Final Fantasy 14 saw a major overhaul recently with the addition of Shadowbringers. The new expansion doesn’t just add two new class: Dancer and Gunbreaker. It also severely overhauled all the Jobs in FF14. Machinist and Dark Knight, in particular, saw tremendous reworks. But not every Job is completely different this time around! A couple of classes are more-or-less the same as before, but with a few tweaks. That includes the Red Mage. As one of the game’s later classes, its changes didn’t need to be relatively huge. But we’re still gonna give it the attention it deserves. Welcome to our Shadowbringers guide to the Red Mage in FF14.
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Machinist Job Guide: FF14 Shadowbringers Changes, Rework, & Skills
FF14 Jobs are all going through some major changes in Shadowbringers. The new expansion includes major reworks across the board, as well as two entirely new classes: Dancer and Gunbreaker. Between these additions and another massive payload of story content, Shadowbringers almost makes FF14 feel like an entirely new game. And that’s exactly why you might need help picking your new main Job or Jobs this time around. We’re here to help with another FF14 Job guide — this time for the dashing Red Mage.
Red Mage Role – FF14 Shadowbringers Guide
The Red Mage is a strange, but conceptually interesting Job in FF14. That hasn’t changed in Shadowbringers! They are technically classified as a ranged — and use channeled spells similar to Black Mages. But the Red Mage also offers a wide variety of healing skills. They can even resurrect fallen allies as if they were a healer. That makes the Red Mage invaluable in high-end content, and specific zones like Heaven On High and Eureka.
Less directly, Red Mages suffer from how common DPS players are in FF14. A Red Mage doesn’t often get “Hero in Need” XP and gil bonuses by participating in daily roulettes — except sometimes in Alliance Raids. This makes Red Mages (and any other DPS for that matter) somewhat harder to level up than tank Jobs and healers in Final Fantasy. On the upside, they’re a lot simpler to play than either of the other two roles.
Red Mage Rework – FF14 Shadowbringers Guide
Before Shadowbringers, the Red Mage was famous for being simple to play. You just cast Jolt, Verthunder, and Veraero — over and over again. Then you switch to whatever more powerful spell becomes available on a semi-random proc. These build up two resources called Black Mana and White Mana. And when those reach about 80 each, you follow up with a powerful melee combo. Basically, the Red Mage is easy because they constantly just tell you what to do.
That’s all the same in Shadowbringers. Some damage values have shifted around, and there are quality of life improvements across the board, but the ultra-simple combos are still intact. Even the new level 80 Red Mage spell, Scorch, is just an improved version of Jolt that extends the usual combo.
TL;DR Red Mages are almost entirely identical in Shadowbringers. There are some quality of life improvements, and their combos are stronger than before, but that’s about it! This makes the Red Mage likely the most unchanged Job in the entire expansion. So if you’re afraid of losing a step, these devilish dancers might be the ones to play. You can read a full account of the Red Mage rework, changes, and abilities in Shadowbringers here.
Red Mage Tips – FF14 Shadowbringers Guide
- Just follow the rules. The Red Mage is complex on paper, but comically easy in practice. To play them most effectively, you just need to follow the on-screen combo prompts and keep your Black and White Mana flowing.
- They’re great in certain situations, though. Red Mage versatility shines in endgame content. The ability to resurrect dead healers can give teams a second chance when all should be lost. Their support skills also makes them sought after in Palace of the Dead/Heaven On High — where their damage speeds up XP farming, but allows them to top off overzealous allies. The same goes for roaming in Eureka.
How to Unlock the Red Mage Job – FF14 Shadowbringers Guide
Unlike most Jobs in FF14, the Red Mage isn’t accessible at the outset. Instead you need to play through the game as any normal combat Job for a while. Once you reach level 50, however, the Red Mage becomes available in Ul’Dah – The Steps of Thal. Just accept the quest “Taking the Red.” Finishing “Taking the Red” will unlock the Red Mage in FF14. And unlike base game classes, the Red Mage begins at level 50.
That’s all for now, folks! Thanks for taking the time to read our guide to the Red Mage in FF14: Shadowbringers. We hope it helps you master this swift DPS Job to the best of your ability. Until then, good luck learning the new reworks, abilities, and intricacies of the Red Mage going forward.
