Blue Mage Design by Tyrian Jabberwock

Blue Mage Design by Tyrian
https://tf-lover.deviantart.com/art/...tory-705876064

This is a aesthetic design for my first DPS class suggestion Blue Mage. It also contains a history of the class. If anyone has ideas or suggestions, be it design, history, moves, or wants to offer their aid in the balancing and mechanics. I am more than welcome to any and all suggestions.

Beware the Jabberwock, my son -

What's that supposed to mean? Anyways do you like the idea?

Personally I want blue mage to break the mold by being a caster tank.

Well my rendition is not. Also I am currently working on a Caster Tank next, known as Necromancer, but forum group is for DPS not Tanks.

BLU tank
/10char

Sorry I don't understand what you're trying to say.

You are not suppose to make sense of these nonsensical responses. Some posters get there kicks turning a serious thread from a fan into a troll post.

Do not reply to them and the second post I guess it's in response to anyone who has a class idea they don't like which is to not have a constructive post but to merely flame you. Pretend they are not there for your sanity.

For the record, "The Jabberwocky" is a very famous nonsensical poem written by Lewis Carroll (writer of Alice in Wonderland) which is where the initial response came from.

The concept art and lore looks quite interesting after skimming, but there is a pretty strong indication towards Runic Knight over BLU for the 5.0 tank job (Halicarnassus with Spellblade, etc)

Pretty ugly imo

I'd lose the daggers and go straight for runic claws, IMO.

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Originally Posted by Llugen

For the record, "The Jabberwocky" is a very famous nonsensical poem written by Lewis Carroll (writer of Alice in Wonderland) which is where the initial response came from.

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I know about Lewis Carrol's Jabberwock. It's the reason my character is called Jabberwock. Because the Jabberwock is the only famous lightning spewing draconic creature. What I was wondering is why you replied that way. No real commentary on your true feelings. Also I don't know what Runic Knight is...but this is a DPS not a Tank.

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Originally Posted by Kabooa

I'd lose the daggers and go straight for runic claws, IMO.

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Thank you for your input...but Claws are covered under Pugilist and Monk. So I can't use them. Also what would make good variations, and end game equipment?

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Originally Posted by GDofLevin

Thank you for your input...but Claws are covered under Pugilist and Monk. So I can't use them. Also what would make good variations, and end game equipment?

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If they must be unique weapons, then dual short spears could work. Given the aesthetic of the outfit, Blue Mage seems the sort that would be up close but not someone who wants to play the pitty pat melee game. Short spears fit this bill as they're melee weapons, with the added benefit of letting them come together as a staff with the spear points working as the spell focus. An agile, staff-spinny approach to spell casting while the melee oriented aspect is done with relative safety due to the reach a short spear provides over daggers.

The armor itself seems kind of jester-y which is why I suggested claws at first. The mage motif is flowing robes, where a more active approach would want it to be easy to move in. The approach would be masked helmets, perhaps avoiding 'mage hat' silhouettes and instead aiming for veils and hoods. The torso likely being foofy, but fancy unless you want to go for a distinctly frayed appearance. Tight boots and poofy pants would be true enough to a frumpy mage but you could also go for, but your primary concern is likely going to be chest, gloves, and helmet.

They are not daggers. They are dual swords, as for the overall aesthetic appearance...I don't see what I did wrong. And seriously? Jestery? Since when do Jesters wield dual swords and have armor based on beasts? I think my character draws a definite line between Blue Mage, and Kefka. Also Spears fall under Lancer. Blue Mage is melee and magic based. Also Raubahn has demonstrated aspects of the Blue Mage as well as uses Dual Swords. Instead of judging my work at merely its appearance why not take some time to read or ask for more information? Like I said I was willing to give out? On top of that, there are very little restrictive armor parts on it. And finally that IS a mask. It's not a helmet.

You asked specifically for variations at end game. Those the suggestions I offered, and if dual short spears aren't different enough, than neither are dual swords because that's covered by paladins.

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Originally Posted by GDofLevin

I know about Lewis Carrol's Jabberwock. It's the reason my character is called Jabberwock. ...................... Also I don't know what Runic Knight is...but this is a DPS not a Tank.

