A Real View on Red Mages
Posted September 25th, 2009 by herry
Introduction
The name is Luster. I go by a different name on the Caitsith server. As thrilled as I was that the Red Mage (RDM) was to make its first appearence on FFXI since Final Fantasy on NES, I have never been so disappointed in Square (Excluding FFX-2). The RDM though a fun job at first becomes an annoyance to all inculding the player. RDM is nothing more than a a back row spell casting slave to most. Now do not let my words deter you from play this job because that is not the point. The point is to prepare you for what will become a boring job for those who like casting magics while shoving a sword down a Goblins throat or up a Gigas arse. Remember this is just a way to help you out and prepare you for what lies ahead.
Levels 1-10
As with all jobs start from just outside the city gates. Leveling is fast and soloing is enjoyable. If leveling in Bastok start with Tunnel Worms and Huge Hornets then move on to Stone Eaters and Vultures. If leveling in Windurst start with Tiny Mandragoras and Crawlers near the gates then move onto Mandragoras and Yagudos. If leveling in San d'Oria start with Wild Hares and Carrion Worms then move on to Sheep and Orcs. Since you will be Soloing most if not all of your first ten levels take the time to master casting spells like Cure and Stone. Also make sure to level up your Healing and Enfeebling skills as fast as possible. Stick around town and Cast enhancing spells like Protect and Cure on the kind citizens of Vana D'iel. Spells You Must Know by Level 10: Dia, Cure, Stone, Poison, Paralyze, Protect, Blind, Water, and Bio.
Levels 10-18 (19 and 20 optional)
At this point you should know how to use a sword and cast during battle. Time to get on with the group battles. Now you don't have to worry about perfection here until about level 16 or so. So don't sweat it if you screw up bad, no one is going to get mad for long. By now you have seen the next area to level up in (Bastok-Highlands, San d'Oria-La Theine Plateau, Windurst-Tahrongi Canyon) Start looking for groups that have at least a PLD or WAR and a WHM in them. By about Level 12 for Bastokans and San d'Orians groups tend to go to Valkurm Dunes. This is where you will get the quest for the Support Job Function. For Windurstians it will be Buburimu Peninsula at Level 12 and for Support Job Quest. I'll explain more on Support Job later. Leveling tends to slow down a bit but still goes at a faster pace than soloing will do. Spells you must know by Level 20: Bind, Aquaveil, Bind, Aero, Cure II, Deodorize, Shell, Silence, Fire, Blaze Spikes, and Sneak. Now I say Blaze Spikes because you will want to help you WHM buddy by grabbing Hate off him while the tanks get Provoke ready. This is sometimes and unavoidable thing. So be a hero now and then.
Levels (18 and 19 Optional) 20-25
By now you have been meesing around with your Support Jobs and seeing what feels right to you. Now it is off to Qufim to level. Here is where your Support Job starts to matter, because depending on what your support job is depends on how fast you get out of what I have called (And others on Caitsith too) call the Lag Fields. Here you will mainly fight Land Worms and Clippers until you quest for the Khazam Airship Keys at level 25. People will start noticing your play style and judge you by such. Like I Said I will touch on Support Jobs later. Just be diligent and you will make it through, you'll be back later on to level some more here. Spells you must know by level 25: Regen, Gravity, Blink, Blizzard, Invisible, and Sleep.
Levels 25-31
Ah...the Khazam Jungles...home to the...Tonberries? Nah Just joshing you. But there are plenty of Mandragoras and Goblins to satisfy a farmer of such. By now you have been working on Synthesis and farming and here provides some the best for the higher levels. Yuhtunga Jungle you will be mainly fighting Yuhtunga Mandragoras and the occasional Goblin Smithy until level 28 or so. Be prepared to zone a lot...a lot of the mobs Aggro and they can be mean. After experience becomes sparce you will find yourself in the Yhoator Jungle fighting...guess what?...Yhoator Mandragoras! That's right folks, these things populate the entire Island of Khazam...excluding Khazam and Norg. So you'll be fighting these thing for quite a while. Here is where Support Jobs become an issue and you may find yourself frustrated by it...but there is no denying it and no fighting it...RDMs are judged by thier Support Jobs. Spells you must have by Level 30: Cure III, Protect II, and Thunder.
Support Job Breakdown (Like I said)
Let's start with the Melee Jobs (WAR, DRK, PLD, MNK, NIN, SAM, THF, RNG, DRG)
WAR: WAR is an okay job for soloing. With Defense bonuses and the ability to get a mobs attention without casting a spell is good. But for group battles, your will be overlooked and turned down at every chance. You will become a last resort to fill gaps in groups and even then be pressured into taking another Support Job.
