Red Mage (Stranger of Paradise)

Red mages are versatile magic users who wield both black and white magic.

Description

The Red Mage is an Advanced Job in Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin, available after unlocking the corresponding nodes in the Swordfighter and Mage Job Trees. In addition, it is available to Neon after clearing the "Audience with the Dark Elf" main mission. Leveling this job is required unlock the Tyrant and Void Knight expert jobs.

Red Mage is a jack-of-all-trades job that delves into melee, casting, and supportive styles of play. The player has access to both portions of Black Magic and White Magic spells to serve as a self-sufficient hybrid job that covers each field of combat to compensate for its lack of sheer magic power. To alleviate this, the job has good physical break damage, MP Recovery, and middling stat growth in Strength, Intellect, and Spirit to encourage both avenues of combat.

Abilities[]

Job Action[]

Ability	MP Cost	Description	Movie
Chainspell	100	[Stat Bonus: Intellect/Spirit] While is active, using will allow you to cast another spell consecutively. Only certain white and black magic spells can be cast this way. Spells consist of Fire, Blizzard, Thunder, Regen, Protect, Shell, and Haste. [Any Link] Can be set to any link ability slot.

The Red Mage has the unique ability to cast spells consecutively with the Chainspell job action. This job action is an MP heavy skill, with each spell cast with Chainspell costing 100 MP without any modifiers to costs. It works well to apply elemental weaknesses to an enemy and works well with abilities such as Magic Regen and Magic Arts to help with the MP management of the Red Mage. Each of the Red Mage's spells can be charged by two extra levels of power/duration provided the Red Mage has its mastery ability unlocked.

Chainspells[]

Spell	MP required	Description
Fire	100	Launches explosive fireballs in succession. Can be charged to Fire II and Fire III for increased damage.
Blizzard	100	Conjures pillars of ice from the ground in succession. Can be charged to Blizzard II and Blizzard III for increased damage.
Thunder	100	Reigns down powerful bolts of lightning in succession. Can be charged to Thunder II and Thunder III for increased damage.
Regen	100	Recovers 3% of a target's max HP per tick over time in succession. Can be charged to Regen II and Regen III for increased duration.
Protect	100	Increases the target's physical defense by 30% in succession. Can be charged to Protect II and Protect III for increased duration.
Shell	100	Increases the target's magic defense by 30% in succession. Can be charged to Shell II and Shell III for increased duration.
Haste	100	Increases the target's movement speed and attack speed by 25% in succession. Can be charged to Haste II and Haste III for increased duration.

Command Ability[]

Ability	Job Points	MP Cost	Required Ability to Unlock	Description	Movie
Magic Regen	3	100 (Max MP)	Status Ailment Accumulation +5.2%	Slowly recover MP over a period of time. Using this ability will reduce your max HP.

The Red Mage obtains the Magic Regen support ability, allowing the user to slowly recover MP over time at the cost of the maximum MP gauge. This ability pairs well with the Red Mage as it can help replenish MP while using Chainspell. In addition, it acts as a battery to jobs such as the Paladin, Dark Knight, or Liberator, and abilities like Radiant Aura and Spinning Slash as it can mitigate the amount of MP lost during the duration of their respective actions.

Combo Abilities[]

Ability	Type	Job Points	MP Cost	Required Ability to Unlock	Description	Movie
Tempest	Sword Combo	3	100	Red Mage Affinity +10%	[Attack Type: Slash][Element: Wind] [Stat Bonus: Intellect] Unleash a series of wind attacks in front of you that damages all enemies in an area and knocks them back. [Link 2 Ability] Can be set to >>.
Knight's Gambit	Sword Combo	9	100-300	Blade's Blessing	[Attack Type: Slash][Element: Lightning/Ice/Fire] [Stat Bonus: Agility/Intellect] Perform a series of slashes imbued with three elements. Can be charged up to three levels with . [Link 2 Ability] Can be set to >>>.

