Overview on Instant, Self-AoE, No-recast and Non-targetting Offensive abilities

I've noticed that many people who recently come back, or even those who have been here for awhile, are a bit confused on abilities that operate as a self-AoE or are instant. For instance, during the BLM storyline final battle, 3/5 of the BLM's didn't know that Blizzara acted instantly as well as an AoE; they were wasting time repeatedly targetting the lanterns to use Blizzara, as well as using Resonance in an attempt to 'lengthen' the range of Blizzara. Just then, I aso saw a topic on forums about someone who had the same issues with Blizzara.

While not as common, I've also seen people have the same issues regarding Flare, Holy and other types of self-AoE, in which they either were bewildered that they missed, or by using another action skipping the instant action, causing them to think they missed. This, however, is directed mainly to Blizzara, as it is the action most people don't see when it misses. I use it often in town to 'pimp slap' people every 40 seconds, but that's besides the point. ^^

So to help out with these new types of actions, I want to create a listings of such abilities. As I do not play all classes/jobs, I would appreciate people adding to the list so that it may help others who are a bit lost on how their particular abilities work. This is to aid also those new who may want additional information on abilities that work differently from most other abilities.

Mage classes - Instant spells are those that require no cast time; essentially, recast times are the only timer on them. The spell-cast-bar is not shown. These will be marked as they are different from the usual other spells. Also those mentioned will be spells that have no recast time. These are limited to the Sleep family of both mage disciplines.

Melee classes - Most weaponskills are instant, and thus do not require an overview as to why they are instant. However, some abilities are self-AoE, and some do not require targetting in order to execute. These will be the ones that are mentioned.

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DISCIPLINES OF MAGIC
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Thaumaturge/Black Mage - these special spells are spread throughout the complex of the Thaumaturge ability list, thus these will apply to all forms of players.

Blizzara - Instant and Self-AoE. Does not require targetting.
Thundara - Instant
(BLM) Flare - Self-AoE. Does not require targetting.
Sleep - No recast time.
(BLM) Sleepga - No recast time.


Conjurer/White Mage - the special circumstance spells are limited to the higher levels, thus, newcomers need not know about these abilities.

(WHM) Holy - Instant and Self-AoE. Does not require targetting.
(WHM) Benediction - Instant and Self-AoE. Does not require targetting.
Repose - No recast time.

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DISCIPLINES OF WAR
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Note: As my experience in this particular field is limited to Lancers, I would appreciate other friendly forums users to help out with this section.

Lancer/Dragoon - The special abilities come from the Dragoon job abilities; those who are new and those who wish to use Lancer exclusively as a class may not need this information.

(DRG) Ring of Talons - Self-AoE, does not require targetting.
(DRG) Dragonfive Dive - Self-AoE.
(DRG) Elusive Jump - Does not require targetting. Warning: when using in open, beware what's behind you before using this ability! You do NOT want to Elusive Jump away into a Guardian of the Grove.


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That is all I can provide as information. Hope this helps confused newcomers and older players on the more special types of offensive abilities.

One thing I thought was that instant spells could be used while moving. Thought it was mentioned in one of Yoshi-P posts.

You can use any instant-cast spells while moving if they don't require a target (so the self-AOE ones). Hoping they change it to include Thundara and Presence of Mind-affected spells.

You are slightly incorrect, Dragonfire Dive is target AoE, but your character will be displayed as being at the center. It has as much range as Jump.