Part 126: Let's Learn Jobs: Black Mage

Let's Learn Jobs: Black Mage



Black Mages are one of the primary magic attackers in the game. They specialize in taking advantage of elemental weaknesses and taking down groups of enemies at once. Because many enemies have elemental weaknesses, they're a solid pick for offense in the beginning, though their usefulness tapers off late-game as other, better damage-dealing Jobs become available. They're also a squishy mage, meaning they may take extra care to keep alive.

Counterpart to Final Fantasy White Mage, the Black Mage is similarly unchanged in Bravely Default.




Job icon is the Black Mage's longtime distinctive pointy hat. Job command is dark sparkles.



With Strength at E, Black Mages are one of the worst Jobs for dealing out physical damage. They're made to do magical damage, and make decent healers in a pinch as well.

Their sole weapon proficiency is in rods, which usually carry buffs to magic attack. Note that despite this, weapon proficiency only effects physical attacks, not magical. Rods are stat sticks, essentially.



Blue are support abilities, red are skill abilities.

Level 1 - Black Magic Lv.1: Blizzard, Fire, Thunder
Level 2 - Rod Lore: Allows other jobs to have S-affinity with rods. (Cost: 1)
Level 3 - Black Magic Lv.2: Poison, Silence, Sleep
Level 4 - Abate Fire: halves fire damage. (Cost: 1)
Level 5 - Damage Dispersion: Attacks effecting user have half of damage divided between user's teammates instead. (Cost: 1)
Level 6 - Silence Immunity (Cost: 1)
Level 7 - Black Magic Lv.3: Blizzara, Fira, Thundara
Level 8 - Black Resonance. Allows other jobs to equip the Black Mage Specialty. (Cost: 1)
Level 9 - Black Magic Lv.4: Aspir (drains MP), Drain, Fear
Level 10 - Magic Attack 20% Up (Cost: 2)
Level 11 - Black Magic Lv.5: Blizzaga, Firaga, Thundaga
Level 12 - Pierce M.Defense: User's abilities ignore target's magic defense. (Cost: 3)
Level 13 - Black Magic Lv.6: Dark, Death, Kill
Level 14 - Group-Cast All: Magic normally only usable on one target can now be used on mutiple targets. (Cost: 3)

The black mage arsenal is almost 100% offense, going so far as to throw off damage onto teammates. The final magic tier is lackluster, offering two insta-kill spells, one of which (Kill) removes the exp, jp, pg rewards.



Could come in handy during certain fights.


Unlike the older Final Fantasy black mages, the character's faces can be seen. The guys are wearing Turkish trousers under the traditional black robe for a more practical battle look. Meanwhile, the gals are wearing sleeveless miniskirt dresses with thigh-high boots. Noticing a pattern.