Choosing between a Dragoon and a Blue

[Escaphiel]

*Attention! I request your non-bias oppinion. Please DO NOT flame or boast about either job groundlessly or out of spite!*

I am an Elvaan Male lvl 12 Warrior with sword skill lvl 28 and polearm skill lvl 22,

I am deciding between two main jobs: A blue mage and a dragoon.
I've learned a few facts about both, but i'd like to get some opinions from experienced players.

Which job is better suited for an elvaan warrior?
Is there an abundance of Blue Mages around FFXI?
Do people really prefer not to party with Dragoons because they are simply "enchanced tanks?"
How cool is it to have a pet Wyvern? >_< (i want one!)
And anything else you'd like to comment on...

Thanks ^^

[fencingkitty]

Re: Choosing between a Dragoon and a Blue

I have a friend who plays both as a male elvaan and he loves both of them. (75DRG, and 53BLU) He soloed many of his levels past 60 and I've never partied w/him on that one so I can't speak there.

His lower mp pool is annoying sometimes, but it's just something he adjusts for. (and cons me into making him yagudo drinks when we can't snag a refresher..a RDM or BRD)

More or less it's what you want. ^^ Don't let that you're elvaan determine your job. Galka play WHM and tarutaru play PLD. It's all about picking your gear well to adjust for racial stats and more importantly your skill.

Sidenotes I can comment on:

Patience is REQUIRED for BLU. Some folk learn spells after a cast or two, others will spend hours on one spell. It can be frustrating. The beauty of BLU is its multipurpose. My friend can pull, tank, back up heal in bad situations, and deals some heavy damage.

DRG isnt usually seen as a tank, but a straightforward DD class. (at least not until higher levels; they're made for heavy damage over time and the damage of their wyvern, not taking hits like a PLD or well equiped WAR, or dodging them like a NIN.) Personally, if my static wasn't DD heavy I'd love to party w/a DRG for the damage they can put out. I'm only 22 for DRG so far so if I'm off and someone corrects me, thanks. ^^

I admit to a little bias because whenever I can hang up my WHM robes I get to put some serious time into DRG.

Wyverns rock. >^.^<

Additionally, a note to remember is the whole get to 30 before unlocking subs and then the very err, fun, trek to Aht Urhgan and the, umm, fun, of unlocking the three jobs there. ((it's amazing how far away a skeleton type mob will aggro to low hp and even more amusing of how fast they jump all over the 75 RDM who came out to raise you and almost waste them too XD )

[Escaphiel]

Re: Choosing between a Dragoon and a Blue

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[LilithAngel]

Re: Choosing between a Dragoon and a Blue

Well, here's one thing you can do, and this is the beauty of FFXI over just about every other MMORPG on the market to date (well, maybe Phantasy Star Universe is a minor exception, any others out there?): you don't *have* to pick 'n stick to one job, you can level them all on one character if you want to. Although that's been said countless times in equally countless other threads on many a forum's boards, there are still people that don't know about that feature of this game until they start to read up on it.

You like Dragoon? Go level Dragoon.
You like Blue Mage? Go level Blue Mage.
Get bored with one for a bit? Go level the other one, or, barring that, you've got 16 other jobs to mess with.

And hey, at the end, you can sub both jobs to each other for some rather unique play styles (DRG/BLU is great at solo and is really good as a "combat field medic", and BLU/DRG has some really nice Haste/Spam DD options to work with).

[Escaphiel]

Re: Choosing between a Dragoon and a Blue

Thank you both, I'll heed to your insightful advices ^^

(for some reason the system blocked my previous message >>)

I guess being both is the best choice, but I won't be able to play often enough to do much progress on two different jobs... well, i can try.

But I'll go for a Dragoon first, since it's closer for me currently and my friends could use a powerful front line character in their party, besides... I really want a Wyvern =^.^=

But I'm interested in the "combat medic" idea a lot, heheh >_>

LillithAngel and fencingkitty, thanks a bunch!

[LilithAngel]

Re: Choosing between a Dragoon and a Blue

Well, there's a good bit of information here in the Dragoon forums that describes and details the mechanics of Dragoon's "healing skills", as well as other different roles we can assume (outside the normal pure DD). It's a concept that also easily translates to Blue Mage as well (indeed, it is almost the core basis of the job itself), so playing both jobs may or may not end up feeling similar after a period of time (at least, it seems that way for me between my Dragoon and Blue Mage).

