Black Mage

[EllieShadeflare]

It isn't a problem at all.

Considering that BLM's DPS can massively fluctuate by the will of the RNG? It's pretty much always an issue as it throws potency out of the player's hands in into the hands of sheer luck. Not to mention, by removing that randomness and its urgency, it removes the potential of having to choose Thunder over a Fire IV, which is something that you've admitted ruins a rotation.

So you aren't suggesting a replacement to Umbral Hearts? Firestarter doesn't need changing and this absolutely is not the issue with BLM currently. I don't think you actually understand the issues with the class in Savage and Ultimate level gameplay.

I'm not against a mechanic like Astral Hearts, but the mechanic you describe literally does nothing to address the problems of the class.

I'm IN Savage, and my static has been struggling against Halicarnassus quite a bit. Part of it has to do with the boss's love of screwing with movement and timing to the point that it's honestly rather difficult to keep the rotation up for long. And Black Mage's issues have a lot to do with underwhelming damage and damage fluctuation. Sometimes, it'll underperform, sometimes it'll be utterly worthless with damage and sometimes it'll be at the right spot.

Thundercloud being almost entirely at the will of RNG is a huge issue, and needs to be addressed. Firestarter, one of our most vital tools to extending our Astral Fire rotation, needs to be addressed. Sharpcast did nothing to address them, beyond a quick bandaid. There are other issues needing to be addressed but these are the issues that I've tried to address. Perhaps Thundercloud's potency should also be increased as a result of the aether static proposal removing the "random" Thunderclouds or the Astral Hearts should boost Fire's potency more than just 20 per heart, but I don't know.