My review of Black Mage

[Reaujien]

As you can see from this video (@ ~20:00 into it), BLM definitely sucks compared to THM... I mean, good god, a THM could have destroyed that thing faster without running out of MP...


... oh wait that's right - the BLM had to convert in order to keep up his nuking... and THM nukes cost the same as BLM nukes...


CLEARLY the better choice would have been THM...


Yeah... riiiiight...

[Mychael]

As you can see from this video (@ ~20:00 into it), BLM definitely sucks compared to THM... I mean, good god, a THM could have destroyed that thing faster without running out of MP...


... oh wait that's right - the BLM had to convert in order to keep up his nuking... and THM nukes cost the same as BLM nukes...


CLEARLY the better choice would have been THM...


Yeah... riiiiight...

My biggest complaint isn't that BLM is better or worse than THM as a DD, but that there is only one defining skill--the level 30 one, convert. And on top of that, you can do just about anything in-game without Convert/Freeze and some parties do (many, so far, have) preferred the backup heal/raise to me being able to do more DD. BLM isn't "better for parties" at all. It's geared toward all-out DD without recovery, as opposed to THM which can use cross-classes to increase survivability and reduce the stress on other party members (at the cost of DD, which most parties would willingly sacrifice).

[Reaujien]

My biggest complaint isn't that BLM is better or worse than THM as a DD, but that there is only one defining skill--the level 30 one, convert. And on top of that, you can do just about anything in-game without Convert/Freeze and some parties do (many, so far, have) preferred the backup heal/raise to me being able to do more DD. BLM isn't "better for parties" at all. It's geared toward all-out DD without recovery, as opposed to THM which can use cross-classes to increase survivability and reduce the stress on other party members (at the cost of DD, which most parties would willingly sacrifice).

To be fair, everything you said about "most people do this", "many parties do that"... you just made all that up all based on your opinion - which is fine, we all have our opinions and it's all good that we have them. However, making up stuff with using the words "most", "many", etc. etc. without any statistical evidence to support your statements still makes your opinion... just what it is - an opinion. If you want more versatility, go BRD - they can heal, buff, provide support, and still do some DD (not compared to BLM, but according to what you said above you think that's an acceptable trade-off). Or even, wait for another more RDM-esque type of Job to be released and play that one.

The reality of it is that BLM is going to stay how it is now - that is a defined DD and CC job. And really, players who create posts such as the OP (and his other critical posts on BLM) are really just sounding like a very minute amount of unsatisfied customers compared to alllll the other customers who either enjoy or don't really care one way or the other about the product (thus far) that SE is producing (i.e., BLM). Which is fine if you're unsatisfied - we all have our likes and dislikes. But really, when is the whining and complaining going to stop? How many more posts are we going to see about the same... god... d*&m thing before players like the OP just come to the realization that no matter what is said the audacious, fundamental changes that are being suggested to change something like the BLM job just aren't going to happen? SE, Yoshida, and the dev teams are creating a BLM job in their image and there's absolutely nothing anyone can do about it except either like it and play it or don't like it and don't play it...

I mean, lol, it's like going to a car manufacturer and demanding that they make and automobile that based purely on your vision - that you want it to be the fastest on the road, and that it'll never get in an accident regardless of whether it's raining, snowing, etc. Oh, and that you'll never get a speeding ticket. And MY GOD it better come in hot orange or it just can't even be considered a car... Yeah, it's just as foolish as it sounds.

[Mychael]

To be fair, everything you said about "most people do this", "many parties do that"... you just made all that up all based on your opinion - which is fine, we all have our opinions and it's all good that we have them. However, making up stuff with using the words "most", "many", etc. etc. without any statistical evidence to support your statements still makes your opinion... just what it is - an opinion. If you want more versatility, go BRD - they can heal, buff, provide support, and still do some DD (not compared to BLM, but according to what you said above you think that's an acceptable trade-off). Or even, wait for another more RDM-esque type of Job to be released and play that one.

