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Beastmaster Artifact Armor.

These experts in monster research have trained tirelessly to communicate with—and even control—the animals of Vana'diel.

Official description

Beastmaster (獣使い, Kemonotsukai?) is an advanced job in Final Fantasy XI. The key ability of a Beastmaster is Charm, allowing them to bend the will of certain types of enemy creatures, mostly plantoids, lizards, vermin, and animals.

The races of Vana'diel each bring different strengths and weaknesses to the job of beastmaster. Tarutaru have the highest charisma, thus are able to charm with the greatest success rate, but low HP and Vitality means they are less survivable. Humes and Elvaan offer a more balanced approach to the job with no major perks and no major disadvantages. Mithra and Galka have low charisma, making charming creatures more difficult, but even as the weakest two race choices in that regard, increased agility for Mithra and large HP and Vitality totals for Galka help them be more survivable.

Becoming a Beastmaster[]

Since Beastmaster is an advanced job, players must complete a quest before they are able to level as a beastmaster. The beastmaster quest begins in Jeuno and takes the player all of one zone away to Qufim Island to inspect a coral outcropping. This is the easiest of all advanced job quests, requiring, at most, the player to be mindful of the Gigas, skeletons, weapons, and the Kraken that loiters near the actual coral outcropping. Upon returning to Jeuno after looking over the coral, the player will be able to level as a beastmaster.

Abilities[]

Job abilities[]

Job Ability Level Recast Duration Description
Familiar 1 1:00:00 0:30:00 Enhances your pet's powers and increases the duration of Charm.
Charm 1 0:00:15 Allows you to control your target.
Gauge 10 0:00:30 Allows you to judge whether or not a target can be charmed.
Reward 12 0:01:30(Recast can be reduced with Merit Points) Restores your pet's HP. Special items required.
Call Beast 23 0:05:00(Recast can be reduced with Merit Points) Calls a beast by using the contents of a jug.
Bestial Loyalty 23 0:20:00 Summons a beast without consuming the contents of the jug.
Tame 30 0:10:00(Recast can be reduced with Merit Points) Makes target docile and more susceptible to charm.
Feral Howl 75(Only unlocked with Merit Points) 0:05:00 Terrorizes the target.
Killer Instinct 75(Only unlocked with Merit Points) 0:05:00 0:03:00 Grants your pet's Killer Effect to party members within area of effect.
Unleash 96 1:00:00 0:01:00 Increases the accuracy of Charm and reduces the recast times of Sic and Ready.

Pet commands[]

Pet Command Level Recast Duration Description
Fight 1 0:00:10 Commands your pet to attack the target.
Heel 10 0:00:05(Recast between Heel, Stay and Leave is shared) Commands the pet to cease attacking and return to you.
Stay 15 0:00:05(Recast between Heel, Stay and Leave is shared) Commands the pet to stay in one place.
Sic / Ready(The command Sic is changed to Ready when the pet is summoned by Call Beast) 25 0:02:00(Recast can be reduced with Merit Points) Commands the pet to make a special attack.
Leave 35 0:00:05(Recast between Heel, Stay and Leave is shared) Sets your pet free.
Snarl 45 0:00:30 Transfer enmity to a pet invoked with the "Call Beast" ability.
Spur 83 0:03:00 0:01:30 Grants "Store TP" effect to pets.
Run Wild 93 0:15:00 0:05:00 Your familiar will gain heightened powers, but will disappear when the effect expires.

