Black Mage Job Guide for FFXIV — Dawntrail 7.0

Black Mage is a caster DPS job with high damage, focused around steady-state output with long, hard-hitting spells.

Black Mage is classified as a selfish DPS, providing no raid buffs or unique utility to the party other than strong personal damage. The rotation follows a cyclical flow of burning through MP during Astral Fire phase for bonus damage on potent fire-aspected spells like Fire IV and Despair, ending on Flare Star, then entering Umbral Ice for to refresh MP, keeping the High Thunder DoT up throughout. At higher levels, Black Mage must also keep track of another resource, Polyglot, gained by maintaining Astral Fire/Umbral Ice.

The base rotation for Black Mage is fairly simple and easy to pick up, with some built-in flexibility. However, translating it to an actual fight may be intimidating or difficult for some newer players. Learning how to utilize movement options like Triplecast, Xenoglossy, procs, and other options is integral in order to maintain uptime as well as Astral Fire/Umbral Ice timers. While it may take some experience to get used to the job, Black Mage is very satisfying to get good at, with a lot of optimization and skill expression at the top end of gameplay.

In order to unlock Black Mage, you must first complete the level 30 Thaumaturge class quest, "Facing Your Demons," as well as the level 20 main scenario quest "Sylph-Management." Following this, the quest "Taking the Black" will be available from Yayake in Ul'dah - Steps of Nald (x7.3, y12.4). Completing this will grant you the Black Mage job stone, which you can equip to continue on in your adventures as a Black Mage.

The Black Mage Elemental Gauge displays information on quantity and timers of various resources, detailed below.

The number of stacks of Astral Fire/Umbral Ice are designated by the tick markers at the top of the gauge, with the duration remaining on the timer displayed at the top. Astral Fire (displayed on the gauge in orange) is granted/refreshed by Fire, Fire II, Fire III, Despair, High Fire II, Flare, and Paradox while in Astral Fire. Umbral Ice (displayed on the gauge in blue) is granted/refreshed by Blizzard, Blizzard II, Blizzard III, and High Blizzard II.

Umbral Hearts, available at level 58+, are designated by the tick markers on the bottom left. These are granted in single-target using Blizzard IV, during AoE via Freeze, and built up during downtime via Umbral Soul.

At level 70, Polyglot is added to the Black Mage Elemental Gauge. On the bottom right of the gauge, a meter will build up while Astral Fire or Umbral Ice are active. Every 30 seconds, this bar will fill and add a Polyglot to the gauge, designated by the bottom crystal, which can be used on Foul. At level 80, a second Polyglot charge can be held, and a new Polyglot spender, Xenoglossy, is added.

Paradox is added to the gauge at level 90, designated by the crystal on the left side of the Elemental Gauge. This resource is obtained from being in Umbral Ice III with three Umbral Hearts and swapping to Astral Fire.

At level 98, a third stack of Polyglot can be stacked.

At level 100, casting Fire IV and Flare will generate Astral Soul stacks, which accumulate on the Astral Gauge. At the maximum of six stacks, Flare Star can be used.

If you would prefer to watch a video that provides an overview of Black Mage, feel free to give the video below a watch. The video was provided by Julia Care, a member of the community on The Balance Discord server.

