Suggestion: Let's build Blue Mage for PvP!

Hi - with BLU getting an upgrade soon, why not enjoy and theorycraft how BLU would potentially fit into the current PvP system:

Now for starters, we'd probably have to decide how the typical BLU job flavour would translate into the game. In previous installments, the core gimmick is learning enemy skills but there would be few options here:

A) They'd have to get hit to use the spell - meaning it would either be passively available all the time OR having to activate a counter like button first to learn the next spell they get hit with (which would probably be too hard to implement in such a fast paced environment) Support spells would also not be available in such a scenario unless you have pre-defined spells based on the job that attacked you as (say you'd get a healing spell if you'd get hit by a White Mage etc.) allowing them to have up to 19 learned spells atm.

B) Use the lancet type of learning akin to GNB for a more controlled usage (think Kihmari FFX). This would make it somewhat similar to GNB without altering the rest of the kit.

Depending on that, their gimmick will probably be 1-2 buttons already, leaving about 10 skills more in a 12 active button layout:

1 - Goblin Punch as the basic filler spell that has (slight) damage variance as its gimmick like in previous games (we're talking about up to 2k bonus damage here nothing special)

2a - Mighty Guard as the defensive spell, it usually includes protect/shell/regen so a damage down, a small shield and either a regen or CC shield like Aquaveil

2b - White Wind as their defensive spell, equally as iconic would heal based on current HP around the Blue Mage that might make them too much of a primary focus though..

3 - Bad Breath as their CC spell, very iconic to their kit could host a whole slew of status effects from poison, heavy, blind, paralysis, mini - it would probably have to be like bio blaster plus 1 random non-stunning effect in a cone

4 - Level 5 Flare as their damage spell, see since the level x attacks are quite ingrained within the identity but damage with a huge radius around the caster would make it work

5 - Learn as their unique Job identity as discussed above - could temporarily get access to a foe's attack based on which job it was. Alternatively assign a Primal spell to each of the 19 jobs that would be replaced instead (like getting hit by a WHM would give you Lakshmi's Strotam etc.)

6a - 10000 Needles as their utility, this would function similar to MCH's drill as it would be a flat damage in a straight line regardless of guard - since drill can do double damage but has to rotate through other spells, I think it shouldn't do more damage as tradeoff but granting a sprint for mobility instead would be possible

6b - Magic Hammer as their utility, as I think depleting someone's MP would be quite powerful depending on how much it would be (like 50%?). Still it would feel unique enough especially with their LB being Mantra Magic

6c - 10000 Needles as their utility, this would function similar to MCH's drill as it would be a flat damage regardless of guard - since drill can do double damage but has to rotate through other spells, I think it shouldn't do more damage as tradeoff

7a - Frog Song as their LB that would transform people into toads for 2s akin to Miracle of Nature - of course this is a highly controversial skill but as LB it'd be justified as it would be the similar to the dancer LB

7b - Mantra Magic as their LB, flat out swapping HP with MP would cause mass panic in an area, especially paired with a previously used Magic Hammer

7c - Night as their LB, puts everyone (friend and foe) to sleep which would require precise targeting to be useful but it feels underwhelming as LB

8 to 12 - Recoup, Purify, Elixir, Guard and Sprint


(as much as I like Self-Destruct, it would have to be paired with a re-raise from Angel Whisper to not be a complete joke - maybe being able to revive immediately without a timer but even then the damage would have to be high depending on the HP used for that attack)

Hopefully the devs will consider implementing BLU into PvP as their skillsets are wholly replaced in the wolves den already

There was an interview where it was teased for BLU Mage battle Royale pvp which would be fun maybe like smash bros with like maybe 10 BLU pre sets to choose from with occasional skill dropa but tbh I\\'m more than likely hoping/expecting it in 7.0 unless they wanna spend their time to fuck up the other pvp modes

Battle Royale where we traverse a map learning spells from random scattered monsters and enemy BLUs until the final showdown where the last players all Self-Destruct each other

Maybe Learn could be an LB. Gives you a buff that lasts for 10 seconds which allows you to execute the last LB youve been hit with, and does the same damage you recieved as well as grant all of the effects the original LB provides (NIN LB effect for example). Buff expires as soon as you've learned an LB, and grants a new buff allowing you 10 seconds to execute the LB you've just learned.

Could provide for some fun games and skill expression like getting hit by RDM LB and then immediately using it on your party to provide a big heal just before a DRG drops on them. Or piggy backing off of your BRD/AST LB to extend their effects.

Even if they do nothing strong it would be nice if they included BLU as a balanced job which could be used in PvP. I always appreciate the talented players breaking the mold by climbing high on low teir jobs.

It would make for an interesting addition, and not one I'd be opposed to. Learning the LB could add an interesting twist, perhaps temporarily learning the spells of a targeted job.

I would love a Blue Mage Battle Royale. I picture it as being on a huge map with the typical BR shrinking circle of death. The question is how would you get your spells during the match? I'm not sure the game engine could handle spells scattering across the ground and being inspected on the fly like you would a rifle in Warzone or something. Perhaps when you KO someone you just get a spell randomly selected from whichever ones they had? There could also be chests littered around the area that do the same thing.

I'd LOVE if Blu could get into PVP queues. It would just make the job more 'fleshed out' with something that I can spam through hours of gameplay, which is not the case with pve - given that for almost everything you need parties, and it's as dry as a desert outside of content update patches.

I love that the OP picked iconic spells for the job, feels proper. Learn could be just Aetherial Mimicry, since we already have that - you copy someone's action (list to be defined).

I'd love to add Toad Oil in the kit - you ooze oil in an AoE around you and the people get slippery (as in ice zones) when the cross.