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The Beast Within -- A Guide to Blue Mage
 Bismarck.Laurelli
Server: Bismarck
Game: FFXI
Posts: 889
By Bismarck.Laurelli 2015-09-18 14:09:37
Valefor.Prothescar said: »Since this is a frequent problem, here you go:
Absolutely Necessary Absolutely Necessary Trait Spells
Cocoon Sickle Slash Blank Gaze Tail Slap Magic Fruit Acrid Stream Yawn Animating Wail Saline Coat Blazing Bound Magic Hammer Quad. Continuum Regeneration Fantod Battery Charge Empty Thrash Magic Barrier Delta Thrust Whirl of Rage Mortal Ray Dream Flower Heavy Strike Occultation Barbed Crescent Winds of Promy. Thrashing Assault Barrier Tusk Diffusion Ray White Wind Molting Plumage Sudden Lunge
Nat. Meditation
Glutinous Dart
Retinal Glare
Carcharian Verve
Erratic Flutter
Subduction
Sinker Drill
Sweeping Gouge
Searing Tempest
Blinding Fulgor
Spectral Floe
Scouring Spate
Anvil Lightning
Silent Storm
Entomb
Tenebral Crush
Mighty Guard
Nice to Have[/u] Nice to Have Trait Spells
Sheep Song Battle Dance MP Drainkiss Sound Blast Frightful Roar Uppercut Memento Mori Frenetic Rip Infrasonics Spinal Cleave Zephyr Mantle Disseverment Diamondhide Goblin Rush Amplification Vanity Dive Temporal Shift Evryone. Grudge Actinic Burst Quadrastrike Benthic Typhoon Paralyzing Triad Thermal Pulse Palling Salvo Charged Whisker
Reaving Wind
Thunderbolt
Embalming Earth
Restoral
This was super nice of you.
 Sylph.Oraen
Server: Sylph
Game: FFXI
Posts: 2087
By Sylph.Oraen 2015-09-18 14:18:13
It would have been amazing if it was non-UL or had a 3-minute duration or something, but it's just not great as is.
Sylph.Oraen
Server: Sylph
Game: FFXI
Posts: 2087
By Sylph.Oraen 2015-09-18 14:34:12
Spell list added to the OP and a few minor tweaks to some gear pieces for sets. Nothing major, still need to finish all the stuff I mentioned earlier.
Sylph.Oraen
Server: Sylph
Game: FFXI
Posts: 2087
By Sylph.Oraen 2015-09-18 14:55:27
The set bonus pushes them ahead. Those greaves are very nice, and quite easy to obtain. Drop from Warder of Dignity, pop NM from Limules in Escha-Ruaun.
Server: Shiva
Game: FFXI
Posts: 343
By Shiva.Francisco 2015-09-18 20:03:56
I don't see them added to the OP, but where do Gyve Trousers fit into a BLU's gear set? Pretty sure they're best in slot for Curing (potency +10%, Fast Cast+4%), and have a lot of MAB (+40), third best AoE/Nuking behind fully upgraded Almaric and perfect Hagondes +1?
Server: Asura
Game: FFXI
Posts: 3213
By Asura.Failaras 2015-09-18 20:39:11
I find myself setting Paralyzing Triad 90% of the time, surprised you would put it on the nice to have list. I noticed it's not on the Higher Tier DD spec list either. Any specific reason?
Sylph.Oraen
Server: Sylph
Game: FFXI
Posts: 2087
By Sylph.Oraen 2015-09-18 21:08:21
I don't see them added to the OP, but where do Gyve Trousers fit into a BLU's gear set? Pretty sure they're best in slot for Curing (potency +10%, Fast Cast+4%), and have a lot of MAB (+40), third best AoE/Nuking behind fully upgraded Almaric and perfect Hagondes +1?
They're quite nice, it's just that we have so much access to cure potency all of a sudden. I'll get them added in as alternatives, but we went from having no way to even hit 25 to realistically being able to hit 75. And yeah, they're solid nuking pieces if you lack Hagondes and Amalric.
