Red Mages Only: Final Fantasy 3

[@kyogre-blue]

The most important thing about red mages is that they look cool.

[@cuktus8054]

Cape, giant feather, awesome hat, what isn't to love about the red mage?

[@Xephrost_Gaming]

Yeah, whether they are good or not, they always look great.

[@jackiespaceman]

Facts

[@ShinMajin]

That's why Blue Mages are the best. Style *and* power.

[@namebn]

That's why I used a red mage the whole time back in the 3D version. Thankfully they balanced the 3D version better then 2D.

[@kemix1006]

Ahriman: *uses Curaja* *Glass shattering* *Steel pipe hitting floor* *Extreme fart reverb* Xephrost: OMAE WA MOU SHINDERU

[@sashaanne703]

Alternate title: A gamer’s slow descent in to madness.

[@nightcloud2014]

For future reference, in case you're crazy. When you level up, the class you're in will dictate the hp growth and nothing else. So being a viking (or monk) gives the most amount of HP increase.

[@housinengi9512]

so basicly for red mage run. you need to abuse this basicly and level up with the class that boost atk stat every level up.

[@lordoftheredead]

@@housinengi9512 Unfortunately that only applies to HP, every other stat is fixed based on class and level

[@RoninCatholic]

And IIRC, Red Mages in FF3 have lower HP growth than Black Mages. Literally the lowest.

[@cuktus8054]

Loved the video man. The dry hate dripping off your voice was quite entertaining. While I would never recommending coming back to something similar to this (for your own well being), it was a great video!

[@onernoa]

Thanks for sharing the Suffering. And More Suffering

[@Xephrost_Gaming]

I usually name recordings after a boss I beat or a new area reached. But sometimes there is only Suffering. And More Suffering.

[@SageMercurius]

I hit the World of Darkness in my own normal playthrough and just.. couldn't any more... Such a hike in difficulty... relieved it wasn't just me!

[@redmagecody]

18:20 I always figured Sage was their replacement job, since like Magus to Black Mage, and Devout to White Mage, Sage functions similarly to Red Mage, being skilled in both White, and Black magics, the only thing really missing is the swordplay.

[@Xephrost_Gaming]

It's a bit odd, because Sage almost functions as a flat upgrade to every caster. So it's hard to say it's Red Mage's replacement when it replaces half the classes in the game.

[@Folsomdsf2]

Scholar is their replacement which is meant to be replaced by evoker and finally summoner.

[@Wajulillo]

Now a Scholar challenge 😂

[@PaiDiMat]

That doesn't sound to bad. I haven't played pixel remaster yet but 3d version scholar dealt plenty of damage using items stolen by enemies.

[@PaiDiMat]

@@veghesther3204 yeah the class is pretty much useless. Still, I had lot of fun using it

[@Gale_789]

That would be a good next one to pick. Scholar is -in my mind- the true evolution of Red Mage in this game. Like Magus and Devout for Black and White Mages. Sage is like untrue evolution of all mages, where it can cast everything but without the defining traits of each of the specialists, and less spell slots.

[@AnAverageGoblin]

@@veghesther3204 pretty sure Hein takes less physical damage, and also the scholar's ability to double the power of healing items means they can heal a lot consistently. you're missing out w/ thief too, in the 3d version a high job level thief can steal the 2nd or third strongest lance in the game from odin.

[@nickfarace9339]

In the ds remake I took Scholar into the final boss. It kicks ass. I feel like I freaking obliterated Hein in a single round with a scholar used damage item to his weakness. It really depends on if they use the int scaling on items and scholar doubling items effects in this like someone else said. They also have insanely high int, unlike the red mages.

[@Gale_789]

I would say that Red Mage is actually the best class until you leave the floating continent, but then it’s usefulness jumps off a cliff. This thought is reflected near exactly as I’d expect it to be in the video. Thank you for your suffering.