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Wasn't me, br0, just trying to help you out. You appeared to be confused by your own inspiration. It's the first line of the poem lol

I foresee them making a Tank and a Healer job for the next expansion since they did two DPS this one, but there is a possibility that they might do one of each (they said that the toll on making 3 jobs in Heavensward was very great and that they never wanted to attempt 3 jobs in the same expansion ever again, so my guess is they would not do 3.)

Furthermore, even if they DID add another DPS my guess is it would much sooner be a Ranged Physical DPS since there are only 2 in that role category, while casters have 3 now and Melee have 4 now. Therefore, It would be highly likely that they would do BLU as a tank.

I don't see Blue Mage ever making it in, because they're even more of a mixed up jack of all trades than Red Mage is.

The class design is getting hit (tanking), to learn new attacks (dps), but it also happens to have White Wind, an oddly potent healing spell.

It just doesn't sound plausible for an MMO built to adhere so strongly to the holy trinity.

So you posted this expecting everyone to go "OH! WOW! HOW AWESOME! COOL PICTURE MAN!" However you mistakenly asked people to like the concept of a Bluemage along side of your picture. This was a mistake. I see you starting to take the Bluemage criticism as criticism against your picture. Next time just say "Hey dudes look at this Bluemage fan art I did" and you might get the response you were looking for. Also, if you can't take criticism from any source its best to keep your work to yourself until you do.

That being said: Nice picture.

However: I don't agree with it as a basis for a BLU class. Again this is not an attack on your picture. It is a nice picture, but when my mind goes to BLU i think of hammers, whips and a single sword which have all been traditional weapons for BLU mages (A quick google and wiki will pack up these claims.) The dual wielding BLU was a FF14 construct. And your picture looks to be very FF11 inspired, which is fine, again... it is a nice picture. I however want to see BLU be something a bit different than its 11 incarnation. To fit in the mechanics of this world I want it to be a tank, get hit by attacks, then cast spells in retaliation to how much damage it is tanking. I want it to have a Blue+Beast thing going on ... Somewhat related to a Barbarian, like ff14 Raubahn but NOT Raubahn. Hammers work, I would LOVE to see a whip, but I don't ever expect a MMO to ever uses whips for anything because they are complicated to animate (but it would be cool, like Quistis.) I think the Blue mage, like the Red mage, needs a easy way to combine their spells with their weapon. For the most part, the weapon has always been secondary in Blue mage lore. As such I still think it should be a weapon that is wielded with one hand, to be freed up for a casting hand. Or the idea I had bouncing around was its main weapon being a MASK, not one you wear, but an over sized shield that looks like a mask (Since blue masks were the core aesthetic of the Blue-mage.) Which would be a fresh take on the Blue mages mask of traditional lore. It gets hit, you cast spells from it (Like a magic mirror.) That would be cool to me.

So let me state again. Nice picture.

No I do not like the concept of it being a BLU in this game. Most of FF11s stuff really only only works in the context of FF11. Which is how that game has kept its relevancy to this day.

For more information on blue-mages and to help with your research I would suggest: http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Blue_Mage ... as a start, as this is the bread and butter for Blu and something I am sure the FF14 team looks too (the history, not the wiki) when it comes to balancing the traditional with the modern.

However I have a sneaking suspicion that all this is going to get is a rebuttal, and not so much collaborative discussion. So this was mostly for entertainment purposes. Regardless, have a nice day.

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So you posted this expecting everyone to go "OH! WOW! HOW AWESOME! COOL PICTURE MAN!" However you mistakenly asked people to like the concept of a Bluemage along side of your picture.

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Strange I didn't know you were a mind reader and knew exactly what I'm thinking. That being said. It was never my intention at all. My intention was to garner support for a Blue Mage class to be implemented in FFXIV. I never asked for people to 'Like' the concept of Blue Mage I merely assumed that anyone who knew or wanted to know about Blue Mage would be intrigued.

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This was a mistake. I see you starting to take the Bluemage criticism as criticism against your picture.

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I have dealt with 'criticism' all my life. I know what it is. I also know what 'Constructive Criticism' is as well as the difference between it and 'Flames'. At first all I got on this subject is the latter and criticism. Also in my first post I said I'd provide info on the full idea regarding the mechanics, history, and skills of my idea. And yet instead of asking for this before judging my work...I have received nothing more than "I don't like it because I want it to be this way or use this weapon", or outright insults.

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Also, if you can't take criticism from any source its best to keep your work to yourself until you do.

