Black Mage Subjob Leveling Question

[Jaggs]

Ok I know I am not really even close to getting my subjob yet but I thought that I should ask this question. At what level should I start leveling the job that I want as the subjob? I plan on either have a RDM or a WHM as my subjob I was planning on leveling them later. Or should I start leveling them now? Also I heard you start leveling at level 10 in Valkrum Dunes, But some people have told me that I shouldn't bother and just solo till level 20. Ok well hope you can answer these questions, and thanks!

[Cacti]

You can start leveling your subjob whenever you would like, although you wont be able to use it until you get to 18 so I would just take a job straight to 18 then start leveling your subs, or just level the job you want to use as a sub to 18 first and its clear sailing to 37 on your main. As a BLM and as your first job, i would probably go to the dunes at 10 or 11. Once you get the ability to use a subjob leveling gets a little easier 1-10 or 20 depending on the job and of course your preference(sp?).

[Evion]

Firstly, solo to lv 10. Then, immediately go to dunes. (near Highlands' entrace/east side for lv 10 pts) Go to 18. Go to Selbina and unlock sub job (will need PL/6 person PT). Pick the sub to your final main as your main. Go to lv 37. Then start over at lv 1 with your final job, and go to 75. 3 jobs to level, to get to your final/sub right. It sucks, but worth it.

In terms of your case, it would look like this:

WHM: to 18
RDM/WHM: to 37
BLM/RDM: to 75

[fallenintoshadows]

At some point it would be ideal for you to level at least all 3 whm, rdm and blm to at least 37, blm uses whm sub and rdm sub in higher levels, rdm uses both blm and whm.

So if you're planning on taking blm to 75 my plan of action would be, blm > 18, then whm/blm > 37, then rdm/whm(or /blm) > 37, then blm > 75 without having to stop to level subs.

[IfritnoItazura]

In terms of your case, it would look like this:

WHM: to 18
RDM/WHM: to 37
BLM/RDM: to 75

Hmm. Isn't /WHM more useful in parties than /RDM? Fast Cast, Gravity (and maybe Phalanx) is nice when solo'ing as BLM/RDM, but in parties it is probably better to be able to help out with -na spells, toss out an occasional Curaga's and perhaps even an Erase now and then. Raise can come in handy sometimes, too.

I would say /WHM should be most BLM's primary support job for party use, while saving /RDM for solo'ing.

Edit:

I'd go this way:

WHM to Lv.18 > complete support job quest > BLM to Lv.37 > WHM to Lv.37 > continue with BLM until you need a break, then level RDM to Lv.37.

[Evion]

Hmm. Isn't /WHM more useful in parties than /RDM? Fast Cast, Gravity (and maybe Phalanx) is nice when solo'ing as BLM/RDM, but in parties it is probably better to be able to help out with -na spells, toss out an occasional Curaga's and perhaps even an Erase now and then. Raise can come in handy sometimes, too.

I would say /WHM should be most BLM's primary support job for party use, while saving /RDM for solo'ing.

Okay fine, then it would look like this to get to BLM/WHM 75 the quickest:

BLM: to 18
WHM/BLM: to 37
BLM/WHM:to 75

[Jaggs]

Okay fine, then it would look like this to get to BLM/WHM 75 the quickest:

BLM: to 18
WHM/BLM: to 37
BLM/WHM:to 75

Hmm I think I like this way best or would this be good too?

BLM: to 18
RDM/BLM: to 37
WHM/BLM: to 37
BLM/WHM: to 75

just so I can get all to 37 without haveing to go back and forth and just swich back and forth between white mage and redmage whenever I need them the most. For right now I want to take BLM all the way to 75 after that I have no clue but I think I have time for that!

[IfritnoItazura]

The reason for WHM to Lv.18 first is because WHM with no support job isn't all that much less than WHM with support job, while BLM/WHM provides a lot more utility than BLM/---. (Cure is that important at low levels...)

In overall scheme of things, either leveling BLM or WHM first is OK, I suppose.

* * *

Switching between low level BLM and WHM isn't that bad; the main differences are the INT/MND rings, neck piece, and... er... Hands?

You can level them concurrently, and decide what to level each night base on search results. For example, suppose you are Lv.12 for both WHM and BLM:

/sea all 11-13 inv BLM
(Returns a list of all BLM's between Lv.11 to 13 looking for party.)

/sea all 11-14 inv WHM
(Returns a list of all BLM's between Lv.11 to 13 looking for party.)

If plenty of WHM's seeking, you may be better off seeking on BLM instead, and vice versa.

[Jaggs]

The reason for WHM to Lv.18 first is because WHM with no support job isn't all that much less than WHM with support job, while BLM/WHM provides a lot more utility than BLM/---. (Cure is that important at low levels...)

In overall scheme of things, either leveling BLM or WHM first is OK, I suppose.

* * *

Switching between low level BLM and WHM isn't that bad; the main differences are the INT/MND rings, neck piece, and... er... Hands?

