself and pick another job because BLM is not for you!
But ya get what I mean? lol
---------------------------- CHAPTER 6 : The Good, The Bad, and The Resists ---------------------------
Now on your travels and adventures... your gonna notice something. Sometimes one of your spells will do 500 damage - and sometimes, with no warning, the same spell does 100. Why is this? Well, its because your spell was resisted. It happens to the best of us, no need to worry yourself too much about it. Let me explain something to you that might help you understand.
INT = Damage Modifier
Elemental Magic Skill = Resistance
The higher your Elemental Magic Skill, the less likely you will be resisted. Now, there are not alot of gear choices to raise elemental magic skills pre-level 60. However, once you get your Artifact armor, stand back and watch the nukes fly! The stat increases from your AF Gear are extremely helpful. Until that time though, concentrate on INT boosts so that when your spells arent resisted they can pack one hell of a punch. ^^
~ TO BE CONTINUED ~
I realize I left alot out . . . such as food and spells and that type of thing. I will finish it later.
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