Whm/smn?

[Chaddie]

Well, im thinking of making a WHM, because in a different (Rose-Online) I was a cleric and i loved it.

But i dont want to be a WHM/BLM Because im going to have another Char, which will be BLM.

Any suggestions?
I want to be a PURE Healer/Buffer. NOT enfeebler.

(Ps. im new to this game.)

[Malacite]

Re: Whm/smn?

I highly suggest you browse the stickies and the information over at the FFXI wiki.

That said, WHM/BLM is very good combo for beginners. It's mostly used for the extra MP, Conserve MP, Magic Attack Bonus (nice for banish spells and holy) and the utility spells (Warp and Escape).

You don't need another character by the way, to play BLM. In fact I highly advise against that. You can switch between all 20 jobs at any time via Moogle, so there's really no need to make more than one character (except for storage and crafting purposes)

Stick to WHM/BLM until you can unlock SCH.

[Clever Ninja]

Re: Whm/smn?

The pretty much new token WHM subs are either /SMN or /SCH. SCH basically gives WHM's an ability called Light Arts, which increases their Healing to B skill(and healing skill is annoying to raise), as well as lower mp cost and recast time of all White Magic spells.

/SMN has always been acceptable imo. /BLM is still used, honestly, because of Conserve MP(and other clinch things such as Escape/Sleepga, and a free Warp on top of that). When you're in charge of either healing often or more than likely keeping a full Haste cycle, having that ability kick in does help. But SMN gives you much more mp and Auto-Refresh at 50 when you sub it, so it's more reliable. I can't remember if it's here or another forum but I think someone broke down Auto-Refresh versus Conserve MP.

So if you don't want to sub BLM it's perfectly fine, you still have /SMN and /SCH which are better for pure healing and buffing.

Also you don't really make 2 characters in this game. You can freely switch your job and subjob in this game at any mog house instantly, so you can play a WHM/SCH then level a BLM seperately on the same character. Although a few people do it(majority high level players) it's not recommended for new players since it means you have to go through all the new player hurdles(a slow 1-10 leveling, subjob quest, etc) twice. Being able to do almost everything outside of merits on the same character is one of FFXI's strengths.

[Sabaron]

Re: Whm/smn?

/SCH exceeds the performance of /SMN I think now because of Aspir and the continuous 10% discount with a 50% discount every 4 minutes. I don't think 1mp/tick beats that.

/SMN used to be the best sub for WHM after a certain level when the WHM finds it unnecessary to include Aspir, Escape and Sleep in their reportoire.

/BLM allows the WHM to Sleep something (soundly) every 10 minutes with Elemental Seal or if that isn't necessary, to Aspir something (again with Eleseal). Escape is a great flight tool when you're in a dungeon, and Tractor can be indispensable when you have to Raise someone trapped amongs aggressive monsters (especially Death, Magic, and Sight aggros).

The SMN sub is basically used only for the large boost to MP and MND and the 1mp/tick Refresh.

The new SCH sub affords use of Aspir and Drain with much greater skill since Dark Arts gives you B skill even if you suck. It includes, of course, the aforementioned discounts and the odd bonus of actually being able to stick the odd low-end tier I or II nuke (not that you would ever use something like that instead of Drain).

I suggest you go with SCH. You'll never be a pure healer/support character because WHM has native enfeebling--Paralyze, Slow, Dia, and Silence. There are no "pure" classes in FFXI, but WHM comes the closest to pure healing/support. The best sub will be /SCH after 20th level. I don't think I can think if an XP based situation where you'd really want /BLM or /SMN more than /SCH unless you go into a cave planning to get eaten thus requiring Escape.

[TheGrandMom]

Re: Whm/smn?

Just to touch on the 2 character issue, take the advise given and don't do it or at least don't do it until you have one character at a fairly high level. I have 7 characters and let me tell you, doing RoZ, CoP, and all the other missions over and over and over is NOT the highlight of my day. LOL (Not to mention raising up fame in all the cities, farming, camping for equips, VALKRUM DUNES, lol )

There are times I wish I could have been happy with just one character and leveled everything on that. One thing I would have done differently though is to level one character to a high level first and at the same time learn some crafting skills and be able to support myself fairly well........THEN made another character. It certainly would have been a LOT easier that way.

But BAH! when do I ever do anything the easy way anyways. ><

As for whm/smn, I would rate it at a B and /blm at a B+ or A-. I haven't tried scholar so I really can't say for that one. One arguement about /smn that I hear a lot is how you can use the summons for buffs eventually but rarely do I see a whm/smn utilize this. So isn't that like defeating the purpose of subbing it if you don't use it correctly. The extra mp is nice but a good whm knows how to use their mp well and really doesn't need it. About the only thing that I get happy about is the auto refresh!! refresh! Also in the lower levels, I really don't think it has any benefit over /blm except for a bit of mp. Auto-refresh starts at level 50 for subbing it so it would be best to use /blm until then.

[Akashimo]

Re: Whm/smn?

I've yet to touch sch, but given smn or blm subbed, no matter how much mp you get as a boost and the auto-refresh, /blm is a better choice, simple put, conserve MP. It kicks in enough times to make your mp really stretch out over that of auto refresh and max mp boost.

