Originally Posted by
Haseokun
I'm trying to figure out where I should be leveling currently as a 61RDM/30WHM. I've been soloing as a RDM61/DNC30 for awhile due to how hard it is to get a party as a RDM/WHM instead of an RDM/BLM or RDM/SCH.
Okay for parties, you either do book burn or Abyssea or you have to get your spells and subs. If it is your choice to decline then you have to accept the consequences.
However you mentioned solo play, which is respectable. Also, don't forget campaign battle, despite the major and easily fixable shortcomings of it. You shouldn't have to rely on meds (seriously if you can afford Hi-Ether Tanks on a regular basis you can afford Phalanx) and your NPC to solo, although they may aid you in getting things done. Also be sure to have super essential spells such as barspells, enspells, Refresh, Haste, your cures, the latest nuke you can use, and of course your enfeebles (especially Dispel).
Consider the merits of Ninja as a subjob as well as Dancer - Shihei are dirt cheap now and there is absolutely no excuse to not have Utsusemi: Ichi (and you don't get Ni until 70+ so you won't be gimped by that at lower levels). There are some situations where /DNC is better and others where /NIN is better, consider them wisely. Also important, be aware that Composure also increases spell recast delay in addition to lengthening spell duration on yourself - you have to consider if having Refresh and Haste last longer on yourself and the accuracy bonus this ability grants is worth the longer recasts on Utsusemi: Ichi and Cure IV.
Now as for gear, do not mainhand a club while soloing as a Red Mage (there are rare exceptions, however I cannot explain all of them for brevity). Offhanding is acceptable if you have a low delay one that offers decent stats. Sword weapon skills, particularly the ones that Red Mage has access to generally suck (at high levels you don't get Sanguine Blade unless you sub something that doesn't have DW and your other option is pretty much getting an Almace). However Red Mage is fortunate because you also have B rank (same as sword) dagger skill, and there are decent dagger weapon skills. In addition daggers hit more often, which works well with your tier I enspells (which are pretty much better then the tier II in every way).
Unfortunately Red Mage dagger selection is generally sub-par until you get to higher levels where Red Mage then gets access to some of the best daggers, such as at 71 the Blau Dolch. For your level you can either go with a Beestinger/Plantoon Dagger build (where the goal is to have your enspell do all the work with very low delay daggers that might not even give TP to you or your target), a Venom Baselard +1 at 63, or for lower level daggers since you say you are 61, a Kidney Dagger (+5% crit rate is amazing), Darksteel Baselard +1, or if you are willing to farm the NM, a Hornetneedle.
For your armor itself most of your Artifact set is macro gear - Warlock's Boots if you aren't using DW, Warlock's Gloves if you are trying to be more defensive with Parrying, Warlock's Tights which should only be worn for cures and casting certain enhancing magic like enspells and barspells, Warlock's Tabard for enfeebles and when getting hit while casting magic, and Warlock's Chapeau which should be macro'd in for every spellcast.
When you aren't casting spells or trying to rely on Parrying you shouldn't be wearing that gear unless you don't have anything better to wear.
For your level the best gear for soloing should be something like:
Head: Emperor Hairpin/Empress Hairpin (DEX, AGI, Evasion)
Zeal Cap +1 (Haste, Accuracy, Attack)
Body: Scorpion Harness +1 (Evasion, Accuracy)
Hands: Battle Gloves (Accuracy, Evasion)
Legs: Combat Caster's Slacks (Evasion)
Bastokan/Republic Subligar (Attack)
Feet: Tabin Boots +1 (Accuracy, Evasion)
Rambler's Gaiters (Evasion, INT)
Waist: Swift Belt (Haste, Accuracy)
Lift Belt (Accuracy)
Virtuoso Belt (Accuracy, Attack)
Back: Dodge Cape (Evasion)
Traveler's Mantle (Evasion)
Amemet Mantle +1 (STR, Attack)
This list is far from complete, learn to check the FFXIAH website using their search function to find gear that fits your level and job.
Also don't forget the potential for food buffs to augment your gear, even if you are only eating the take out menu from a floating book.
As for somewhere to level it will take some creative thought - I'd suggest Bostaunieux Oubliette as a RDM/DNC or RDM/NIN with daggers attacking the bats however I'm not sure that level 61 would be high enough. Campaign battle is always a suggestion. Also you could level sync down to a Crawlers' Nest book burn. Perhaps check Campsitarus for suggestions and modify based on your experience and the fact that you are soloing.
Soloing can be fun and enjoyable - you shouldn't need meds or even your NPC to make it happen either, just your brain and some decent gear. You can make it work.