Job traits[]

Job Trait Levels Tier Description
Vermin Killer 10 / 76 II Gives you an edge when fighting vermin.
Resist Slow 15 / 35 / 55 / 75 / 81 V Increases resistance against slow.
Resist Amnesia 15 / 35 / 55 / 75 IV Gives you a slight resistance against amnesia.
Bird Killer 20 / 79 II Gives you an edge when fighting birds.
Amorph Killer 30 / 82 II Gives you an edge when fighting amorphs.
Lizard Killer 40 / 85 II Gives you an edge when fighting lizards.
Aquan Killer 50 / 88 II Gives you an edge when fighting aquans.
Plantoid Killer 60 / 91 II Gives you an edge when fighting plantoids.
Beast Killer 70 / 94 II Gives you an edge when fighting beasts.
Beast Affinity 75(Only unlocked with Merit Points) Varies Increases the level of pets summoned with Call Beast.
Beast Healer 75(Only unlocked with Merit Points) Varies Enhances the Regen effect of Reward.
Stout Servant 78 / 88 / 98 III Reduces damage taken by pet.
Fencer 80 / 87 / 94 III Increases Critical Hit Rate when wielding with the main hand only. Grants a TP Bonus to weapon skills.

Skill ratings[]

Combat Skill Rank Caps by Level
49 99
Dagger C+ 139 378
Sword E 124 300
Axe A+ 150 424
Scythe B- 144 388
Club D 133 334
Evasion C 139 373
Shield E 124 300
Parrying C 139 373

Familiars[]

