What sub for soloing/light partying up to 18-19?

[Clever Ninja]

Currently my BLU is 13, close to 14, and I've basically been going BLU/WHM since level 1. However, I will eventually head into the Dunes possible at 15 or 16 to get Cursed Sphere, and also to level with my brother's NIN in there. I'm not exactly sure how effective a BLU main healer would be in the Dunes, since I haven't really leveled a healer in there that doesn't have Cure II available. So, with Cure I and Healing Breeze, would BLU suffice as a healer? Or would I need to level /WAR to be the NIN's voke buddy?

Also, as BLU/WHM I've had no problem soloing up to EM, as Wild Oats + Sprout Smack + Cocoon is just devastating if the first 2 land. But has anyone had any success with BLU/WAR soloing in this range? Because although I have greater survivability with increased MND, Poisona and at 14 Protect, but my physical damage is lacking abit.

[Sevv]

i soloed blu/war until 20 put on /nin and i was pulling chain 4~5 on blu/nin @ 20 on secret beach back a few months ago

[Necropolis]

I found it fairly easy to solo EM to low T with blu/mnk or /war. I think it's actually a little easier. You have cocoon and pollen to keep you alive and all you're really getting from /whm that I personally find usefull is some extra MP.

Leveling through the dunes I usually duo tanked with a Nin and used Healing breeze as my hate grabber. I thought it worked pretty well and leveled from 14 to 19 in one party. Best to coordinate with the healer when you'll be using healing breeze though, that way they get a chance to sit a few ticks if they know you can cover them for a minute.

[Sevv]

i want to go solo on my blu now with the signet updates it would be alot more fun lol

[Celeal]

My BLU is at the same level range too. I like BLU/WHM, because with Cure, I can free up the magic slot for Pollen and use that slot for other blue magic. At Dunes levels, max mp pool has some impact. Even as DD, BLU/WHM has more potential than BLU/WAR because BLU/WHM more MP for damaging spell. (At Dunes level, damage output from magic is higher than the sword, because we lack gear for acc+/atk+/str+ and high damage WS in Dunes)

[LilithAngel]

As far as sub is concerned, I noticed that /WAR was good to tank for a bit (roughly the same effectiveness as PLD in those levels), although your Blue Magic will take a bit of a hit due to Correlation effects (Wild Oats and Sprout Smack are tasty to lizards, and will be nothing more than a snack; avoid these). You will find that adjusting your spells to the mobs you are fighting will increase your performance as much as/more than your choice of sub (melee damage is relatively the same at those levels). The extra MP from /WHM, in this case, could help tip the scale towards that sub, but ultimately, it's your weapon and spell choices that'll determine overall effectiveness in this scenario.

[Ryba]

I used /WHM til 20, then /WHM and /NIN off and on til 24, sometimes /WAR (involuntary main-tank in Qufim lol) at which point you pretty much /NIN til 30+. (was personal choice for me, I had Nadrs + Flame Sword =P)

Depending on the depth of your Str-build, might have to stay /NIN post-30 if you wish to stay alive and not be an MP sink lol /WAR is very viable from your current lvl til 24 when you get utsusmi...and even beyond that. Cocoon does wonders for lowering our dmg intake, which makes you a great backup tank, and even a great main-tank.(with proper skillsetting and EQ)

@30 you have access to Wild Carrot which will help you tank alot better (similar to PLD healing themselves) without draining your backline's MP too much keeping you alive. Keep in mind, if you choose to BLU-tank, might be a good idea to have higher def/eva gear(I know there's little available, but we can use alot of heavy melee gear for good def) on and a little less Str/Dex/Agi buffing gear to minimize dmg intake.(since most Str/Dex/Agi gear is lower defense than tanking gear) That's just my personal opinion though.

There's so much BLU can do, that most of it still is being tested to this day. When I was counted on to be backup/main tank, I buffed my skillset with all the +Vit I could get and wore +Vit rings(I gear swap alot but used +Vit rings majority of the time, Str rings for DD spells) and of course slotted Bludgeon and Helldive(excellent power against fish and crabs), also kept Feather Storm and Head Butt slotted for additional hate for me when I needed the mob to stay on me and to delay some dmg and occasionally stop specials (Stun). Also slotted Wild Oats for melee dmg bonus. Cocoon of course. Other than that, don't recall off-hand what else I used lol, was a while ago now, since I'm @40 now.

Enjoy the low lvls, they were indeed alot of fun and I learned so much about the job then =)...and still learning..<333 BLU =P Anyways, have fun with whatever sub you choose, find out what works best for you. ^.^;

-SM

[Aksannyi]

I used /WHM until I learned Pollen, then I used Pollen for cures because of higher magic skill level and also just to get Blue Magic skillups. Now I use /WAR as a level 13 BLU. Perhaps at 20 I will use /NIN for Dual Wield, but for now /WAR is just fine.

[LilithAngel]

Although this is *much* later in levels, the Blue Mage AF Boots (Magus Charuqs) are amazing for those times when you decide to solo/spell hunt (especially coupled with Signet bonuses these days). That +10 evasion *skill* bonus goes a really long way, and the rest of the AF is rather nice for the defensive BLU. The Magus Jubbah is a very strong contender for BLU's best offensive piece, as well.

I know, way off topic, but meh, I finally got the full set, and it's sexy as hell, and has some *really* nice stats for it just being the 52-60 Artifact (as compared to the other 17 sets of AF; COR got the hookup as well on three of their pieces , and looks sexy on my kitten).


Actually, y'know what? All three of my AF sets (DRG, BLU, COR) look sexy on my kitten. I doubt there's much out there that doesn't.

[Skylar]

I went /war from level 1-24 then subbed NIN to 31. I stopped BLU for now.

[Ryba]

Yeah, Lilith, our Jubbah is the best piece of endgame offensive BLU armor until Morrigan's Robe (which is highly unattainable lol) The only thing our Jubbah is missing is +Acc and +Dex(would be nice XD). Perhaps our AF2 or AF1+1 will have those bonuses added =O Anyways, know that's not the topic, just commenting =P

Agreed lol, there's not much my cat doesn't look nice in =P Especially here soon when I get to wear Brig+1 + Voyager Sallet

Anyways, that's the joys of lvling a heavy melee job, even though it uses MP =P

-SM