I find myself setting Paralyzing Triad 90% of the time, surprised you would put it on the nice to have list. I noticed it's not on the Higher Tier DD spec list either. Any specific reason?
Simply oversight on my part. It's one of our better spells and one of our best traits, I just missed adding it to the proper spell sets.
 Phoenix.Capuchin
Server: Phoenix
Game: FFXI
Posts: 3604
By Phoenix.Capuchin 2015-09-18 21:33:43
Sorry, but there's no way you need to list ALL trait spells for Store TP or DW as "Absolutely Necessary Trait Spells".
Sickle Slash and Tail Slap are silly to include on a MUST HAVE list. Nobody in their right mind is wasting 8 set points for Store TP+5 and no significant attributes (yay MND+2). If you can't find a better use of 8 set points, there are problems.
As for DW, it's highly unlikely you'll ever need anything higher than DW4 trait (including JP100/1200 gifts). Since minimum JP100 is a practical necessity for a good BLU in this day and age, that really means no more than 24 set points. Directing newbies that all DW spells are "necessary" without a very clear warning seems to me like it only worsens the much bigger problem of SO MANY crappy BLUs equipping way too much DW gear/traits to the point where they're significantly over cap.
I guess I can see DW5 as a "Nice to have" trait solely for solo BLU Salvage/Dyna farming... (and even that's tenuous, since if you're bringing BLU to farm Salvage it's way more efficient to AoE spell instead of melee). Definitely not "Absolutely Necessary" by any stretch of the imagination.
Server: Valefor
Game: FFXI
Posts: 19647
By Valefor.Prothescar 2015-09-18 21:39:18
Well, I didn't see you make a list... or offer any advice or help at all, for that matter. So feel free to make a revised list that better suits your interests.
Having every spell for the traits is not asking much anyway.
Phoenix.Capuchin
Server: Phoenix
Game: FFXI
Posts: 3604
By Phoenix.Capuchin 2015-09-18 21:42:52
Valefor.Prothescar said: »Well, I didn't see you make a list... or offer any advice or help at all, for that matter. So feel free to make a revised list that better suits your interests.
Having every spell for the traits is not asking much anyway.
I appreciate your effort in making an otherwise excellent list, truly do. Thank you. But don't get overly defensive about some constructive criticism to improve your fantastic start.
Seriously, do you REALLY set Tail Slap or Sickle Slash?
Caitsith.Mahayaya
Server: Caitsith
Game: FFXI
Posts: 3341
By Caitsith.Mahayaya 2015-09-18 21:44:59
Proth taking the time to make a list to answer one of the single most asked BLU question only to get snark remarks on what's absolutely necessary... smh
Quote: Seriously, do you REALLY set Tail Slap or Sickle Slash?
I have on occasion, though a lot less so now since we got the 8 elemental spells though. It seemed to help more for Mythic than some other options in the cases where I set.
Siren.Kyte
Server: Siren
Game: FFXI
Posts: 3332
By Siren.Kyte 2015-09-18 21:47:39
It's okay, Capuchin has a multi-paragraph opinion on everything.
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Server: Valefor
Game: FFXI
Posts: 19647
By Valefor.Prothescar 2015-09-18 21:48:05
Oh I'm not being defensive, just amused that someone finds it necessary to have such a... colorful opinion on something they didn't really offer anything constructive on prior to the "issue". Anyway, I actually left out a few spells that I would normally tell people to get as a just-in-case precaution: having every spell available for each of the major traits, regardless of their secondary stats, depending on gear available and spells that are "necessary" for the content being run.
Prior to Gifts, Tail Slap and Sickle Slash were actually quite valuable for things like club builds and the like. Having them available in case such a situation arises again is a worthy endeavor, particularly since it takes, what, 15 minutes to learn them both?
Server: Asura
Game: FFXI
Posts: 3213
By Asura.Failaras 2015-09-18 21:48:12
Quote: Sickle Slash and Tail Slap are silly to include on a MUST HAVE list. Nobody in their right mind is wasting 8 set points for Store TP+5 and no significant attributes (yay MND+2). If you can't find a better use of 8 set points, there are problems. I don't see why not, I don't even have JT2 and occasionally set them. Sometimes you really do have more set points than you know what to do with.
