[Guide] Black Mage - Because, heavy deeps, that's why.

[HitomeOfBismarck]

I'll provide some more insight after progression in T9 this week.

I will tell you my average parse on T8 is usually ~310 DPS. It's low and I have almost zero movement. If I end up with Allagan field, I lose around 10 DPS. Any tower covering I have to do further detracts from my DPS.

Sad? Sure. But we are still decent for T8. I've seen reports of 380+ parse results for BLM but these always make me raise an eyebrow. Possible? Yes. Just like it's possible for MNKs and SMNs to hit ridiculous numbers...by abusing their BRDs.

Anyways, I'd like to give you all some insight about T9.

First thing first: SSPD is really good for this turn. The second you upgrade your Laevateinn and are able to completely utilize all your damage gear from 2.0-2.1, you'll notice a HUGE DPS increase. I think I went from an average parse of 250 on T9 (we die usually at the transition to the fire/ice/thunderstruck phase with the supernova chaos) before the weapon to 290 tonight with the weapon.

It was a change from 375 SSPD to 475 SSPD. I'll be happy to post logs for you if you request it. I'm on my laptop at the moment without access to them, though.

There are several tricks:

1) It'd be nice if your BRD (or WHM or SCH) can preposition the meteors in the first phase. Meaning, they run to the spot that the next meteor should be dropped. You focus target this person and simply aetherial manipulation to them if you get a marker on you. If not, you continue to DPS and adjust according to the combo.

Lunar? Sprint and back up.

Double dive? Manawall and continue to DPS.

Iron Chariot > Thermionic combo? Back away from the center and make sure your camera is covering the entire arena. This way, if she jumps to your side, your cast won't be interrupted. As you gather in the middle, make sure to turn your camera to the front (where the tanks are) as soon as she casts thermionic or your cast will be interrupted.

Our burst damage is actually very useful for the golems. Manaward helps quite a bit during the second meteor phase as well depending on your group's strat.

The problems start after mega flare. You'll get interrupted by heavensfall's knockback, have to move due to heavensfall's cone placement and supernovas, and you'll have to move for cleansing twist.

Outside of this, I don't think the next phase is too difficult (for sustaining DPS) if your group uses the stack strat where everyone sits on the boss' butt.

I'd like to hear about everyone else and tricks they've used to overcome obstacles in other turns.

T6:

-If you have to get eaten, you can generally pop manawall and not have to worry about getting cleaved after the spit
-Even if you don't pop manawall, you can spam aetherial manipulation when inside Raflesia. The minute she spits you out, you teleport to a person behind her and avoid the cleave
-Pretty sure flare isn't too bad of a DPS increase when the bulbs spawn in the middle on the boss (if you use this strategy)

RNG can screw you over quite a bit here

T7:

Another fight reliant on RNG. Shriek ruins our DPS just like with 8's towers. Voice can be a DPS loss too due to positioning. Overall, no real tricks I've discovered.

T8:

Manaward works wonders on mines and manawall negates the tether damage.




Anything you all have come across that has boosted your DPS?

[Black]

What you guys parsing on levi ex? Please ilvl and weapon ilvl included

[OWS_Tonx]

I could be doing it wrong, but I generally save my swift cast and convert solely for that middle bulb in T6. I'll usually do 1 fire, swift flare, vert, and it's dead. The only annoying thing is sometimes it's dead before it grows. If it does grow before you it dies, your vert will be back up for the next one. If not, I usually just nuke regular on it next without any flare. I've read of people hitting 300+ in T6 as BLM which definitely sounds doable but this last win I only pulled in about 254. That was with some bad RNG too. I was honey'd twice and got damn near every tether. I'm getting higher each week so it's just something that comes with experience and some luck.

I never had anyone parse me in Levi and I can't really use hate list because the separate targets but I imagine we should be relatively high or at least in the standard order

[shidobu]

T6:

-If you have to get eaten, you can generally pop manawall and not have to worry about getting cleaved after the spit

if you hold down a directional key towards a safe spot. You will be spit out in that direction
just hold the key. towards a non danger zone patches/front of boss

[Redwolfx]

I would like your all suggestions on what to do, currently with Party and Food Buff,
537 INT, 476 ACC, 592 Crit, 353 Det, 439 Spells Speed

My Group is currenltly working on progessing through T9 hoping to get clear by next few weeks, so far we have only gotten 1 casting ring to drop out all the coil runs we done. All of the DPS have upgraded weapons, and tanks have their Shield/Animus Weapons, 1 Healer with Upgraded staff.

