How to play Black Mage in Crystalline Conflict

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Black Mage Guide for Crystalline Conflict in FFXIV: Unleashing Destructive Power

Black Mage is an immensely popular job in FFXIV, especially in Crystalline Conflict. With the recent PvP update, it has become even more formidable. If you’re looking to master Black Mage in Crystalline Conflict and dominate the battlefield, get ready to unleash terrifying power. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to play Black Mage in Crystalline Conflict.

The Key Differences in PvP

In PvP, Black Mage experiences a few notable changes compared to regular content. The first major difference is the removal of Ley Lines, making you much faster. You no longer need to rotate between Fire and Ice for MP management – you can choose one and stick to your preference. Additionally, cast times have been significantly reduced to under two seconds, allowing for greater mobility while casting spells. However, keep in mind that you’re still a glass cannon. As Black Mage, your role is to deal massive damage, but you’re also exceptionally vulnerable.

Abilities Overview

Before diving into the other abilities, it’s essential to understand the basic Fire and Blizzard rotations. Fire deals 4,000 potency damage and transitions into Fire IV, which inflicts 6,000 potency damage. After Fire IV, the chain culminates in Flare, delivering a devastating 12,000 potency strike to the target and 8,000 to nearby enemies. Each Fire spell also applies Astral Warmth, a debuff that lasts for 15 seconds.

The Blizzard chain follows the same pattern: 4,000 potency, followed by 6,000 potency with Blizzard IV, and finally, Freeze that deals 12,000 potency damage to the target and 8,000 as an AoE effect. Blizzard spells apply Umbral Freeze, a debuff lasting 15 seconds.

It’s crucial to note that you have a 30-second window to cast another spell within the chain, or else you’ll have to restart from the base spell. If you’re under Astral Fire or Umbral Ice, the opposite spell becomes an instant cast. Astral Warmth and Umbral Freeze cannot be active on the same target simultaneously.

Let’s take a closer look at the rest of Black Mage’s abilities:

  • Burst: Deals lightning damage to nearby enemies with 16,000 potency and creates a shield of the same potency for 10 seconds.
  • Paradox: Inflicts 8,000 damage and increases the target’s Astral Warmth or Umbral Freeze stacks to the maximum of three.
  • Aetherial Manipulation: Instantly teleports to a party member or opponent’s side, granting a ten-second Swiftcast buff for instant spellcasting. It has two charges.
  • Superflare: Deals damage to nearby enemies based on their Astral Warmth or Umbral Freeze stacks, with 3,000 potency per stack. Maximum potency is 9,000. Astral Warmth changes to Burn, and Umbral Freeze changes to Heavy, Bind, or Deep Freeze, depending on the stack count.
  • Night Wing: Inflicts Half-asleep on the target and nearby enemies. After three seconds, Half-asleep transitions into Sleep for an additional three seconds. If a target is attacked during Sleep, it takes an extra 8,000 damage.
  • Limit Break: Soul Resonance. Grants six stacks of instacast for either Fire or Ice, which upgrade to Flare and Blizzard until the stacks are used. Additionally, Soul Resonance offers a single cast of Foul, dealing 16,000 potency damage to the target and nearby enemies. This Limit Break also provides the Apocatastasis buff, reducing damage taken by 10% for the first 15 seconds. The recast timer of Superflare is reduced by 15 seconds. The Limit Break charges once per minute.

The Black Mage Playstyle in Crystalline Conflict

As a Black Mage, your strategy revolves around using Fire and Ice rotations to spread devastation across the entire enemy team. Each Fire or Ice spell adds a stack of Astral Warmth or Umbral Freeze to the targeted opponent. These debuffs may seem harmless, but they become dangerous when you activate Superflare. With three stacks, Astral Warmth inflicts Burn damage over 12 seconds, while Umbral Freeze stuns the enemy, changing its effect based on the stack count.

When using the final spell in the chain – Flare or Freeze – nearby opponents struck by the AoE effect also receive a stack of the corresponding debuff. If the opposing team gathers closely, you can quickly cast multiple rounds of spells to inflict maximum stacks on everyone and then unleash Superflare.

Furthermore, Black Mage’s Limit Break excels at burst damage. By gaining three stacks on each cast, you can unleash devastating attacks twice, ensuring substantial damage to the enemy team. Coordinate with Dragoon or Summoner Limit Breaks to wipe out the entire opposing team if they’re grouped together.

Playing Black Mage in Crystalline Conflict: Tips and Tricks

If you wish to prioritize a specific target, you have several tools at your disposal. Start with Fire or Ice, follow it up with Paradox, then cast Night Wing and use Aetherial Manipulation. If the opposing player fails to react to Half-asleep quickly, you can instantly cast for significant damage. In urgent situations without Aetherial Manipulation, Paradox serves as an instacast spell to finish off opponents.

Always make sure to use Burst when a melee player is targeting you. If Burst is off cooldown, greet them with a display of extra damage while protecting yourself. Combining Aetherial Manipulation with Burst proves highly effective against melee attackers. Burst is also handy when you’re anticipating a confrontation or getting focused by the enemy team.

Keep your distance from the action and employ Burst before activating your Limit Break. This approach, combined with the Apocatastasis buff, will enhance your chances of surviving the entire Limit Break. Remember, the enemy team will often target you due to the threat you pose. Stick close to your team for support, as you’ll need all the assistance you can get.

Lastly, the ominous purple aura of your Limit Break signals the other team to eliminate you immediately. It’s best to minimize your visibility to avoid becoming a primary target. Stay out of sight while casting spells, as your only close-range attack is Burst. Cooperation with Dragoon or Summoner Limit Breaks can yield devastating results, particularly when competing for crystal dominance.

With these tips and tricks, you’re equipped to unleash destruction as a Black Mage in Crystalline Conflict. May your power bring you infinite satisfaction and victories on the battlefield.