Get off the /mage bandwagon!

[locus]

Re: Get off the /mage bandwagon!

Very very good question, Taskmage.

Luckily, Cocoon is 10 mp, Headbutt is 12 mp, and Bludgeon is 16 mp, so they're not horribly MP intensive, but I tend only to have enough MP to finish 6 enemies on chain 5. My max mp is somewhere about 410ish (hume), BUT I have merits and "unreasonable equip" for non-haijin players, so I definitely don't recommend this for most players.

The problem is - we had a corsair AND a bard, so I was getting ballad and healer's roll (evoker's occasionally, later). Meaning that this setup chews through MP quickly and requires long downtime after every chain if you don't have either job (like a PLD).

The benefit is that unlike a PLD, you usually have enough mp to last the entire chain without taking breaks inbetween. If you sub abilities for Clear mind and recover your entire 400 mp in one go, this alleviates the problem somewhat.

[Deeman]

Re: Get off the /mage bandwagon!

just wow....nice job!

[Taskmage]

Re: Get off the /mage bandwagon!

Support jobs aside, that's awesome.

[locus]

Re: Get off the /mage bandwagon!

I'm convinced it is a versatile class, sort of.

I can play support, Direct damage or tank on blue mage, but take note that I will almost always be worse at these roles than a "pure" character. I doubt BLU will ever outtank a paladin, do more damage than a black mage at high levels, or be as good a healer as a white mage.

Blue magic spells don't even do significant damage in the way a black mage can, so there's really no contest there.

The corollary is RDM. RDM and WAR were the two "jack of all trades" classes which could pretty much get away with subbing anything. (In the case of War - limited to non-mage jobs) BLU seems to be yet another job where any sub for it will give you something tangible.

[Pteryx]

Re: Get off the /mage bandwagon!

It sounds like BLU plays a lot like I'd expected RDM to (and RDM is advertised to by NPCs at lower levels). If BLUs can effectively melee even at high levels, I'd think RDM would be a great sub for them. You get an MP boost (the main reason mages tend to have mage subs), just enough white magic to supplement the BLU's more defensive spells, and eventually Enelements to make your melee even more effective. I'd be interested in hearing if that works. -- Pteryx

[Karinya]

Re: Get off the /mage bandwagon!

Unfortunately, enspells won't be much use without a native Enhancing Magic skill. They can be resisted by the target based on level, Enhancing Magic skill and element. The effectiveness of RDM's Phalanx and Stoneskin is also dependent on Enhancing Magic skill.

Enfeebles and nukes are also skill dependent, so you're probably better off saving your MP for your native BLU ones.

BLU/RDM *will* get fast cast, some cures, clear mind at 62/31 (if you don't get it through abilities equipped), and half leveled protect and shell (same time you would get them as /WHM, except limited to one person at a time). But I don't think it will end up being a very good sub.

BLU/PLD might be more worthwhile - you get some cures, even later protect and shell, Defense Bonus, Shield Mastery, the most shield skill you can get from a sub, the advanced sword WS (if BLU doesn't get them natively - any BLU/WHM or BLU/NINs high enough to check whether you have Red Lotus Blade?) and eventually Auto-Refresh and Flash.

BLU/THF has interesting potential, if physical blue magics work with SATA. Again, anyone high enough to test?

[Taskmage]

Re: Get off the /mage bandwagon!

So all blue magic falls under its own skill, and blue mage has none of the "traditional" magical skills natively. Is that right?

[Hyrist]

Re: Get off the /mage bandwagon!

Blue Mages natively get the EX weapon skills for sword, which is really cool cause I saw RLB go off in 30 cap ballista for almost 100 damage on its own, then swiftly followed by bludgen.

And yes, phyiscal Blue magic does stack with Sneak Attack. It's been tested by a thf/blu blowing a screwdriver for 200 damage. (The thf was level 22))

Blue mage has alot of godly options both main and subjob it seems. I perdicted that these new jobs would change party dynamics, so far they arn't proving me wrong.

[DakAttack]

Re: Get off the /mage bandwagon!

Screwdrivier is a level 26 spell. Somebody lied to you.

[Patchinko]

Re: Get off the /mage bandwagon!

スーパー青ＬＦＧ
サポ：白黒赤戦忍
誘ってくださいãï¼¾ï¼¾

Instant invite!

[Atma]

Re: Get off the /mage bandwagon!

More MP = More Bludgeon = More Win.

[Spazz]

Re: Get off the /mage bandwagon!

I had my Bludgeon hit for 200+ today with Sneak Attack on it. I was pleasently surprised. I also tried the whole Elemental Seal and Divine Seal abilities... and they do work with Blue Magic. Divine Seal + Healing Breeze = 130 HP ^_^

[LadyPeorth]

Re: Get off the /mage bandwagon!

I actually see BLU/SMN working due to the MP boost and Auto-Refresh. Right now, I have a minor 91 MP pool and with some of my better moves taking nearly 1/4th of that...it really hurts.

Still...BLU is one of those jobs that is borderline DRK/RDM...except more wedged between the two...it will hafta carve its own niche.

[Karinya]

Re: Get off the /mage bandwagon!

To return briefly to the thread topic:

Of the 10 BLU 30+ on Carbuncle this morning (excludes anons, obviously):
5 /WAR
3 /NIN
1 /WHM
1 /RDM

There's clearly a bandwagon, but I don't think it's headed the direction the OP thinks it's headed.

I'd be interested to see how much this varies from server to server, though. Carby may or may not be representative.

[tazirai]

Re: Get off the /mage bandwagon!

Unfortunately, enspells won't be much use without a native Enhancing Magic skill. They can be resisted by the target based on level, Enhancing Magic skill and element. The effectiveness of RDM's Phalanx and Stoneskin is also dependent on Enhancing Magic skill.

Enfeebles and nukes are also skill dependent, so you're probably better off saving your MP for your native BLU ones.

BLU/RDM *will* get fast cast, some cures, clear mind at 62/31 (if you don't get it through abilities equipped), and half leveled protect and shell (same time you would get them as /WHM, except limited to one person at a time). But I don't think it will end up being a very good sub.

BLU/PLD might be more worthwhile - you get some cures, even later protect and shell, Defense Bonus, Shield Mastery, the most shield skill you can get from a sub, the advanced sword WS (if BLU doesn't get them natively - any BLU/WHM or BLU/NINs high enough to check whether you have Red Lotus Blade?) and eventually Auto-Refresh and Flash.

BLU/THF has interesting potential, if physical blue magics work with SATA. Again, anyone high enough to test?

good thing My rdm 70+ and enfeebs capped, I may sub it, Its one of the jobs I planned on subbing it to blu anyway.
BlU/cor/pup seem to be a new tier of advanced job.

you have the basic jobs>advanced/extra jobs> advanced tier2