I think Square Enix and/or the DEVs hate mages! (Long post)

[Brigandier]

MP restoring spells that I have as a THM don't do crap.

I nearly choked on my drink when I read this. Parsimony is an epic ability when used properly; however, I will give you the benefit of the doubt and explain how I use it since I made the "MP Argument" above. Here's how I typically solo mobs while keeping MP up.

1. Use Thunder
2. Use Featherfoot (yes, the Pugilist ability, very low level).
3. Use Parsimony if it is up.
4. Use Thundara
5. If I didn't two shot it, finish it off with a Thunder.

By doing the above, you're getting MP back from Featherfoot most likely (120ish MP for me at 48 THM), and a free if not MP profitable Thundara (or if you're feisty you can use it on Thundaga, I've seen several hundred MP recovered this way). If you're trying to hit chain 5, take a small breather. Not talking minutes here, just enough to keep your MP high enough to start going all out on the chain 3+ mobs. Hitting chain 5 reliably requires a bit of pacing on the early mobs; however, you can do it fast enough to wipe them out before they respawn, which is a lot more than most jobs can do.

As for that MP management argument, seriously, what the hell are you guys doing to do that effectively? Taking a long break between spells while the monster smacks you, to restore a tiny amount of MP?? As far as I can tell, no one should have to resort to that. It's ridiculous.

You're right that no one should have to stand there getting beat on while they recover MP, or that anyone should draw hate for the implicit reason of proccing Featherfoot. Where you're wrong lies here (assuming you mean a party situation):

1. Why is the mob on you? The mob is on you, this is not supposed to happen. Answer: STOP NUKING

That's the entirety of it. You're a mage, SE intended for you to be very vulnerable. You can solve both the MP and hate issue by clocking back your nukes a bit. It may seem that you're doing less damage this way, but if properly paced you can keep the flow of nukes steady and eliminate any "sorry guys, gotta sit here for ages to regen MP" scenarios.