How long does it take the average player to learn rdm

[Chewey]

How many gameplay hours do you think it takes for the average person to know the rdm class to a respectable level??

discount those ppl who decide to craft at lev 10 for a month before they realize they dont have enough money to craft and should have leveled instead.

I have about 15d 6h logged, and I think I do my job pretty well.


To everyone that complains about characters not knowing anything: I try to help others learn the game. I spend time in the dunes acting as an outside grp powerleveler teaching the players what they should be doing at any given time without them having to worry about dieing. Im sure dieing a few times builds some character, but I feel that having a high level there to teach you does the job even better...I have gotten many additions to my friends list and many request for linkshell, granted I dont pass ls out to everyone, but I have adden numerous prospective players which will make a big difference in the long run. I just wish I had someone there when I was first starting to teach me the ropes.. I've gotten to the point where I'm about to make a macro to teach warriors how to make a provoke macro ..

Any thoughts?

-Chewey

[Sadeira]

i'd say an rdm learns how to play at a respectable level when they learn that they're main job is not to go up to the monster and poke it.

[Coinspinner]

Average? More than 41 levels. They EVENTUALLY learn that Refresh is not self-only like those Bar- spells, and they MUST get sick of being asked for Dispel repeatedly....

[neighbortaru]

Originally posted by Sadeira
i'd say an rdm learns how to play at a respectable level when they learn that they're main job is not to go up to the monster and poke it.

heh, yup.

[Jei]

Just give spell-casting more priority than melee, and you'll be a fine rdm from the beginning ; / It's easy really, you'll slowly learn all your useful spells 1 by 1 and there's plenty levels to get used to casting them.

[Arli]

Just like chess, being a RDM is easy to learn, but takes a lifetime to master. As the most versatile of jobs, the roles a RDM plays in a PT goes through 4 distinct phases with 4 different learning periods. How long does it take to learn to play a RDM? Well, anyone with a copy of FFXI and a PlayOnline account can "play" a RDM, but to learn to be a *good* RDM takes time. I can't really classify it into hours, or even days, but I can break it down into levels of what, in my experience, *most RDMs go through in their education.

*Please note this is a broad generalization of player development in the RDM job without ANY prior research on the job, i.e. a total beginning n00b.

1) Level 1-18
The Aspiring RDM: "Wow, I can wield a sword and blow stuff up. Uber!"

This is the typical fresh-faced RDM from around level 1, right before subjobs come into play. They get a sword, they get to wear the same things as their warrior cousins, and they get MAGIC! At this point in a RDM development, they're about on par with a WAR except they can heal and blow stuff up. The feeling of near invulneability sets in as most players are overwhelmed at just how POWERFUL a RDM is. RDM in this state usually think that RDM is melee class first, mage second. RDM around this level typically ignore their enfeebling at first, seeing it as unnecessary. Before they can progress to the next stage, they do get a clue about weakening enemies with spells, and thus begins the ongoing lesson of mana pool management, i.e. not blowing your MP load on one mob. Macro basics are also learned as well as very basic debuffs and the occasional, accidental Magic Burst.

2)Level 18-25ish
The Apprentice RDM: "Why isn't RDM/NIN a good combo?"

This phase is one of the most exciting of the RDM, but can either lead to a good Red Mage or a bad Red Warrior. With the added potential of SJ (assuming they sub a mage, not a melee job), they're finally getting enough mana to use the really sizeable stuff like Bio and Gravity. This is the phase I like to call "RDM puberty"- where most of their really important life lessons are learned. This is the age where most of their melee viability is still sound, but they're being asked to use more of their enfeeblement magic and are asked to support heal more than they might have been used to in the dark ages of Valkrum and Shakrimi. The very first signs of losing their melee prowess are beginning to show, but are small enough to be easily ignored. This is around the stage where RDMs begin to play with multi-tier macros, use enfeeblement regulary, and effectively learn to Magic Burst.

3)Level 25ish-39
The Acolyte RDM: "I am NOT a WHM!"

This is the stage of the RDM development where a young RDM finally comes into their own. Assuming they aren't seduced by the lure of an advanced class, or pursing the doomed RDM/NIN combo, the RDM enters the maturing age of their job. They learn the importance of their enfeeblement, actively cast their debuffs using macros (editing them per situation) and spend more time using magic an less time in melee. This is where the melee nerf bat hits hard. Not only does every melee class pull ahead of the RDM in spades, most RDM are lucky if they even land their blows on IT mobs. Thus does the hammer drop and the blade finds its way back into the scabbard... for a long time to come.

This is the stage where the RDM gains one of their most important spells: Dispel. This spell almost guarantees the RDM a PT and rightfully so. As enemies begin to get harder and smarter, Dispel can be the difference between a typical mob or a buffed, untouchable demi-god. Dispel marks the beginning of a RDMs true path to understanding and mastering debuffing. Oh, this is the stage where RDMs learn that they're extremely fragile to physical damage, even with light armors and a shield.

