[Neomage]

Currently I am a 63 BLM/RDM. In my last couple EXP parties, I never seem to be getting more than 3k/hour, sometimes less. Normally this wouldn't be a problem, but I have friends encouraging me to hit 70 and I have limited playtime. For a bit I thought I just had a streak of unlucky parties, but now I am questioning if I am gimping my parties. I normally don't list my gear, but I will do so in this case:

Main Weapon: All Ele. Staves, 7 NQ 1 HQ(Aquilo's).
Head: Wizard's Pestatos.
Neck: Black Silk Neckerchief, have Benegin Necklace(- enimity) and Ele. Torque(65) also.
Ears: Cunning Earring x2(0/86 on Mysticmaker /fume), Warlock's Earring.
Body: Black Cotehardie, Seer's Tunic.
Hands: Wizard's Gloves.
Rings: Ermite's Ring +1 x2, Peace Ring(+ MP and -enimity).
Back: Black Cape +1, Sulker's Cape(S & I).
Belt: P. Rope.
Legs: Wizard's Tonban, Baron's Slops, Druid's Slops(64)
Feet: Custom M Boots.

My usual technique is equip Aquilio's then Rasp -> Frost -> Drown, followed by a tier II nuke of the monster's weakness. Drain, Aspir(If MP mob), then another II and if SC is a little ways off, another II after timer kicks down. MB my highest tier, occasiuonally another drain, then rest as melees finish monster off. If MB isn't a big damage burst, I will switch to a III tier instead of II.

Any advice?

[Feba]

Hint: your PTs suck.

[Neomage]

Ok, thats good to know. Just wanted to make sure.

[Dux]

Your equipment seems fine to me.

Whilst 3K an hour isn't what you will find in a 75 party in Sky or the ToAU areas, I personally dont think thats terrible and I often join parties < level 70 where 3K is the norm.

In my experience by the mid to high 60s most parties (I did say most parties) have got it together and I would say understand how to function adequately as a party. However if a party is having poor EXP its usually because it is unballanced in some way (too many mages/ too many melee/no refresher) or the party is simply fighting the wrong mobs (too weak or too strong).

Your basic approach to BLM seems fine. Debuff on the way in, aspir/drain if aplicable, throw in a nuke or two and MB as required. If you find yourself always having lots of mana, you could always throw in a big nuke at the end (preferably not Ancient Magic) and kill it off a little bit quicker than the melee could have on their own as hate wont be an issue.

It sounds to me like a simple case of frustration, AF and other fun bits are over and the grind to 75 has started, this is normal and I think everyone experiences it to some degree. Sadly you need to just grit your teeth and push through it.

[Neomage]

Alright... well previously I always seemed ot get 4-6k an hour, and now it's droped... but I guess I can just griiiinnnndddd

[Matera]

You equipment looks fine, really, you don't need to update is unless you get resisted a lot, and really, it's probably not you.

I've found that parties around this level depend on the melees. Normally, extremely good parties I've encountered had the mob down to 2/3rds of it's help by the time I've done my elemental enfeebles, drain/aspir, and Dia (If I need a bit of Enfeebling skill). I'll usually throw a huge nuge at that time, and depending on the monster's health, another, a Magic Burst, or a finishing blow.

Some other good parties didn't have an SC, and I only got one Tier 3 nuke/fight off.

Don't worry, it's not you.

Double Post Edited:
You equipment looks fine, really, you don't need to update is unless you get resisted a lot, and really, it's probably not you.

I've found that parties around this level depend on the melees. Normally, extremely good parties I've encountered had the mob down to 2/3rds of it's help by the time I've done my elemental enfeebles, drain/aspir, and Dia (If I need a bit of Enfeebling skill). I'll usually throw a huge nuge at that time, and depending on the monster's health, another, a Magic Burst, or a finishing blow.

Some other good parties didn't have an SC, and I only got one Tier 3 nuke/fight off.

Don't worry, it's not you.

[Neomage]

Ah, melee dependant... that makes sence

[Mog]

Everything looks fine, but I do have a question pertaining to equipment.

Why no Wizard's coat? It definately helps when landing enfeebles and while you shouldn't use it for general magic, it's always a good idea to macro it into the enfeebling spells for more potency.

[zagex]

Solo Goblin's Rarabs in Bibiki while seeking. I got 3k/hour the first time I did that around lvl 67 Rdm/Blm. I did have to zone once or twice, or that number woulda been higher, and then I got an invite after a bit. You get seals that way too since those pets seem to only drop seals, not even crystals. Blink, Stoneskin, Gravity, and Bind ftw

[TheMidg]

I'd also suggest using WHM sub in most exp PTs. It's usually really useful to be able to cast a Curaga of sorts, DS is very useful, and also helping with Na spells could save a huge headache. At that level I really wouldn't recommend using RDM sub that much unless for some reason your PT doesn't have a BRD or RDM for dispel(if you're 64+ of course), or you're in a manaburn. Your gear and strategy for battles is very good though. Just go get AF body and you won't regret it. I know I still use my AF body to this very day for enfeebling ('∇')

[supersimian]

This may help you, or not. To sort of help move things along.

To use this strategy you must use blink and stoneskin like its crack and you like it. So you never die.

All of your strategy is A O K. Looks good.

I have noticed in my experience that after the Melee do a sc and I land my MB the hate is so much concentrated on the tank or melee that I can and did almost always get away with another highest tier nuke, thats just after the MB, or count to 2-3 then nuke huge again. At tier 4 nuking you can always follow with a lvl 3 and many times with a lvl 4, but not as much as when on the lvl 3 highest tier lvls of blm for following up with tier 3.

The mob will probably not even look at you. If it does come at you your hate is not so strong cuz of the WS and it may get a couple hits on you which your stoneskin will absorb, and or blink. Also moments like that are what stun can be used for, to hold the mob off for a second while the tank provokes it or gets hate back however.

The tanks should not mind the mob looking over at you if its not very often and if you are not dieng and the damage is spilling on that much faster. I wouln't try this with Aga, the mob will definately hate you bad for that.

This is just advice that you can try out that you may have already, not a must way to play as black mage by any measure. It is definately good to have bearings on what a blm can
"get away with" to help deliver more potential. If there is no red mage in a party it can help to sub red so you can dispel the mobs yourself so MBs stick more on shell casting mobs. Red mage sub = less resists.

[Neomage]

Originally Posted by TheMidg

I'd also suggest using WHM sub in most exp PTs. It's usually really useful to be able to cast a Curaga of sorts, DS is very useful, and also helping with Na spells could save a huge headache. At that level I really wouldn't recommend using RDM sub that much unless for some reason your PT doesn't have a BRD or RDM for dispel(if you're 64+ of course), or you're in a manaburn. Your gear and strategy for battles is very good though. Just go get AF body and you won't regret it. I know I still use my AF body to this very day for enfeebling ('∇')

Sorry, but I will never have WHM available to sub for BLM. I just can't do it, I can never PL, Main heal, etc for more than ~10 min. I hate hate HATE it. I managed to get my WHM to 29 after 82 bottles of asprin(seems like), and it's not going any further, unless I can get into a statis that dosn't mind me leaching or banish nuking.