In 2 weeks ill have enough soldier to get Laevitainn weapon, but im thinking about not spending soldier and Sands for that.
Currently have 3/5 Accessories Upgraded with oil: Ring/Braclet/Necklace
Bought 2nd Weathered ring to compensate.

Rest of my gear is HQ Crafts with penta Melds.
ffxiv.ariyala.com/M9O2

Should I purchase all my Soldier pieces, IE: Head, Hands, Feet, Hope to upgrade for biS?

[HitomeOfBismarck]

if you hold down a directional key towards a safe spot. You will be spit out in that direction
just hold the key. towards a non danger zone patches/front of boss

Ah thank you. This is what a FC member suggested to me tonight and I didn't understand him as well as I thought I did. This is very cool!

[OWS_Tonx]

I would like your all suggestions on what to do, currently with Party and Food Buff,
537 INT, 476 ACC, 592 Crit, 353 Det, 439 Spells Speed

My Group is currenltly working on progessing through T9 hoping to get clear by next few weeks, so far we have only gotten 1 casting ring to drop out all the coil runs we done. All of the DPS have upgraded weapons, and tanks have their Shield/Animus Weapons, 1 Healer with Upgraded staff.

In 2 weeks ill have enough soldier to get Laevitainn weapon, but im thinking about not spending soldier and Sands for that.
Currently have 3/5 Accessories Upgraded with oil: Ring/Braclet/Necklace
Bought 2nd Weathered ring to compensate.

Rest of my gear is HQ Crafts with penta Melds.
ffxiv.ariyala.com/M9O2

Should I purchase all my Soldier pieces, IE: Head, Hands, Feet, Hope to upgrade for biS?

Personally, I hate wasting my tomes. I've saved enough soldiery now that whenever my group gets back on track to progression I'll win the unknown tome and hopefully the sands too. As for gear, I've seen a couple BiS sets floating around and they seem good. I'd follow that and wouldn't waste soldiery on other slots we know H Allagan is better unless it's the legs or somethin that drop from t9. BG and other FCs have cleared T9 with minimum soldiery equipment and penta melded stuff, I'm sure groups that are currently working on T9 can too.

[Black]

just upgraded to i100 weapon T o T

http://i60.tinypic.com/2jadykk.jpg

[Redwolfx]

t6:
-Pop sprint usually when you know tether coming up, you could flare but probably best to single target to garentee no roots, and for final phase, pop all CDs and X-Int Potions as usual.
-Have and Use FireProc ready for Bee After Blighted
-You could Double Flare During Slimes if your doing burn method by timeLimit Break is cast and lands you will land flareat the same time.
T7:
-First adds spawn get near middle of arena since dps will be moving towards adds,then once you get few cast off back near the boss off since Tanks/dps will need to position near your area, to dps 2nd add, while dodging shriek, pop quelling and raging and burn add, this way you won't have to move for shriek.
-Standing Close to boss might be needed last 40% , and also be just outside of range so dps don't get hit by Firebombs.
-My Group has it so when archers spawn I can flare Loop both the boss and archer, I usually solo one while other dps takes another down.
-For Prosecutor, theres not much you can do since voice/shriek happens during that moment, try to have a proc in stock, your best single target rotation and have Swiftcast/Convert Ready for <10 sec to do your best dmg.

T8:
Average DPS was 400+ at Start, Then Slowly dropped to 350-340 around 50% and ended at 319-325 At the End.
-Starting off not moving at all for first 30 secs, Thunder3>Raging Strikes>(Fire3>Fire1's>Swiftcast Flare> Convert > Fire 1 > Bliz 3> Atherial Manipulaton to a Healer or 2nd on your list, Thunder 2 > Repeat)
-Soon after pop X-Int Potions since you can pop only 2 throughout the fight.
-Don't wait save Raging Strikes for Dread, just do you 2-3 normal Flare loops, Transpose and move on else you will waste it while you run to Tower, Save it for Boss after your done with Towers and Refilled MP completely.