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We clearly have different views of what 'criticism' is. For me Criticism isn't whining and wanting to change things in my idea to suit that individuals personal tastes. For me Criticism and especially CONSTRUCTIVE Criticism, is pointing out flaws or things that could be improved, but also complementing the creator on their better points and ideas, as well as make suggestions on how to improve THE CREATOR'S idea.

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However: I don't agree with it as a basis for a BLU class.

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That's fine. If you don't agree that's your opinion.

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It is a nice picture, but when my mind goes to BLU i think of hammers, whips and a single sword which have all been traditional weapons for BLU mages (A quick google and wiki will pack up these claims.)

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And here we are. Once again instead of asking me for actual further information on my idea, you don't like my depiction of the Blue Mage class because it doesn't use the tools YOU would like to see. This is what I constantly deal with. But thank you for the compliment on my art skills.

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I however want to see BLU be something a bit different than its 11 incarnation

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So would I. The only reason I stuck with FFXI based designs was because I was told that the creator of FFXIV looks to the FFXI works for inspiration and likes to reconfigure ideas from FFXI into new forms for FFXIV.

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To fit in the mechanics of this world I want it to be a tank, get hit by attacks, then cast spells in retaliation to how much damage it is tanking. I want it to have a Blue+Beast thing going on ... Somewhat related to a Barbarian, like ff14 Raubahn but NOT Raubahn. Hammers work, I would LOVE to see a whip, but I don't ever expect a MMO to ever uses whips for anything because they are complicated to animate

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And once again you have your opinions and I have mine. That doesn't make your opinions better than my own ideas.

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I think the Blue mage, like the Red mage, needs a easy way to combine their spells with their weapon. For the most part, the weapon has always been secondary in Blue mage lore. As such I still think it should be a weapon that is wielded with one hand, to be freed up for a casting hand.

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Still going...

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Or the idea I had bouncing around was its main weapon being a MASK, not one you wear, but an over sized shield that looks like a mask (Since blue masks were the core aesthetic of the Blue-mage.) Which would be a fresh take on the Blue mages mask of traditional lore. It gets hit, you cast spells from it (Like a magic mirror.) That would be cool to me.

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Key phrase there is "That would be cool to me." If that's what you want to see in FFXIV how about you spend several months coming up with your own ideas and mechanics for Blue Mage like I did and stop trying to change my ideas and replace them with your own?

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No I do not like the concept of it being a BLU in this game. Most of FF11s stuff really only only works in the context of FF11. Which is how that game has kept its relevancy to this day.

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This is why as I said before, that if you want more information on the idea if interested. Private Message me and I'll send you the full idea doc I've worked on for Several Months.

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For more information on blue-mages and to help with your research I would suggest: http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Blue_Mage ... as a start, as this is the bread and butter for Blu and something I am sure the FF14 team looks too (the history, not the wiki) when it comes to balancing the traditional with the modern.

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I kind of feel insulted at this point. You honestly think I haven't ALREADY done research using that same site, and others to design what I currently have? Guess what...I have.

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However I have a sneaking suspicion that all this is going to get is a rebuttal, and not so much collaborative discussion. So this was mostly for entertainment purposes. Regardless, have a nice day.

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You too. Thank you for your input.

You can bypass the post limit by editing your post.

It was a good read. You write well. Since you are making General Raubahn one of the last apprentices, I would suggest a beast berserk type of ability that's similar to a channelled spell. It would help make sense of the Raging Bull being a blue mage. While you are in berserk mode, you lose control of your character for a short period of time while you dish out random high DPS blue abilities. The key to maximizing DPS will be to know when you should go berserk. As you level, you'll gain abilities that will help you control more of what you do while berserk and also the ability to end your trance early.

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Originally Posted by Xilibrius

Personally I want blue mage to break the mold by being a caster tank.

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I thought mages in general had a shit of a HP, if they're going to do it I hope they do it in a witty way

agree, Blue Mage should be a caster tank

in MAIN-tank stance, play more or less like most tanks, but with some exclusive designs..

in OFF-tank tance, play like a caster (cant attack from afar, with some caster advantages.. and maybe disadvantages, like its best move is very stationary / cast time).., buy give it an instant "teleport to the other tank" move

CAN attack from afar'

Thanks but it gets even better would you like to see more?

