Problems Deciding my Path

[Pacman]

Hello

I have been thinking about what I am going to do after I get advanced job access, and I am torn between a few decisions, and wanted to get some opinions on some job combinations.

Initially I wanted to be BRD/WHM, but then I decided I wanted to be a full WHM with a good sub, so I thought WHM/BRD or WHM/SUM.

With BRD as a sub, how good are your 'singable' buffs, when you have no instrument?

With SUM as a sub job, is it even worth it to have summons, or just use it for an MP boost? Is it that worthwhile of a boost to make it your sub?

Thanks.

[Kweh]

I'm going with WHM/SMN purely for the MP Boost.

WHM/BLM was my other option for Warp/Escape.

BRD imo shouldn't be subbed with any job

[Typhus]

I'm a whm/blm. It's a good combo, but I would play whm/smn if I could be bothered to do the smn quest. You'll get a lot more mp and at whm50/smn25 you'll get auto refresh, very handy IMO. Of course you're limiting yourself to being a cure tank. Then again if you ever get bored you can always call up a half strength carbuncle to hang out with

[Calianeri]

I think a BLM subjob is hands-down the most beneficial, it's great for both questing/soloing (Warp, Elemental Seal, usable attacking magic) and leveling. It gives you lots of MP, and the helpfulness of Warp just can't be overstated. I know some people like /RDM too, for a somewhat hardier WHM.

From everything I've seen, subbing SMN is not that helpful overall. You'll have lots of MP... but not much else until WHM level 50 (auto-refresh, party blink... but you've got to get that summon first). I'm interested in trying it out, but personally I wouldn't use /SMN until then. Elvaan and Galka may want to consider it earlier. Tarus don't need the MP boost, go for the spells/abilities of /BLM instead.

But as I've said in other threads, whatever you do, don't have a underleveled subjob. Be it BLM, RDM, or even SMN, bringing an half-assed sub to a leveling party is just embarassing. Sadly, the many folks who are enthralled with /SMN are the worst offenders here. The number of 30+ mages with /SMN10-12 is depressing.

One thing about /BRD: a 63 WHM in my LS is trying out a BRD sub now, and says he loses about 60 MP but can more or less gain it back for himself and other mages by singing Ballad (the only thing the /BRD sub is for). But I gather that he's trying it only because there's a shortage of RDM and BRD at that level and the downtime without MP refresh is killer.

[Soonyi]

For me, I don't mind to not do any damage... maybe a Magic Burst once in a while is nice. I really like to play the role of protecting and enhancing, so I will be doing the Bard quest and using it as my main job with my White Mage as sub. I do like my Whm/Blm combo tho; I guess it depends on what you want to finally be in the end.

Edit: Like Calianeri said, I think Bard's are pretty rare and can really help a party lessen the downtimes.

Soonyi.