BLM Buffs Inc!

[Shadowzanon]

hmm what about very short cast times but still have to wait for the gcd in order to cast another spell , kinda like healing spells. 1.80 cast time 2.50 gcd just something that can allow us to get out a few more casts when we do have to move out of the way of things. but then i have had no sleep and im probably making things for the worst.

[Akujin]

If Reps are reading this thread, to toss this in, could you possibly ninja in a small adjustment to Freeze in that it grants Umbral Ice 3 when used, instead of UI 1? Being that it's a Job level spell, such as Flare and Flare does grant Astral Fire 3, I see no reason why Freeze shouldn't do the same, but on the opposite end of that.

[Kunkka]

My favorite things about BLM are flare and big numbers. My least favorite things about BLM are losing fire starter procs to double procs and spell speed being junk. I hope they buff those things.
I don't think BLM need more movement options. I like that it is "hard" to get off your spells in movement intensive fights. It feels good to finish a cast just in time to get out of the way of a bosses move. It would take away a lot from BLM if this aspect of the job was removed.
More decisions in the rotation would be a welcome change. It would be nice if fire 3 had a chance to proc an instant cast flare.

Oh and I almost forgot. please give every race 251 base piety at 50. Being locked into i90 crafted gloves because I am not one of two races is not a good feeling.

[Kenji1134]

Heh, that would be nice.
Especially since Piety doesnt directly affect potency values, they could just jack up PIE without significantly affecting dps.
Then they just spread out the new stat difference for the high piety classes.

[Viviza]

(snip)
I don't think BLM need more movement options. I like that it is "hard" to get off your spells in movement intensive fights. It feels good to finish a cast just in time to get out of the way of a bosses move. It would take away a lot from BLM if this aspect of the job was removed.
(snip)
Oh and I almost forgot. please give every race 251 base piety at 50. Being locked into i90 crafted gloves because I am not one of two races is not a good feeling.

You could also re-allocate your bonus attributes so that you have the same effective piety as anyone else. It'll cost you a few points of int, but that's a sacrifice that any race makes for any job (my lala here will never have the absolute best vitality when tanking, for example). It would simplify gearing by a lot.

I agree that finding time to cast is, well, rewarding. I'd rather they makes those situations a little more productive, rather than making those situations a little easier.

[Aikaal]

I'd never reallocate 2 Intellect for 2 Piety, that's a DPS lost. SE could add a really small amount of Piety in casting gear to fix that issue. Summoners sometimes have mana issues and BLMs won't say no to that piety like Healers don't say no to few accuracy when they can DPS.

[Kenji1134]

They could just add piety to the job stats that go with the BLM crystal.
As a Highlander, I have THE lowest piety of any race... At 50 I have 239, so I would need an extra 12 from my job crystal to be set for any situation.

[Orophin]

Realistically all I really see happening is increased potency for Astral/Umbral forms. BLM is great when stationary but when it has to move that's when it has problems. They raised DRG and MNK's damage by 10% across the board, they probably has something similar planned for BLM. I don't think they're going to make any widespread changes until the level cap is raised.

[Maero]

I agree with many of the points and also would add that our lb's should deal more devastation. Look at what black mage's are and no reason why we should not.
I recall when using lb for the very first time (1 bar lb) and even a 2 bar lb and was rather disappointed about the damage, lol
Everyone else went into specifics i would of posted so no point in repeating them

[Kenji1134]

LB is a different topic.
IIRC, each LB has a certain potency, think caster lvl 3 is 4000 or 4500 per mob. BUT, the potency is determined entirely by the "average" WEAPON level of the group.

So, no, buffing LB's just because is not really a good topic for discussion... Though I would like to get rid of the massive flash at the end of the lvl 3 caster LB... The one that essentially blinds the party for 2 seconds and leads to wipes on Titan EX... Lets get rid of that.

As far as the "simplest/laziest" way to buff BLM. Um...
1. Make AF3's Fire potency bonus +100% instead of the current +80%. That will be an 11% buff to the entire fire cycle, maybe 6% to overall dps.
2. Add an extra effect to Thunder that adds 10% damage RECEIVED FROM CASTER. This would give us a reason to better maintain Thunder, give us a good ST dps boost without really touching AoE dps, and this "should" stack with Foe's.
3. A variation of 2, 15% damage bonus to the caster, does not stack with Foe's.

I would avoid adding any "Maim" like effects, where a buff is put on the caster that affects ALL outgoing damage. Though it would be a SUPER simple way to buff overall dps, it would also affect AoE dps, which would become grounds for either weakening that buff, OR just nerfing BLM aoe... Which nobody in their right mind would want.