Action Name	Cast Recast	Range Radius	Effect
Blizzard Lv. 1	2.5s 2.5s	↔ 25y 0y	MP Cost: 400.0 Deals ice damage with a potency of 180. Additional Effect: Grants Umbral Ice or removes Astral Fire Duration: 15s
Fire Lv. 2	2.5s 2.5s	↔ 25y 0y	MP Cost: 800.0 Deals fire damage with a potency of 180. Additional Effect: Grants Astral Fire or removes Umbral Ice Duration: 15s Additional Effect: 40% chance to grant Firestarter Firestarter Effect: Next Fire III will cost no MP and have no cast time Duration: 30s
Transpose Lv. 4	Instant 5.0s	↔ 0y 0y	Swaps Astral Fire with a single Umbral Ice, or Umbral Ice with a single Astral Fire.
Thunder Lv. 6	Instant 2.5s	↔ 25y 0y	Deals lightning damage with a potency of 120. Additional Effect: Lightning damage over time Potency: 40 Duration: 24s Can only be cast while under the effect of Thunderhead, granted when gaining Astral Fire or Umbral Ice from an unaspected state, or changing between their influences. Thunderhead Duration: 30s Only one Thunder spell-induced damage over time effect per caster can be inflicted upon a single target.
Blizzard II Lv. 12	3.0s 2.5s	↔ 25y 5y	MP Cost: 800.0 Deals ice damage with a potency of 80 to target and all enemies nearby it. Additional Effect: Grants Umbral Ice III and removes Astral Fire Duration: 15s
Scathe Lv. 15	Instant 2.5s	↔ 25y 0y	MP Cost: 800.0 Deals unaspected damage with a potency of 100. Additional Effect: 20% chance potency will double
Fire II Lv. 18	3.0s 2.5s	↔ 25y 5y	MP Cost: 1500.0 Deals fire damage with a potency of 80 to target and all enemies nearby it. Additional Effect: Grants Astral Fire III and removes Umbral Ice Duration: 15s
Thunder II Lv. 26	Instant 2.5s	↔ 25y 5y	Deals lightning damage with a potency of 60 to target and all enemies nearby it. Additional Effect: Lightning damage over time Potency: 30 Duration: 18s Can only be cast while under the effect of Thunderhead, granted when gaining Astral Fire or Umbral Ice from an unaspected state, or changing between their influences. Thunderhead Duration: 30s Only one Thunder spell-induced damage over time effect per caster can be inflicted upon a single target.
Manafont Lv. 30	Instant 120.0s	↔ 0y 0y	Fully restores MP. Additional Effect: Grants Astral Fire III Duration: 15s Additional Effect: Grants Thunderhead Duration: 30s Additional Effect: Grants 3 Umbral Hearts Umbral Heart Bonus: Nullifies Astral Fire's MP cost increase for Fire spells and reduces MP cost for Flare by one-third Additional Effect: Grants Paradox Can only be executed while under the effect of Astral Fire.
Manaward Lv. 30	Instant 120.0s	↔ 0y 0y	Creates a barrier that nullifies damage totaling up to 30% of maximum HP. Duration: 20s
Blizzard III Lv. 35	3.5s 2.5s	↔ 25y 0y	MP Cost: 800.0 Deals ice damage with a potency of 280. Additional Effect: Grants Umbral Ice III and removes Astral Fire Duration: 15s
Fire III Lv. 35	3.5s 2.5s	↔ 25y 0y	MP Cost: 2000.0 Deals fire damage with a potency of 280. Additional Effect: Grants Astral Fire III and removes Umbral Ice Duration: 15s
Umbral Soul Lv. 35	Instant 2.5s	↔ 0y 0y	Grants Umbral Ice and 1 Umbral Heart. Umbral Heart Bonus: Nullifies Astral Fire's MP cost increase for Fire spells and reduces MP cost for Flare by one-third Additional Effect: Restores an amount of MP commensurate with your stacks of Umbral Ice Umbral Ice I: 2,500 MP Umbral Ice II: 5,000 MP Umbral Ice III: 10,000 MP Can only be executed while under the effect of Umbral Ice.
Freeze Lv. 40	2.8s 2.5s	↔ 25y 5y	MP Cost: 1000.0 Deals ice damage with a potency of 120 to target and all enemies nearby it. Additional Effect: Grants 3 Umbral Hearts Umbral Heart Bonus: Nullifies Astral Fire's MP cost increase for Fire spells and reduces MP cost for Flare by one-third Can only be executed while under the effect of Umbral Ice.
Thunder III Lv. 45	Instant 2.5s	↔ 25y 0y	Deals lightning damage with a potency of 160. Additional Effect: Lightning damage over time Potency: 45 Duration: 27s Can only be cast while under the effect of Thunderhead, granted when gaining Astral Fire or Umbral Ice from an unaspected state, or changing between their influences. Thunderhead Duration: 30s Only one Thunder spell-induced damage over time effect per caster can be inflicted upon a single target.
Aetherial Manipulation Lv. 50	Instant 10.0s	↔ 25y 0y	Rush to a target party member's side. Unable to cast if bound.
Flare Lv. 50	4.0s 2.5s	↔ 25y 5y	MP Cost: 10000 Deals fire damage to target and all enemies nearby it with a potency of 240 for the first enemy, and 40% less for all remaining enemies. Additional Effect: Grants Astral Fire III Duration: 15s Additional Effect: Grants 3 stacks of Astral Soul Effect ends when Astral Fire expires. Can only be executed while under the effect of Astral Fire.
