Just a couple of QoL changes for BLU I would LOVE, some trivial, some major...
I'll admit, it really takes a while to get accustomed to the Blue Mage. It's essentially Build-a-Job, but also allowing for true hybrid builds, and I've honestly fallen IN LOVE with it!!!
Of course, being a "Limited Job", it's presumably a lower priority than other jobs, as well it probably should be. Getting the Mirage Set was a VERY fun addition, after some years of the previous set (I also feel like the recent Peacelover's set channels what I imagine the Whalaqee probably wear, given the obvious Native American inspiration).
But hey, I've got a couple of things I think would see a HUGE improvement to the job, from really small changes, to larger stuff. In no particular order, here we go:
- Aetherial Mimicry should CYCLE between Roles. Having to stop everything, often times leave Duty, to go back to town, run around, manually clicking and examining one player at a time, to make sure I mimic the right role... just feels unnecessary.
- Ability to sort your chosen spells Alphabetically would be a HUGE improvement!!! Even better if you can sort the Spellbook itself alphabetically, numerically, or even by "rarity". But even just the chosen spells/loadout would be huge.
- Maybe put the little "blue mask" icon above the heads of enemies with a spell you haven't learned? That's about the only way I could see GENUINELY going out and exploring, instead of just "looking up a guide" on where to learn spells.
- For future spells, I kind of liked that learning "Exuviation" required something a little unorthodox; pulling two mobs and damaging the second. I would kind of like more stuff like that; maybe abilities only used while under certain status effects (even if completely unrelated, ie. "only uses Plasma Blast while Poisoned", etc).
- I'd like a spell that WILL NOT KILL an enemy, maybe something that will deal damage but won't reduce below 1 hp? I can't think of a TON of reasons this would be useful, but there was a scenario the other night it would've be useful.
- What about learning "Passive" skills? So for those that don't find themselves using *all* 24 spells regularly, you could swap some out for Passive bonuses that, although weak, might be more beneficial? Might also ease a bit of the learning-curve of the BLU, letting players focus on more Passives until they get accustomed to the class (I'm thinking things like "increase Ice damage by 10%" or "increases Physical damage by 5%", fairly minor, or more nuanced like "reduces damage taken by 20% while incapacitated").
- I kind of love that the Blue Mage has a few rods that have Bombs, plus the new Mirage earring which is also a blue (Ice?) Bomb. I'd kind of love to maybe see more Monsters celebrated via weapon or armor cosmetics. Maybe somehow being able to unlock a Cactuar-inspired set (or Volt's jacket from The Bouncer, which a picture of a Cactuar crossed-out saying "No Escape"), more Bomb-gear, or even some Chocobo stuff (I LOVE Choco Meteor!).
- Speaking of Chocobo's, it would be kind of dope if you could actually bring your Chocobo's into dungeons when solo'ing. Food for thought! (doesn't have to be a BLU-specific thing)
- I've always wanted to see a "Final Fantasy: Mystic Quest" (aka "Final Fantasy USA" in Japan) reference in FFXIV, but considering it's often seen as a "lesser" entry in the series, perhaps it could be referenced in future BLU quests? Maybe Benjamin and Tristam show up via boat somewhere... honestly, the specifics don't even matter; it's just a great opportunity to have those AMAZING Battle and Boss music-themes remade for FFXIV!!!
- Kind of a meaningless flavor ability, but it would be cool to be able to "Transform" into a random of monster temporarily. Even better, if you get a custom model of the monster with "Azuro's Mask" over its eyes!
That's all I've got, really! Like I said, I've been having an absolute blast with the Blue Mage the past few days,
