Part 67: Job Profile: Red Mage
Job Profile: Red Mage
In-Game Description posted:
Red Mages can use both white and black magic, but cannot use high-level spells from either school.
Unlocked: Wind Crystal
Weapons: Knives, Swords, Staves, Rods, Bows
Shields: Yes
Armour: Heavy
Magic: Level 1-5 White and Black
Stats (Level 50):
Str 29 Agi 29 Vit 34 Int 34 Mnd 34
Stats (Level 99):
Str 52 Agi 52 Vit 63 Int 63 Mnd 63
Red Mages, like Freelancers, are jacks of all trades. They combine traits of the Warrior, White Mage, and Black Mage to do the sames things as all three of those classes, but not as well as any one of them can do on their own. The Red Mage, though, isn't meant to excel at any one thing, only to be able to do a bunch of things. They're a supporting class; pair a Red Mage with a White Mage and a Warrior and you have a very solid three-person party. They're a bit lacking in the area of "tossing out spells for a long period" - if you cast during every battle, there's no way you're getting through an entire dungeon with any MP left, so you'll probably want to stick to elemental rods for that once they're available, but unlike the Black or White Mages, the Red Mage has other options for offence.
Stat-wise, Red Mages come away with average Vitality, unspectacular Strength and Agility, and a happy medium in Intelligence and Mind (their Intelligence and Mind are slightly better than the average for the two between the White and Black Mages). Another thing that Red Mages aren't, though, is a class that's meant for the long haul. They can't use high-level magic and their lower stats will put them at a disadvantage when compared against specialised classes as your (job) levels increase and you get access to more MP. Basically, like Freelancers, Red Mages are a solid class to use when they're first available, but they should be abandoned for other choices once you have a few more options.