The State of Red Mage is Insulting

[Silverquick]

I honestly think this thing plays like a dream compared to how it used to, the ability to not have to even have a full guage anymore to pull off combos has been huge. I just do one after another these days and its so easy to get there, I've never been able to do it this well before.

The real difference is that now you have to stay in melee range entirely rather than back and forth like you used to get the most out of it.
But it is true that Enchanted (Meant to say Reprise) seems to have fallen off in usage despite being a good addition. You only need 3 to combo over and over when you throw in manification. This thing is way better than it used to be.

That said... RDM has never been a high damage class, so if you were expecting that... don't. RDM has never been... as in ever EVER been a high damage class in FF, in fact they even Nerfed the hell out of Bards in this game when because they became that. So... knowing they are NEVER going to give RDM competetive damage...

I think the focus needs to be more on the versatility aspects. The RDM has great BLM representation, but could perhaps use more WHM representation (That's what the class is, half WHM and half BLM).

Due to the way the class has shifted from an in and out fighter to more of a front liner, I think perhaps this class should have a personal damage shield similar to Adloquium that SCH has. Because RDM is, due to how it works, going to be more reliant on being in the thick of things... I think that is what is most needs.

I too think the Manashield is... bunk... I mean seriously... 10 seconds? Couldn't we at least go 20 for that kind of a CD? Still it's minor compared to the just how well this thing plays now in comparison to the past but that is pretty low.

EDIT: On a side note... due to how easily you can do combos now I don't really use Impact that much in AoE situations anymore, I usually just use Manafication to start off, then VerAero2 and Verthunder2 to build up quick and then blow the Moulinets with combo to get the big whammy. I only tend to use Impact when it's just before a boss and I want to save 2-3 quick opener combos for a big splash in the beginning.