If your single tank:
-Before Dread spawns, stock up on Fire Proc/Thunder Proc. Moment Dreadnaught Spawns, Stop Everything, Pop Quelling,
-Target Dread, t3/fire3 proc (while Dread moves to Center), If you don't have procs begin flare rotation on Boss.

Long cast Flare> Swift/Convert> Flare> Transpose > Flare > Flare > Sprint to Tower> Transpose > Scathe until back to Position > Fire 3
or
Long Cast Flare>Transpose > Flare > Flare > Sprint to Tower > Swift/Convert+Flare While Running> Transpose > Scathe Until Stack with PT > Fire 3

-You should be able to cast atleast 3 Flares, That way incase dread dies prior to last flare, you won't get interrupted and still do 2k dmg on boss and then can use your umbral from transpose to sprint and recover mp when you need to run to tower. Scathe a few times, cast fire 3 while running back.
-Try your best to face the boss during ballistic Missle so you can still cast nukes if bound and if you are in charge of going in and out of circles.

T9:
Phase 1:
-Might have to pop Quelling and Raging at start if your going to go all out with Swiftcast>Flare>Convert>Fire1>Bliz3
-Use Manawall During or Prior to the 3rd Stardust cast, that way you will have off CD for 6th Stardust Cast ( 3rd and 6th Meteor follows up with Double dives, which will give you 0 Damage taken)
-Depending on your strat always pop Sprint during Stardust/Divebombs

Phase2:
-Pop Sprint As Golem spawn, Depending on your strat: I would run to meteor incase I pull hate from Non-PLD/WAR Tank.

I haven't had enough experience in 3rd and 4rth phase to have it down to a science.

[Black]

t6:
-Pop sprint usually when you know tether coming up, you could flare but probably best to single target to garentee no roots, and for final phase, pop all CDs and X-Int Potions as usual.
-Have and Use FireProc ready for Bee After Blighted
-You could Double Flare During Slimes if your doing burn method by timeLimit Break is cast and lands you will land flareat the same time.
T7:
-First adds spawn get near middle of arena since dps will be moving towards adds,then once you get few cast off back near the boss off since Tanks/dps will need to position near your area, to dps 2nd add, while dodging shriek, pop quelling and raging and burn add, this way you won't have to move for shriek.
-Standing Close to boss might be needed last 40% , and also be just outside of range so dps don't get hit by Firebombs.
-My Group has it so when archers spawn I can flare Loop both the boss and archer, I usually solo one while other dps takes another down.
-For Prosecutor, theres not much you can do since voice/shriek happens during that moment, try to have a proc in stock, your best single target rotation and have Swiftcast/Convert Ready for <10 sec to do your best dmg.

T8:
Average DPS was 400+ at Start, Then Slowly dropped to 350-340 around 50% and ended at 319-325 At the End.
-Starting off not moving at all for first 30 secs, Thunder3>Raging Strikes>(Fire3>Fire1's>Swiftcast Flare> Convert > Fire 1 > Bliz 3> Atherial Manipulaton to a Healer or 2nd on your list, Thunder 2 > Repeat)
-Soon after pop X-Int Potions since you can pop only 2 throughout the fight.
-Don't wait save Raging Strikes for Dread, just do you 2-3 normal Flare loops, Transpose and move on else you will waste it while you run to Tower, Save it for Boss after your done with Towers and Refilled MP completely.

If your single tank:
-Before Dread spawns, stock up on Fire Proc/Thunder Proc. Moment Dreadnaught Spawns, Stop Everything, Pop Quelling,
-Target Dread, t3/fire3 proc (while Dread moves to Center), If you don't have procs begin flare rotation on Boss.

Long cast Flare> Swift/Convert> Flare> Transpose > Flare > Flare > Sprint to Tower> Transpose > Scathe until back to Position > Fire 3
or
Long Cast Flare>Transpose > Flare > Flare > Sprint to Tower > Swift/Convert+Flare While Running> Transpose > Scathe Until Stack with PT > Fire 3

-You should be able to cast atleast 3 Flares, That way incase dread dies prior to last flare, you won't get interrupted and still do 2k dmg on boss and then can use your umbral from transpose to sprint and recover mp when you need to run to tower. Scathe a few times, cast fire 3 while running back.
-Try your best to face the boss during ballistic Missle so you can still cast nukes if bound and if you are in charge of going in and out of circles.

