Red Mage (Final Fantasy XI)

Red Mages is one of the most versitile job classes in all of Final Fantasy XI. They are a Jack-of-all-Trades, being able to cast both white magic and black magic as well as fight with swords and daggers. Their wide variety of skills, though, also means that they are a master of nothing. They can neither remove status ailments as a white mage can, nor can they can heal with as great a proficiency. They cannot do nearly as much damage as a black mage with offensive magic. Even in combat, they are not as deadly as blue mages with a sword or as handy as a thief with a dagger.

Red Mage is a job that can be played in many different ways. Over time they have been played more and more like white mages at higher levels as the main healer of the party, but they are also one of the most capable classes when it comes to soloing quests. They can also be put in a purely support roll since Red Mages do have unique spells that only they can cast, like phalanx and refresh, and have the most powerful enfeebling magic skill of any job in the game.

All races of Vana'diel could make a compitent Red Mage, though Tarutaru high MP total means they probably would be the best racially speaking, while Galka are probably the least popular or common considering their low MP totals.

Becoming a Red Mage
A player can begin the game as a Red Mage. If he choses to do so, he will be given an onion sword as well as a spell scroll for Dia in addition to his normal racial starting gear. Otherwise, he can choose to become a Red Mage at any time simply by changing his job at his mog house or at a nomad moogle.

Red Mage Abilities
{| border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" align="center" width="100%"
 * valign="top" width="25%"|

Job Abilities

 * valign="top" align="center" width="50%"|

Job Traits

 * valign="top" width="25%"|

Merit Unlockable

 * }

Strengths

 * Can use both White Magic and Black Magic as well as use his or her weapon and effectively melee during battle.
 * Best Enfeebling Magic and Enhancing Magic
 * One of only four jobs that can Dispel enemy buffs.
 * Phalanx and Stoneskin, allows Red Mages to solo a great deal of enemies.
 * One of only two jobs that can use Enspells.
 * Fast Cast allows much shorter casting times.
 * The only job that can learn the spell Refresh.

Weaknesses

 * Magic and Melee abilities are much weaker than those abilities of more specialized jobs.
 * Generally takes more of a support role in EXP parties, and main healing in the higher level EXP parties.
 * Before Level 40, Red Mages recover MP very slowly.