[@pheonixmmkc]

Blue jobs only is a fun challenge run I've done

[@redmage08]

HELL yea

[@SundayTopper]

In FF3 (IMO) they meant to be used as enchanters in the mid-late game. Early on they are meant to pinch-hitter. Early on they have so many random things they can do that fade after the Fire Crystal. They can use all (for the moment) elemental spells, cure spells, utility spells while also being good enough at combat to make decent use of bows, staves and wands (a skill level'd red mage smacking things around with a lighting stave+wand on the open sea is a lil scary) Later though, more than anything their skill-level matters, and since they get such a head start it is enough to count for a lot. By the end of the game you'll bank a stupid number of 2nd level spells and Toad will almost never miss even when multi-targeted. Also.... and IDK why when it seems obvious the devs wanted you to NOT use the red mages at this point. They can use every piece of Crystal Armor; they just can. By this point your skill lvl should be 99, Toad never misses so you have however many casts of a full screen "death" spell. For funzies slap on two crystal shields, laugh as they try to hit you in the back-row, flip the enemies the bird and win with toad. Boss fights feel ackward because Cure will help, but usually you'll need more and you just don't have the spell-dmg needed to really help; those slots being better used for heals. One more thing, Tyrving MAY be the best SWORD a Red Mage can equipt, but it's not the best weapon. A Golem Stave (or two) in a Red Mage's hands is... deadly. So slap some bitches around with your hard-wood, turn them into statues and look cool while you do it. 😎

[@gabrieldevoogel6225]

FFTA introduced me to this awesome job, so dope I just wish Viera wasn’t the only race to get it

[@Xephrost_Gaming]

Yeah, red mage is such a fun idea. It isn't always executed super well, but I love a hybrid character class. And I agree. Restricting classes to certain races was an interesting idea, but I much prefer the original FFT's method of everyone can access every (non-unique) class.

[@gabrieldevoogel6225]

@@Xephrost_Gaming no class restriction was fine, but general jobs like black white and red mage should’ve been for everyone, and some form or warrior or soldier

[@RoninCatholic]

​@@gabrieldevoogel6225 Definitely. I can see Moogle lacking Archer because they're too short for full sized bows and Nu Mou lacking the flexibility needed to use Thief, maybe Bangaa struggling with magic overall, but Soldier/Archer/Monk/Thief/White Mage/Black Mage at least should have been nearly universal. Red Mage for anyone who can become both Black and White Mage, maybe as an advanced class that requires you to already know two or three spells of each first. For that matter, WHY can Viera become Red Mages when they can't even become Black Mages? Silly.

[@RoninCatholic]

In both this game and FF5, the Red Mage is really hindered by being a Crystal 1 job instead of Crystal 2 or Crystal 3. It'd make more sense to have the first crystal give you the two main mages that will both have full replacements later as well as a basic fighter, then in mid game you get someone as good at fighting as the base fighter, as good at black and white magic as the initial black and white mages, and doing all three simultaneously replaces the upgrades of those respective classes. FF5 also wanted blue mages to shine, but that means the first crystal is front loaded with almost every mage class in the game, basically only holding off on time mage and summoner. It DOES NOT at all help that Red Mages have their own Red Mage Sword weapon category instead of just sharing the same swords as warriors for no clear reason.

[@Folsomdsf2]

If you're wondering red mage is indeed replaced by a more advanced job. Red mage > Scholar > Evoker >endgame job That's what is intended rofl.

[@Nationaleme]

Just finished FF3 PR today. Really disliked how several bosses just spammed aoe attacks over and over, they seemed to often focus the ones with low hp if they did single attacks, they had lots of hp, and turn order seemed random. But oh well. Loved the jobs and sprites. Played the re-imagined version on DS a long time ago. Wanted to experience the original.

[@Jikkuryuu]

The commentary sounded about right, lots of intermittent grinds for parity or spell levels, running out of new equipment 1/3rd of the way into the game. I was not expecting Garuda to be manageable either! It's _funny_ that PR Chaos has too much hp in FF1, it's a surprise that no one wanted but can probably overcome on their next try. There's a whole history of Chaos having the wrong amount of hp for the game he's in, it's a running gag now. Previous versions of FF3 were already heartless towards class upgrades. Keeping the stats that were boosted specifically to compensate for other changes that _weren't_ kept is some tremendous bs.

[@unknownpitfall6135]

cant wait till the dark knight run!

[@matttyree1002]

I've only played the 3d remake of ff3 on ds, I'll need to actually play the 2d version sometime

[@Xephrost_Gaming]

Having played both, they are actually pretty different experiences. The DS version has a lot of rebalancing from the original release. And while some of that carried over to the pixel remaster (looking at you 100k hp bosses), the pixel remaster is more true to the original release.