Combo Effects[]

Ability	Job Points	Required Ability to Unlock	Description
Will of the Blade	5	Tempest	[Weapon Type: Sword] [3rd Link] Enhances abilities set to >>> Enemies broken or brought to 0 HP by this attack will be finished with a soul burst.
Ambitious Edge	8	Red Mage Affinity +15%	[Weapon Type: Daggers] [3rd Link] Enhances abilities set to >>> Enemies broken or brought to 0 HP by this attack will be finished with a soul burst.
Blade's Blessing	7	Soul Shield Break Cost -4.7%	[Weapon Type: Sword] [2nd Link] Enhances abilities set to >> Restores HP based on magic damage dealt.
Dagger of Desire	5	Red Mage Affinity +25%	[Weapon Type: Daggers] [2nd Link] Enhances abilities set to >> Restores HP based on magic damage dealt.

The Red Mage makes use of quick, agile weapons such as the sword or daggers, and more magic-centric weapons such as the mace or staves, all of which can balance Strength, Agility, and Intellect-based abilities to cover all sides of battle. Its combo ability effects focus toward restoring MP by finishing them with soul bursts and keeping HP up through magic damage.

Job Passives[]

Ability	Job Points	Required Ability to Unlock	Description
Red Mage Affinity +10%	1	Chainspell	Increases red mage job affinity.
Physical Break Damage +2.4%	2	Red Mage Affinity +10%	Increases all physical break damage dealt.
Red Mage Affinity +15%	6	Will of the Blade	Increases red mage job affinity.
Chainspell Mastery	7	Will of the Blade	Hold to boost magic power and duration up to 3 levels.
Soul Shield Break Cost -3.7%	8	Chainspell Mastery	Decreases break amount required to activate soul shield.
Status Ailment Accumulation +16.4%	9	Chainspell Mastery	Increases accumulation of status ailments on enemy.
Status Ailment Accumulation +5.2%	1	Chainspell	Increases accumulation of status ailments on enemy.
Red Mage Affinity +25%	3	Status Ailment Accumulation +5.2%	Increases red mage job affinity.
Soul Shield Break Cost -4.7%	5	Magic Regen	Decreases break amount required to activate soul shield.
Physical Break Damage +6.3%	9	Blade's Blessing	Increases all physical break damage dealt.

Job Unlocks[]

These nodes lead to the following Expert Jobs/Job Classes:

Ability	Type	Required Ability to Unlock	Description
New Job: Void Knight	Job Unlock	Status Ailment Accumulation +16.4%	Partial unlock for the Void Knight Job. Also requires a similar ability in the Knight Job Tree.
New Job: Tyrant	Job Unlock	Physical Break Damage +6.3%	Partial unlock for the Tyrant Job. Also requires a similar ability in the Monk Job Tree.
New Class: Marshal	Class Unlock	All Red Mage tree abilities	Unlocks the Evocation Class for Red Mage, Marshal. Only available in the Trials of the Dragon King DLC
New Class: Crimson Lord	Class Unlock	All Red Mage tree abilities	Unlocks the Ultima Class for Red Mage, Crimson Lord. Only available in the Trials of the Dragon King DLC

Class Trees[]

Introduced in the Trials of the Dragon King DLC, These classes are unlocked after visiting Bahamut's Cave and completing the "A Token of Courage and Strength" conversation with Bahamut and the abilities thereof can be bought by using Rat Tails which are accumulated by completing missions on the Bahamut difficulty onward and purchasing them from the Bahamut Exchange Shop via Dragon Treasures:

Marshal[]

The Marshal gains 1 new white spell.

Spell	MP required	Description	Image
Stun	100	Create a small barrier that inflicts paralysis on an enemy. Can be charged to Stun II and Stun III for increased accumulation.

