Blue Mage Guide

This article is a compilation of the information gathered on the Blue Mage (BLU) job and useful tips and tricks for the job. As the job is still fairly new, the information will be updated as it is found. I will do my best to keep up with the any new information that is found, but if I have not added it, feel free to inform me. The article will link to information on the job within FFXIclopedia. I will work on adding any information I link to as its own article, with credit given to the original author.

The Blue Mage Quest
An Empty Vessel The Blue Mage Quest

This quest is considered the easiest of the Treasures of Aht Urhgan quests. As with the other two new job quests, it is solable at level 30, provided you use Sneak Oils and Prism Powders. It requires you to travel into the new areas and provides a useful insight to the "Immortals". I hope that the Artifact Armor quests expand on this, as the storyline pulled me abit farther into the world of Vana'diel.

Blue Mage Spells

 * Blue Magic
 * Blue Mage Spell List at Allakhazam
 * Blue Mage Spell Acquisition Guide at Allakhazam
 * Blue Mage Spell Guide at KillingIfrit
 * Learning Spells from Too Weak Monsters (Confirmed)
 * Level Gap Myth
 * Confirmed: You can learn abilities with high level pt member.
 * ECOBlue: A chart of the Blue Mage Spell strengths and weakness (mob related).

These guides are all useful in learning to understand the Blue Mage job. Blue Mage is unlike any of the current jobs in Final Fantasy XI. You spells are limited not only by your MP and level, but by "Set Points". Each Blue Magic has a number of set points it requires to be set. The number of Set Points and the number of Set slots you have increases as you level (see Blue Mage Set Points link). 

It has also been shown that SquareEnix's working on the offical Final Fantasy XI site was misunderstood. Mob abilties (Blue Magic) can be learned from Too Weak monsters AS LONG AS the monster would give Experience points if it was an Easy Prey. I had assumed that you couldn't learn Blue Magic from a Too Weak mob if the Blue Magic you were trying to learn was higher than your current level. Recent reports have told me that you can learn higher level magic from a Too Weak mob, but since I have yet to test this, I won't say its true.

All Blue Magic will cost you a certain amount of Magic Points. Blue Magic functions differently than any other magic in the game. Physical Blue Magic skills are based off of your weapon skill. This requires the Blue Mage to use his/her sword and keep the skill close to cap to allow for maximum accuracy. Adding Strength will also increase the damage done by Physical Blue Magic. Magical Blue Magic is based on INT/MND and Blue Magic skill. 

Blue Mage Spells Information
Magical Blue Magic damage TESTED: thread on Blue Magic Magical damage and how to increase it.

This section is a slight tutorial on how the Blue Magic works and what the different icons beside the Blue Magic names mean. This is a working guide. I will try to add the information as soon as I can. I'm still missing some information on these spells. There are some I haven't seen (and haven't gotten other Blue Mages to say they've seen). I'm working with others to try to get the rest of the information. [pre] Box Type      Spell Type     Elemental Association Gray with Border    Physical            Unknown Red w/o Border      Magical             Fire Blue w/o Border     Magical             Ice Yellow w/o Border   Magical             Earth Purple w/o Border   Magical             Thunder Green w/o Border    Magical             Wind White w/o Border    Magical             Light Black w/o Border    Magical             Dark <BR><BR> From what we know, the Physical Blue Magic attacks act like a weaponskill. Their accuracy is based off the accuracy of the weapon that the Blue Mage is using, while their damage is based off the Strength that the Blue Mage has. It has not been determined if Accuracy bonuses from equipment or traits will increase the accuracy of the Physical Blue Magic. <BR><BR> Magical Blue Magic appears to be based on Blue Magic skill and the Mind or Intelligence stat. Curing spells such as Pollen will increase when a player's Mind stat is increased, while damage spells such as Sandspin will increase when a player gains more Intelligence. I am working on a test to discover if Mind increases spells such as Metallic Body or Cocoon. I have theorized that the Elemental Staffs will help Blue Magic, but I have yet to test this. <BR><BR>

Blue Magic Day Alignment
This section will be dedicated to threads and information on any Blue Magic spell that has a day alignment that increases potency. So far, Pollen has been noted to cure for more Hit Points on Lightsday (rough test). <BR><BR>

Blue Magic Physical Bonuses
Physical Blue Magic Damage (Tested): While the information didn't agree with my testing, I cannot produce sufficent proof to deny any information in this thread. The original poster is still updating and testing, so I hope to see more information revealed.<BR><BR>

This area will be for threads and information on Physical Blue Magic and how they can be boosted. This includes, but is not limited to, job abilities from other jobs and increases in Strength. Level       Name           Stacks 1       Foot Kick          Yes 4       Sprout Smack       Yes 4       Wild Oats          Yes 4       Power Attack       Yes 8       Queasyshroom       No   12       Battle Dance       Yes 12      Feather Storm      No   12       Head Butt          Yes What I found odd was that Wild Oats stacked while Feather Storm did not. Both appear to be ranged attacks.