[@nickfarace9339]

I wasn't aware they absolutely doubled down on FF3 having the most absurd final dungeon stretch of any JRPG ever. It was already absolute bullcrap with basically 2 full dungeons without a single save point, essentially a boss rush, THEN it even had the gall to make Cloud of Darkness a massive difficulty spike over those other bosses. All without a save point. To be fair though, those HP pools mean very little to having 2-3 Ninjas throwing Shurikens for 9999.

[@tricmagic]

This endgame grind feels like Atelier Ayesha's final endbosses. Which take way too long to kill and can just murder you halfway through the fight. Oh, and they can all heal at phase change. The last of the four heals 10,000 HP during their third phase, and has 4 attacks not counting their delayed 4 attacks that knock your turn back. Given the rest of the game these four superbosses do not feel fun. They are in fact a grind against the alchemy system. On a side note, the second blinds, weakens, and recovers 100 hp an action with 3 actions and multiple full party attacks. With the chance to get to go twice due to battle mechanics. Also why do the special attacks deal less damage than normal skills? And endgame attack items deal less than a normal attack from Ayesha herself? Beats me. Took me far too long to figure out combination chains and this is the third time I've needed to make end game equipment. Everything else just died to the first version, end bosses included. Difficulty curve is not stable against 4 Red Power. *I am still here trying to beat them. The first DLC dungeon at least had interesting fights.* Rant over. Healing all your damage dealt is only a good thing if the boss is designed around that mechanic like the snek-dragon boss of FFV. Otherwise it's a bore and chore.

[@Kupogames]

The way break damage limit would help ff3 is entirely underestimated

[@animesjogoseseriesclassica8282]

I thought that was impossible without Sage and Ninja.

[@Xephrost_Gaming]

Not impossible. Just boring and tedious.

[@leargamma4912]

That's a lie youtubers sold to you like a pyramid scheme to an old lady. I beat the pixel remaster with A thief, Warrior, bard, and summoner. Alternating between other green-colored jobs as needed. It was a neat run.

[@AnAverageGoblin]

@@leargamma4912 PR the easiest version of the game btw.

[@toddstaples5127]

Great video 🎉.

[@TheBanishedWind]

FF3 DS with only Red Mages?

[@AnAverageGoblin]

would be worse. slower game, bosses get double turns, and even the one advantage (the unique Red Mage item you get from the blacksmith) can only be gotten once and wouldn't help much because its basically an endgame item, among other things.

[@TheBanishedWind]

@@AnAverageGoblin So it'd be more of a challenge.

[@Wajulillo]

Red mages are actually top tier in the DS version

[@rayquazathenoodledragon9630]

I think red mages are better in the DS remake, unlike the nes versión were after water Crystal they don't get new equipment in the DS they can continue getting new gear and weapons including the endgame gear, also they now learn level 5 magic instead of 4 meaning they can now learn raise

[@PapaTaurean]

Good thing they fixed stuff like this in Final Fantasy V. Right?... Right??? :O

[@Xephrost_Gaming]

Right...?

[@ClintonKE]

They did actually. FF5 has a few jobs that are hell to play but red mage really isn't one of them. Granted not being able to use shields/ribbons really hurts defense wise

[@ClintonKE]

Fix stuff like this is rather an odd thing to say when by design this game expects you to stop using certain classes including red mage for the most part. No one runs warrior after unlocking knight afterall...granted even though the end game was hell keep in mind that was when you are truly expected to upgrade to its true upgrade...sage. red mage at least stays useful in this game for until then. Which is more than the other classes can say for the most part Sure they do keep giving you equipment for defense up to the end at least. Yeah offense wise it does burn out though some things help, break Staff even if rune is better most of the time i see wasn't used but it actually does pretty well in some situations.

[@nesoukkefka1741]

Probably the worst game for run using only the beginning jobs, I salute your patience and determination.

[@romannikonenko7325]

And some people say that FF3 is the best among 8bit Final Fantasies :D No good enemy drops except for the onion stuff from late game dragons (in "bad" FF2 you can easily grind ribbons, prorings and Osmose spell), none purchasable (at least in original Famicom version) elixirs and phoenix downs, no tents/cottages whatsoever, toad/mini dungeon bs, and last but not least - there's no way to exit the last dungeon and this is pretty much inexcusable. P.S. Don't get me wrong, I do think that this is solid JRPG for 1990, but there's a lot of negative things to say about this one even comparing to FF1-FF2.

