So BLM on FFXIV.

[Coglin]

This debate is actually going on in multiple threads in the APROPRIATE section of Thaumaturge & Black Mage.

[Yves]

Well, I think you have some misconceptions about the job but they are the nuances of content-runs and not really anything else. Here are some things you can put in your back pocket as you experience it more. And yeah, reading the OP gets me giddy because the job really is that good.

1. You are going to have to pace/parse when you fight bosses. Actually, anything that doesn't die fast needs this.
2. When nuking with thunder spells you actually will get more out of just throwing out tier 1 > tier 2, and then repeating that cycle (using freeze when needed). The reason behind this is because cast timers and mp preservation along with a minimal difference between tier 2 and tier 3.
3. When you have to burn a crowd down (ironically, with fire spells...) make sure to work with the other BLM so you don't rip hate and get yourself dropped in all of 5 seconds - especially because one nuke won't kill them and you are bound to have trouble casting with 10 mobs popping you.
4. Save Blizzara for tight spots during crowd control since instant casting can save you.
5. Don't overlap sleep - the patch introduced resistance over time.

Sadly, you missed out when THM could solo most anything. I used to solo the sentinel's helmet (a nightmare to get to alone so I would usually just stay there after farming was done.) If I had a time traveling Delorean I'd spot you a ride!

[Jhanaka]

Hello!

Thank you for your throughts on the new Black Mage job, it was a very intersting read (we could do without the foul language) but this fits more in the Thaumaturge & Black section, so I am moving it there.

Thank you!

-Senior Game Master Jhanaka

[Estellios]

I forgot to add that thundaga is broken and needs to be fixed. Seriously. Thundara is fast-cast on combo and does more damage and gets resisted less often.

Thundara actually is insta-cast no matter what (and Stuns when out-of-combo), its recast is lower when combo'd though. Thundaga seems to do low damage normally but if you crit the damage is ridiculous. It's best used with a well-timed/lucky Excruciate.

[Teia]

I forgot to add that thundaga is broken and needs to be fixed. Seriously. Thundara is fast-cast on combo and does more damage and gets resisted less often.

This is basically just an unfortunate result of how the two spells' combo bonuses work. Thundara's bonus is a ridiculous amount of added magic attack potency, which is why it does so much damage versus things like Ifrit. Thundaga's is contingent on it critting and even then it seems to work differently than Thundara (like a straight damage bonus or something). Personally, I think they should redo Thundaga's combo bonus into being something more reliable.

[Actus]

People need to stop bitching about "oh, this is broken because this is working better" and figure out HOW to play the job instead of how THEY want to play the job.

-aga ain't broke. Learn how to use it.

[Jinrya-Geki]

People need to stop bitching about "oh, this is broken because this is working better" and figure out HOW to play the job instead of how THEY want to play the job.

-aga ain't broke. Learn how to use it.

meh could be photoshopped.

[Keftenk]

The easy explanation of why your Thundaga's are "weaker" then your Thundara's is because Thundara (on combo) receives a INT modifier bonus. No other spell receives this. As Actus said, it's not broken, you just don't fully know the in's and out's of your job.

Now, I should mention that running heavy INT can produce a better yield of parsed numbers, but generally a heavy MATK build will produce much higher numbers on other spells then what you see with Thundara on a heavier INT build.

I'm not sure what Actus's build is, but I've been playing around a lot with heavier MATK builds, INT builds, a mix, etc. on Coincounter and Chimera and I see numbers a lot like what Actus posted above. I had a Burst crit for 1998 just tonight, which is from this parse on a heavy MATK build (no pot).

[Peptaru]

We don't know if Actus had MAP potion or just some crappy hp/mp regen thing on, but his log does mention medicated status. Mnks have super awesome 120+ DPS on miser.. IF this this this this this are all goin on, it IS impressive, but take away the buffs and the numbers plummit. It could be that a BLM with great buffs does great damage just like a mnk with great buffs does great damage.... common sense? yep, but take em away? Its just best to list all buffs when showing a big number, like full SS's instead of partials.

[Actus]

My apology. I use nerve drops. Only med that I ever use.