18 Aug FFXIV Job Roles: Play 1 or Play Them All!
ESTNN breaks down each of the Job Roles available in FFXIV.
One of the most innovative part of Square Enix’s critically acclaimed MMO is the players flexibility to switch between roles. Feeling tired of tanking? Queue for your next roulette with a DPS Job instead.
Unlike other MMOs, like WoW or Guild Wars, players aren’t locked to a single class in Eorzea. In fact, there are cosmetic titles available for those diehards who max out every class to cap.
Depending on what class from the base game, A Realm Reborn, you’ve been levelling, at level 30 you’ll have the opportunity to equip a Job Stone to unlock further abilities. After level 30, you can pick up other jobs which have been released throughout the game’s subsequent expansions.
If you’re new to the game, or you’ve just let a couple of Jobs slip by the wayside, we’re here to take you through each one – and give you some tips on leveling it.
How many jobs are there in FFXIV?
Classes in FFXIV are divided into Disciples of War (DoW) and Disciples of Magic (DoM). There are 5 classes or roles that stem from these two categories; Tanks, Healers, Melee DPS, Ranged Magical DPS and Ranged Physical DPS. Each Job will sit underneath one of these 5 core classes. With Endwalker dropping later this year, two new Jobs are set to drop; Reaper and Sage – but for now there are 18 to choose from – which isn’t too shabby.
Tanks
There are four Tanks to choose from in FFXIV – and plenty of debate about which is best, but each tanking Job brings unique flavor and abilities. The first two tanks a player encounters are the base classes of Gladiator (GLD) and Marauder (MRD). These classes lead into the Paladin (PLD) and Warrior (WAR) at level 30. There’s also the Dark Knight (DRK) which was released in the Heavensward expansion, and the Gunbreaker (GNB) which dropped with the most recent expansion, Shadowbringers.
If Tank is the role you’re looking to fill in content, there are some basic rules which you can apply across all jobs. Tanking in FFXIV is quite different to tanking in other MMOs, but remember these simple tips and you’ll be able to handle everything the game throws at you.
Tanking Tips
Don’t move around unnecessarily in boss fights.
Unlike in other MMOs there is really not much reason to move as a Tank in FFXIV unless you’re getting out of the way of an AOE or damage marker. Just be sure to face the boss away from the rest of your party and focus on keeping the aggro and dodging it’s actual attacks.
Pull only as much trash as your healer can handle.
Healers definitely set the pace in FFXIV content, and the amount of mobs you can pick up is dependant on their gear’s ilvl and their current Job level. Be communicative with your Healer and make sure they’re prepped. While it’s true the more you pull, the more damage the party can do, that’s all for naught if you drop like a sack of popotos before the trash is cleared.
Remember your ABCs – Always Be Casting!
Unlike other MMOs your rotations in FFXIV are designed to be proccing your Global Cool Downs (GCDs) often. Use your GCDs as soon as they become available. Sprints, stuns and gap closers are all your friends, so don’t be afraid to spam those buttons to help keep your damage output in the highest window possible.
Healers
Currently there are three healing Jobs available to players. White Mage (WHM), Scholar (SCH) and Astrologian (AST). But a new healer Job, the Sage, is arriving with the Endwalker expansion later this year. The base class Conjurer (CNJ) leads into White Mage, while Arcanist (ARC) leads into the Scholar job. Astrologian is available to players from level 50 in the Heavensward Expansion.
Healing Tips
Healers need to know their ABC’s too!
The number one rule for Healers in FFXIV is to maximize your damage output as much as possible without sacrificing your team’s safety. A good rule of thumb is to aim to do about half as much damage as the DPS.
All healers have Swiftcast and it’s your friend
Keep your Swiftcast ability handy to quickly Raise dead party members. Raise takes 8s to cast, so if Swiftcast is on cool down you really need to plan your positioning to cast Raise.
Your Healer offGlobal Cool Downs (oGCDs) cost you 0 MP, Lucid Dreaming restores MP
Unlike other MMOs, don’t save these for the big fights. Spam them and keep your mana topped up with Lucid Dreaming to stay effective.
DPS
Damage dealing roles in FFXIV are split into 3 types. Melee DPS, Ranged DPS and Magic DPS. And there is a lot of versatility available when it comes to damage dealers. The playstyles run the gamut from spell slinging Black Mages (BLM) to steel-fisted Monks (MNK). Of if that doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, try a swashbuckling Red Mage (RDM) or an elegant battle Dancer (DNC). With 10 full DPS classes to choose from, plus the Blue Mage (BLU) class, you’re guaranteed to find a DPS flavor you’ll like.
DPS Tips
Don’t bother trying to out damage your fellow DPS
Unlike other MMOs, FFXIV is actually very balanced, with less than a 2k difference in damage output between each of the DPS classes. That means “tier lists” aren’t actually necessary. You succeed as a DPS based on understanding what unique roles and skills each DPS class brings to the table in content, and when to use them. So, throw what you know about playing DPS from other MMOs right out the window.
You’re not just damage – you’re utility too!
Unless of course you’re Samurai. Then you are just pure damage, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have mechanics which you’ll need to be performing during content. There’s always something environmental to be paying attention to, so don’t zero-in on your rotations and forget your Job’s other roles.
Positioning is important as DPS
In fact, with some DPS Jobs positioning is everything. Learn how much mobility your Job has in a fight and find the best ways to maximize it to avoid downtime and keep your damage high.
For a more detailed look at the Jobs you can choose from in FFXIV take a look at our Role specific guides:
Tanking Job Guide
Healing Job Guide
Melee DPS Job Guide
Ranged DPS Job Guide
Magic DPS Job Guide
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