Great jobs to aim for

[Bilbo]

Hello fellow Vana D'ielans,

I returned to the game just over a week ago and am thoroughly enjoying my time back. I've leveled a few jobs to around 50 being THF, DNC, PLD and working on NIN. I thought I'd ask on the forums anyone's input on what is fun to play and what is handy to have.

Personally I enjoy mostly what is fun over viability which to me is fast paced, with a lot of interaction. I'm enjoying DNC for this aspect. I'm also quite enjoying THF. Granted it doesn't have as many interactions as DNC but, I'm enjoying the huge sneak attack ws's. NIN seems cool but, I am disappointed with slow cast times and after reading a guide it pointed out casting elemental ninjutsu is a waste of dps. Does it become viable? Do the spells cast faster higher up? Atm they take forever to cast.

As for mages I find BLM to be fun but, I never was a fan of healing and don't really want to level WHM for a sub.

BLU seems like a tonne of fun. I see a lot of them around. Learning spells is damn painful however. Should I stick to it?

I'd love any replies and feedback from anyone. I don't have a current LS and am struggling to find English players. I'm from Australia so my main time is Japanese prime time. I did try Asura but, it was pretty packed and AH prices were huge as opposed to Odin.

Please feel free to hit me up in game! Monpipi and Torlin are my mains :)

[Bilbo]

Oh as a side note I'm generally playing solo at the moment so any jobs suggestions that would help me out there and also, being fun and viable end game as I said would be great!

Thanks

[Sohokyuhnatsan]

I vote BLU. It's great for solo play. The spells can be painful but they're also 99.9% solo-able.

[Divaud]

As for mages I find BLM to be fun but, I never was a fan of healing and don't really want to level WHM for a sub.



I would recommend GEO.

To me, it's got a great blend of utility and damage. It's similar to BLM that you can nuke things, but you can also buff your trusts or debuff monsters pretty substantially, which means more DD for you (or your trusts).

It's pretty easy to gear and it can be a very active job, but if you just want to kick back and let your buffs do the work, it provides a lot of leeway. I would recommend leveling RDM as a sub eventually but for early levels BLM or even NIN sub is fine, GEO can be handy with a club so thats another fun aspect.

And yes it is solo friendly. I really enjoy spamming the AoE spells while stacking refresh/support trusts with a tank like mnejing. Is it as capable as other jobs for damage and survivability? No, but it's a fun challenge to play it differently other than just buffing a party and tossing heals.

I also will add that on the off chance you do get into a group, having GEO ready to go will be something people are glad to have.

Good luck

[Bilbo]

Thanks to both of you for the replies, I greatly appreciate it :)

I've put BLU funnily enough on the back burner for now and have been focussing on THF and DNC. A little unsure how to min/max DNC damage with steps for example, having 1000% tp I usually box step, auto attack, box step, auto attack etc. Is this correct or do I spam box step one after the other?

GEO isn't something I've considered tbh. In reading up on it and it does sound fun and very interactive. If leveling with trusts I'll sort of be a support dps? In other words, I'd still need to summon Kupipi for heals?

It seems a little like SCH which I find interesting too. Very interactive granted I'm not sure how I'll go healing. DPS I have a good grasp of, healing well, I'd hate to let the team down if I'm bad at it :(

A little worried about the bank and cost of spells. I'm not the richest taru atm and I see any stuff can go for hundreds of millions of gil

[TullemoreAsuraFFXI]

I can't say how the environment is on Odin, but on the most populated english server: Asura, the jobs that have the easiest time with invites to content depends on content strategies. Ambuscade typically WHM Runefencer BRD excel with quick invites with COR and GEO being nearly as in demand. Dynamis {D} teams will usually be seeking BRD WHM Runefencer COR GEO. Escha (Geas Fete) will usually be seeking Runefencer SMN WHM BRD GEO SCH, COR typically utilized as a pre-battle helper for rolls but often removed from the actual fight for hardest NMs to lower total HP NM spawns with.

