Archer requirement to become Black Mage?

I had read on some guide that in order to become a lvl 30 black mage, you have to be a lvl 15 archer first. Is this true?

I also read that there is a way to start off at lvl 15 for each class. Is this BS?

The requirement for black mage is 30 thaumaturge and 15 archer. And no you don't need to level archer first. Just need it at 15 to unlock BLM.
And there's no way to start a class at 15.

Why would there be a way to start at level 15? During beta there was a quick-level service available, but that was because beta is a test.

All jobs require a level 30 Class and a level 15 Class to unlock them. The necessary classes vary by job. For Black Mage it is Thaumaturge and Archer.

Each job has its base class (thaumaturge for black mage) and two subclasses (archer and arcanist for black mage). To unlock the job the player needs to have the base class at level 30 and one of the subclasses (archer for black mage) at level 15. Black mage can use the abilities of its base class and it can also pick 5 abilities total from the two subclasses (in addition to specific BLM abilities). For examle for BLM skills like Raging Strikes (archer level 4) and Quelling Strikes (archer level 34) are vital subclass abilities. That's why for every job the player usually has to also level both subclasses to some level in addition to leveling the base class to 50.

Not entirely true unless more cross skills unlock after level 40... I've discovered that I only get to pick 3 cross skills after equipping a job.

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Originally Posted by Merryl

Not entirely true unless more cross skills unlock after level 40... I've discovered that I only get to pick 3 cross skills after equipping a job.

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That goes up at 45 and 50 to a max of five, currently.

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Originally Posted by Caraway

That goes up at 45 and 50 to a max of five, currently.

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40 and 50. You get one cross-class skill every 10 levels when you have a soul stone (job) equipped.

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Originally Posted by Taika

That's why for every job the player usually has to level both subclasses to 34 in addition to leveling the base class to 50.

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Not entirely true. Some classes need to be higher like Pugilist to 42 to unlock Mantra to cross-class. Some classes need lower like Marauder to 26 to unlock Mercy Stroke.

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Originally Posted by Lemon8or

Not entirely true. Some classes need to be higher like Pugilist to 42 to unlock Mantra to cross-class. Some classes need lower like Marauder to 26 to unlock Mercy Stroke.

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Good point, I'll edit. :)