Ley Lines Lv. 52	Instant 120.0s	↔ 0y 3y	Connects naturally occurring ley lines to create a circle of power which, while standing within it, reduces spell cast time and recast time, and auto-attack delay by 15%. Duration: 30s
Blizzard IV Lv. 58	2.5s 2.5s	↔ 25y 0y	MP Cost: 800.0 Deals ice damage with a potency of 310. Additional Effect: Grants 3 Umbral Hearts Umbral Heart Bonus: Nullifies Astral Fire's MP cost increase for Fire spells and reduces MP cost for Flare by one-third Can only be executed while under the effect of Umbral Ice.
Fire IV Lv. 60	2.8s 2.5s	↔ 25y 0y	MP Cost: 800.0 Deals fire damage with a potency of 310. Additional Effect: Grants Astral Soul Effect ends when Astral Fire expires. Can only be executed while under the effect of Astral Fire.
Between the Lines Lv. 62	Instant 3.0s	↔ 25y 0y	Move instantly to Ley Lines drawn by you. Cannot be executed while bound.
Thunder IV Lv. 64	Instant 2.5s	↔ 25y 5y	Deals lightning damage with a potency of 80 to target and all enemies nearby it. Additional Effect: Lightning damage over time Potency: 35 Duration: 21s Can only be cast while under the effect of Thunderhead, granted when gaining Astral Fire or Umbral Ice from an unaspected state, or changing between their influences. Thunderhead Duration: 30s Only one Thunder spell-induced damage over time effect per caster can be inflicted upon a single target.
Triplecast Lv. 66	Instant 60.0s	↔ 0y 0y	The next three spells will require no cast time. Duration: 15s Maximum Charges: 2
Foul Lv. 70	2.5s 2.5s	↔ 25y 5y	Deals unaspected damage to target and all enemies nearby it with a potency of 600 for the first enemy, and 60% less for all remaining enemies. Polyglot Cost: 1
Despair Lv. 72	3.0s 2.5s	↔ 25y 0y	MP Cost: 10000 Deals fire damage with a potency of 340. Additional Effect: Grants Astral Fire III Duration: 15s Can only be executed while under the effect of Astral Fire.
Xenoglossy Lv. 80	Instant 2.5s	↔ 25y 0y	Deals unaspected damage with a potency of 880. Polyglot Cost: 1
High Blizzard II Lv. 82	3.0s 2.5s	↔ 25y 5y	MP Cost: 800.0 Deals ice damage with a potency of 100 to target and all enemies nearby it. Additional Effect: Grants Umbral Ice III and removes Astral Fire Duration: 15s
High Fire II Lv. 82	3.0s 2.5s	↔ 25y 5y	MP Cost: 1500.0 Deals fire damage with a potency of 100 to target and all enemies nearby it. Additional Effect: Grants Astral Fire III and removes Umbral Ice Duration: 15s
Amplifier Lv. 86	Instant 120.0s	↔ 0y 0y	Grants Polyglot. Can only be executed while under the effect of Astral Fire or Umbral Ice.
Paradox Lv. 90	Instant 2.5s	↔ 25y 0y	Deals unaspected damage with a potency of 500. Additional Effect: Grants Astral Fire Duration: 15s Additional Effect: Grants Firestarter Firestarter Effect: Next Fire III will require no time to cast and cost no MP Duration: 30s Can only be executed while under the effect of Paradox. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Fire changes to Paradox when requirements for execution are met.
High Thunder Lv. 92	Instant 2.5s	↔ 25y 0y	Deals lightning damage with a potency of 200. Additional Effect: Lightning damage over time Potency: 55 Duration: 30s Can only be cast while under the effect of Thunderhead, granted when gaining Astral Fire or Umbral Ice from an unaspected state, or changing between their influences. Thunderhead Duration: 30s Only one Thunder spell-induced damage over time effect per caster can be inflicted upon a single target.
High Thunder II Lv. 92	Instant 2.5s	↔ 25y 5y	Deals lightning damage with a potency of 100 to target and all enemies nearby it. Additional Effect: Lightning damage over time Potency: 40 Duration: 24s Can only be cast while under the effect of Thunderhead, granted when gaining Astral Fire or Umbral Ice from an unaspected state, or changing between their influences. Thunderhead Duration: 30s Only one Thunder spell-induced damage over time effect per caster can be inflicted upon a single target.
Retrace Lv. 96	Instant 40.0s	↔ 0y 3y	Weave ley lines anew, setting your circle of power at a new location. Can only be executed while under the effect of Ley Lines, and the effect duration will not be reset.
Flare Star Lv. 100	3.0s 2.5s	↔ 25y 5y	Deals fire damage to target and all enemies nearby it with a potency of 400 for the first enemy, and 65% less for all remaining enemies. Can only be executed when the Astral Gauge is full.

