Honest question about 2 BLMs in a DF dungeon

I'm running into a lot more BLMs in DF lately. Which I think is awesome. Except I notice that there's more likely to be difficulties in getting certain content down. Most 4-man content I run into 1 BLM and 1 Melee where the BLM AoEs while the Melee helps focus down one mob at a time. And the content seems to go down much, much faster. Yet when I end up in an encounter with another BLM, it seems to go a lot slower/we hit more snags (now that's not always. I've partied with some awesome BLMs as of late that I've learned a lot from watching. But more often than not...that's not the case ^^; ).

So as dumb as a question this might be, what should I do as a BLM if we end up with 2 BLMs in the party? Is it better for us both to continue AoE-ing and let the tank (and healer if they're inclined) focus mobs, or should one of us take on the "melee" role of single targeting certain mobs?

Also if this should be in the DPS section I apologize, do please move it. However I was wanting opinions from people who play tanks/healers too to get a sense of what helps you guys more. When I run into these situations I honestly wonder if I'm the problem in the group or if it's just a matter of team dynamic/not having that melee there. So thoughts?

2 BLM should make a pull go even faster assuming it's a big pull. More than 3 means AOE! and BLM are indeed the kings of AOE. Chances are if the tank is dropping before healer runs out of mana, the tank just pulled off more than his gear or skills can handle. If not, then it's a sleepy WHM. If a pull goes long enough for all CDS to expire form the tank AND the Healer, then the fault lies with the DPS

I see. So then I guess I'll just keep on doing what I'm doing for now. I'm not really seeing anyone die in trash mobs, it just feels like it's going a lot slower. Even though common sense says it should be faster if we're both AoE-ing. So then I wonder if I really am the problem (not going to lie, I really do wish there was a in-game parser. Though I don't want to turn this into another thread about those. For now I just pay attention to my damage numbers on mobs between runs to see if I fluctuate). Doesn't help I get overly critical of myself when I see another member in the party playing my class. "Oh crap, they're doing xyz, why? Should I be doing that? Wait no, that doesn't make sense. Arrrgh!"

Yep I run into 2 BLMs while I am tanking, I will keep cycling through the mobs instead of focusing one down, thus more "uptime" of multiple mobs being alive for better AOE results. I dunno if this helps or not, but what I tend to do.

People LOVE Black Mages (when they're not bots that is) because of all their AOE nuking spells. I think I had some CT runs go insanely fast because my party had 4 Black Mages.

NUKE ALL THE THINGS!

I see, I see :) Then I'm glad I made this thread to get some perspective already. Appreciate the view points a lot!

Solution seems to be simply ask one BLM to focus fire instead of AoE

Well Flare got nerfed which nerfed the massive AoE output Black Death Mages had. WAR/WHM(orSCH)/Double BLM was sexy as hell pre-3.x, that is if everyone did everything efficiently. Flares, Holys, Banes, Steel Cyclones, and Overpower-town, oh my. I miss the old Flare and I don't even play BLM lol. Don't worry I still love my Death Mages :)

They did nerf some aoes so that could be slowing it down. Also 2 blms will also take longer to fill limit break bar.

Both Black Mages should be AOEing. YOu should be just destroying mobs in dungeons. I would be interested in what you guys were using for your AOE rotations, that could make a huge difference. Not sure what the AOE rotation is with Enochian and all that now, maybe you just do old AOE rotation instead. I can't wait...after I finish my Dragoon (almost 57 now) I am leveling my Black Mage...can't wait to Blow $hi# up, it's going to be great.

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Originally Posted by Mikedizzy

Both Black Mages should be AOEing. YOu should be just destroying mobs in dungeons. I would be interested in what you guys were using for your AOE rotations, that could make a huge difference. Not sure what the AOE rotation is with Enochian and all that now, maybe you just do old AOE rotation instead. I can't wait...after I finish my Dragoon (almost 57 now) I am leveling my Black Mage...can't wait to Blow $hi# up, it's going to be great.

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You don't use Enochian at all in an AoE rotation, I guess except maybe as a minor damage buff.

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Originally Posted by Daranion

2 BLM should make a pull go even faster assuming it's a big pull. More than 3 means AOE! and BLM are indeed the kings of AOE. Chances are if the tank is dropping before healer runs out of mana, the tank just pulled off more than his gear or skills can handle. If not, then it's a sleepy WHM. If a pull goes long enough for all CDS to expire form the tank AND the Healer, then the fault lies with the DPS

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You're mistaking them for Summoners.

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Originally Posted by Mikedizzy

Both Black Mages should be AOEing. YOu should be just destroying mobs in dungeons. I would be interested in what you guys were using for your AOE rotations, that could make a huge difference. Not sure what the AOE rotation is with Enochian and all that now, maybe you just do old AOE rotation instead. I can't wait...after I finish my Dragoon (almost 57 now) I am leveling my Black Mage...can't wait to Blow $hi# up, it's going to be great.

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That's sort of just it, I see BLMs do every variation of our rotations under the sun in DF. So I can really only speak for myself. Enochian itself isn't really meant for our AoE rotation, but I like having it up because it gives a small damage boost without suddenly bombarding the tank with enmity juggling like raging strikes can. What I end up doing when they're up is lay down ley lines and enochian, and go into the old AoE rotation. I pop quelling strikes whenever it's up. Other than that I try to adapt what I'm doing to how I see the party is doing. Flare is still exceedingly useful even after the nerf and makes things go plenty fast.

But I guess that's just it: rotation variations among players. I've only run into..I think three other BLMs that still used Flare? x_x I mean I know it's been nerfed but the nerf wasn't even that huge. I also don't see many use ley lines, which that one puzzles me. Even in AoE heavy places like the vault's corridors, you just have to side-step out of the way, cast while enemy AoE does it's thing, then side step again when you're both done casting and continue carnage. And it does make a huge difference, especially when you're switching stances. The time between is almost non-existent with ley lines.

Then again, I could be the one doing things wrong. It'll be interesting to see the full rotation once I hit 60.

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Originally Posted by Daranion

and BLM are indeed the kings of AOE

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We've been deposed. :/

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Originally Posted by DreadRabbit

I know it's been nerfed but the nerf wasn't even that huge. I also don't see many use ley lines, which that one puzzles me..

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The nerf wasn't just to the potency of Flare. The lack of an ether stronger than an X-ether has eliminated the triple flare.

No one uses leylines on AOE because the MP ticks don't keep up with the casting speed boost. You end up gimping your AOE rotation. This could be considered part of our AOE nerf. Most of the lvl 60 buffs don't really aid it. Sure I'll take the 5% boost from Eno, but 5% is probably less than the normal range of variation when doing damage.