Phoenix.Capuchin
Server: Phoenix
Game: FFXI
Posts: 3604
By Phoenix.Capuchin 2015-09-18 21:51:28
OK, I will give in here lol. Mainly because of Proth's excellent point that it's pretty minimal effort to just learn them anyway.
But really... I can't imagine that as of September 2015 it's ever necessary (or better) to spend 8 points on STP+5 when you've got stuff like the attribute+8 spells if you have a bunch of free points.
Server: Valefor
Game: FFXI
Posts: 19647
By Valefor.Prothescar 2015-09-18 21:53:17
would you wear an earring with 5 store TP or one with 8 STR?
Sylph.Oraen
Server: Sylph
Game: FFXI
Posts: 2087
By Sylph.Oraen 2015-09-18 21:57:03
Personally, I do not set Sickle Slash or Tail Slap. I also no longer use Animating Wail or Mortal Ray. However, this is about encouraging individuals to get all of the spells available to them to maximize their performance in each role.
There are still situations in which you can justify every single STP trait or DW trait. I don't want to exclude spells from a list of good choices because if I do, I guarantee you that many people will take that as a sign to not bother with them. I already receive a lot of questions with "Well do I really need that?" or "Can I get by without that?" Honestly, if I had my way, I'd put every single spell in the "Mandatory" section. But we all know that most people aren't going to hunt every single spell. I just want it to be conveyed that the spells listed are very important, independent of the category in which they were placed. For every spell in a trait family you ignore, you hurt yourself. I want to avoid that to keep from furthering the stereotype about BLU.
Having said that, I don't want to discourage disagreement. If people do feel that there are spells that belong in "mandatory" that are currently "important", or vice versa, please feel free to discuss and I'll be happy to change things around.
EDIT: Made a couple notes in the guide about cure sets, changed around a couple pieces in some sets. Added Deacon Saber to the OP. Moved around some spells in spellsets and added a few comments on spell viability and acquisition overall.
More to come.
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Server: Valefor
Game: FFXI
Posts: 19647
By Valefor.Prothescar 2015-09-18 22:01:31
Also since I've had questions about it, Sheep Song is on the list as an alternative light based sleep. Yawn requires line of sight and has a more variable duration than Sheep Song, so if you need a more reliable, though potentially shorter duration, light based sleep then Sheep Song is the way to go.
Quetzalcoatl.Ninjaface
Server: Quetzalcoatl
Game: FFXI
Posts: 227
By Quetzalcoatl.Ninjaface 2015-09-18 22:06:26
I'd point out that some of these spells in question are quite good to have as you're leveling if you're taking a more traditional approach to leveling, rather than just leeching or getting aby burned to 99.
Phoenix.Capuchin
Server: Phoenix
Game: FFXI
Posts: 3604
By Phoenix.Capuchin 2015-09-18 22:11:34
Honestly, if I had my way, I'd put every single spell in the "Mandatory" section. But we all know that most people aren't going to hunt every single spell.
Fair enough. It's also probably a lot easier to just say "get all of the spells for these traits: _____". So I get it, and I'm sure I was being too picky about the term "necessary".
I would say, however, that it's a REALLY important note in the DW section to stress that overdoing DW isn't helping anyone. To me, that's the most common mistake I see from more novice BLUs. The dude with a Tizona is probably gonna understand situational use of some extra Store TP if they have some spare points. The newbie who hears "I need all of the Dual Wield spells" is a heck of a lot more likely to screw something up without good guidance.
Valefor.Prothescar said: »would you wear an earring with 5 store TP or one with 8 STR?
If I couldn't swap gear between WS, TP, and spells? The 8 STR (and 12~13 attack from an extra tier of Attack Bonus) earring, easy.
Caitsith.Mahayaya
Server: Caitsith
Game: FFXI
Posts: 3341
By Caitsith.Mahayaya 2015-09-18 22:17:34
Quetzalcoatl.Ninjaface said: »I'd point out that some of these spells in question are quite good to have as you're leveling if you're taking a more traditional approach to leveling, rather than just leeching or getting aby burned to 99.