Pet Jug Level Cap Type Family Job Duration
Sheep Familiar Herbal Broth 23 35 Beast Sheep WAR 1:00:00
Hare Familiar Carrot Broth Beast Rabbit WAR 1:30:00
Crab Familiar Fish Broth 55 Aquan Crab PLD 0:30:00
Courier Carrie Fish Oil Broth 75 Aquan Crab PLD 0:30:00
Homunculus Alchemist Water Plantoid Mandragora MNK 1:00:00
Slippery Silas Wormy Broth 99 Aquan Toad BLM 0:30:00
Flowerpot Bill Humus 28 40 Plantoid Mandragora MNK 1:00:00
Flytrap Familiar Grasshopper Broth Plantoid Flytrap WAR 1:00:00
Tiger Familiar Meat Broth Beast Tiger WAR 1:00:00
Eft Familiar Mole Broth 33 45 Lizard Eft WAR 1:00:00
Lizard Familiar Carrion Broth Lizard Lizard WAR 1:00:00
Mayfly Familiar Bug Broth Vermin Fly WAR 1:00:00
Funguar Familiar Seedbed Soil 65 Plantoid Funguar WAR 1:00:00
Beetle Familiar Tree Sap 38 45 Vermin Beetle PLD 1:00:00
Antlion Familiar Antica Broth 50 Vermin Antlion WAR 1:00:00
Lullaby Melodia Singing Herbal Broth 43 55 Beast Sheep WAR 1:00:00
Mite Familiar Blood Broth Vermin Diremite WAR 1:00:00
Keeneared Steffi Famous Carrot Broth Beast Rabbit WAR 1:30:00
Flowerpot Ben Rich Humus 51 63 Plantoid Mandragora MNK 1:00:00
Saber Siravarde Warm Meat Broth Beast Tiger WAR 1:00:00
Coldblood Como Cold Carrion Broth 53 65 Lizard Lizard WAR 1:00:00
Shellbuster Orob Quadav Bug Broth Vermin Fly WAR 1:00:00
Voracious Audrey Noisy Grasshopper Broth 75 Plantoid Flytrap WAR 1:00:00
Ambusher Allie Lively Mole Broth 58 Lizard Eft WAR 1:00:00
Chopsuey Chucky Fragrant Antica Broth 63 Vermin Antlion WAR 1:00:00
Lifedrinker Lars Clear Blood Broth Vermin Diremite WAR 1:00:00
Panzer Galahad Scarlet Sap Vermin Beetle PLD 1:00:00
Amigo Sabotender Sun Water 75 Plantoid Sabotender WAR 0:30:00
Turbid Toloi Auroral Broth 99 Aquan Pugil WAR 2:00:00
Nursery Nazuna Dancing Herbal Broth 76 86 Beast Sheep WAR 2:00:00
Crafty Clyvonne Cunning Brain Broth 90 Beast Coeurl WAR 2:00:00
Dapper Mac Briny Broth 99 Bird Apkallu MNK 2:00:00
Dipper Yuly Wool Grease Vermin Ladybug THF 2:00:00
Lucky Lulush Lucky Carrot Broth Beast Rabbit WAR 2:00:00
Flowerpot Merle Vermihumus Plantoid Mandragora MNK 3:00:00
Discreet Louise Deepbed Soil 79 Plantoid Funguar WAR 2:00:00
Fatso Fargann Curdled Plasma Broth 81 Amorph Leech WAR 2:00:00
Presto Julio Chirping Grasshopper Broth 83 93 Plantoid Flytrap WAR 2:00:00
Audacious Anna Bubbling Carrion Broth 85 95 Lizard Lizard WAR 2:00:00
Mailbuster Cetas Goblin Bug Broth Vermin Fly WAR 2:00:00
Swift Sieghard Mellow Bird Broth 86 94 Lizard Raptor WAR 2:00:00
Faithful Falcorr Lucky Broth 99 Bird Hippogryph THF 2:00:00
Bloodclaw Shasra Razor Brain Broth 90 99 Beast Coeurl WAR 2:00:00
Bugeyed Broncha Savage Mole Broth Lizard Eft WAR 2:00:00
Gorefang Hobs Burning Carrion Broth 93 Beast Tiger WAR 2:00:00
Gooey Gerard Cloudy Wheat Broth 95 Amorph Slug WAR 1:30:00
Crude Raphie Shadowy Broth 96 Lizard Adamantoise PLD 1:30:00
Droopy Dortwin Swirling Broth 99 103(Item Level) Beast Rabbit WAR 2:00:00
Sunburt Malfik Shimmering Broth 104(Item Level) Aquan Crab PLD 2:00:00
Warlike Patrick Livid Broth Lizard Lizard WAR 2:00:00
Scissorleg Xerin Spicy Broth 105(Item Level) Vermin Chapuli WAR 2:00:00
Rhyming Shizuna Lyrical Broth 107(Item Level) Beast Sheep WAR 2:00:00
Attentive Ibuki Salubrious Broth 109(Item Level) Bird Tulfaire WAR 2:00:00
Amiable Roche Airy Broth 110(Item Level) Aquan Pugil WAR 2:00:00
Brainy Waluis Crumbly Soil 113(Item Level) Plantoid Funguar WAR 2:00:00
Herald Henry Translucent Broth Beast Coeurl PLD 2:00:00
Headbreaker Ken Blackwater Broth 115(Item Level) Vermin Fly WAR 2:00:00
Redolent Candi Electrified Broth Plantoid Snapweed WAR 2:00:00
Caring Kiyomaro Fizzy Broth 116(Item Level) Beast Raaz MNK 2:00:00
Hurler Percival Pale Sap Vermin Beetle PLD 2:00:00
Blackbeard Randy Meaty Broth 117(Item Level) Beast Tiger WAR 2:00:00
Generous Arthur Dire Broth 119(Item Level) Amorph Slug WAR 2:00:00
Threestar Lynn Muddy Broth Vermin Ladybug THF 2:00:00
Alluring Honey Bug-Ridden Broth 119+(Item Level) Plantoid Snapweed WAR 2:00:00
Brave Hero Glenn Wispy Broth Aquan Toad WAR 2:00:00
Sharpwit Hermes Saline Broth Plantoid Mandragora MNK 2:00:00

Gameplay[]

In terms of damage, Beastmasters have the best Axe rating and are very proficient with the use of scythes as well. They have moderate HP and no MP unless they have a subjob that grants them MP.

Strengths[]

  • High axe rating means Beastmasters have potentially high accuracy and high damage.
  • Charm can be used to deal with aggressive adversaries without fighting them or to bind beastmen, allowing a Beastmaster to run away.
  • Beastmasters are able to tread where parties fear to go and fight enemies most parties would not consider fighting, providing a very unique experience.
  • Soloing does not require expensive gear or food, and leveling beastmaster can be potentially very profitable.