Next I did tests with Souleater, basing a work or not work on HP loss and damage. Here are my results. Level       Name           Stacks 1       Foot Kick          Yes 4       Sprout Smack       Yes 4       Wild Oats          Yes 4       Power Attack       Yes 8       Queasyshroom       No   12       Battle Dance       Yes 12      Feather Storm      No   12       Head Butt          Yes Notice that the same abilities that stacked with Sneak Attack stack with Souleater. I was hoping this would be the case. Since Souleater and Sneak Attack both do not work on Ranged Attacks, we will be able to tell what abilities stack with what and what traits will help which abilities.

Blue Mage Subjobs
Blue Mage Subjob FAQ<BR><BR>

Since Blue Mage is a new job, people have not fallen into a set subjob. This is great for the Blue Mage job, as seen by the amount of subjobs that are working. I will give a short list of subjobs, which will be updated as more tests, opinions, and information is found.<BR><BR>

<FONT COLOR="#FF0000">/WAR</FONT>: Started at level 10, the Warrior subjob allows the Blue Mage to become a tanking. If you are going to use this combo, I would suggest several things. First, bring multiple types of food. Depending on the mob, defense food may or may not be needed. When it is not needed, you will be able to use attack food. This will increase your damage and allow you to keep hate. Make sure you use your attack Blue Magic. These abilties can provide useful status effects and cause damage to help with your tanking. I would also ask you to bring juice. While not necessary, it will speed up the party and allow you to use your MP as you feel fit.

<FONT COLOR="#FF0000">/DRK</FONT>: Dark Knight is looking like a nice subjob due to the increased melee stats, attack bonus, and additional Magic Points. While the magical increases are only through stats, the melee increases include the Attack Bonus, Souleater, and Last Resort.

<FONT COLOR="#FF0000">/THF</FONT>: The biggest bonus from Thief subjob is the ability to use Sneak Attack with Physical Blue Magic. I will be doing testing in the next few days to see which abilities this will stack with (and will add links to any other testing done), Thief is appearing to be a very nice subjob for Blue Mage. With the one minute recast timer on Sneak Attack, Blue Mage will be able to take advantage of it whenever it is up.

<FONT COLOR="#FF0000">/NIN</FONT>: Many people are already seen Ninja as a viable subjob. I felt that Ninja would be a nice subjob for Blue Mage because it feels like it goes well with the story (in my opinion). For the actual helpful aspects, you will gain an offhand weapon at level 20 and Uts. Ichi at level 24. While there are currently no tests to prove so, Accuracy+ may increase Physical Blue Magic damage. If so, dual wielding a sword with a stat bonus may help the Blue Mage greatly.

<FONT COLOR="#FF0000">/SMN</FONT>: Summoner was my sub of choice when soloing mobs to learn their abilities. After learning Pollen, the White Mage subjob offers nothing that the Blue Mage main cannot do (if you are soloing). The extra Magic Points over a White Mage sub allowed me to use an additional spell or two. Summoner as a sub also provides a boost to both the INT and MND stats.

<FONT COLOR="#FF0000">/BLM</FONT>: Black Mage is second only to Summoner in the Magic Points added from the subjob. You will also recieve an increased INT stat. Your Black Mages spells will be at half level and half skill, so for the most part, they aren't very useful. Elemental Seal appears to stack with the Elemental Blue Magic, at my last check. This would provide a useful bonus in certain situations.

<FONT COLOR="#FF0000">/WHM</FONT>: White Mage provides a modest boost to your Magic Points and an increased MND stat. You gain Cures and Status Cures at their level, but from what I've seen, the Blue Mage Magic Points are better spent in other ways. Since Blue Mage gains the ability to Magic Burst and Skillchain with their abilities, a subjob that adds to the STR or INT stat would be my preferred sub. As with Black Mage, the White Mage ability Divine Seal stacks with curing Blue Magic. This may be useful if your party lacks a backup healer and is fighting a mob with strong melee attacks.