Ability	Type	Rat Tails	Required Ability to Unlock	Description
Cruel Chainspell	Job Action	—	All Red Mage tree abilities	Chainspell + [Class Change Effect: Evocation] Unlocks the ability, Stun. Stun inflicts paralysis on an enemy. [Any Link] Can be set to any link ability slot.
Spirit +7	Passive	2	Cruel Chainspell	Increases spirit.
Elemental Vulnerability Resistance +40.0%	Passive	4	Spirit +7	Increases magic vulnerability resistances.
Agility +6	Passive	6	Elemental Vulnerability Resistance +40.0%	Increases agility.
Red Mage Master Points +3	Passive	11	Agility +6	Increases red mage master points acquired.
HP +192	Passive	8	Elemental Vulnerability Resistance +40.0%	Increases HP by 192.
Luck +6	Passive	10	HP +192	Increases luck.
Staff of Mending	Combo Ability Effects	16	Luck +6	[Weapon Type: Staff] [1st Link] Enhances abilities set to >> Restores HP based on magic damage dealt.
Intellect +7	Passive	2	Cruel Chainspell	Increases intellect.
Break +160	Passive	6	Intellect +7	Increases break by 160.
Status Ailment Resistance +18.0%	Passive	8	Break +160	Increases resistance to status ailments.
Stamina +5	Passive	10	Status Ailment Resistance +18.0%	Increases stamina.
Essence of the Sword	Combo Ability Effects	16	Stamina +5	[Weapon Type: Sword] [Parry Link] Enhances abilities set to After Parry: . Increases accumulation of status ailments on enemy.
Strength +5	Passive	10	Status Ailment Resistance +18.0%	Increases strength.
Red Mage Master Points +3	Passive	15	Strength +5	Increases red mage master points acquired.
Shackled Vigor	Combo Ability Effects	16	Strength +5	[Weapon Type: Staff] [3rd Link] Enhances abilities set to >>> Enemies broken or brought to 0 HP by this attack will be finished with a soul burst.

Crimson Lord[]

The Crimson Lord gains 1 new black spell.

Spell	MP required	Description	Image
Poison	100	Create a small puddle that inflicts poison on an enemy. Can be charged to Poison II and Poison III for increased accumulation.

Ability	Type	Rat Tails	Required Ability to Unlock	Description
Perfidious Chainspell	Job Action	—	All Red Mage tree abilities	Chainspell + [Class Change Effect: Ultima] Unlocks the ability, Poison. [Any Link] Can be set to any link ability slot.
Spirit +7	Passive	2	Perfidious Chainspell	Increases spirit.
Elemental Vulnerability Resistance +40.0%	Passive	4	Spirit +7	Increases magic vulnerability resistances.
Agility +6	Passive	6	Elemental Vulnerability Resistance +40.0%	Increases agility.
Red Mage Master Points +3	Passive	11	Agility +6	Increases red mage master points acquired.
HP +192	Passive	8	Elemental Vulnerability Resistance +40.0%	Increases HP by 192.
Luck +6	Passive	10	HP +192	Increases luck.
Staff of Mending	Combo Ability Effects	16	Luck +6	[Weapon Type: Staff] [1st Link] Enhances abilities set to >> Restores HP based on magic damage dealt.
Intellect +7	Passive	2	Perfidious Chainspell	Increases intellect.
Break +160	Passive	6	Intellect +7	Increases break by 160.
Status Ailment Resistance +18.0%	Passive	8	Break +160	Increases resistance to status ailments.
Stamina +5	Passive	10	Status Ailment Resistance +18.0%	Increases stamina.
Essence of the Sword	Combo Ability Effects	16	Stamina +5	[Weapon Type: Sword] [Parry Link] Enhances abilities set to After Parry: . Increases accumulation of status ailments on enemy.
Strength +5	Passive	10	Status Ailment Resistance +18.0%	Increases strength.
Red Mage Master Points +3	Passive	15	Strength +5	Increases red mage master points acquired.
Shackled Vigor	Combo Ability Effects	16	Strength +5	[Weapon Type: Staff] [3rd Link] Enhances abilities set to >>> Enemies broken or brought to 0 HP by this attack will be finished with a soul burst.

