Having trouble deciding on RDM

[Ennessa]

Originally, when I bought FFXI last week, I thought I knew for sure that I wanted to be a PLD. I created my character and started out as a monk because my linkshell told me a monk was the easiest to play and at 18,,once I understood the controls, I could switch to a warrior...and then on to PLD.

Well, honestly, I didn't read much about what the mages classes were like. Red Mages look amazing! But now my linkshell tells me that Red Mages aren't very wanted in parties and that I should continue with being a PLD. Is this true?

[Caspian]

In my (very limited) experience, RMD's are very wanted and usually very hard to come by (atleast on my server). Their enfeebling and buffing skills are always very helpful.

...And if you like being a RDM you may even wanna go for being a BRD later on.

p.s. Don't let yourself get tied down to only allowing yourself to be one job. I originally thought this way when i first got this game. Now I'm eventuallly planning on trying 3 or 4 jobs assuming I have the time.

[Sukashi]

Re: Having trouble deciding on RDM

Originally posted by Ennessa
Well, honestly, I didn't read much about what the mages classes were like. Red Mages look amazing! But now my linkshell tells me that Red Mages aren't very wanted in parties and that I should continue with being a PLD. Is this true?

Ermmmm o_o

In later parties, pretty much post-41.. if there is no BRD or RDM, the EXP party will pretty much fail, or have loads of downtime. This is mainly because of BRD's Mage Ballad and RDM's Refresh. If the WHM and BLM don't have MP, the party simply can't continue.

Pre-41 yes, RDM CAN have some trouble finding a party because their role in a party still isn't explicitly defined (debuff, backup heal, Magic Burst, Dispel) but after 41, finding a party should NOT be a problem.

... unless there are 2304982304893 RDMs on your server.

[Target_Master]

Hmm, I'm a lvl 27 RDM and I have *never* had trouble finding a party (other than in Qufim where in my server it's hard for most people to get a party.... not too sure why).

Just today in Kazham while trying to sell stuff in the AH I got 3 invites over a 5-10 min period and I didn't even have my flag up. Red Mages are very wanted, especially when there's a lack of whm in the area.

[Tulen]

Re: Having trouble deciding on RDM

Originally posted by Ennessa
Well, honestly, I didn't read much about what the mages classes were like. Red Mages look amazing! But now my linkshell tells me that Red Mages aren't very wanted in parties and that I should continue with being a PLD. Is this true?

As people above stated, RDM are very wanted in parties. Can fill the slot of whm or blm at lower levels, and any decent xp pt post 41(maybe even low 30's for dispel/finale) has either a rdm or brd, preferably both. Think it's more likely your LS has either a lack of tanks or a surplus of RDM.

[Ennessa]

Thanks guys! It turns out, my linkshell does have a lack of tanks. But they told me to play whatever would make me happy so I really need to think about what WOULD make me happy. Thank you all for your help.

[Digital]

Wow...that was sort of dirty of your LS :sweat: .