You can level them concurrently, and decide what to level each night base on search results. For example, suppose you are Lv.12 for both WHM and BLM:

/sea all 11-13 inv BLM
(Returns a list of all BLM's between Lv.11 to 13 looking for party.)

/sea all 11-14 inv WHM
(Returns a list of all BLM's between Lv.11 to 13 looking for party.)

If plenty of WHM's seeking, you may be better off seeking on BLM instead, and vice versa.

Hey thanks for that information that makes lots of sense..I guess one night I can level 2 levels with blm and the other night 2 levels with whm or both in one night etc. right? or am I wrong? lol....

[IfritnoItazura]

Hey thanks for that information that makes lots of sense..I guess one night I can level 2 levels with blm and the other night 2 levels with whm or both in one night etc. right? or am I wrong? lol....

It's pretty much without limitation; you can switch back and forth as you like. Heck, if you have the time on your hands, level one, end party, switch to the other job, and level that.

One thing, though; once you have unlocked support job ability, you probably should keep the support job at least at half level of the current main job.

[Jaggs]

It's pretty much without limitation; you can switch back and forth as you like. Heck, if you have the time on your hands, level one, end party, switch to the other job, and level that.

One thing, though; once you have unlocked support job ability, you probably should keep the support job at least at half level of the current main job.

ah ok well all just level my black mage to 18 and go back and forth leveling rdm and whm. Also, what items make your MP regenerate faster? is it Ginger cookies? I dont remember lol its been so long sense I played. Also are they any advanced jobs your can recommend for a subjob with a black mage?

[Theyaden]

ah ok well all just level my black mage to 18 and go back and forth leveling rdm and whm. Also, what items make your MP regenerate faster? is it Ginger cookies? I dont remember lol its been so long sense I played. Also are they any advanced jobs your can recommend for a subjob with a black mage?

Ginger cookies are nice at low levels for the increased mana regen
Also I sugest the Pilgrim's Wand http://ffxi.somepage.com/itemdb/6983
NM Nunyenuc. Location: Sarutabaruta West. Level 12
It increases your mana regen while resting.

Regarding subjobs the only one I've ever seen accepted in party is whitemage. Summoner gives a better intelegence and mana bonus. However without the ability to backup cure parties don't like it being used. Redmage gives a lower ammount of mana and no ra abilities. Otherwise /rdm wouldn't be so bad.

My sugestion if you have time is to get whm, blm, rdm, sum to 37 so your set for any mage job.

whm/blm I've found best until level 50 when mana regen on whm/sum becomes optimal
blm/whm all the way
rdm/whm or rdm/sum

[Kirsteena]

rdm/smn has to be one of the worst combinations ever - it gives you absolutely nothing - at least with /whm you have status cures, and /blm you have elemental enfeebles, warp, escape and conserve mp (don't knock conserve mp - it is a fantastic trait). Rdm/smn gives you - a gimped Carbuncle.

blm/smn offers absolutely nothing to either party grouping (yes, blm is a damage dealer, but you are expected to help out and support your party) or to soloing, you don't have the ability to cure yourself if you do get hit.

Ginger cookies offer +hmp, not extra mp. For extra mp at low levels, go with something like Rolanberry pie.

Please, if you are giving advice, get it right.

[IfritnoItazura]

Off topic:
Well, "worst" isn't exactly right. I'd say RDM/SMN is heck of whole lot better than RDM/NIN for exp party use.

There are people who love that combination--the higher max MP is great for Convert (*cough* Galka *cough*), and Auto-Refresh is nothing to sneeze at. Have to confess I'm not a fan, though.

To be honest, at RDM50+, a skillful player can put RDM to good use in any party with any support job--the RDM job itself is that good. That said, if one cannot come up with a great reason for using some random, oddball support job, just go with RDM/WHM for exp parties. Hard to go wrong that way.

* * *

On topic:
Yes, Ginger Cookie (hMP+5, 3 min duration; 12 Gil each from NPC, stacks to 99) and Pilgrim's Wand (Lv.10, hMP+2; free) are terrific; you'd want those for BLM, WHM, and RDM. Barron's Slops is pretty expensive for Lv.20 gear, and I would not expect new players to have those--still, if you are extraordinarily good with money and can afford that, it's not a bad investment for mage jobs, and it lasts many, many levels.

[Jaggs]

rdm/smn has to be one of the worst combinations ever - it gives you absolutely nothing - at least with /whm you have status cures, and /blm you have elemental enfeebles, warp, escape and conserve mp (don't knock conserve mp - it is a fantastic trait). Rdm/smn gives you - a gimped Carbuncle.

blm/smn offers absolutely nothing to either party grouping (yes, blm is a damage dealer, but you are expected to help out and support your party) or to soloing, you don't have the ability to cure yourself if you do get hit.

Ginger cookies offer +hmp, not extra mp. For extra mp at low levels, go with something like Rolanberry pie.

Please, if you are giving advice, get it right.

ah ok thank u for the information glad someone cleared that up! But whats good for a blm basides whm and rdm? is that like it??