This is also the stage where RDMs start looking more at stat-buffing equipment and balancing their INT/MND as well as keeping their magic skills maxed. As such, most RDMs begin to stay away from the fray as they're much too busy casting and supporting to melee.

4)level 40-50
The Seasoned RDM: "/party Convert in 3 seconds! Please do not Panic."

Ah yes, level 40. The true power of a RDM is learned and at a terrible price: Convert. The first time a RDM uses their most coveted ability it is an awe inspiring feeling as well as a frightening one, to go from several hundred HP to hovering near death. The experience is sobering to say the least, and terrifying for any PT member unfamiliar with the RDM ability.

The spell Refresh (3 mp/3 sec for 150 seconds) learned at level 41 is also a magnificent gift and introduces the concept of truly "rest-free" mob pulling. Congratulations RDM, you are now a mana pimp. This phase is truly where a RDM learns just how important they are in a PT and can be overwhelming. SKills learned in this phase is a crash course in extreme MP rationing, safe Converting, as well as cooperating with WHM and BLM on enfeeblement order/responsibility.

At this range, mobs drop enfeeblements much more freqently, so debuff tracking skills are learned. Refresh order is also learned, otherwise the inexperienced RDM will soon realize that refreshing everyone with a mana pool in the PT without good judgement is a sure fire way to leave your healer or nuker at an MP defecit as well as depleting your own MP.

Also, many RDMs begin to carry wands more and more for the stats and non-Taru RDMs begin investing in MP boosting or HP/MP swap gear to maximize their pool, making Converting more effective.

At 42, the RDM can begin their AF armor quests with a gleam in their eyes. This is also around the level that most RDMs either save for Phalanx or win it in BCNM40.

The road of 50+ isn't so much of a learning phase as it is a refining of all the lessons learned along the way. Balancing all of the roles a RDM is typically expected to perform in a PT as well as adding your own personal style of gameplay. The way I see it, you spend 40 levels learning the basics, and the rest learning to be effective and look good doing it

[jaby]

LOL, mana pimp. I luv that.

[Sirhc]

Amen Arli, Amen.

[Gman]

Originally posted by Arli


The spell Refresh (3 mp/3 sec for 90 seconds) learned at level 41 is also a magnificent gift and introduces the concept of truly "rest-free" mob pulling. Congratulations RDM, you are now a mana pimp. This phase is truly where a RDM learns just how important they are in a PT and can be overwhelming. SKills learned in this phase is a crash course in extreme MP rationing, safe Converting, as well as cooperating with WHM and BLM on enfeeblement order/responsibility.

Ok, I'm confused now... I thought Refresh was 3mp/3secs for 150 secs , not 90... typo maybe? (in fact, you confirmed this yourself)

http://ffxi.cogn.net/forums/showthre...threadid=28849

[Arli]

Nope, it was my mistake, it is 150 seconds. The spell gives back 150 mp total, at a 1/1 ratio. Corrected - thanks for bringing it to my attention. for some reason I had 1:30 stuck in my head.

[Zaleshea]

Before I deleted my first RDM, it only took me 7 levels to know how to use one. The only hard part is deciding which role you want to play as one. As I find it impossible to play all three at once.(Melee, BLM, and WHM)

[Icemage]

Before I deleted my first RDM, it only took me 7 levels to know how to use one. The only hard part is deciding which role you want to play as one. As I find it impossible to play all three at once.(Melee, BLM, and WHM)

No offense, but at level 8 you have no idea what RDM at higher levels are truly like. Arli gives an excellent description of the various phases that RDM go through above.

High level RDM are not melee, WHM, OR BLM. They are not fighters, though they have swords. They are not really healers, though they can heal. They're not nukers, though they have elemental spells.

What they are is what they do best: Enfeebling and debuffing, with the option to heal or nuke as the situation requires (though not as well nor as effectively as the jobs dedicated to those functions)


Icemage

[Discordian]

Also they have the best Enhancment skill around. While only the rdm will feel this you will raise it well by casting Refresh on yourself and teamates, Stoneskin so you might be able to shrug off an area attack, and Haste so that you can speed up your damage dealers.

Kinda like this but with the occasional Cure2 or Cure3 in there.

Enfeeble
Refresh
Haste
re-enfeeble
Refresh someone else
Haste another warrior
re-enfeeble
recast stoneskin

Arli states the generalization between levels and you have to do something different at each level and against each different mob.

[Silverquick]

This is quite possibly one of the best posts I've seen concerning Rdm development through the levels I've ever seen...

Thank you Arli...

[Arli]

Aw, thanks guys. I appreciate the kind words. I'll probably add a little snippet on RDM from level 50-60 as its been a little different than I expected (I find myself doing most of the coordinating between the spellcasters for debuffing etc., so it looks like RDM begin to shift into a PT planning role as far as magic is concerned). God I love this job.