How to excel as a White Mage
Why I wrote this guide
This guide was written to help the White Mages starting out and the ones who know other job. I wanted to write about my views on the job and how one can become even better at what we do. Most of the things I discuss here are common knowledge, but I hope everyone are able to find something interesting here.
Who are the White Mages
A White Mages job is to keep everyone alive, isn't it? Well, sure, keeping them alive is what made them invite you, but that isn't to say it's your only job. Your job as a White Mage is to make the party run a lot smoother through enhancing their defenses, casting enfeebling magic and indeed: keeping them alive. Every now and then you get to teleport people as well, but this guide won't cover that part.
You are also required to conserve as much MP as possible for the next few fights as a White Mage. Keeping the experience points chain going is one of the most important tasks in a modern party, but you must also be ready for the unthinkable. You never know when another monster may pay your camp a visit.
Here's a few steps to make sure you make the most out of your MP.
Bring supplies
Yes, I bring this up first because some mages don't bring any food and supplies. You are expected to bring both food and supplies like Sneak Oils and Prism Powders. This is true for all jobs actually since you can't always rely on everyone else to back you up. Bring food that works well with the party you are joining, the place you are going and your level. Mithkabobs aren't exactly mage food. So, try some Sweet Rice Cakes, a pie, roasted mushroom or maybe some highlevel orange kuchen.
As a White Mage you'd want to increase your MP, MP regen rate while resting and maybe some increased Mind as well. Like I said, it all depends on the situation.
Also, bring Echo Drops if you are in an area where monsters can silence you. Keeping one or two stacks at all time is a good investment and might save both your party's and your own life one day.
Regen
It's sad to see how many White Mages ignore this spell as it is one of the most helpful ones. Casting Regen on your tank will restore his HP over time. The amount of HP restored is larger than that of a cure for the same amount of MP. But, like I said, the HP is restored over time. Casting this spell on your tank every battle means you will spend less MP on curing her since she will be slowly regaining her strength on her own. The Regen spell also generates less hate than your cures.
Regen III recovers 20 HP every 3 seconds for 1 minute, making it invaluable to any tank.
Don't be afraid of resting
There are times when a White Mage doesn't have anything to do. This is true both while fighting and waiting for the next pull. Try to rest as much as possible to make sure you regain as much MP as possible. Don't endanger your party's safety by resting too much though. There is no need to stand doing nothing for 2 minutes while the party is fighting.
I usually rest about 5-15 seconds into a fight depending on the tank's and puller's jobs. When I'm done casting my supportive spells and I know everyone's health is okay I start resting to make sure we can continue chaining. You will still need to pay close attention to your party and the monster and make sure they don't get struck by a decrimental status effect like Paralyze or Petrification.
Don't over-cure
There is no need to keep everyone's health at 100% at any time. As long as people's HP is in the white area they are okay, but cast either a cure or regen if they get into the orange area. Keeping everyone at full health is a waste of MP and means you will get less time to concentrate on the chain. Cures generate hate. Gain too much hate and the monster will be more busy beating you than the tank.
However, make sure the puller's health is okay before the next pull. You don't want to see her drop dead halfway back to the camp. If the puller loses HP when running back to the camp, try casting Regen on her so she is ready for the next pull.
Know your party
A White Mage should do whatever he or she can to learn about his or her party's playing style and weaknesses. Try to learn how much HP the tank needs and what supportive spells they need. Casting Haste on the tank and on the slowest TP-gaining damage dealer will make them hit faster and make the skillchains a lot more efficent. Also, Ninjas and Paladins rely on their spells, so shortening the cast time is very important.
Also, if a party member is strugling to get his or her Utsusemi back on, cast Flash on the monster to blind it for 3 hits. Be aware though since this spell generates a considerable amount of hate. Casting Flash on the monster means the tank will be able to cast the spell he or she is strugling to cast and you won't have to cast cures to make up for the hits the tank would have taken otherwise.
Forget your Cure IV
Yes, I know this sounds weird but you should avoid using Cure IV while fighting a monster. The spell generates a large amount of hate and you should therefor consider using either Cure III or Cure IV. Hate is bad! Cure V costs a bit more MP, but the HP recovered is amazing while you gain next to no hate.
Use Elemental Barrier Spells
Learn to use the Elemental Barrier Spells, also called bar~spells, to reduce the damage taken by the monster's special attacks and spells. A goblin dropping a bomb on the party can very well get them killed if you didn't cast Barfira. Using the bar~spells means you will spend less MP curing people afterwards.
Read more about Elemental Barrier Spells in my The Bar~Guide.
Bring Yagudo Drinks
Bring a few yagudo drinks the next time you party - you never know when you'll need them.
Be proactive
A White Mage should try to memorize the monster's abilities and spells. Being proactive when fighting Toramas in Labyrinth of Onzozo will save your party and yourself a lot of trouble. At the second you see the monster preparing his Petrification-attack, cast Stona on whoever the monster is casting on.