What do you want me to do, list off the names of party leaders who have preferred THM to BLM? That's not an opinion, that's an observation of my personal experience. I can't say with certainty that everyone on every server thinks that way, but I can say that the majority of pickups I've joined lately have been this way. Not specifically THM > BLM, but asking for classes over jobs in general. I'm not making up anything. Please avoid overusing the term "opinion," especially in a derogatory way. I have said nothing to offend you, to my knowledge.

As for the suggestion that I prefer, more versatility, I'm not sure what you're going on about. I would much rather choose BLM for party content because I enjoy nuking and topping out the DPS charts more than I enjoy having a raise. My issue was what the community has preferred (in my experience so far). When I'm with friends, I typically don't need that raise, but there's no denying that slower DPS can make a fight with some bad mistakes last longer, while lack of raises could make that same fight a total loss. What I have been attempting to say is that black mage adds things to the fight that can do what we already do better (and even then not by a huge amount), but takes away things that are difficult, if not impossible to make up for if needed. Again, I'd rather take the risk, but I am not capable of swaying adamant party leaders who think that having cure is better than having convert.

The reality of it is that BLM is going to stay how it is now - that is a defined DD and CC job. And really, players who create posts such as the OP (and his other critical posts on BLM) are really just sounding like a very minute amount of unsatisfied customers compared to alllll the other customers who either enjoy or don't really care one way or the other about the product (thus far) that SE is producing (i.e., BLM). Which is fine if you're unsatisfied - we all have our likes and dislikes. But really, when is the whining and complaining going to stop? How many more posts are we going to see about the same... god... d*&m thing before players like the OP just come to the realization that no matter what is said the audacious, fundamental changes that are being suggested to change something like the BLM job just aren't going to happen? SE, Yoshida, and the dev teams are creating a BLM job in their image and there's absolutely nothing anyone can do about it except either like it and play it or don't like it and don't play it...

These forums are monitored by the dev team, and if enough players complain, they will change it. They're trying to please as many customers as possible--even if they don't do everything someone asks, their opinions are (for the most part) noted and, if they received enough support, kept in mind for future development (i.e. what we'd like to see for future mage jobs). Of course it's equally helpful to hear from players that disagree and prefer things the way they are, but it's really not constructive--to either the complainers or the dev team--to have posts that simply say "They won't change it, so stop complaining." With the exception of a select few who feel it necessary to bump their own threads for extra-special attention, if you ignore the QQ threads they'll go away. In response to your question, though--the whining and complaining won't stop until they close down FFXIV, or at least the official forums.

I mean, lol, it's like going to a car manufacturer and demanding that they make and automobile that based purely on your vision - that you want it to be the fastest on the road, and that it'll never get in an accident regardless of whether it's raining, snowing, etc. Oh, and that you'll never get a speeding ticket. And MY GOD it better come in hot orange or it just can't even be considered a car... Yeah, it's just as foolish as it sounds.

That's the worst comparison I've ever heard. SE is more than capable of making a BLM to anyones' desires. The things you've listed are impossible. I'm not sure what you're going on about. If you walk up to a car manufacturer and they only stock cars in hot orange, and you don't like hot orange, then I suspect one of the first things out of your mouth would be "can you make this in any color other than orange?" And if they say no, I would express your discontent with that non-option.

[Reaujien]

What do you want me to do, list off the names of party leaders who have preferred THM to BLM? That's not an opinion, that's an observation of my personal experience. I can't say with certainty that everyone on every server thinks that way, but I can say that the majority of pickups I've joined lately have been this way. Not specifically THM > BLM, but asking for classes over jobs in general. I'm not making up anything. Please avoid overusing the term "opinion," especially in a derogatory way. I have said nothing to offend you, to my knowledge.

I wasn't using it in a derogatory way. In fact, I'm going to actually retract my comment because after re-reading your post I've realized I misread part of it - my apologies. You're right, your observations about the parties that you have been in preferring you as THM vs. BLM isn't an opinion, it's simply an observation.

