Blue Mage 101: Monster Correlation & Its Effects

Welcome to Vana'diel University.

This is Professor Eremes' Introduction to Blue Mage class. If you are in the wrong room, kindly make your way to the door. Thanks.

Monster Correlation

As most of you know, there are 6 generally-accepted schools of magic: Elemental, Dark, Divine, Enfeebling, Enhancing, and Healing. There exist also Ninjutsu, Summoning, and the various Bard magics, but since those are of... questionable origins, we shall leave them aside. In my class, we will be learning about Blue Magic, a curious strain only recently developed. As such, much of the extant literature is disturbingly uneven.

Unlike the aforementioned schools of magic, Blue Magic is influenced not only by statistics, types and elements, but likewise by whole ecosystems of enemies. A spell learned from an Aquan will on average, have higher accuracy and potency when used against an amorph, but will experience negative effects against a bird. This is why the spell Screwdriver excels against jellies, but flounders against bats. This is called Monster Correlation.

Pictured above is a diagram detailing the various monster affinities. FYI this is fair game on an exam. Learn it, love it.

Most Blue Mages learn of Monster Correlation either from past experience with the Beastmaster job, or noting the utterly uncanny damage and accuracy of Bludgeon against skeletons. This is no coincidence. Because Bludgeon is both Blunt-type damage and an Arcana-type spell, it is exceptionally accurate and powerful against most undead. Breaths experiencing a positive correlation will not only see their accuracy enhanced, but a 25% increase in damage as well!

Some may have noticed as well that Frenetic Rip, being Demon-type, is particularly effective against wyverns and puks. This spell is primarily what motivates some Blue Mages to retain their Magus Keffiyeh. Because the most oft used spells are either Beastman-type or supportive, Blue Mages rarely remember their lessons in Monster Correlation. A pity.

What other spells deserve recognition? There are a great deal, but there are some that are worth noting:

Frost Breath
This is the second most powerful Breath spell in a Blue Mage's arsenal and should not be overlooked. However, it must also be observed that this spell is Lizard-type, meaning a negative correlation effect against Beasts. This is extraordinarily non-trivial.
Targets: Vermin--Alastor Antlion, Demonic Tiphia, Serket
Avoid: Beasts/Ice-resistant Enemies--Khimaira, Kirin, Dark Ixion*, Cerberus^
*Dark Ixion is heavily resistant to all forms of Magic Damage.
^Cerberus is both Beast-type and Fire Element.

Cannonball
A Blue Mage's best friend in terms of heavy, ranged physical DD. This spell, being Vermin-based, is especially effective against plantoids, but should be used sparcely against Lizards. Ironic, most Blue Mages ignore this effect when fighting enemies like Genbu or Tanihwa, for which a spell like Heat Breath may actually prove to be more effective.
Targets: Plantoids--Capricious Cassie, Voluptuous Vivian, Sabotender Rapido, Keeper of Halidom, Emergent Elm
Avoid: Lizards--Aspidochelone, Genbu, Tanihwa, Amemet

Mind Blast

A lesser-known Blue Magic spell, but still worth mentioning due to its Demon affinity, MND modifier and paralysis effect.
Targets: Dragons--Fafnir, Niddhog, Guivre, Vulpangue, Tinnin, Ash Dragon, Biast
Avoid: Thunder-resistant Enemies

Eyes on Me

Similar to Mind Blast, but it is single-target, modified by CHR, and has no additional effects.
Targets: Same as above
Avoid: Dark-resistant Enemies

Heat Breath

This is a Blue Mage's best Breath spell, and arguably most reliable form of magic damage. It should be noted it is Fire element and Beast affinity, which means it is not appropriate everywhere. Its element, more so than its type, is a hindrance.
Targets: Lizards--Tanihwa, Amemet, Aspidochelone/Genbu*
Avoid: Plantoids/Fire-resistant Enemies--Capricious Cassie, Voluptuous Vivian, Suzaku, most wyrms
*Note that these enemies are water type, which means the positive monster correlation may be offset by elemental resistance.

Radiant Breath

This is perhaps one of Blue Mage's least appreciated spells, yet it's practically a gift from the developers. Dragon affinity and Light-element makes this an exceptional source of magic damage against Demons. Highly recommended in areas such as Dynamis - Xarcabard.
Targets: Demons--Pandemonium Warden, Mahjleaf the Paintorn, Angra Mainyu
Avoid: N/A

Sheep Song/Soporific/Yawn

This triad of Sleepga spells is as both fascinating as it is baffling. So many players choose Sheep Song for its low Blue Magic point cost without realizing it is the equivalent of Sleepga I. Soporific and Yawn are both Sleepga II equivalents, with the added bonus that Yawn is Light-element and a Gaze attack, which generally provides higher accuracy (assuming the target is facing the caster).
Targets: N/A
Avoid: Plantoids (Sheep Song), Vermin (Soporific), Amorphs (Yawn)

And I'm sure there are many more you may think of on your own.

That concludes today's lesson.

Your homework is to exploit Monster Correlation against an enemy before the next class. Frenetic Rip and Bludgeon will be acknowledged, but will not count for credit.

See you next time!