Role of BLM

[cheyrn]

I have almost always played solo over the last 10 something years, because I usually can't predict how long I can spend playing. So, I am an infant with some weird bits of extra knowledge.

When I have played BLM in FFXI I have sucked badly (I don't have BLM yet in FFXIV). There were the parties where people invited me because I subbed WHM. If I cast a high level spell, it steals hate.

So, how does BLM fit into party dynamics with a tank?

[pandabearcat]

Um, yes I guess? Its a very good class that has no downtime compared to other classes (no resource constraint), provides probably the best sustainable AoE in the game, and has great burst. Its also a class that is "easy to succeed, difficult to master" with some quirks. You also seem to be the "master race" that is required to eek the last bit of oomf from BLM so I think you'll do fine lol.

[Cynfael]

I have almost always played solo over the last 10 something years, because I usually can't predict how long I can spend playing. So, I am an infant with some weird bits of extra knowledge.

When I have played BLM in FFXI I have sucked badly (I don't have BLM yet in FFXIV). There were the parties where people invited me because I subbed WHM. If I cast a high level spell, it steals hate.

So, how does BLM fit into party dynamics with a tank?

At the core, you're just another DPS. The basic concept of "do as much damage as possible while staying alive and not getting anyone killed" doesn't change. You'll get the idea as you play one; I just wouldn't expect it to be at all like what you experienced in FFXI.

As for stealing hate, it's essential that you level up ARC/BRD to 34 for Quelling Strikes for when you are AoEing or performing a full opener with a tank that undergears you. BLM burst is very real.

[Maero]

^ Agreed and i will also say even being less geared and with Quelling Strikes you could potentially steal agro from tanks.
It is rather nice to hear tanks say while going in a dungeon, awesome we have a blm in the group

[RylaiBluecrow]

Great aoe. Great burst. Sustainable dps. Casting flare feels good. Proc feels good. BLM questline is cute. Enjoyable leveling when you are soloing.

Just make sure to get quelling strike. It's a very important thing.

(Also you said that whenever you cast a high level whm spell, it steals hate. Would you mind elaborating more? I might be able to help.)

[Jamein]

Cast flare
Be happy

[lacrimosaangel]

Being a BLM is awesome. I'm just about to level up ARC to get Quelling strikes. Running a dungeon with BLM is good too, especially once you get your casting rhythm going. I was given a few pointers by a wonderful healer and it's improved my dps a huge amount.

The main thing about BLM is ensuring you don't over-use your skills and run low on MP *something I did a LOT while getting used to the mechanics* But skills like apocastasis are great, especially when you know a boss is about to do a huge attack on your tank. I've set up a macro for TOT > Apocastasis and even though it's a 2 min cooldown, it's useful if you're against a hard hitter and your tank is tanking a lot of heat.

Aetherial Manipulation I'm yet to play with but I imagine it'd be good for avoiding some AoE ..

And flare. Sucks about the MP drain but it's awesome.

[keepitshay]

For when you hit 50, remember you can cast flare 3 times in a row with the right rotation.
I do this: Raging Strikes -> Quelling Strikes -> Fire III -> Swiftcast -> Flare -> Convert -> Flare -> X-Ether -> Flare. DPS FOR DAYS. I'm i122 but I can get usually 2500-3000 a hit on all mobs and with crit about 4000 per flare. Basically just nuke everything tbh. Most of the time I'll just do double flares in dungeons as to not waste an ether but for some fights that adds need to die quickly. It's the way to go.

As for stealing hate either use Quelling like everyone has said or just give the tank a few seconds before you start attacking to secure aggro.

[melflomil]

I main sch but i play BLM solely for the Big numbers and dungeons lol. I hit 4.5k flares and it feels awesome.

[cgbspender]

Hmm, you guys make me curious. One of my main is bard, and I always use Requiem to help the mages burst even better. I usually precast Requiem to avoid missing the timing. Starting from the moment the tanks pulled, how long exactly does it take for a blm to cast flares ? I am sure it would save me precious seconds if I could tell when precisely your burst is happening. Also, just for my own knowledge, how efficient is my RF in terms of DPS. In theory, it says "20%" but that´s a bit abstract as I ve no clue of the original damages done.