Duuude, Jet Stream!
Sylph.Oraen
Server: Sylph
Game: FFXI
Posts: 2087
By Sylph.Oraen 2015-09-18 22:21:21
Caitsith.Mahayaya said: »Quetzalcoatl.Ninjaface said: »I'd point out that some of these spells in question are quite good to have as you're leveling if you're taking a more traditional approach to leveling, rather than just leeching or getting aby burned to 99.
Duuude, Jet Stream!
Nuh uh, Bludgeon was our best friend for so long while leveling. I remember people begging BLUs to party just because of how absurd that was back then.
I would say, however, that it's a REALLY important note in the DW section to stress that overdoing DW isn't helping anyone. To me, that's the most common mistake I see from more novice BLUs. The dude with a Tizona is probably gonna understand situational use of some extra Store TP if they have some spare points. The newbie who hears "I need all of the Dual Wield spells" is a heck of a lot more likely to screw something up without good guidance.
I'll be adding a DW equation to the guide for people to figure out how much they need in any given situation.
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By Takisan 2015-09-19 02:14:43
Quetzalcoatl.Ninjaface said: »I'd point out that some of these spells in question are quite good to have as you're leveling if you're taking a more traditional approach to leveling, rather than just leeching or getting aby burned to 99.
I feel sorry for ppl who abyssea blu to lvl 99 or leech it. The fun part about leveling a job is increasing power (gear, abilities, ws, spells, stats) and few jobs increases as much and as often as blu does leveling traditionally. Better gear, a few abilities, new ws, lvl up stat boosts, and every spell is a treasure outfitting you with more stat boosts, abilities, and job traits. Plus every 11th level you get additional blu points which is like additional songs to a bard almost. No job accelerates like blu.
When you 99 it in a day why would u ever want to go learn pollen or bludgeon? And if you do go to learn them what a pain. You have to find high lvl versions to get it while you have no blu skill or spells to speak of. If you want blu to be fun do it the old way. If you want it to be tedious then abyssea it in my opinion. Goes for most jobs but it is very pronounced for blus.
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Server: Bahamut
Game: FFXI
Posts: 879
By Bahamut.Seekerstar 2015-09-19 04:33:48
I'm guilty of Abyssea'ing BLU.
After I reached 99, though, I stood outside in Ceizak and capped my skill spamming Foot Kick and Sprout Smack, since those were pretty much all I had at that point.
Then I went out and learned useful spells. I got most of the 99s, drove myself crazy getting Flutter and Occultation, and got Battery Charge off my first Pot in Aby Grauberg,much to the disgust of fellow BLU in my LS.
No, I don't have all my spells yet. It's a process. I'm also a really cruddy nuker because only now getting my elementals. I'm decent physically, but I don't go BLU to most endgame type events because I lack that utility that BLU has when they DO have that weird crap. Though I did have fun juggling six ADL clones at once when the Aegis paladin croaked. (SMH at that...)
All that said, I have to agree that the answer to "what spells should I get?" should be "All." I'll get there.
Mighty Guard is win wrapped in OMG topped with a shining bow comprised of pure badassery. Shin didn't want to give it up but I stabbed him a bunch and made him.
Slightly more on topic: Vampirism kicks ***, but is there another sword I should be using? I'm using a pair right now, and I'm not unhappy about them.
Sylph.Oraen
Server: Sylph
Game: FFXI
Posts: 2087
By Sylph.Oraen 2015-09-19 04:48:08
Yes, I agree, spell hunting is a process. I don't mean to infer that everybody getting into BLU should first go get every single spell.But going after the vast majority does help you in the long run. It's what makes BLU so powerful while also offering such strong utility.
For nuking, Vampirism is our second best option at the moment. For melee, barring Tizona, a Claid/Nibiru A or B (depending on content) is the best combination. Vampirism isn't too bad for melee, but it lacks a lot of accuracy compared to other options.
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