BLM Playing Tips Needed

[Yuna]

Although this sounds like a newbie threat, it's not. I'm a LV34 BLM/17WHM but I think I need to improve my BLM tactics...

Usually I am the only BLM in the party so I follow my own style of playing... but when I did party with another BLM recently, I noticed that she played alot differently... I mean my usual style is to cast
weaken -> MND down -> STR down -> then the elemental spell most effective on the monster... usually i tried to do as much damage as possible which depletes my MP quite fast...

that BLM however concentrated more on healing other members and particularly in conserving MP... we did have a WHM that time...
am i doing something wrong? i don't continually cast attack magic without frequent pauses. i heal when needed, especially when the monster hits multiple members...

[Awntawn]

Actually, I think the other BLM was wrong... If there's a whm already, let them do the healing unless absolutely necessary. Now I've never played BLM before, but as a melee fighter I prefer BLM's who do what you do and make it easier for the guys taking hits before starting to deal insanely high amounts of damage that make me feel worthless :mad: OK, so maybe I don't like feeling worthless like that, but it's better for the PT so I guess it's all good :p

Also, it's likely that since there was another BLM in the PT (You) who was doing the weaken stuff and cast damaging spells, he/she decided to help with the healing and save MP for emergencies.

[Etoh]

You need to observe the situation as it deems fit.

If you see that the general outlook of the party doesnt seem positive when fighting a really strong enemy, it is better to conserve your MP by casting a really strong spell once (or a few weaker spells), then assist the WHM in healing as top priority. Your style of playing is not wrong, and you can continue to use that method in an ordinary situation of a sure win.

[Tomoh]

Yuna, the other Mage's tactics are also acceptable. Many BLM will use weakening spells to start, heals some and end with the bang. If you start using attacking spells from the beginning to the end, there is a danger that a monster will be aggroed to you, resulting in death. One of the problems with WHM is that if too high of Heal spells are used for too long, they are targeted. With low HP, this could result in death if attacked by WS.

Personally, I adapt my style to suit the PT. I try to match my MP usage with the other mage so that a mage isn't sitting too long to recover MP. Weakening spells are also important since they can reduce the number of Heals that WHM has to do.

[Jonnyram]

In most of the situations, I would fire off Bio > Blind > Shock (lowers mnd), then slap them with the juciest elemental damage. Not forgetting magic bursts where appropriate.

Of course there are times when you'll need to join in other fun and games too, but this is the basic life of a Black Mage, in my experience.

Does anyone know of a list of monsters that can resist some statuses? That would come in handy. I think bats can resist blindness (since they were resisting even when I used my BLM skill for 100% hit).

[Gackti]

I play depends on how the party is formed (formation of the party is excluding you.)

A party w/ 2 whm
-i don't bother too much w/ healing.. actually infact.. i dun really care about healing.

A party w/ 1 whm 1 brd
-since bard have 2 reall nice songs... recover hp and mp... just pay a bit attention to whm's mp... if it drains really fast.. then conserve some of ur mps to help whm to heal...
most likely, a bard is sub w/ whm... so you don't have to care too much either

A party w/ 1 blm 1 whm
-talk to the other blm, see what he wants to do, if he want to help the whm, let him do so, and you concentrate on blasting away...
-if not, conserve ur mps and help out whm when he's mp is low

last thing
you have to consider what kind of monsters you are fighting...
umm.. lets give a example near our level...

from 28-32 we fight evil weapons...
normally, when i am in a level 28-30 pt, and fighting evil weapons... i conserve my mp... because evil weapons for this pt is very strong and scary. when i am in a level 30-32 pt and fighting evil weapons... i sometimes even take out my weapons (dagger, or one hand staff) to level my weapon skill, since now, eventhouhg evil weapons is still todemotodemo strong, it is not as hard as fighting it in a 28-30 pt...

one have to adjust to different sitiuation not just stick to one solide playing style~~ ^^

gl hf in the game

[Nadyxes]

when i level my blm
usually my stats are maxed out
ie all my whm magic is blue
so usually when i cast weakening magic it works on the enemy all the time
sometimes i cast weakening magic ie paralyze
it just depends on what is the pt
but most of the time i usually blast pt with spirit magic
it just depends on the situation :)

[Painkiller]

My style is quite same as you, Yuna.