Hope that helps.

[Feba]

Re: Choosing between a Dragoon and a Blue

any others out there?

EVE online... kinda

BLU and DRG are such completely different jobs that you'll really have to try them to see which you like more. Some people LOVE BLU spells, other people hate dealing with MP at all.

Bit of a PROTIP though, when you're leveling WAR, ONLY use Axe/Gaxe. I don't care what you're planning to be in the future, there are only two or three situations where a WAR should use a sword over an axe, and you're not near any of them.

[Sevv]

Re: Choosing between a Dragoon and a Blue

*Attention! I request your non-bias oppinion. Please DO NOT flame or boast about either job groundlessly or out of spite!*
I am an Elvaan Male lvl 12 Warrior with sword skill lvl 28 and polearm skill lvl 22,
I am deciding between two main jobs: A blue mage and a dragoon.

A small back ground on these 2 jobs; Both are very versitile. Blue Mage, allows you alot more customization on your job, due to each spell has properties. Blue Mage can Tank, DD, Main Healer, and buff. Dragon is more of a DD, and a Support Healer, Tank only in wyvern burns. Now i didnt mention ethier of the jobs in terms of soloing because both are very good soloing but only as good as the player.

I've learned a few facts about both, but i'd like to get some opinions from experienced players.

Currently I am a 75 Drg (as well as other 75s), I love the job from Wyvern Burning, on Greater Colbiri, to soloing to pass the time. Drg can excell in end game, if played right. You will hear that drg doesnt belong in endgame from alot of people but you just prove them wrong every step (^.^)b.

Now for Blue's I really havent done too much endgame with someone who comes blue mage. There is plenty of people on these blue games who are smart and would lend you info on this.

Which job is better suited for an elvaan warrior?

Looking only on race and not On skill your elvaan war would benefit Dragoon more IMHO

Is there an abundance of Blue Mages around FFXI?

Out of the ToA jobs blue is by far the most popular, there is a good amount of 60+ blues on my server ifrit, but of course it depends on your server.

Do people really prefer not to party with Dragoons because they are simply "enchanced tanks?"

The only tanking we ever do is in wyvern burn, Now wyvern burn is 5~6 drg/mage (usually whm, blu, rdm) and 1 brd/nin if 5 drgs. Now this has been around alot more on ifrit on the NA side of the drg community with the addition of Nyzule Isle Bhafel Thickets Camps. When they removed the Buggards and replaced them with Wivre it allowed us to pull a great deal of exp/hr, while joking around and having a good times as a community. To the "loldrg" way back in the day before the nerfed tp return on multi hit ws drg could "almost" just sit and spam penta thrust macro making us a saught after dd, when they decided to nerf the tp ppl started "loldrg". Now each server differs some still have idiot who lol drg but invites tend to dry up at 60, the best way to beat this is to make your own pts and keep on exping.

How cool is it to have a pet Wyvern? >_< (i want one!)
And anything else you'd like to comment on...

Mine has a fricken lazer on its head.

Thanks ^^

GL!!!

[Greylynx]

Re: Choosing between a Dragoon and a Blue

My favorite job combo is DRG/BLU. It is an amazingly powerful combo, which lets you solo with ease. Its also very useful for soloing or helping others with quests. I recommend playing both jobs. DRG works best when you have multiple subs leveled (such as WAR, THF, SAM, WHM, BLU) so if you stick with DRG you'll be working on many other jobs as your career progresses. I am a career DRG, and the only job I have any interest in leveling past 37 besides DRG is BLU.

[Ciecle]

Re: Choosing between a Dragoon and a Blue

For me i would chose Drg over Blu just for certine reasons that i cant stand blue mages....
I have played every FF game know to man except FF3 and DoC(damn spin off lmao ^.^). If your looking for a Damage Dealer then drg is the best. If you like mages Blu outweighs all the other mages in doing dmg. one thing though if you would like try getting them both and try them out which everone you like the most you pick that one and you can stay that one. ^.^ but good luck in trying to find the one you like.
Oh and dont listen to the critizicism of becoming a Drg.
btw wyverns are so cool to have lmao expecially the new emotes they can do ^.^ (i love the blush emote) ^.^

[LyonheartLakshmi]

Re: Choosing between a Dragoon and a Blue

I am deciding between two main jobs: A blue mage and a dragoon.