Job Affinity bonuses[]

Most weapons and items of clothing have a certain percentage of Job Affinity for a certain job. By combining them together and raising this percentage, the character may not only gain extra EXP to that Job, but also unlock abilities and bonuses to their stats. The bonuses for the Red Mage Job Affinity are:

Name	Job Ability Percentages	Description
Red Mage's Wisdom I	20%	Increases the corresponding stat(s). Intellect+1
Red Mage's Wisdom II	30%	Increases the corresponding stat(s). Intellect+1 Spirit+1
Osmose Bonus I	50%	Increases MP recovery speed by normal attacks by 6.8%
Red Mage's Wisdom III	80%	Increases the corresponding stat(s). Strength+1 Intellect+2 Spirit+2
Osmose Bonus II	120%	Increases MP recovery speed by normal attacks by 11.3%
Red Mage's Wisdom IV	160%	Increases the corresponding stat(s). HP+25 Strength+1 Intellect+3 Spirit+3
Quick Charge	250%	Decreases the amount of time required to charge attacks.
Calamitous Magic	400%	Increases MP limit and restores MP when inflicting a status ailment on an enemy
Memories of a Crimson Dawn	600%	Inflicting enough magic damage will cause your next ability to do increased physical damage. This effect can stack up to three times. Also enhances the effects of Red Mage's Wisdom.
Red Mage's Essence	800%	Enhances the effects of Red Mage's Wisdom, and also boosts stats based on your affinity.

Gameplay[]

Red Mages fulfill a multitude of utility options due to the bridge that they gap between White Mage and Black Mage and have additional MP-efficient abilities available to their job. They are skilled with swords and daggers, though not to a impressive extent, and have the capacity to do decent physical damage in that manner and recover MP much faster than other jobs. Where they really shine, though, is through enfeebling to impose debilitating status ailments on the enemy.

Strengths[]

Excellent MP Recovery. The Red Mage has one of the best MP Recovery rates with its Osmose Bonuses, Intellect, and Normal Attack MP Recovery. This is made even greater with the #Lancet support ability for extra MP management.
Versatile Combat. The Red Mage provides both Black Magic and White Magic along with the equipment to handle melee encounters, making this job a self-sufficient mage that can play on both ends of combat on its own.
Balance. Can balance offensive and defensive playstyles through stats up until the Lufenia difficulty's high stat contests.
Knight's Gambit. Makes the most use of its powerful combo skill.
Fashion. This job comes with a really cool hat!

Weaknesses[]

Chainspell scaling. Later down the line, the Chainspell loses its luster to Sage for its equal casting speed and superior spells.
Lack of elements. The Red Mage is limited to Fire, Blizzard, and Thunder for damaging spells, leading to a lack of elemental weaknesses to apply to enemies.
Weapon choice. Weapon choices become bland because of other jobs that have similar but better stats. In addition, they also gain access to the Memories of a Crimson Dawn buff because of late game freedom.

Stats[]

The Red Mage gives a stat bonus primarily to Intellect, giving the character more MP recovery on normal attacks and increases magic damage dealt.

Job Stat Rating and Growth by Level
Stat	Rating	Lvl 1	Lvl 30	Lvl 55	Lvl 80	Lvl 99	Lvl 120	Lvl 135	Lvl 150+
HP	C	1355	1788	1933	2046	2140	2269	2359	2449
Strength	C	16	19	30	30	30	30	30	30
Agility	C	15	18	30	30	30	30	30	30
Stamina	D	15	18	28	28	28	28	28	28
Intellect	B	17	20	32	32	32	32	32	32
Spirit	B	17	20	32	32	32	32	32	32
Luck	C	16	18	30	30	30	30	30	30

Recommended Subjobs[]

Tyrant[]

The Red Mage can also make full use of the Tyrant's ability to imbue weapons with magic when paired with its passive ability to increase the accumulation of status ailments from attacks. The Tyrant's Enchantments help by add elemental attributes to your attacks that the Red Mage's casting gauge does not cover to easily take advantage of elemental weaknesses and gain even more MP and providing several status ailments.