First off cast Bio > Blind > DEX Down
After that I will cast elemental magic make as much as damage to the enemy...

I will heal WHM, other fighers let WHM heal...
I will not cast magic during Renkei, only MB (prevent create too much hate to target)

But like above opinion said, it depends on your own style^^
Play what you like that make you enjoy the game is the most important...

[Seishi]

I really not good with BLM, but when I was lvling my BLM, I usually start off with Shock, Chock, Ban to lower VIT, MIND, AGI, then help the WHM heal when melee HP is low, then after everyone is back to normal I cast Bio, Drown, Blind....Then I prepare for renkei, since my BLM is lv30 and we are fighting Evil Weapon inside the cave, I renkei Fire after Red Lotus and Firega after Combo ;)

Note: Shock, Choke and Ban, I put these 3 spells on one macro and start it at the start of battle. also Bio, Drown and Blind on one macro too, I cast it in the middle after I help healing...
I dunno if it's the way of BLM but that's the way I play

[Tomoh]

Speaking of BLM, how useful is -ga series spells? I have not purchased any. Do any of you find it an essential purchase? Let me know since Gil is tight. My BLM is LV26.

[Nadyxes]

i still dont understand one thing about blm
this half mp thingy
doesnt seem to work
or at least i dont notice it
its half mp at lvl 25 right?
my blm is 25 now but i dont seem to see that ability working
well i dont really pay attention to my costs of spells
can someone tell me how that half mp works?

[Yuna]

it's not just half MP it's MP save
it can range to any amount of MP saved
for example; i used de-zone and it only cost me 30 MP

the problem with this passive skill is that it only works randomly in amount saved... don't count on it to get you there with the spells... it's just like an added bonus...

[Spanky]

Ga spells are good for making gil, ie makin a train then casting stone ga.

[Tomoh]

Thank you Spanky! Your name and Icon makes it hard for me to keep a straight face.

[Sheila]

Then there's "mp conserve" which randomly makes spells cost less MP.

it also what makes BLM sub for WHM so good.

[Spanky]

Lol ^^, hehehehe thought it was apt when I chose it.

[Nadyxes]

i remember when i was a blm on sunday in battalia
the whms ran into eldeime for some strange odd reason
and the fighters stayed near the door
i just blasted that enemy with all my magic and killed it.....
strange that the whms ran away
that monster was really no threat
i was just wondering why they ran into eldieme

i guess when all else fails blast that monster with all your magic :)

[Jonnyram]

MP conserve is from level 20, I believe.
So I'm about to get it myself :)

[Oro]

Just thought I'd share similar stuff already posted.

I tend to begin with weakening spells which work very well, blind is a pain for me, maybe due to my low INT.

Everyone has already shared the best advice, observe the situation. I try to keep my MP in line with other players (or a little lower since my max MP is lower normally) so that MP recharge is finished at the same time. This works well if a balanced PT means you dont strain the MP. If I find the WHM struggling with healing, I tend to throw in the odd cures, I normally dont cure when there is 2 WHMs or a BRD or RDM, only when I players HP is orange or red I tend to contribute. A little curaga at the end of a PT can help a WHM if everyone has taken some beating.

Afterall the weaking, its either healing or MOSTLY attack spells for me. Now my tactic is to cast my strongest spell. Sit for one cycle than cast again (since higher level spells take a while to recharge) this helps MP a bit. Sometimes I eat my MP totally when the enemy is normally dead by casting spell after spell lol, or again to sync the MP, because I feel if I have alot more MP, clearly I am not playing on bar with the PT, why have 90% MP when WHM is down to 30% MP and the enemy is half dead? Same would go for anyjob, go out there and be the best you can be!

of course feel free to critise or improve what I do, but so far its been working imo, MP may not be a elvaans strong point but many have proved its sufficient, just not as efficient :spin:

[peacemaker]

Don't forget to /say to other parties when you're being forced to Escape, apart from being common courtesy, chances are you may have to ask them to raise your WHM or they might be appearing next to you not long after while you're recovering outside ;)