Are you doing this as a hobby or you pitching an idea? Just a suggestion, write the blue mage's selling points in three bullet points, like making an elevator pitch. Then if that makes the reader curious, they will read through your content. Right now I have the foggiest idea what a blue mage does other than it uses beast abilities it picks up and what exactly that translates to in the game, dunno so I don't know if I wanna play it.

Anyway, is your class inspired by Eastern European lore? If you noticed, places/items/clothes design in FFXIV are inspired by real world places/cultures and I haven't seen much influence from Eastern Europe. Your class might make a good addition to the game if so.

I am simply pitching this idea and no its not a hobby. I genuinely wish to give FFXIV something back for saving my artistic skills. Blue Mage is my first attempt. If you'd like more info I currently have on said class, if you'd like to help me work it better, send me a link where I can send said info.

My only concern with blue mage is the gear sharing. Assuming we keep it as a mage in cloth, It would be the only tank not using the usual str vit tank gear, so it would need it'd own gear category, cloth with possibly int and appropriate defensive stats such as tenacity.
Now, ff14 doesnt need more gear category, it is painful enough to have DRG and Nintendo with their own gear slots.
So what could they do?

I've talked to my twins about this (she's a tank mainly and she took all three existing ones) and she really want to take Blue Mage if it ever come out.

The thing is, as far as I know casters and healers need cast time before attacking because usually tanks will give direct attacks (without cast time). This might be a trouble if BLU actually need cast time while DPS attack first.

And about the weapon, I may not know about the previous FF but I love your concept. And the blue aura around the tank is a nice personal trait for BLU.

How about a combination weapon like RDM?

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Originally Posted by Xilibrius

Personally I want blue mage to break the mold by being a caster tank.

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Or since Blue Mage learns spells they could do all 3 roles depending on what spells they choose to learn. But after a certain level you would be locked into a role unless you spend GIL to reset.

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Originally Posted by mikanana

I thought mages in general had a shit of a HP, if they're going to do it I hope they do it in a witty way

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BLUs stats varry from game to game, but in most games their HP is roughly closer to that of a THF/RDM, and most of their spells do more dmg with higher levels of HP.
Followed by STR/INT/MND/MP/Lv as secondary stat modifiers.

Of course theres no point in trying to fight as BLu w/o your defensive buff spells alongside your offensive buff spells enhancing your effectiveness.
(Essentially the best way to describe BLU, is to say that BLM is the single target burst DPS, and SMn was the AoE Burst DPS casters. Then RDM was the single target Jack of all Trades, and BLU was the AoE jack of all trades. Though, again its dependent on the FF.)

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Originally Posted by Sylvain

My only concern with blue mage is the gear sharing.

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Personally if I was in charge, I'd just make the changes.
Though SE might not be willing to make the changes to gear.
So I do agree it's an issue that could make them say "nah, let's do something else instead"

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Originally Posted by Zeldert-Castiel

The thing is, as far as I know casters and healers need cast time before attacking because usually tanks will give direct attacks (without cast time). This might be a trouble if BLU actually need cast time while DPS attack first.

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I don't see a problem with cast bars.
(1) PLD has cast bars for their primary dps, and it hasnt hurt them.
(2) DRK has a ranged spell thats instant cast for starting fights, and a ranged AoE spell that generates threat.
(3) Personally think the cast bar could be reduced or removed occasionally while in tank stance at the cost of dps, but in DPS stance the cast bar returns with the spells normal potency.
(4) 0.5s casts can be interrupted on occasion, but usually dont. Plus the moment u press the button, you can start running, and u cant interrupt the spell from finishing, unless your playing on a japanese server or have some low ping like that.

Another personal change is that I would make a trait for the actual "Cast" of the spell to actually lower incoming damage DURING the cast.
So you could almost forgo the tank stance for BLU all together.
Give BLU its haste spell, to make your GCD the same as a MNK/NIN/SAM
But when MTing, Just have spells with longer cast times, to keep yourself in a state of casting. Because the cast time is 2.5s instead of 2s, your GCD clips. (These spells also have enmity modifiers)
Make spells that are 0.5s but have a much steeper MP cost, and wont hurt your GCD DPS.
Your rotation will include a method to refresh your MP, such as adding in WS between spells, but since you're not casting, you're mitigation drops, and these spells and WS dont have threat modifiers.

You essentially use the old WAR system of "Attack with the right WS to "create a stance", rather than just prepop a stance.