<FONT COLOR="#FF0000">/RDM</FONT>: Red Mage is like Dark Knight in the fact that it also provides a boost to the magical and melee abilities of the Blue mage. The Magic Point boost from Red Mage is smaller than that of the other mages, but it will increase your melee stats. I feel that Dark Knight would provide better boosts to a melee heavy Blue Mage, while Red Mage would be better for those who are heavier on casting, but still enjoy to melee (more casting would require more resting, unless you have Refresh and Juices). The actual melee boosts from Red Mage are only stat boosts. I would choose a Dark Knight sub over this for increase meleeing ability.

<FONT COLOR="#FF0000">/BRD</FONT>: Bard is a nice subjob to have at low levels. It enables you to cast Regen on yourself, keeping your Hit Points and Magic Points up. It also gives an increased Charisma stat, which some people believe increases the learn rate.

<FONT COLOR="#FF0000">/BST</FONT>: Subbing Beastmaster will allow you to use a pet to tank a mob while you rest and try to learn abilities. A large amount of Blue Mages have been seen using this combo. It also gives increased Charisma, which may or may not help learning.

<FONT COLOR="#FF0000">/COR</FONT>: Starting at level 10, subbing Corsair will allow you to gain increased Experience Points from the Corsair's Role ability. Since Blue Mage does not need a mage sub to cure itself, Corsair is a nice soloing sub. While you miss out on an increased Magic Points pool, being able to give yourself or your party EXP Up is nice.

Testimonials for Subjobs
This section has been created for information that was gathered directly from players. If you have any information for this section, edit in your testimonial. Be sure to include your name and Blue Mage level.<BR><BR>

Blue Mage Set Combo Traits

 * Blue Mage Job Traits
 * Blue Mage Set Combo Traits at Allakhazam<BR><BR>

Blue Mage traits are gained differently than other jobs. Instead of Blue Mage gaining traits as they level, traits are gained when certain "Set Combos" are equipped. This allows a wide variety of traits to be given to the Blue Mage, based on the current situation. These are still being discovered, and will be added as they are found. <BR><BR>

Blue Mage Equipment
Shields for Blue Mage<BR><BR>

There is very little Blue Magic specific equipment in the game. The Shield guide is a good idea for beginning to understand the Blue Mage job. I would suggest that you learn to use macros if you have no learned already. For Healing based magic attacks, macro in MND. For attack magic, macro in INT. For Physical Blue Magic, macro in Strength. I will be adding any specific modifiers or caps on Blue Magic spells as they become tested and known.

Azure Lore Information
<U><B>Name</B></U>: Azure Lore<BR> <U><B>Level</B></U>: 1<BR> <U><B>Cast</B></U>: Instant<BR> <U><B>Duration</B></U>: 0:00:30<BR> <U><B>Recast</B></U>: 2:00:00<BR> <U><B>Effect</B></U>: Enhances the effects of blue magic spells.<BR>

Many people are wondering exactly what Azure Lore does. After a few rough tests from me and people in my Linkshell, we concluded that it did not enhance Blue Magic in a noticable way. There was no damage increase, that we could tell. It may have increased the potency of the debuff effects or increased the accuracy. What we did find is that when Azure Lore was used, it seemed that the rate for learning an ability was increased. Using this "trick", I was 4/5 on abilities (failing on Queasyshroom, which I was trying to get for about four hours), while my friend was also 4/5 (failing on learning Feather Storm from a Too Weak mob). This may not be an intention effect, but a possible side effect of whatever the true Azure Lore effect may be. More testing will be needed to truely discover how this ability effects Blue Magic. I have come to believe that Azure Lore does one of two things. The first would be an elimination of the "family" of each spell. This means any spell you use would be at full effectiveness. Another theory is that Azure Lore increases your Blue Magic skill. This would explain why Azure Lore helps learning (assuming that a higher Blue Magic skill makes learning easier). Neither one of these has been proven, they are just theories. It has also been reported that Azure Lore decreases the Blue Magic cast time.