[Divaud]

Thanks to both of you for the replies, I greatly appreciate it :)

I've put BLU funnily enough on the back burner for now and have been focussing on THF and DNC. A little unsure how to min/max DNC damage with steps for example, having 1000% tp I usually box step, auto attack, box step, auto attack etc. Is this correct or do I spam box step one after the other?

GEO isn't something I've considered tbh. In reading up on it and it does sound fun and very interactive. If leveling with trusts I'll sort of be a support dps? In other words, I'd still need to summon Kupipi for heals?

It seems a little like SCH which I find interesting too. Very interactive granted I'm not sure how I'll go healing. DPS I have a good grasp of, healing well, I'd hate to let the team down if I'm bad at it :(

A little worried about the bank and cost of spells. I'm not the richest taru atm and I see any stuff can go for hundreds of millions of gil

For GEO the spells are actually pretty cheap, and the nice part is the self target (Indi) spells are the only ones you need to purchase. The "placeable" spells (Geo) are simply obtained by going to various founts after you obtain the Indi version.

You would need to use a healer in a trust party yes. If possible id recommend getting into Yoran-Oran unity and using him as a healer. He is generally the best at MP management.

Your role would be support/dps as GEO in a trust party. The buffs/debuffs are easy to keep up and will let you cast elemental spells or smack with clubs easily. Just try to manage your MP.

SCH is fun. You can switch roles on the fly, go from support/healer to support/dps. The amount of spells you'll need is daunting since you need both white magic and black magic. But if you are just leveling with trusts you can get by without every last spell.

And another benefit to leveling SCH is its a great subjob for any mage job.

Another quick tip, especially if you are new/light on gil, pick a couple jobs that have gear overlap like GEO and SCH share a lot of gear, and THF and DNC share a bit.

It helps to minimize costs and lets you play around with multiple roles.

[Beastorizer]

I leveled Monk, NIN, WAR, RUN and BST back in the day

Monk: Punching stuff is fun; and at higher levels, using counter-stance is a blast. When campaign was a thing, I liked fighting those hundred fist mobs with counter-stance. The lighting fast DBZ-esque exchange looks cool.

It seems boost or something was boosted because my Monk was hitting damn near 1k Raging fist to T-VT mobs in CN in the 40s. Or I was a crappy MNK back in the day.

RUN: I was not an all-world RUN by any means, but being a magic wall of sorts was fun.

BST: Just play monstrosity; or how BST pets should have been (Minus the crazy hp and spells). Variety with species and abilities. Besieged is fun though, because Tegmina Buffet > Unleash > Revitalizer > Repeat can clear out all the mobs. I try to leave some fun for everyone else though.

WAR: I like how they can be efficient with damn near every weapon. Savage Blade is crazy strong at 200-300TP.

Just my personal opinion, Monk or WAR. I had fun with these 2. Years later, returned to the game playing these 2 once again lol.

[Bilbo]

Wow u guys are the best! Thanks so much for the in-depth replies. I went and unlocked SCH and GEO, so I'm looking forward to seeing how they go. Managed 82 on my THF which, I am quite enjoying .

I leveled WAR to 49 for sub jobs and found I enjoyed dual wield axe a lot more than great axe. With that said end game would change things up a lot.

MNK does look extremely fun. I really do love fast paced. I'm still considering BLU had NIN. Haha honestly at this rate I'll get nowhere. There's so much to unlock and so, it's great.

Thanks again guys

[Bilbo]

Hiya guys,

Well I've hit 99 on THF and have been looking into other jobs to level up and see if I like them while the bonus EXP campaign is going.

I was curious if anyone has input on RDM and COR? COR looks like a lot of fun end game with shooting and slicing things up at the same time. The only downfall I have is leveling marksman while leveling my character. I have to shoot constantly to level it and it's so slow. It's a hard barrier as to it's not so fun. I've spent a fortune of sparks on keeping it maxed and find I still miss. Is it worth the grind to the end?