I think it was the,

BLM isn't "better for parties" at all.

statement that I incorrectly connected to what you were saying previously to it. However, even that sort of a statement is subjective itself - some people may think BLMs are in fact better for parties, while others may feel quite differently.

As for the suggestion that I prefer, more versatility, I'm not sure what you're going on about.

I'm not too sure what you're going on about either... the last two paragraphs of my post that you're quoting isn't directed specifically at what you prefer... I suppose I should have separated them from my first paragraph better *shrugs*

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That's the worst comparison I've ever heard.

That's too bad...

SE is more than capable of making a BLM to anyones' desires.

No, lol, actually they can't. We all have our own desires, and it's impossible to create one job that meets everyone's desires (including the desire to not be disappointed by anything in the job). Clearly this thread, and others, provide the proof.

The things you've listed are impossible.

Yes! That's the whole point - the "impossible" requests are themselves audacious; much like things such as always being top DD regardless of the situation, or a spell with 4k+ crit damage.

I'm not sure what you're going on about. If you walk up to a car manufacturer and they only stock cars in hot orange, and you don't like hot orange, then I suspect one of the first things out of your mouth would be "can you make this in any color other than orange?" And if they say no, I would express your discontent with that non-option.

Yes - I would certainly do the same thing too. And what I wouldn't do is sit there and lecture them about how they're "doing it wrong" by only making cars with hot-orange paint jobs, and that "it should be like this" or "it should be like that". I certainly wouldn't buy it and drive it despite the fact that it "irks" me so much... However, if you don't understand the analogy then, it's w/e...

[Jinrya-Geki]

As you can see from this video (@ ~20:00 into it), BLM definitely sucks compared to THM... I mean, good god, a THM could have destroyed that thing faster without running out of MP...


... oh wait that's right - the BLM had to convert in order to keep up his nuking... and THM nukes cost the same as BLM nukes...


CLEARLY the better choice would have been THM...


Yeah... riiiiight...

I liked that video, I liked how with apparently my shitty gear I did the same damage.

[Shiggysonson]

I liked that video, I liked how with apparently my shitty gear I did the same damage.

So are you really just complaining that thm does as much dmg as blm per nuke? I mean if you're able to pull off the same damage as in the video I don't see where the problem in damage is. That's a lot of damage in a very short amount of time.

It sounds like the only way to make you happy is to make burst hit for 4,000 on bosses, flare one shot all monsters, and freeze do insane amounts of damage AND decrease enmity. Only then will black mage be more useful than thm!!!

...Seriously.... ridiculous.....

[Jinrya-Geki]

So are you really just complaining that thm does as much dmg as blm per nuke? I mean if you're able to pull off the same damage as in the video I don't see where the problem in damage is. That's a lot of damage in a very short amount of time.

It sounds like the only way to make you happy is to make burst hit for 4,000 on bosses, flare one shot all monsters, and freeze do insane amounts of damage AND decrease enmity. Only then will black mage be more useful than thm!!!

...Seriously.... ridiculous.....

Because we used to have convert(exaltation) and sleepga already. They took it away when jobs were coming out. The role of black mage is damage dealing. It's almost no different from before. I am sorry that I can't get over the fact that these jobs have been pushed off so god damn long and they are really hardly different.

Let's say Thaumaturge still have exaltation and sleepga, why would you play black mage then?

Just forget it let the thread die, you all satisfied with crap apparently.

[NoctisUmbra]

Because we used to have convert(exaltation) and sleepga already. They took it away when jobs were coming out. The role of black mage is damage dealing. It's almost no different from before. I am sorry that I can't get over the fact that these jobs have been pushed off so god damn long and they are really hardly different.

Let's say Thaumaturge still have exaltation and sleepga, why would you play black mage then?

Just forget it let the thread die, you all satisfied with crap apparently.

Convert and Exaltation are far from being the same thing.

Exaltation: Recover half of your full MP value every 10 minutes. (~1700 MP)

Convert: Recover your full HP value every 7.5 minutes. (~2k MP)

Also no use in dwelling on THM used to be. THM was incredibly broken and overpowered at one point as well.