<U><B>Name</B></U>: Burst Affinity<BR> <U><B>Level</B></U>: 25<BR> <U><B>Cast</B></U>: Instant<BR> <U><B>Duration</B></U>: 0:00:30<BR> <U><B>Recast</B></U>: 0:02:00<BR> <U><B>Effect</B></U>: Makes it possible for your next "Magical" Blue Magic spell to be used in a Magic Burst.<BR>

Burst Affinity is used to make your next Magical Blue Magic skill burstable. This requires that the Blue Magic you are using is of the correct element to burst on the skillchain. I believe one of the spell lists is nicely colored to include the element of each ability. If this list isn't correct, I will add my own list under this section.

<U><B>Name</B></U>: Chain Affinity<BR> <U><B>Level</B></U>: 40<BR> <U><B>Cast</B></U>: Instant<BR> <U><B>Duration</B></U>: 0:00:30<BR> <U><B>Recast</B></U>: 0:02:00<BR> <U><B>Effect</B></U>: Makes it possible for your next "Physical" Blue Magic spell to be used in a Skillchain.<BR>

Chain Affinity allows your next Physical Blue Magic spell to begin, continue, or end a skillchain. This requires that the Blue Magic is chainable to work. I am currently in contact with several Blue Mages on Fairy to help me with the skillchains. I plan on talking to adennak to give him the data we retrieve on the skillchains. I was recently informed that at level 50 (by Ravidial of Fairy), the job ability Chain Affinity changes. He reported a skillchain that was previously Scission changed to Fusion, without any visable Job Trait or Job Ability change.

Blue Mage Artifact Armor
So, any ideas on AF?<BR><BR>

Even though Blue Mage Artifact Armor isn't in the game yet, I created this section to hold the current links to any discussions to the Artifact Armor and will add the quest information and stats of the Artifact Armor when it is added to the game. Right now, based off of the type of armor in the new expansion and the Corsair Job Ability, it is believed that the Blue Mage Artifact Armor will be named Magus XXX.

Blue Mage Parties
This section has been created for anyone who wishes to reccomend a Blue Mage party setup and EXP location. Be sure to include the level range, area, and jobs in the party.

Blue Mage and Skillchains
As of right now, little is know about Blue Mage and their skillchains. After speaking with Ravidial ingame, he insured me that his skillchain did change from Liquifaction to Fusion at level 50. He also stated that no addition Job Traits or noticable change to Chain Affinity was present.
 * Chain Affinity: Very Interesting
 * Blu > Blu Skillchain Guide (Work In Progress)
 * Skillchains: Post them here<BR>

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I learn Blue Magic?<BR> A: To learn Blue Magic, a monster needs to use an ability. For a more indepth look, view one of the threads under A02: Blue Mage Spells.

Q: People said I could learn Blue Magic from Too Weak mobs, is this true?<BR> A: Yes, this is true. Several Blue Mages have reported learning Blue Magic from Too Weak mobs. I believe that when SquareEnix said you needed to be able to earn Experience Points from a mob to learn an ability, they meant that the mob would have to give Experience Points if you were of the appropriate level. I also believe that the level of the ability is another limiting factor. For instance, you can learn Power Attack from a Too Weak beetle at level 15, but you will be unable to learn Bomb Toss from a Too Weak beetle at the same level.

Q: How do I Set Blue Magic?<BR> A: To set Blue Magic, open your main menu. Go down to the third option labeled "Magic". Select it. Now select the "Set" option below Manuel sort.

Q: What do the Yellow Boxes in my Set window mean?<BR> A: The yellow boxes are the Blue Magic that will not be usable in level capped areas. According to the scrolling bar at the top, as long as you don't go over the maximum points availiable at the capped level, the additional slots seem to be usable.

Miscellaneous Information
Theory on Blue Mage's Role in Parties: This link provides a discussion on how Blue Mages have performed in parties as certain roles.<BR> Blue Mage (BLU) Fact vs Fiction: The Search for the Truth: This thread contains links to threads that prove or disprove different rumors, facts, and common misconceptions about the Blue Mage job.<BR> Worm bane by Amanoj: This thread is a tale of a Blue Mage's quick leveling. <BR> Forbidden Art of the Immortal Lions: Contains a link to a chart made by Shuurai with various information on Blue Mage.<BR> Level 38 Blue Mage Tanking Experience: The experiences of a level 38 Blue Mage tanking. <BR> Everything You Need To Know About Which Stat To Raise: Post by Nny about Blue Mage damage and stats.<BR> Adennak's Skillchain Chart, Now will Blue Mage Hotness