Quote Originally Posted by SilverObi View Post
Having KO abilities instead do massive damage to more important enemies is a thing in RPGs. Particularly to show how badass the enemy is that DEATH only hurts it.
Then a resistance to Death would be needed, and much much more to balance those abilities in a duty environment. SE realized that, and shoved the Blue Mage into a special corner for this to keep it true to its design.

(Did you know that Level 5 death already exists, by the way? Gubal Library NM has those book monsters who cast it occasionally. And it does kill level 60 characters, while level 59 ones are spared.)