Hunter[]

Hunter is an excellent support job for any physical job, fitting one of the Red Mage's roles. Analyze is helpful to bolster your attacks for the Red Mage's weaker physical damage output by bypassing resistances. This can also aid in MP management should the Swordfighter have the Lancet support ability at the ready.

Dragoon[]

Dragoon synergises well with the Red Mage for its capacity for both physical and magic damage in addition to MP mitigation. The Dragoon's evasive playstyle compliments the Red Mage's stationary job action well and provide a boost in powerful attacks paired with the job's buffs with extensive durations.

Void Knight[]

Void Knight is a good support job for the Red Mage for its ability to defend and counter magic damage. Runic and Rune Drive can absorb MP or counter any incoming magic damage, making for an excellent means of MP Recovery. The latter skill from the Rune Knight Evocation Class can also lower the magic defense of any enemy for those who use Chainspell exclusively.

Recommended Weapon Abilities[]

Swords[]


Ability	MP Cost	Description	Required Weapon/Affinity
Beatdown	100	[Attack Type: Strike][Element: Earth] [Stat Bonus: Strength] Slam your foe with a striking, earth-imbued attack that sends them flying. [Any Link] Can be set to any link ability slot.	Any Sword
Blessed Blade	100	[Attack Type: Slash][Element: Holy] [Stat Bonus: Spirit] Slash your enemies while spinning. Restores HP based on damage dealt. [Any Link] Can be set to any link ability slot.	Broadsword Enhancer Sun Blade Sword Master Affinity
Sacred Blade	200	[Attack Type: Slash][Element: Holy] [Stat Bonus: Spirit] Knock enemies back with a slash that deals holy damage. Weapon will remain imbued with Holy for a short amount of time after the attack is finished. [Any Link] Can be set to any link ability slot.	Broadsword Enhancer Sun Blade Sword Master Affinity
Rapid Needle	100	[Attack Type: Pierce] [Stat Bonus: Agility] Unleash a series of piercing attacks that deal heavy break damage to enemies. [Any Link] Can be set to any link ability slot.	Warlord Noble's Blade Save the Queen Sword Master Affinity
Piercing Lunge	100	[Attack Type: Pierce] [Stat Bonus: Intellect] Launch a long-range shockwave that pierces the enemy. Charge with to increase damage. [Any Link] Can be set to any link ability slot.	Warlord Noble's Blade Save the Queen Sword Master Affinity
Nightglow	200	[Attack Type: Slash][Element: Dark] [Stat Bonus: Intellect] Unleash a dark magic that draws enemies in before exploding. Consumes HP. [Any Link] Can be set to any link ability slot.	Blood Sword Rakshasa's Blade Sword Master Affinity
Rogetsu	300	[Attack Type: Slash] [Stat Bonus: Agility] Move with blinding speed to rain a flurry of slashes on your enemy. [Any Link] Can be set to any link ability slot.	Ultima Sword Soul of Fire Any Artifact or Relic Sword after clearing Floor 12 Sword Master Affinity

Maces[]