[@AnAverageGoblin]

the most powerful equipment in the game being a rare drop from a rare enemy isn't a bad thing lmao and the toad/mini "bs" is such a non issue.

[@romannikonenko7325]

@@AnAverageGoblin this most powerful equipment needs extra grinding for an onion knight job class and it's still way worse than hasted Ninjas throwing shurikens :D

[@morfy42]

I was really enjoying the video until you started complaining endlessly about how bad the game was.

[@ChuuniKaede]

wow its like the game is bad or something

[@HP-Ice]

Run it back on the ds version

[@gregorymaxon6507]

Needs more dual cast

[@Bazzlieo]

Is this the weakest version of red mage in the series history?

[@noyoucantnoicantnowecantsostop]

A turn-based RPG with no grid or range mechanic and magic accuracy stats, enabling magic to miss, while the bosses' sprites are tenfold bigger than the party's.... Yea FFII & III were the wacky phase of FF series' development

[@Seegtease]

I hope for your sake you use the 4x XP while grinding.

[@Xephrost_Gaming]

Oh yes. I always use the increased xp/gil settings on the pixel remasters. It saves so much time in recording. And this would have been even more miserable without it.

[@jinxtheunluckypony]

3 is easily my least favorite game in the series. The gimmick fights are more annoying than fun and class switching isn’t that interesting of a mechanic when you can’t take any skills with you from class to class. Ultimately, I think this game gets overshadowed by later games that pulled off the class switching mechanic better. Final Fantasy 5 and the Bravely Default games prove the idea can work, it just wasn’t handled well here.

[@ryanp155]

I watched a friend stream this and he grinded for fun a lot when we'd be playing D&D and playing the game as intended with class swapping makes the bosses stupid easy even with the increased HP. The game is really just balanced around swapping classes frequently.

[@Xephrost_Gaming]

I agree. FF3 is a fun game when played exactly as intended. If you play not as intended, however... it goes poorly.

[@mrzeloswilder]

Okay honestly Xephrost, I am of the opinion that you should NEVER do a job challenge in FFIII. It straight up is misery in those final dungeons. Even if you upgraded red mages for say sages (B&W casting) it is still AWFUL. I have tried similar runs in the DS version and unlike FFV the game IS NOT MADE FOR IT. On top of that imho 3 is by far the single most boring game to play through by a large margin. I am glad you tried this once but honestly I don't feel the need for you to subject yourself through it again.

[@Xephrost_Gaming]

I got a lot of comments on the black mage playthroughs asking why no FF3. So many I made a short about it. Now I will send them to this video.

[@AnAverageGoblin]

if you think 3 is boring there are SOOO many games in this series you haven't played.

[@nightcloud2014]

@@AnAverageGoblin Did people really hate 3 for it being too hard? Maybe I only used top tier classes without realizing, most of the game I was just warrior, monk white and black mage. then dark knight, black belt and the replacement white/black mage.

[@AnAverageGoblin]

@@nightcloud2014 it has moments where it can be difficult, but it isn't too hard usually.

[@mrzeloswilder]

@@Xephrost_Gaming There's a reason I never made those lines. Since to me it just isn't entertaining. I wouldn't have wanted to subject you to this game. At least in such a similar regard. So yeah. Fair enough.

[@jackiespaceman]

It took me a while and several play throughs to conclude that FF3 is actually not even as good as FF1. The design is just off

[@ChuuniKaede]

ff1 is charmingly broken. it's a short romp that's a few hours long, never overstays its welcome, and all of the classes sans thief are relevant and have their uses. it's one of the better games in the franchise. much more enjoyable than 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, or 15. that only leaves 4, 5, 6, the tactics games, the crystal chronicles games, and x-2 as games I could consider strictly better than 1.

[@feliciavale4279]

How can a normal rat cast 2nd level spells?

[@ChuuniKaede]

"Is this game even good?" No. No it is not lmao. Poorly balanced classes, several dungeons where classes are required to not have a bad tire taking away player agency, and a miserable endgame makes it the worst classic final fantasy.