Equipment wise up until level 50 and above, Black Mage is fairly easy to equip. You’ll want to stack up on as much INT boosting gear as you can. This not only increases damage, but will help with resist rates as your skill levels develop. As a general rule of thumb when deciding on equipment prior to level 50, I prioritize items as follows: INT > MP > Defense.
Several pieces that I recommend for the budding black mage include the following:
Weapons
Wands: These are your general INT & MND boosting clubs such as Maple Wand, Willow Wand, so on and so forth. These also give you decent damage per second for early soloing. While clubs such as the Ermites’ Wand look promising for the spell interuption rate, if your in a situation that your getting hit multiple times, your likely already dead.
Another club that you’ll definatly want to pick up early on is the Pilgrim’s Wand. This rare/ex club drops from Nunyenunc in West Sarutabaruta and gives +2 MP recovered while healing, allowing you to recharge MP faster and reduces downtime.
Head
Before level 30, there’s really nothing going on for the black mage here. Here I would typically put a piece of MP gear such as a bronze or brass hairpin. Alternativly, a Compound Eye Circlet is a good (and cheep) choice for some extra defense & evasion. At level 20 you can pick up a Baron’s Chapeau for +2 INT, but it comes with the price of +2 Enmity, something that you do not want early on…
Level 29 gives you access to the Seer’s Crown which gives a solid boost to INT. You’ll want to save up for the HQ version of this if possible, as this piece will last you all the way to your AF headpiece. While Republic Circlet gives a +5 Magic Attack Bonus, it only works in areas under your nations control which limits it’s effectiveness. It’s also expensive as heck.
Neck
Again, neckpieces are an area where black mages suffer early on. The only major options you have are the Black Silk Neckerchief at level 20 (questable), and the Mobhwa Sash at level 40 (crafted). Also, level 50 gives you access to the Beak Necklace , which is another solid piece of MP recovery gear.
Earrings
For black mages, there’s no lack of options in terms of earrings. You get plenty of MP boosting earrings as well as additional earrings that boost elemental resistance. Personally I would focus on the MP earrings myself. Once you get to level 30 you get access to the Morion Earring (MP +3, INT +1), or if your looking for a cheaper option, Cunning Earring (INT +1). Also, a black mage with red mage sub can take advantage of the Warlock’s Earring (MP recovered while healing +1).
Level 35 gives you the elemental earring as your first piece of elemental skill gear. It’s a good option if your having problems with resistance, but not 100% required. However, at level 47 you get access to the Moldavite Earring. This powerful earring gives you a +5 magic attack bonus and will last you through the rest of your days. The earring drops from Mysticmaker Profoblix in Labrynth of Onzozo. Bring some high level help to make this an easy fight, cause he is not an easy mark to defeat.
Body
Body armor for black mages is another sorely lacking area, however their are a couple pieces you may want to consider investing in. The Pilgrim’s Tunica is available right off the bat and gives you a +1 bonus to MP recovered while healing. You’ll need to find this on the Auction House as this item is normally only available in past Vana’diel. Level 15 gives us the San d’Oria Tunic which is the only reasonable piece available to low-level players that gives an INT bonus. At 29, you can also pick up the Seer’s Tunic as well for a modest MP boost.
Hands
If you haven’t noticed by now, most pieces of gear prior to level 20 aren’t very friendly to black mages. For the hands, it’s no exception as you only a few options here as well. Garrison Gloves do give a +1 INT bonus, but tend to be expensive. However, a much better option exists at level 25 with the Mycophile Cuffs. These gloves give a +1 INT bonus as well as a +2 MND bonus and -2 enmity, meaning you generate less hate toward yourself. Seer’s Mitts also give a good boost to INT and MND.
Rings
Thankfully for the black mage, we get some good options early on. For the budget-concious mage, ermites rings are available at level 10 and give +2 INT each. Those with really deep pockets can go for the +1 versions for +3 INT which will last all the way to the mid 30′s. Knowledge Rings at level 14 followed by Wisdom Rings at level 36 give good stat increases while also providing some additional elemental resistance. Of course, if you’ve already been through the ropes once before and finished CoP, the Tamas Ring will run you all the way to endgame and beyond.
Level 50 adds the insanely powerful Sorcerer’s Ring to your repoitore. This ring while active gives a +10 magic attack bonus, but requires you to be at less than 76% current HP. It’s also worth a small fortune, ranging anywhere from 1 million to 1.5 million gil.
Back
Again, it’s another dead zone in terms of back pieces for black mage. Early on, the Mist Silk Cape is a good choice thanks to it’s slight boost to mind coupled with solid defense (drops from Spiny Spipi in West Sarutabaruta). This will last up to level 32 where you get access to the black cape (INT +2/+3), and eventually the red cape @ 43 (INT & MND +2/+3).
Waist
You guessed it! Another pre-level 20 dead zone here. Shaman’s Belt at level 28 is the first (and easiest to get) INT boosting waist piece you gain access to. Afterwards, the Reverend Sash is available at level 41, but tends to be an expensive piece due to it only dropping in a ENM battke in Monarch Linn.
MP piece wise, we have things a little better here thanks to a couple quaility choices. Friar’s rope early on for a +5 bonus to MP, followed by Mobwah Sash at level 20 (MP +10, MP recovered while healing +1). At level 40, pick up a Qiqirn Sash for another quality piece of gear. The HQ version will last all the way to endgame.
Legs
Yes, we’re starting to sound like a broken record with the pre-level 20 dead zone. However once you get to 20, two decent options open up; Mage’s Slacks (INT +1), and Baron’s Slops (MP recovered while healing +1, these can last to endgame if needed). Level 29 gives you Seer’s Slacks (MP +9/+10, INT +1). If your lucky enough to find and kill Intulo in Bibiki Bay, the Magic Slacks give a solid +2 bonus to INT & MND.
Feet
Level 18 gives you an expensive option in Garrison Boots (INT & Mind +1). If your looking for MP, your best bet is Seer’s Boots at level 29, or if your lucky enough to quest them, Manniquin Pumps at 35.
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