Ability	MP Cost	Description	Required Weapon/Affinity
Stormbreaker	100	[Attack Type: Strike][Element: Wind] [Stat Bonus: Intellect] Trap an enemy with a whirlwind, then smash them with your mace. Deals wind damage. [Any Link] Can be set to any link ability slot.	Any Mace
Terror's Grip	100	[Attack Type: Strike] [Stat Bonus: Agility] Unleash a series of quick strikes. [Any Link] Can be set to any link ability slot.	Hermit's Club Magister's Club Judgment Mace Master Affinity
Chopper	100	[Attack Type: Slash] [Stat Bonus: Agility] Pull an enemy toward you while delivering a sweeping blow with your mace. Deals slashing damage. Greatly reduces maximum break gauge. [Any Link] Can be set to any link ability slot.	Hermit's Club Magister's Club Judgment Mace Master Affinity
Penitence	200	[Element: Holy] [Stat Bonus: Spirit] Envelop your mace with Holy energy, dealing a powerful blow which inflicts heavy damage. [Any Link] Can be set to any link ability slot.	Rod of Wisdom Wizard's Rod Stardust Rod Mace Master Affinity
Ray of Absolution	200	Element: Holy] [Stat Bonus: Spirit] Raise your mace to the heavens and unleash Holy power in an area around you. [Any Link] Can be set to any link ability slot.	Rod of Wisdom Wizard's Rod Stardust Rod Mace Master Affinity
Dark Nova	200	[Element: Dark] [Stat Bonus: Intellect] Charge up a burst of dark energy, then unleash it to devastate your foe. Hold to increase the attack's power. [Any Link] Can be set to any link ability slot.	Zeus Mace Soul of Wind Any Artifact or Relic Mace after clearing Floor 12 Mace Master Affinity
Prominence	200	[[Element: None] [Stat Bonus: Intellect/Spirit] Slam an enemy with a ferocious blast of non-elemental energy that inflicts a debuff, causing your foe to take more damage to subsequent attacks. [Any Link] Can be set to any link ability slot.	Zeus Mace Soul of Wind Any Artifact or Relic Mace after clearing Floor 12 Mace Master Affinity

Daggers[]


Ability	MP Cost	Description	Required Weapon/Affinity
Shadow Fang	100	[Attack Type: Pierce] [Stat Bonus: Agility/Spirit] Thrust with your daggers, inflicting poison. [Any Link] Can be set to any link ability slot.	Gekkō & Nikkō Kōryū & Fukuko Sasuke & Saizō Dagger Master Affinity
Free Energy	200	[Attack Type: Slash][Element: Water] [Stat Bonus: Intellect] Carve through enemies with a water-imbued slash. [Any Link] Can be set to any link ability slot.	Main Gauches Dancing Daggers Zwill Crossblades Dagger Master Affinity
Force Wall	100~	[Attack Type: Pierce][Element: Water] [Stat Bonus: Intellect] Place a magic orb at long range from which currents of water flow and attack enemies. Hold for successive attacks. [Any Link] Can be set to any link ability slot.	Main Gauches Dancing Daggers Zwill Crossblades Dagger Master Affinity
Swelling Flames	200	[Attack Type: Slash][Element: Fire] [Stat Bonus: Agility/Intellect] Whirl so fast that you draw nearby enemies towards you, then savage them with a slashing flame. [Any Link] Can be set to any link ability slot.	Spinning Saws Soul of Water Any Artifact or Relic Daggers after clearing Floor 12 Dagger Master Affinity

Staves[]


Ability	MP Cost	Description	Required Weapon/Affinity
Ignition	200	[Attack Type: Pierce/Strike][Element: Dark] [Stat Bonus: Strength/Intellect] Swiftly thrust your staff forward and deal a piercing blow. The ensuing explosion inflicts dark damage. Hold to trigger additional attacks. [Any Link] Can be set to any link ability slot.	Bell Staff Power Staff Bahamut's Staff Staff Master Affinity
Burning Strike	200	[Attack Type: Strike][Element: Fire] [Stat Bonus: Strength/Intellect] Trigger a powerful, fiery explosion. Hold to trigger additional attacks. [Any Link] Can be set to any link ability slot.	Bell Staff Power Staff Bahamut's Staff Staff Master Affinity
Heaven's Wrath	300	[Attack Type: Strike][Element: Lightning] [Stat Bonus: Strength/Intellect] Imbue your staff with crackling electricity and fling it at an enemy. [Any Link] Can be set to any link ability slot.	Nirvana Staff of Shielding Any Artifact or Relic Staff after clearing Floor 12 Staff Master Affinity