Secondly, RDM. I found it to be fun with En-spells and Bar-spells and I like being able to nuke or heal when needed but, I got put off a little when I hear end game I'd only ever be asked to land enfeebles pretty much. Is there much truth to that?

I'm still playing solo atm so I feel RDM would be a good investment. I worry BLU may be a way better choice tho. I would like to try end game content however, BLU is so time consuming learning spells. It took nearly 2 hours to get healing wind and cocoon :O

As always, thank you for any replies! I truly appreciate it. It's a long grind to the end and not knowing what a class is like until you get there is a bit rough

[TullemoreAsuraFFXI]

A proper COR Is currently extremely expensive to deck out in BiS items. Just a heads up on that.

[Dzspdref]

If you're going the solo route for everything, or seems that it will be a mostly solo adventure for you, albeit from schedules, time, or lack of credible people to play with, then PUP is a fantastic job since you always have a "buddy" with you that can help you with everything, and then can STILL have up to 5 more (with Adventuring Fellow and/or trusts) for a "Solo party" of 7 characters. Makes for good easy fun.
.
If not then BLU would be next good bet as the lovely lady previously mentioned. Buuuuuut i am a PUP fan, so i might be biased lol.

[Bilbo]

I've never actually considered PUP. Is it a fun job to play? I got a tad overwhelmed with the different pieces and when to use what for whatever situation e.g. do I roll my pup as a caster or tank?

I'd definitely be keen to see what it's like.

Really enjoying RDM I gotta say. I was trying for metallic body on my BLU and after 2 hours and no luck I put my hands up and went back to RDM.

While I've never been a healer, WHM actually looks like I'd be busy busy busy which, I like a lot. My only question is how do I keep track of debuffs on each character? Via the chat log is possible but, what do i need to switch on/off not to miss anything. It scrolls super fast. I've already changed damage/healing to on screen only but, still lots to sift through.

Thanks again guys!

[Alhanelem]

the greatest job to aim for is the one you enjoy playing the most. No, really. You can do almost anything in this game no matter which job you focus on. But leveling up is fast and easy now, so there's no reason to limit yourself to just one.

[Taruphic]

Hey, I restarted about 3 years ago, took a break for about 2 years and have been back 4months or so and am currently making an alt.

I noticed your blu spell troubles. You need to skill up your blu magic. I suggest, skip up to 60+ or more, get your AF hands. And do a regional tour type adventure of farming spells. I love my blu. It's so useful for everything. It shares gear with THF light armour, and BLM armour among others ofc. Those two are also great jobs for getting shit done.

In terms of being available for progression, you can offer GEO which borrows some BLM gear. Your BLU can then magical aoe too. Between aoe BLU dmg or GEO; you will be able to start filling in more gear, and round out jobs that overlap, into more and more jobs being available. The top tier endgame requires the furthest refinement, but much of the content that you do to achieve that can be done on your "fun" jobs til they become your fully refined options. Jack of all jobs, still needs a fleshed out master or two.

[Bilbo]

Hey, I restarted about 3 years ago, took a break for about 2 years and have been back 4months or so and am currently making an alt.

I noticed your blu spell troubles. You need to skill up your blu magic. I suggest, skip up to 60+ or more, get your AF hands. And do a regional tour type adventure of farming spells. I love my blu. It's so useful for everything. It shares gear with THF light armour, and BLM armour among others ofc. Those two are also great jobs for getting shit done.

In terms of being available for progression, you can offer GEO which borrows some BLM gear. Your BLU can then magical aoe too. Between aoe BLU dmg or GEO; you will be able to start filling in more gear, and round out jobs that overlap, into more and more jobs being available. The top tier endgame requires the furthest refinement, but much of the content that you do to achieve that can be done on your "fun" jobs til they become your fully refined options. Jack of all jobs, still needs a fleshed out master or two.

