Please someone answer.

[BobMeisterLlama]

I posted this in the Main Information Forum, but I guess it was in the wrong place cause no one answered.

I started playing FFXI on sunday and I'm a level 3 BLM, but now that I'm looking ahead I'm seeing that the only really viable sj for BLM is WHM, which would mean that I would have to switch WHM to main job to lvl it, which I don't want to do because I hate playing as healers.
So basically:
1. Is there any way to play as a good BLM past level 18 without having to play as a WHM. RDM sj seems pointless, since I would already have all it's black magic spells.

2. If I were to switch jobs, what would I lose. For example, if I were to switch to RDM would I not have stat bonuses or something that a RDM would start with? Exactly what how would I be at a disadvantage to other RDM's at lvl one that chose it as there starting job (This includes starting equipment, though I do have some 600 gil to spare).

3. If these disadvantages are very bad, could I remake my character? If so, would I be able to use the same name once I deleted it, or would I have to choose a new one.

4. Another stupid job question, but is Hume RDM/THF a good combo if I want to be able to do some magic but also assist in renkeis with sneak/trick attack?

Sorry if there's already a post like this, but the search command isn't working on my computer.

[SAVAGE]

1. Yes you can sub WHM or SMN, once you get LVL 18 with BLM, and have subjob quest done. Go lvl a WHM to 5-10(much easier with your BLM as a sub) and then go back to BLM till LVL 30 and then use SMN as yoru subjob.

2.When you switch jobs you dont keep the stats of the job you just used, you get whole new stats for that job. The only thing you wouldnt have is a dagger or sword whichever they use.

3.I dunno there is no need to delete your character ^^^^

4.Sneak and Trick have nothing to do with Renkie. Renkie is made with weaponskills which depend on the weapon your using.

My advice would be to go read a guide or read up on playonline.com. Just so you get an idea cause you seem to have alot of things mixed up.

[Secrenja]

Re: Please someone answer.

1.WHM sub is the best, even though you don't like it. There is no written law that says thats the road you need to travel, but if you don't choose WHM, then RDM or SMN is the best way to go. But WHM is ideal for BLM because you can always back up heal and it gives a nice MP boost.
2.A RDM compared to a BLM at the same level.
Rdm has higher strength, defence, attack, agi....pretty much All of a RDMs stats are better except for MP and MND(and maybe INT?).
I do not understand the next part of #2.."Exactly what how would I be at a disadvantage to other RDM's at lvl one that chose it as there starting job"
3.This question is based off of the part in #2 i don't understand, can't help ya.
4.IMO, no, not In the long/medium run. The best sub for RDM are the other mages. WHM and BLM are both plausable subs, WHM for its status curing and BLM for its warp, both because of MP. The other ain option would be SMN, purely for the mp(and maybe MND?)
After LVL 30, RDMs start to turn into a WHM/BRD more than anything else. Their attack starts to suck, at 32 they learn dispel, and around those levels comes bio II and Dia II, moving up coems the refresh and your role is set. And I'm not sure on the level for sneak attack(I'm guessing 25?) assuming thats correct you need to be level 50 to use it. A good 10-15 levels minimum after your attack power fades away.

[Howisgame?]

Help me out here please.

I'm going to be buying this game tomorrow and want to wisely choose a class/job/race or whatever I can be happy with over the long run as well as one that is needed by adventure parties. Can you give me some advice on choosing something that is both valuable to others and fun to play. An example of what i dont want to be is an entertainer on SWG which is valuable but boring or fighter which is what everyone is. Thanks.

[Secrenja]

First jobs I would want to join my party.
Galka PLD/WAR
Taru(or anything but Galka) WHM/BLM

[BobMeisterLlama]

Ok, sorry I was confused about switching classes at first. I thought that switching classes wouldn't change your stats but now I get it. Basically, what I was asking my really long post was, is there any way to play as a BLM without subbing WHM. From your answers I see that you can sub RDM and SMN, but what are the pros and cons of those 2 jobs? I know that SMN would probably add better stats, but would it's abilities be useful? Also, I heard that you can use sneak and trick attack with ws's, making them more powerful. Is this true?

[SAVAGE]

Subbing anything but WHM or SMN for BLM isnot smart, especially if you keep your SMN half the lvl of your BLM you will get some nice traits, like MP BOOST.

[BobMeisterLlama]

Hmm, I also had another question about RDM. I know they're not supposed to be fighter, but with a fighter sj could they do reasonably well at melee and ws. I don't really get the weapon rankings and stuff, so I don't understand why a WAR is a lot better than RDM at melee. Does a higher grade, like A, mean that the ws does more damage? Or can WAR just equip better items?

Edit: Also, does anyone know where I can find a list of ws's that are only for certain jobs, like Red Lotus Blade.

[Trogdor]

Red Mage dosen't have a very high cap on their sword skill, which translates into less damage. And the weapon they are good with (1h-sword) does crap damage.

[Icemage]

Mage subs in a nutshell for BLM main:

/WHM:
Spells: Cure series, Curaga, bar(type)ra series, status removal, Blink
Abilities: Magic Defense Up, Divine Seal
Comment: Most defensive/Flexible

/SMN:
Spells: No spells worth casting except maybe Garuda (party blink) at BLM50/SMN25
Abilities: MP Boost, MP Refresh
Comment: Largest MP pool, and gets auto-refresh at BLM50/SMN25

/RDM:
Spells: Cure series, Gravity, Blink
Abilities: Resist Petrify, Magic Defense Up, Magic Attack Up
Defensive skill: Parry (low level, however)
Comment: Spells hit harder at BLM40/RDM20 than any other character in game once you get the RDM20 Magic Attack Up ability. This is offset by the lower MP pool, however.


Icemage