DRK: Like WAR is a great solo Support Job, with benifits including an minor HP boost and a minor MP boost plus added Attack and STR bonuses. and With Early Access to Drain and Aspir it is Favorable in early group battles but will be looked upon as undesirable real quick.
PLD: Same as WAR and DRK, you will be overlooked and used as a last resort.
MNK: No further explaination needed...if so please contact i.am.a.dumbarse@stupid.com for more information.
NIN: This is an underratted Support Job in my opinion. Can be very effective in a Melee centered group. Just use a Ninjitsu to weaken it to an Element and go in wailing with the appropriate En Spell. Since this is an underrated and overlooked Support Job it is suited best for solo work and farming.
SAM: See MNK for Information...Though quick TP gain is a plus side to this.
THF: this should only be for soloing and farming. Gilfinder and Treasure Hunter are an RDMs Best Friend. DO NOT TRY THIS COMBO IN A GROUP.
RNG: No real benefit to warrent Support Job except for Wide Scan. Other than that avoid this.
DRG: Refer to MNK
Now the Mage Jobs (SMN, BLM, WHM)
SMN: This is a great combo with RDM if only for the MP Boost and the Abilities it provides. Add in Refresh (Level 41 RDM Only Spell) and you got a Mage with near limitless MP. But this Job offer no more than that...MP
WHM: For those who are Healers this is a Support Job to think about. With the Area of Effect Spells like Curaga and Protectra you will become a handy companion in groups. Beware though...you may be in groups that have no WHM and be called to be a main healer. Recommend for those with patience and skill
BLM: The Most sought out Support Job for RDM. The second best boost to MP and with spells to make it soloable (Is that a word now?). Ah yes...get spell faster than DRK (with the exception of Drain and Aspir) and access to the
The name is Luster. I go by a different name on the Caitsith server. As thrilled as I was that the Red Mage (RDM) was to make its first appearence on FFXI since Final Fantasy on NES, I have never been so disappointed in Square (Excluding FFX-2). The RDM though a fun job at first becomes an annoyance to all inculding the player. RDM is nothing more than a a back row spell casting slave to most. Now do not let my words deter you from play this job because that is not the point. The point is to prepare you for what will become a boring job for those who like casting magics while shoving a sword down a Goblins throat or up a Gigas arse. Remember this is just a way to help you out and prepare you for what lies ahead.
Levels 1-10
As with all jobs start from just outside the city gates. Leveling is fast and soloing is enjoyable. If leveling in Bastok start with Tunnel Worms and Huge Hornets then move on to Stone Eaters and Vultures. If leveling in Windurst start with Tiny Mandragoras and Crawlers near the gates then move onto Mandragoras and Yagudos. If leveling in San d'Oria start with Wild Hares and Carrion Worms then move on to Sheep and Orcs. Since you will be Soloing most if not all of your first ten levels take the time to master casting spells like Cure and Stone. Also make sure to level up your Healing and Enfeebling skills as fast as possible. Stick around town and Cast enhancing spells like Protect and Cure on the kind citizens of Vana D'iel. Spells You Must Know by Level 10: Dia, Cure, Stone, Poison, Paralyze, Protect, Blind, Water, and Bio.
Levels 10-18 (19 and 20 optional)
At this point you should know how to use a sword and cast during battle. Time to get on with the group battles. Now you don't have to worry about perfection here until about level 16 or so. So don't sweat it if you screw up bad, no one is going to get mad for long. By now you have seen the next area to level up in (Bastok-Highlands, San d'Oria-La Theine Plateau, Windurst-Tahrongi Canyon) Start looking for groups that have at least a PLD or WAR and a WHM in them. By about Level 12 for Bastokans and San d'Orians groups tend to go to Valkurm Dunes. This is where you will get the quest for the Support Job Function. For Windurstians it will be Buburimu Peninsula at Level 12 and for Support Job Quest. I'll explain more on Support Job later. Leveling tends to slow down a bit but still goes at a faster pace than soloing will do. Spells you must know by Level 20: Bind, Aquaveil, Bind, Aero, Cure II, Deodorize, Shell, Silence, Fire, Blaze Spikes, and Sneak. Now I say Blaze Spikes because you will want to help you WHM buddy by grabbing Hate off him while the tanks get Provoke ready. This is sometimes and unavoidable thing. So be a hero now and then.