Don't look at it as choosing one main job. Think of it as choosing your first main job. The beauty of this game is you can change your mind at any time, as many times as you want.

Do people really prefer not to party with Dragoons because they are simply "enchanced tanks?"

People look at Dragoons as just-another-DD. I'm not sure who gave you the idea that they are looked at as "enhanced tanks". DRGs get more hate shedding tools (High Jump, Super Jump, distributed damage between player and pet) than they do hate generating ones (Jump... Ancient Circle is iffy).

... sword skill lvl 28 and polearm skill lvl 22

Don't worry about your weapon skill when it comes to a future job (you haven't unlocked DRG or BLU yet!) When you play DRG, it will be trivial to keep Polearm capped as you level. You'll probably find the same to be true with BLU and Sword, unless you main heal an aweful lot. I suggest concentrating on Axe / GAxe skill as you level WAR. When you hit level 30, you can easily solo your Sword and Polearm skills to 30-ish so that you're set for DRG and BLU until you hit party level range.

BLU will probably harder for you to level as your first job. Learning blue magic spells can take a lot of time, and you will probably need help from other people for certain spells.

However, I'm not saying to avoid BLU altogether just because you're a first time player. BLU is an amazing flexible job which can be played in so many different ways. DRG is far more narrow in focus, and will be called on to fill the same role in virtually every party. You can branch out and try new things as DRG by using different subs... when you solo. And given the invite rate most DRGs complain about, you may find yourself with plenty of time to solo.

[Escaphiel]

Re: Choosing between a Dragoon and a Blue

^^ thanks, all of you

@SevIfrit: watch, my wyvern will be a jedi >-<

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

Re: Choosing between a Dragoon and a Blue

I've a bit less experience with BLU, but I will say regardless of which job you pick, they are a long, hard road with loads of subjob options that can be persued. BLU is a very overpopulated class right now, so you're going to face a lot of competition.

Add this to the fact that there are plenty of non-mage DD classes vying for those same slots in PT. BLU will also demand access to certain expansion and endgame zones if you ever want to have all the spell.

DRG get the short end of the stick and there are a ton of myths and falsehoods the FFXI community still seems to believe about it. They are considered weak damage dealers, but this isn't the case. With a the right accuracy and STR builds, DRG can put up impressive numbers and preferred EXP mobs these days are weapon to piercing damage, which is what DRG does.

DRG also has a high delay, two-handed weapon, just like RNG, DRK and SAM do. The current trends of todays PTs favor weapons with slightly lower delay and moderate damage, such weapons benefit greatly from Haste spells and equipment. This allows them to attack more often than those with two-handed weapons.

Odd thing is, all those jobs save for RNG can benefit from haste and higher delay weapons get more TP per hit than lower delay ones.

Basically, its a potatos/potatoes ordeal. Most people prefer potatos when potatoes are just as viable.

Both DRG and BLU are great soloist jobs, in fact, you can use BLU as sub for DRG, its considered one of the best solo subs for the job. Pollen, Healing Breeze, Magic Carrot, Cocoon and Power Attack are all great tools for a DRG to have at his disposal. Think of DRG/BLU like Khimari from FFX.

Anyway, give both a test drive and see which you like. Play the one you like, because us telling you could lead you to play something you end up not enjoying at all.

[Malacite]

Re: Choosing between a Dragoon and a Blue

Just curious, how exactly does DRG/BLU work? O. O seems like a rather subpar combo to me in terms of offensive spells due to the lack of blue magic skill at the higher levels, which is key in determining spell accuracy and potency.

[Timian]

Re: Choosing between a Dragoon and a Blue

Just curious, how exactly does DRG/BLU work? O. O seems like a rather subpar combo to me in terms of offensive spells due to the lack of blue magic skill at the higher levels, which is key in determining spell accuracy and potency.

Certain spells' effectiveness are determined by other stats, besides magic skill (such as attack etc.)