Also, bit different, but occassional uses, /rdm. If you got a rdm already or a brd and cor in your pty, this sub i find valuable for high pace parties that take little dmg. Fast Cast, and a good mind boost. Plus Dispel, so your pty won't annoy the brd or cor for it XD

TGM: 7 chars?! And ppl called me nuts for having two....
<.<; I'm already seeing doubts of doing my plan for an elvaan chick as a blm to 75 as a 3rd char. I bow to the greater multi-char player

[ItazuraNhomango]

Re: Whm/smn?

I suggest you go with SCH.

I concur; for White Mage, Scholar for support job is the is the way to go.

That said, it would be good to also have ready /SMN, /BLM, and /RDM at some point.

/RDM - Fast Cast II, for fastest cure casting.
/BLM - For utility of Elemental Seal, Sleep/Sleep II, Tractor, and Escape.
/SMN - For on the run events; Auto Refresh gives you MP even while moving.

For most activities, however, /SCH would serve a WHM best, IMO.

There are no "pure" classes in FFXI, but WHM comes the closest to pure healing/support.

MNK comes pretty close to being a pure DD job, I think.

[nanatsu]

Re: Whm/smn?

well one thing that hasn't been mentioned that you might want to be aware of, is that you can't unlock smn until you get to level 30 anyway. And the accepted sub for smn is... whm. And you're not going to get whm to level 30 without a sub. So if you decide to level whm to 30 in preparation of using it as a sub for smn, well then....what are you gonna sub for whm? /blm sub for whm is already easily accessible.

Best to listen to what everyone else says and level one character.

[Icemage]

Re: Whm/smn?

/SMN is terribly overrated. I personally think /BLM, /BRD, and particularly /SCH all outshine it, at every level, for almost every application.

For purposes of doing your job as a WHM, I almost think /PLD is superior to /SMN these days unless you're using your avatars to pull with for some god-forsaken reason. You're basically just using Auto-Refresh, might as well get some defense while you're at it if you're going to go that route (and no, I'm not being terribly serious about /PLD being good, but I DO think it's better than WHM/SMN).


Icemage

[Clever Ninja]

Re: Whm/smn?

MNK comes pretty close to being a pure DD job, I think.

Didn't MNK's used to tank before the level cap was raised though? It's not as if they don't have the skills for it.

[Sabaron]

Re: Whm/smn?

/SMN is terribly overrated. I personally think /BLM, /BRD, and particularly /SCH all outshine it, at every level, for almost every application.

For purposes of doing your job as a WHM, I almost think /PLD is superior to /SMN these days unless you're using your avatars to pull with for some god-forsaken reason. You're basically just using Auto-Refresh, might as well get some defense while you're at it if you're going to go that route (and no, I'm not being terribly serious about /PLD being good, but I DO think it's better than WHM/SMN).


Icemage

I did enjoy WHM/BRD for about 10 levels from 20-30 off and on. A lot of people required me to sub BLM for some odd reason though and I just gave up after 30th. I'm sure WHM/BRD is also very good in parties with multiple mages after 50th with Ballad--at least one step above /SMN since instead of just you, everyone gets free Refresh.

[Coinspinner]

Re: Whm/smn?

You want to take BLM at least to level 17 for Warp. Beats having to carry multiple Warp scrolls or Warp Cudgels on missions or when using a Teleport to reach your exp camp (so you can pick up replacements when people leave, or pick up supplies if you need more.) And of course for Tele-Taxi, which is a nice source of income.

I'm not sure /SCH as a default sub is such a great idea. If you're near a zone/outpost/portal, great. Otherwise you are gambling a bit, especially in a pick-up-group.

[Chaddie]

Re: Whm/smn?

Thanks for all the replies, (Finally done reading them all)

Ok, so im still newbie to the whole Job things, didnt realise job changing was so versatile.
So, heres what i plan on doing.

WHM/BLM Until WHM is level thirty.
Then
WHM/SCH

But, just one more question, SCH..is WoTG? Right..?
Lets hope by the time im 30 i've bought it :x! Lmao.

Once again thanks for clearing all these things up!
O and just one more question.
WHAT SERVER SHOULD I JOIN! :O

I was thinking Bahamut because someone told me that there was a good LS there for new people and the people on the server were very welcoming but then some say the opposite. Please dont be Biassed!

Thankies Again (and again)
Chaddie!

[Malacite]

Re: Whm/smn?

Well, it I don't think SE has discontinued it just yet (they tend to do that rather quickly with their expansions) and it's also a fairly cheap (was only about $34.00 for me with the tax here in Canada) so you should pick it up ASAP.

All the servers are fine. If I recall correctly, Ragnarok and Bahamut have the largest populations, and Kujata I believe is host to our DiV linkshell?

It honestly doesn't matter. That said, you may wish to ask for membership in the DiV community LS and join Kujata for the sake of having good, helpful friends right off the bat. (I'm on Seraph personally. Had it thrust upon me years ago when you couldn't select your server and I've never looked back)



Oh yeah, and I'd take Light Arts (10% Conserve MP on every spell, as well as 10% cast and recast time reductions) over BLM's randomly activated, random percentile Conserve MP trait any day. (Not that it's a bad sub; it has its many uses!)

[Akashimo]

Re: Whm/smn?

The DiV died a few weeks ago Malacite
Why you think I've poked you on Nekoai?

Quick question on arts. Dark Arts while subbing sch on whm, would that allow effect drain/aspirs compared tp that of /blm and /drk? I just gotta ask that.