Blue Mage (BLU) is one of the most “work up front, reward forever” jobs in FFXI.
You’ll learn a ton of spells, build sets, and tweak traits… but once it’s done, BLU becomes a powerhouse for solo play and modern content.
This page is a bookmarkable hub that organizes my BLU notes and guides by purpose.
I keep adding new findings and routes as I test things.
- Quick Jump
- Must-learn Blue Magic (and where to learn it)
- Learning tips (to save hours)
- Gear, Artifact Armor (AF), and why it matters
- Dual Wield: /NIN vs spell traits (what to pick and when)
- Blue Mage diary (experiments + progress log)
- Comfort & PC setup (high ROI for long sessions)
- Wrap-up
- Support this blog (Affiliate / Creator links)
- Legal
Quick Jump
- Must-learn spells (where to learn + short routes)
- Learning tips (make learning faster & less painful)
- Gear, Artifact Armor (AF) reforging, and priorities
- Dual Wield: /NIN vs spell traits (and how to think about it)
- My Blue Mage diary (progress + experiments)
- Comfort & PC setup (Windows 11 fixes)
Must-learn Blue Magic (and where to learn it)
If you’re not sure what to learn first, start here.
These are the spells that immediately change what BLU can do.
| Spell | Why it’s “must-learn” | Fast learning route (summary) | Detailed guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mighty Guard | A “do everything” defensive buff.
Gives DEF up + MDB up + Haste + Regen in one cast, and can be AoE’d with Diffusion. |
Learned from Shinryu in Abyssea via Notorious Knowledge-type learning.
Each attempt costs 10,000 cruor. I learned it on the 4th run even without “Learning+” gear. |
Mighty Guard learning (Shinryu / Abyssea) |
| Carcharian Verve | Strong offensive buff (physical attack + magic attack) plus reduced spell interruption.
Another “mandatory” endgame-quality buff. |
Learned from Rockfin — most accessible target is Tchakka (Wildskeeper Reive) in Yahse Hunting Grounds.
You’ll need the key item Compass of Transference. Stay close: Marine Mayhem can kill you if you’re too far. |
Carcharian Verve learning (Tchakka WKR) |
| Sudden Lunge | Fast, reliable stun. This alone makes solo/low-man content smoother. | Learn from Ladybugs.
Easiest spot: Jugner Forest [S]. Tip: at night, Ladybugs tend to favor Sudden Lunge (so don’t waste daytime pulls). |
Sudden Lunge learning (video + route) |
| Quadra Strike | 4-hit physical spell that’s great for skillchain “toss” setups and consistent damage. | Regular demons don’t use it.
Farm the Demon NM Marquis Sabnock in Zvahl Keep (Outer) (lottery-style pop). Good news: the NM mainly uses Quadra Strike, so it’s a “reliable” learn. |
Quadra Strike learning (video + NM location) |
Want a full list of spells (organized + searchable)? Here’s my Blue Magic list:
Learning tips (to save hours)
- Use low-Damage weapons so you don’t kill the target before it uses the move.Damage doesn’t need to be high to feed TP — even “1 damage” still gives TP.
- A funny-but-effective option: the Charm Stick (D2) from seasonal Valentine events.It lets you “tap” enemies safely while waiting for the move.(Yes, it looks ridiculous. That’s part of the charm.)
- Wear “Learning+” gear whenever possible, especially for NM-based learning.
- For hard targets, run learning tours with clear time limits (e.g., “2 hours”) so everyone stays motivated.
- Mix learning into leveling: more fights = more chances. Sometimes you’ll learn spells “by accident” just from grinding.
- Some spells can be learned through non-standard content (Assault/Besieged style situations). If a route exists, it can be a big timesaver.
Full write-up here:
Learning tips for BLU (detailed)
Gear, Artifact Armor (AF), and why it matters
Your spell set is your “engine,” but gear is your “transmission.”
Reforged AF (Artifact Armor) and smart trait tuning are what turn BLU from “okay” into “monster.”
- Reforged Artifact Armor (Assimilator’s Attire):full piece-by-piece stats, upgrade materials, and which pieces matter most.
- Note: reforging can consume the original piece, so plan around level-sync content if you still use the old gear.(You can re-obtain Artifact pieces if needed.)
BLU AF reforging guide (materials, locations, stats)
Dual Wield: /NIN vs spell traits (what to pick and when)
Dual Wield is one of the most confusing BLU topics because there are multiple sources:
subjobs (/NIN, /DNC), spell-set traits, and later gifts/bonuses.
- While leveling: /NIN reaches early Dual Wield tiers faster, which is simply efficient.
- At 99 / endgame: spell-set traits can push you into higher tiers that subjobs can’t reach, freeing your support job choice.
My BLU-focused deep dive:
Blue Mage Dual Wield breakdown (/NIN vs spell traits)
And if you want the big-picture “how much Dual Wield do I need?” tables (all jobs):
Dual Wield required values (tables + haste relationship)
Blue Mage diary (experiments + progress log)
If you like “how it actually went” style notes (and occasional testing), my diary category is here:
Comfort & PC setup (high ROI for long sessions)
If you farm learning routes, Ambuscade, Sortie/Odyssey prep, etc., you’ll end up sitting longer than you think.
A few setup tweaks can massively improve your stamina.
- Sit deep and let the backrest take weight (less leaning forward).
- Adjust height so your feet touch the floor (use a footrest if needed).
- Stand and stretch every 30–45 minutes during “run breaks.”
I personally use an AKRacing setup and added a separate ottoman after years — honest pros/cons review:
AKRacing Pro-X V2 + ottoman review (photos + long-term notes)
Also, if you play on Windows 11 and get black screens or ugly DX8 issues, this English guide fixes most setups:
FFXI on Windows 11: dgVoodoo2 setup guide (English)
Wrap-up
Blue Mage is deep — but that’s exactly why it’s rewarding.
Use this page as your “home base,” and check back when you’re ready for the next upgrade.
Support this blog (Affiliate / Creator links)
This site uses affiliate links. If you buy through the links below, it supports future testing and guides.
YouTube channel (retro + FFXI talk):
Legal
FINAL FANTASY XI is a trademark of SQUARE ENIX. This is an unofficial fan guide.
Game content and numbers may change with updates.
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