Levels (18 and 19 Optional) 20-25
By now you have been meesing around with your Support Jobs and seeing what feels right to you. Now it is off to Qufim to level. Here is where your Support Job starts to matter, because depending on what your support job is depends on how fast you get out of what I have called (And others on Caitsith too) call the Lag Fields. Here you will mainly fight Land Worms and Clippers until you quest for the Khazam Airship Keys at level 25. People will start noticing your play style and judge you by such. Like I Said I will touch on Support Jobs later. Just be diligent and you will make it through, you'll be back later on to level some more here. Spells you must know by level 25: Regen, Gravity, Blink, Blizzard, Invisible, and Sleep.
Levels 25-31
Ah...the Khazam Jungles...home to the...Tonberries? Nah Just joshing you. But there are plenty of Mandragoras and Goblins to satisfy a farmer of such. By now you have been working on Synthesis and farming and here provides some the best for the higher levels. Yuhtunga Jungle you will be mainly fighting Yuhtunga Mandragoras and the occasional Goblin Smithy until level 28 or so. Be prepared to zone a lot...a lot of the mobs Aggro and they can be mean. After experience becomes sparce you will find yourself in the Yhoator Jungle fighting...guess what?...Yhoator Mandragoras! That's right folks, these things populate the entire Island of Khazam...excluding Khazam and Norg. So you'll be fighting these thing for quite a while. Here is where Support Jobs become an issue and you may find yourself frustrated by it...but there is no denying it and no fighting it...RDMs are judged by thier Support Jobs. Spells you must have by Level 30: Cure III, Protect II, and Thunder.
Support Job Breakdown (Like I said)
Let's start with the Melee Jobs (WAR, DRK, PLD, MNK, NIN, SAM, THF, RNG, DRG)
WAR: WAR is an okay job for soloing. With Defense bonuses and the ability to get a mobs attention without casting a spell is good. But for group battles, your will be overlooked and turned down at every chance. You will become a last resort to fill gaps in groups and even then be pressured into taking another Support Job.
DRK: Like WAR is a great solo Support Job, with benifits including an minor HP boost and a minor MP boost plus added Attack and STR bonuses. and With Early Access to Drain and Aspir it is Favorable in early group battles but will be looked upon as undesirable real quick.
PLD: Same as WAR and DRK, you will be overlooked and used as a last resort.
MNK: No further explaination needed...if so please contact i.am.a.dumbarse@stupid.com for more information.
NIN: This is an underratted Support Job in my opinion. Can be very effective in a Melee centered group. Just use a Ninjitsu to weaken it to an Element and go in wailing with the appropriate En
SAM: See MNK for Information...Though quick TP gain is a plus side to this.
THF: this should only be for soloing and farming. Gilfinder and Treasure Hunter are an RDMs Best Friend. DO NOT TRY THIS COMBO IN A GROUP.
RNG: No real benefit to warrent Support Job except for Wide Scan. Other than that avoid this.
DRG: Refer to MNK
Now the Mage Jobs (SMN, BLM, WHM)
SMN: This is a great combo with RDM if only for the MP Boost and the Abilities it provides. Add in Refresh (Level 41 RDM Only Spell) and you got a Mage with near limitless MP. But this Job offer no more than that...MP
WHM: For those who are Healers this is a Support Job to think about. With the Area of Effect Spells like Curaga and Protectra you will become a handy companion in groups. Beware though...you may be in groups that have no WHM and be called to be a main healer. Recommend for those with patience and skill
BLM: The Most sought out Support Job for RDM. The second best boost to MP and with spells to make it soloable (Is that a word now?). Ah yes...get spell faster than DRK (with the exception of Drain and Aspir) and access to the
ga spells. Also note that this job make a great way to get you group out of trouble-Escape! Just click that Chainspell and you and your group are taken to a fine place of rest and relaxation....wait..that's Warp II...you won't see that until the release the Level Cap again. But Escape can make for a hastey retreat if you and your group come into any trouble.
The Miscellaneous Jobs (BRD)
BRD: BRD is crippled as a Support Job and should only be used by people who know what the hell they are doing at all times (So in other words--Don't use it--cause no one knows what they are doing 100% of the time).
RDM as a Support Job
At first it looks great. You get access to some of the RDM only spells and for other mages it is a boost in MP and HP. But this is all short of the true glory of RDM. The only way this could work properly is under 2 conditions, and the first is a requirement for Melee Jobs. First, High Level. You must be near level 40 to truely enjoy the RDM contribution to a Job as a Support Job. And second, if Square-Enix raises the level cap to a minimum of level 85 so you can enjoy Refresh and Convert.
Level 32 and Beyond
Now that you have leveled up and are prepared take notes from other RDMs that have been where you are. And don't be afraid to ask for help from one of them...they have been there before. Also at Level 32 you should be Leveling and hearing about where to level next in Garilage Citadel (If not before then).
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