User blog:Defiledsickness/Beginnings

So when I first became a Blue Mage, using my spells was just too much of a hassle. Melee damage was my main focus and spells just finished a monster when I was too bored with grinding it. Then came Red Mage Refresh and Auto-Refresh and spells took new light. Skill-Chaining and heavy nuking became my only objective. Then there's Endgame. Having started FFXI fairly recently, I have had an endless supply of Endgame activities to do. And when you're in an Endgame shell, you need to know what you're doing.

With constant questioning and debate of my Linkshells I've finally finished my macros. These include my TP set, my Weapon Skill set, and my Spell set. Haste, Store TP, and Enhanced Dual Wield gains your momentum. Str, Att, Sword Skill, and Gorgets sets up your main punch. And Str/Dex++++ cuts your enemy in half. Not that this was hard to figure out, just hard to really comprehend as beneficial.

So when you find your niche of spells, macro them! Your damage spells, enhancement spells, defense spells, and enfeebles. Group them together and leave Stun and Healing in quick access spots (shadows as well when you're /nin). Add secondary lines to change your gear maximizing their potency (str gear for Damage spells, fast cast gear for Shadows, Mnd/Healing magic gear for Healing Spells, and magic accuracy for Stun). Make a separate macro for TP generation (haste, store tp, dual wield), and for Weapon Skills (attack, str, DA).

Make sure to research the modifiers for each spell you set. To maximize damage with Sword attacks, Increase your STR, ATT, and DEX. And don't forget that multi-hit spells and weapon skills can use +Accuracy. Each hit has a chance to miss.