Action Name	Cast Recast	Range Radius	Effect
Addle Lv. 8	Instant 90.0s	↔ 25y 0y	Lowers target's physical damage dealt by 5% and magic damage dealt by 10%. Duration: 15s
Sleep Lv. 10	2.5s 2.5s	↔ 30y 5y	MP Cost: 800.0 Puts target and all nearby enemies to sleep. Duration: 30s Cancels auto-attack upon execution.
Lucid Dreaming Lv. 14	Instant 60.0s	↔ 0y 0y	Gradually restores own MP. Potency: 55 Duration: 21s
Swiftcast Lv. 18	Instant 60.0s	↔ 0y 0y	Next spell is cast immediately. Duration: 10s
Surecast Lv. 44	Instant 120.0s	↔ 0y 0y	Spells can be cast without interruption. Additional Effect: Nullifies most knockback and draw-in effects Duration: 6s

Action Name	Acquired	Effect
Aspect Mastery	Lv. 1	Casting of certain fire and ice spells will grant a stack of Astral Fire and Umbral Ice respectively. Maximum Stacks: 1 Duration: 15s While under the effect of Astral Fire, the potency of Fire spells is increased by 40%, the cost of casting Fire spells is doubled, MP recovery is reduced to 0, and the potency of Ice spells is reduced by 10%. While under the effect of Umbral Ice, the cost of casting Ice spells is reduced to 0, 2,500 MP is recovered upon landing an Ice spell, and the potency of Fire spells is reduced by 10%.
Maim and Mend	Lv. 20	Increases base action damage and HP restoration by 10%.
Aspect Mastery II	Lv. 20	Allows the stacking of a second Astral Fire and Umbral Ice. While under the effect of Astral Fire, the potency of Fire spells is increased by 60% and the potency of Ice spells is reduced by 20%. While under the effect of Umbral Ice, 5,000 MP is recovered upon landing an Ice spell and the potency of Fire spells is reduced by 20%.
Aspect Mastery III	Lv. 35	Allows the stacking of a third Astral Fire and Umbral Ice. Casting Fire II or Blizzard II grants maximum stacks of Astral Fire or Umbral Ice respectively. While under the effect of Astral Fire III, the potency of Fire spells is increased by 80%, and the cast time of Ice spells is halved and potency lowered by 30%. While under the effect of Umbral Ice III, 10,000 MP is recovered upon landing an Ice spell, and the cast time of Fire spells is halved and potency lowered by 30%.
Maim and Mend II	Lv. 40	Increases base action damage and HP restoration by 30%.
Firestarter	Lv. 42	Grants a 40% chance that after casting Fire, your next Fire III will require no MP and have no cast time. Duration: 30s
Thunder Mastery	Lv. 45	Upgrades Thunder to Thunder III.
Enochian	Lv. 56	Increases damage dealt by 5% while under the effect of Astral Fire or Umbral Ice.
Umbral Heart	Lv. 58	Grants an Umbral Heart upon casting Freeze, or executing Manafont or Umbral Soul.
Thunder Mastery II	Lv. 64	Upgrades Thunder II to Thunder IV.
Enhanced Enochian	Lv. 70	Grants the effect of Polyglot upon maintaining Enochian for 30 seconds. Also improves Enochian's magic damage increase to 10%.
Enhanced Enochian II	Lv. 78	Improves Enochian's magic damage increase to 15%.
Enhanced Polyglot	Lv. 80	Allows the stacking of a second Polyglot.
Enhanced Foul	Lv. 80	Allows for the immediate casting of Foul.
Aspect Mastery IV	Lv. 82	Upgrades Fire II and Blizzard II to High Fire II and High Blizzard II.
Enhanced Manafont	Lv. 84	Reduces Manafont recast time to 100 seconds.
Enhanced Enochian III	Lv. 86	Improves Enochian's magic damage increase to 23%.
Aspect Mastery V	Lv. 90	Adds a Paradox marker to your Elemental Gauge. The marker is made active after reaching Umbral Ice III and gaining 3 Umbral Hearts then swapping to the opposite element. The marker is made inactive when the effect of Astral Fire expires. Fire becomes Paradox when the Paradox marker is made active.
Thunder Mastery III	Lv. 92	Upgrades Thunder III to High Thunder and Thunder IV to High Thunder II.
Enhanced Swiftcast	Lv. 94	Reduces Swiftcast recast time to 40 seconds.
Enhanced Ley Lines	Lv. 96	The location of Ley Lines can be reset while its effect is active.
Enhanced Enochian IV	Lv. 96	Improves Enochian's magic damage increase to 30%.
Enhanced Polyglot II	Lv. 98	Allows the stacking of a third Polyglot.
Enhanced Addle	Lv. 98	Extends the duration of Addle to 15 seconds.
Enhanced Astral Fire	Lv. 100	Grants a stack of Astral Soul upon landing Fire IV or Flare. Maximum Stacks: 6

In days long past, there existed an occult and arcane art known as black magic—a potent magic of pure destructive force born forth by a sorceress of unparalleled power. Those who learned to wield this instrument of ruin came to be called black mages, out of both fear and respect for their gift. Yet great power served to corrupt the judgment of mortal man, and so he unknowingly set out upon the path of ruin. Adventurers who take the black will become agents of devastation, capable of annihilating those who oppose them through little more than the force of their will.