Weaknesses[]

  • Beastmasters offer no beneficial abilities to a party, only miscellaneous damage.
  • Beastmaster's pet, if greater than the Beastmaster's or groups greatest level, will figure into the experience equation as the party's level, reducing experience.
  • Soloing leaves very little margin for error, resulting in slow experience gain and many deaths.

Soloing and Duoing Strategy - Playing to Strengths and Weaknesses[]

Soloing is a style of play where the Beastmaster is alone, without a party to support them. This is what most Beastmasters do to gain experience. It is a slow and often painful process, one not conducive to most player's tastes. The general strategy for most is to try to charm a creature of an "even match" or "decent challenge" type and then fight a creature with the aid of the charmed creature that is either an "even match" or "tough" or possibly even "very tough".

Once engaged with a creature, most Beastmasters allow the charmed creature to fight at least a few moments to help it gain enmity. The idea is to make sure that the charmed creature takes the lion's share of the damage. Then the Beastmaster will engage in the fight personally, attacking the monster along with the charmed creature.

When the creature is close to death, with less than 10% of its health remaining or less if possible, the charmed creature will be dismiss. This is used to capitalize on the maximum amount of experience since if the creature is killed while the Beastmaster has a pet, he will only receive 70% of the experience he normally deserves although through further updates this experience loss has been removed so now a Beastmaster loses no exp from having a pet. Most Beastmasters will save all of their TP for a weapon skill at the end to quickly finish off the remainder of the creature's life. This is the manner in which the Beastmaster engages most creature types.

Beastmasters vs. Self-Destructing Creatures[]

Beastmasters may also fight other types of creatures, like Goblins with bomb toss or Bomb-type creatures. With the latter, especially, there is an entirely different type of strategy. Basically, the Beastmaster will try to charm a pet with a sufficient amount of HP to survive a protracted battle with a bomb. Eventually, generally somewhere below 50% of its experience, the bomb will use self destruct. Basically, the Beastmaster will stand around at a distance so he does not get hit by the blast. The blast will often kill the pet. The pet will not be dismissed because it will interrupt the self-destruct action. Generally, a Beastmaster can do this fast enough to gain experience in chains while remaining relatively safe even with the 30% experience penalty from having a pet on the off chance the pet survives.

Subjobs[]

The following are some of the most common subjob types for Beastmasters. There are other viable combinations including Paladin, Samurai, or Warrior that are simply not used often or have only circumstantial usefulness. Considering that Beastmaster is almost exclusively a solo job, it is left completely up to player preference how to run their character.

White Mage[]

White mage is probably the most common of all subjobs for Beastmasters who are soloing or duoing, which would account for the majority of Beastmasters. The subjob mainly offers useful spells for physical and magical protection, negative status ailment removal, and of course curative and regenerative magic. The job traits clear mind and auto regen are both also helpful for Beastmasters.

Ninja[]

Ninja really is one of the only real choices for Beastmasters in a party. The majority of Beastmasters will use axes, since they have a higher axe rating. Dual wield, a ninja job trait, allows them to wield an axe in both hands thus increasing damage over time. Utsusemi will also help negate damage from incoming hits by providing the status effect blink.

Blue Mage[]

Blue Mage is something of a novelty subjob, largely stemming from the amusement of being able to throw monster magic back at monsters while simultaneously controlling other monsters to do the Beastmaster's bidding, but the job is not without its own merit. Blue magic can be combined to create traits useful to the Beastmaster, including some killer effects either not available to the Beastmaster job normally or available earlier to blue mages. There are also defensive magic spells that could prove quite useful, including phalanx-like and Stoneskin effects, and curative enemy magic.

Red Mage[]

Red mage as a subjob offers similar spells when compared to white mage (Protect, Shell, Cure and Regen) but at the loss of all spells that help remove status ailments. The red mage subjob would, instead, gain Bio to help weaken enemy attacks, spikes to give a weak damage shield, and Phalanx to further mitigate damage. It would not be a bad choice for the second Beastmaster in a Beastmaster duo.

Other appearances[]

Final Fantasy Trading Card Game[]

Beastmaster appears on cards.

Gallery[]

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