The Black Mage Rotations

[Aiyza]

Opening should be: T3, F3, RS, F1, Int Pot, F1, QS, F1, F1, SWC, FLR, CON, F1, B3, T1, B1 (if needed), F3 etc etc

So I'm new to black mage, my main is monk, but wanted to level another job for the hell of it and was always interested in black mage. So I understand that a basic rotation is when you use f3 or b3 at the points in the rotation, it's just to get the full stacks of umbral or astral? Also should you only use flare with swiftcast? Lastly, is convert usually only needed when you are in the astral stage and getting near low mana (500 or 600 at lvl 50) and you want to pop off another f1? Thanks guys. Slowly learning.

Edit: Also what cross class skills do you want besides virus, quelling strikes, and raging strikes? ty. I found a guide on reddit with a whole spreadsheet, but it was very confusing because I didn't know the abbreviations or what some of it meant >.<

[OneWingedSora]

Snip

Yes, but you should wait till you get full mana before going back into F3 in most cases. And I say most cases because obviously if a boss/enemy is about to die, not waiting for the mana to fill completely would be a wiser move.

Also, unless there are multiple targets, you shouldn't be using Flare unless you have swiftcast AND convert. Harold's rotation is only for single targets.

Now, for two or more targets, depending on how long do you think they will last(Depends on the targets HP and your groups AOE potential), an optimal AOE rotation would be

High HP targets: Fire 3 > Fire 2 > Fire 2 > RS > Fire 2 > QS > Flare > X-Ether > Flare > Convert > Fire 2 > Swiftcast > Flare

Low HP Targets: Fire 3 > RS > QS > Flare > X-Ether > Flare > Convert > Swiftcast > Flare

As for cross class skills, Eye for an Eye is pretty useful as well as Physick.

[Aiyza]

SNIP

Thank you sooo much!! Wonderful clear cut answers. Love it!! I really appreciate it. I also read for another guide, if you have to wait for your mana to come up after your last Fire I, you could add in a blizzard I and scathe. Is this true?

And I'm a bit confused on how the 3 thunders work. I understand you cast it in the beginning, then do thunder I after your first rotation, but do you just add thunder 3 as soon as it drops off as well or thunder I? Sorry, I'm in the mindset of a monk where I just keep all my buffs up but not sure what the difference is between the 3 thunders except an increase in damage.

lastly, this is probably a stupid question because I'm not familiar with the skills yet except what I've read on the database, for aoe rotation why are you using fire 2 and not just flare flare flare also with the high hp targets/long aoe fight lol xD *hides at stupid question*

[MrCookTM]

lastly, this is probably a stupid question because I'm not familiar with the skills yet except what I've read on the database, for aoe rotation why are you using fire 2 and not just flare flare flare also with the high hp targets/long aoe fight lol xD *hides at stupid question*

Read what the thumbnail sais about Flare's mp consumption and you'll realize what the answer is pretty quickly.

[Aiyza]

Read what the thumbnail sais about Flare's mp consumption and you'll realize what the answer is pretty quickly.

oh hahahaha lol xivdb doesn't state that about flare!! got it >.< Anyone have the answer bout the 3 thunders and when to use them?

[OneWingedSora]

oh hahahaha lol xivdb doesn't state that about flare!! got it >.< Anyone have the answer bout the 3 thunders and when to use them?

Uh. Use thunder 3 on your opening rotation, and thunder 1 after you go into umbral ice. If you get an early mana tick, you can get right back in astral fire 3 and if not, you can use Blizzard 1 as filler.

You can also use thunder 2 in umbral ice but I personally prefer Thunder 1 as it gives me more flexibility.

[Aiyza]

Uh. Use thunder 3 on your opening rotation, and thunder 1 after you go into umbral ice. If you get an early mana tick, you can get right back in astral fire 3 and if not, you can use Blizzard 1 as filler.

You can also use thunder 2 in umbral ice but I personally prefer Thunder 1 as it gives me more flexibility.

If I don't get an early mana tick, can I use blizzard I and scathe? Thanks for the tips!

[Zencurse]

If I don't get an early mana tick, can I use blizzard I and scathe? Thanks for the tips!

Upon entering ice and casting t1 if you get that late mana tick such that you can't immediately go back into AF3 just cast a Bliz 1. There are VERY few situations where scathing is correct, usually only if you're moving for longer than a few moments and if your in UI3...Usually scathing during AF3 can cause you to fit 1 less Fire I into your rotation...Which is not worth it most of the time. In fact in T6-9 I basically never have to scathe at all between your defensive CDs (manawall/ward) and Aetherial Manipulation

[MartaDemireux]

oh hahahaha lol xivdb doesn't state that about flare!! got it >.< Anyone have the answer bout the 3 thunders and when to use them?

As others have said, open with T3 and then T1 or T2 in UI. Personal preference really and depends on the length of the fight. When Thundercloud procs use T3, it will reset the duration on the mob so often times you won't even be using T1 or T2 in UI. If you're lucky with procs you may never have to hard cast a thunder spell after the first.

[Meltzeiferion]

High HP targets: Fire 3 > Fire 2 > Fire 2 > RS > Fire 2 > QS > Flare > X-Ether > Flare > Convert > Fire 2 > Swiftcast > Flare

Low HP Targets: Fire 3 > RS > QS > Flare > X-Ether > Flare > Convert > Swiftcast > Flare

I would suggest Mega-Ethers, they still restore enough mana for a flare but are a shorter cooldown so you can use them more often.

Mega-Ether = 4 minute cooldown as LQ, 3 minute 36 second as HQ.

X-Ether = 5 Minute cooldown as LQ, and 4 minute 30 second as HQ.

Granted that won't really mean too much in a single battle, so it's not a huge deal. Just wanted to point it out though!