Awesome, thanks Taruphic! I've been spamming blue spells as I level to level the skill and spells are becomming easier to learn :)

Does GEO have quite strong AOE? I noticed it did have a B+ in elemental but, had doubts about it being a support. I've really been digging RDM and actually RUN. Both are quite interactive and good fun.

I've been leveling a few different jobs to around 60 for a feel of it and to see the gear overlap which I appreciate u pointing out. I definitely need to get a couple more up to 99 and start aiming for better gear and get those job points rolling.

Thanks heaps for your reply!

[Divaud]

Awesome, thanks Taruphic! I've been spamming blue spells as I level to level the skill and spells are becomming easier to learn :)

Does GEO have quite strong AOE? I noticed it did have a B+ in elemental but, had doubts about it being a support. I've really been digging RDM and actually RUN. Both are quite interactive and good fun.

I've been leveling a few different jobs to around 60 for a feel of it and to see the gear overlap which I appreciate u pointing out. I definitely need to get a couple more up to 99 and start aiming for better gear and get those job points rolling.

Thanks heaps for your reply!

GEO AoE spells are decent. They won't outdo single target spells, and compared to BLM -ga and -ja spells they probably fall behind (haven't tested, or care to)

But i'm quite happy with them. This relates to i119 experience with basic gear but, you can go into certain places and spam your AoE spells to kill certain mobs that are weak to magic, pretty easily for easy xp/CP.

Even on Apex mobs I like to use the AoE spells because they get a nice buff from the "Cardinal Chant" job trait, and also if you get good at timing, you can Magic Burst twice on a single skillchain.

Plus, you can buff yourself with Magic Attack + and debuff enemies with MAgic Def down, so that helps greatly with spell damage.

Just for reference, my MNK which is decently geared has peaked at about 21k weaponskill (Howling Fist)

My GEO, on a single light skillchain, is bursting twice for 14-16k each. And The gear for my GEO is mediocre at best.


Keep doing what you are doing though, try out the different jobs, I've been back a while now and I still haven't settled on a "main" job because they are all so unique.

[Alhanelem]

Well one of the advantages of GEO's AoE (both bubble and ra nukes) is you have more control over the area effect placement, so it's a little easier to hit some things and not others. This can be useful in some circumstances. Additionally, something which was previously unheard of in FFXI, Geo- (not indi-) spells can target an area on the ground (But you still have to have a valid target somewhere in view to activate the ground target control) so it is possible to place them exactly where you want them.

[Bilbo]

Thanks so much for the replies again guys, I do greatly appreciate it! I have leveled my GEO some more, it's not bad but, a few small mana issues leveling naturally.

I wanted to ask about SCH. I hear it's fun and a great soloer but, I am a little lost with helixes and storms. I have a few questions regarding them.

1. If a mob has a certain elemental weakness for ex. A mandragora being weak to fire, would casting firestorm benefit more than casting say hailstorm?

2. In regards to the bonus from the storm, how does this work? This is where I'm mostly lost. If i cast firestorm, are all fire spells boosted or water spells? Ex. I cast firestorm then pyrohelix then pump out a few fire spells or, cast firestorm then the water helix spell then water spells as fire is weak to water?

Lastly I usually place my storm on my tank. Is that the best target?

It's quite slow I'm finding as a DD but, I guess things change drastically at 99. I'm finding that with most jobs I level. I've now got quite a few 60+ being RUN, GEO, SCH, BLU, NIN, WHM, RDM. STILL struggling to find which one I like best

[Alhanelem]

You cast the storm spell that creates the conditions ideal for the spell you want to cast on the target. Casting Firestorm for instance, will benefit the fire element spells you cast (especially the helixes), so yes, that is what you would cast on a monster with a weakness to fire.