T9:
Phase 1:
-Might have to pop Quelling and Raging at start if your going to go all out with Swiftcast>Flare>Convert>Fire1>Bliz3
-Use Manawall During or Prior to the 3rd Stardust cast, that way you will have off CD for 6th Stardust Cast ( 3rd and 6th Meteor follows up with Double dives, which will give you 0 Damage taken)
-Depending on your strat always pop Sprint during Stardust/Divebombs

Phase2:
-Pop Sprint As Golem spawn, Depending on your strat: I would run to meteor incase I pull hate from Non-PLD/WAR Tank.

I haven't had enough experience in 3rd and 4rth phase to have it down to a science.

as for T8 whats ilvl your weapon? and gear, i see 350-380 DPS for blm there with i110 weapon

[Redwolfx]

as for T8 whats ilvl your weapon? and gear, i see 350-380 DPS for blm there with i110 weapon

its only wave staff nvm see mirror drop wont have laev. for 2-3 weeks, we have had incredibly shitty drop rate on casting gear, for weeks nothing.. waiting on to get head/feet

]at ilvl 97

[Black]

its only wave staff nvm see mirror drop wont have laev. for 2-3 weeks, we have had incredibly shitty drop rate on casting gear, for weeks nothing.. waiting on to get head/feet

]at ilvl 97

i see thanks for info, i guess im lucky i won first mirror i saw lol

[Redwolfx]

T9 Phase1 Rotation:

Thun3>Raging>Fire3>Fire1>Low MP>Swiftcast+Flare>Convert>Fire1>Bliz3> Fire 3

Iron Chariot- Cast Blizzard 3 Prior to Jump> Fire 3> Fire 1> Scathe > Unntil Back on tank

Lunar Dynamo+Dive - Cast Blizzard 3 Prior to Dive > Transpose+Manawall after Dives

(Single Target Rotation )

Dives x2 - Transpose after it Disapears


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW0YfNPMgpU
Repeat until Golems

[Lokus]

A FC mate taught me this little trick for simplifying Double Flare to not even need to time your Flare after a tic of MP. Once you transpose, just start spamming Flare until it actually starts to cast then interrupt it. After that, just start casting Flare again and you should get the MP tick for the second Flare.

[Skai]

Just went out to try this. Not bad. Do remember to give a good second before you interrupt. For me that's a little bit past the word Flare on the casting bar.

Like this a lot. More aggressive and a second or two less waiting.

[Redwolfx]

Phase 1-3 for BLM, Got it sorta down to science, finnally made it to phase 3, hopefully get it down this coming week or next week

Notes:
-Waymark C is safe area for heavenfall lines, and for 2nd heaven falls, first pulse line, gotta move for 2nd.
-Move to waymark A once Heavenfalls disapears, prepare and cast meteor around 75% or do Roation and stack up on procs for <50% of dragon health

-Transpose after every dive since it takes while to target him again.

-Manawall after Lunar Dynamo.

-Pairing up with fellow rng dps for Meteor placement in 2nd Phase and staying on left side of final golem always helped.

-Manaward for Meteors you can take 0 damage if you have stoneskin.

-You will usually only get 1 full mp rotation on a golem, change to next one and blizzard 3 that one.

-Staying on lines where golems circles are helps you pull blue and keep it near meteors, also just sprinting to blue and using swiftcast+fire3 to start rotation of each golem spawns

[Seravi Edalborez]

A FC mate taught me this little trick for simplifying Double Flare to not even need to time your Flare after a tic of MP. Once you transpose, just start spamming Flare until it actually starts to cast then interrupt it. After that, just start casting Flare again and you should get the MP tick for the second Flare.

The way I was taught was to use this

/wait 1
/ac "Flare" <t>

just after a tick of UI MP. And I have a separate non-macro button for Flare of course.

[Neon_Sea]

That interrupt trick doesn't work all the time, trust me. If you really need a way to kill frames try to time it when it hits the "f" in flare on the cast bar. I just time it now since it's not too bad.

[Indomitable Will]

finally got around to updating the OP with double flare's, put the video in as well. On the interupt thing, yeah that can be wonky,and either way, if done right you're getting 2 flares off in the same timeframe so meh, to each his/her own.

[OWS_Tonx]

the auto cancel cast thing I thought was lag since the only times I've had it happen to me was playing at a friends house with like 4 people watching netflix. Kept trying to chain fire1 and they would randomly stop midcast