Black Mage Actions

Main article: Black Mage

Rotations

Firestarter proc should be cast immediately, unless you're entering Umbra phase, in which case you should use your normal filler spell (usually Thunder II) until full MP, then use your Firestarter proc.

Always be casting. While there are some times when interrupting your casting is necessary, some players cancel a casting in order to cast a proc'd ability. Cancelling spells already in progress is always DPS loss and should be avoided unless you need to move and avoid damage.

The normal Black Mage rotation consist of 4 castings of Fire before you drop below the amount of MP needed to cast both Blizzard III and Thunder II. Any further casting of Fire after the fourth will result in an insufficient amount of MP to get through an Umbral phase uninterrupted.

In presence of Scholar or by using Food or Materia, it is possible to raise your Piety to 251 or higher. It gives you enough MP to cast 5 Fire spells and continue your rotation without pause. It results in a 2.5% increase in DPS.

During portions of fights where movement is required, default to Scathe until you've arrived at your new destination or use Swiftcast to keep up your current rotation.

If due to a Thundercloud proc you have plenty of time left on your Thunder DoT, use Blizzard as filler during Umbra phase. Also use Blizzard or Scathe on mobs that won't live long enough to justify Thunder.

Many Black Mage guides say use Swiftcast on cooldown. This will grant a magical dps increase in total but remove the chance to use Swiftcast for utility or in emergencies. Use at your discretion but if you choose to use it try to use it when hardcasting spells, especially tier 3 spells.

When sitting on a Firestarter proc in Umbra phase, use Transpose before casting Fire III to give yourself a nice damage boost. You'll do more and still be at full MP.

Use Raging Strikes on whenever its on cooldown unless you're planning to use it for bigger fights within 2 minutes. Maximize the phase time during Raging Strikes.

Fire III -> Fire II (Until just above 266 MP) -> Flare -> Transpose -> Blizzard II x 2

The above rotation in intended to be cast in the middle of a group of mobs to ensure Blizzard II hits all mobs. If you are uncomfortable standing in the middle of a group of mobs, cast the above rotation but switch out the 2 Blizzard II with 1 Blizzard III.

Flare requires a minimum of 266 MP to cast. Make sure your final Fire II does not force you below 266 MP.

Double Flare. Using both Convert and Swiftcast abilities, it's possible to cast 2 Flare spells within a couple seconds of each other. This technique is very effective at leveling groups of mobs quickly. Simply follow your first Flare with Convert -> Swiftcast -> Flare and continue your rotation.

Vary your rotation to suit your situation. Don't continue an AoE rotation when only 2 mobs left, when you're grabbing aggro and don't use Flare if your target will die before the cast finishes.

AoE rotations can be cause a lot of aggro very quickly, make sure your tank has secured aggro on all mobs before you unleash your AoE rotation. Make sure to use damage mitigating spells like Manaward and Manawall in case you pull aggro.

Action	Level	MP Cost	Cast Time	Cooldown	Range	Radius	Description
Convert	30	0	Instant	180s	0y	0y	Sacrifices 20% of maximum HP to restore 30% of MP. Cannot be executed when current HP is lower than 20%.
Freeze	35	532	3.5s	2.5s	25y	5y	Covers a designated area in ice, dealing ice damage with a potency of 20 and binding enemies that enter for 15s. Additional Effect: Grants Umbral Ice for 10s or removes Astral Fire.
Apocatastasis	40	0	Instant	120s	30y	0y	Increases a party member's fire, ice and lightning resistances by 30% for 12s. Cannot be reused on an individual for 60s from when the effect wears off. Cannot be cast on self.
Manawall	45	0	Instant	120s	0y	0y	Creates a barrier that nullifies two physical attacks for 60s.
Flare	50	100% MP	4s	2.5s	25y	9y	Deals fire damage with a potency of 260 to a target and enemies near it. Additional Effect: Grants Astral Fire III for 10s or removes Umbral Ice.