This is the same for natural weather effects. When heat waves are in effect, fire spells are more effective. Storm spells simply create that weather effect any time you want, for the person receiving the effect.

[Bilbo]

You cast the storm spell that creates the conditions ideal for the spell you want to cast on the target. Casting Firestorm for instance, will benefit the fire element spells you cast (especially the helixes), so yes, that is what you would cast on a monster with a weakness to fire.

This is the same for natural weather effects. When heat waves are in effect, fire spells are more effective. Storm spells simply create that weather effect any time you want, for the person receiving the effect.

Thanks so much for that, I feel more confident now I know 100%

Still working on a main. It's so hard to decide. I love dual wield, I love nuking things and I like to debuff and buff and quite enjoyed healing.

I've bit off more than I can chew with the options I have

[Bilbo]

So I'm back! Haha. I had a question regarding SCH solo and sub jobs. As I said I'll probably mainly be soloing at first at 99 and have seen GEO/DNC is a thing as is RDM/NIN. I was curious to know what people sub SCH with when soloing? Is SCH/DNC a thing or SCH/NIN?

As I said I love blowing stuff up and quite enjoy dual wield too. I really love the idea of a "battlemage" and know that BLU fits that's roll well, I just can't seem to get into BLU and am wondering if any other mage fit that roll.

Thanks again. Everyone really has helped me greatly so far and I appreciate it so much

[Alhanelem]

I guess /dnc could theoretically be useful because you generate TP with occult accumen but SCH has low combat skills so it would be challenging to make melee subs work. Even SMN does better in this area IMO because its staff skill is tied for the second highest and is just enough to be able to hit stuff with some accuracy gear, and it can be made to work with a summon in sort of the way beast master used to before they made BST so annoying to play that a lot of people gave up. I'm not going to claim it's an optimal strategy but it does work and you can definitely beat stuff and have some fun with it, especially with a finished relic staff, which will make it a fair bit safer to be in melee range. If you really want to be a front line mage though, really there's no substitute for RDM.

I'm the first person to reccomend trying non meta builds in this game, since unlike most, FFXI doesn't put as many rules on what you are and aren't allowed to do (I play FFXIV and as much as I do enjoy it, the limits and simplifications they keep imposing on the battle system in the name of perfect class to class balance detracts from my enjoyment of it, even though from a game dev perspective, it is good game design). FFXI gives you a lot of freedom, and while that does mean a lot of class inequalities and other sorts of balance issues, for people who just want to have fun playing around with stuff, it gives you a lot more freedom to do so than most MMOs.

[Bilbo]

Ah awesome, thanks Alhanelem, you always give me great replies and have been so patient with me :) I definitely wouldn't mind trying SCH/DNC to see how it goes. I guess the ratings on weapons for different classes come into play hence while most mages have a b+ at most. I do like to play non-fotm and try unique playstyles myself.

I probably will go ahead with RDM. I do find it's job abilities a little bit lack luster personally as opposed to WHM who really has some game changing JA's at their disposal but, I like the toolkit. It's fun maintaining buffs , throwing out enfeebles and nuking and/or slicing the enemy up. I feel I definitely may look into WHM again.

Thanks mate, you're the best!

[Jerbob]

I would definitely echo Alhanelem's sentiments re: FFXI's freedom - no other MMO I've played comes even close to letting you pick something unorthodox and giving it a go. It doesn't always work with the highest difficulty stuff (or with certain people...), but at least you can give it a good bash, and have a great time while trying it.

RDM is a wonderful job and I've had an absolute blast with it. It takes a fair bit of work to get the most out of all of its "trades", but 100% worth it. It has the "battlemage" feel if you cultivate the melee side (you definitely should!) as well as the casting side. That said, keep trying everything, and something (or many things!) will jump out at you.

As Alhanelem said last page, the best choice of job is always the one you find most fun. No shame in swapping and changing until you find the one that has that buzz.