If you’ve tempered yourself into the hot and cold journey of leveling Thaumaturge into Black Mage, you’ve found the right place. Hopefully, our Thaumaturge Leveling Guide helps you out!
While this page focuses on Thaumaturge info like skills, traits, rotation, and playstyle notes. The GENERAL PROCESS that you follow is outlined in our FFXIV General Leveling Guide – use it alongside this guide. Looking at that, we’re in the “A Realm Reborn Tier” as we’re only looking to level our Thaumaturge up to 30.
This guide has three major segments:
- Thaumaturge Leveling Rotation & Skill Changes – How new skills affect your play.
- Thaumaturge L1 to L16 – General reminders and notes.
- Thaumaturge L15 to 30 – General reminders and notes.
- I’ll mention it again, knowledge from General Leveling Guide is REQUIRED.
I put rotation changes up top as you might reference it often. Without further ado, let’s get to it.
Thaumaturge Rotation for Leveling, Skills, Traits, Etc.
In this segment we run down how each skill and trait affects your Thaumaturge’s rotation during the leveling process.
L1 Skill Unlocked Blizzard – Your basic and only spell for now. You gain a buff called “Umbral Ice” when casting this, which massively improves mana regen. I’ll explain in more detail once you reach L4 to get skill “Transpose”.
L2 Skill Unlocked Fire – The other half of your basic spells. You gain a buff called “Astral Fire” when casting this, which causes your MP regen to be 0, but giving you a massive damage boost.. I’ll explain in more detail once you reach L4 to get the skill “Transpose”. Basically, use Fire until your mana says you can’t, then use Ice.
L4 Skill Unlocked Transpose – Transforms your buff from Umbral Ice to Astral Fire, and vice versa. Now, let’s take a little break to talk about how these buffs interact.
How does Umbral Ice, Astral Fire, and Transpose Work?
Here goes! This is the very basic groundwork for THM and BLM so you might as well drill it into your head now. Here’s the absolute basics of how this rotation works, but it will be modified as you gain levels.
You have no buff?
- Casting Ice spell gives you Umbral Ice
- Casting Fire spell gives you Astral Fire
You have Umbral Ice?
- Casting Ice refreshes buff duration, and at higher levels, more stacks of Umbral Ice.
- Casting Fire spell ERASES ALL BUFFS. Now, you’re at “You have no buff?” phase.
- Casting Transpose switches you to Astral Fire.
You have Astral Fire?
- Casting Ice spell ERASES ALL BUFFS. Now, you’re at “You have no buff?” phase.
- Casting Fire refreshes buff duration, and at higher levels, more stacks of Astral Fire.
- Casting Transpose switches you to Umbral Ice.
Transpose notes, continued: Basically you can use Transpose to FOREVER AVOID the “No buff phase”. Continually cycling between the buffs. Being in “No Buff” phase sucks because you have to use up another spell just to gain the desired buff which is a huge waste of damage and “side effects”.
There’s much more to this then meets the eye, such as “mana regen tick” and “estimating what spell is BEST to cast when you hit ice“, and all that jazz that I suppose I’ll introduce to you slowly as you level up.
L6 Skill Unlocked Thunder – Your basic DoT (Damage over Time) spell. Use this as an opening spell, and typically speaking ONLY MANUALLY CAST IT DURING YOUR ICE PHASE. And just in case that isn’t clear enough, DO NOT MANUALLY THUNDER DURING FIRE. Also, do not Thunder if your enemy will die shortly after – try to maximize the DoT.
L8 Role Action Unlocked Addle – Reduces targets INT (reduces enemy magic damage). Has almost no use in non-boss encounters and basic leveling activities.
L10 Skill Unlocked Sleep – An AoE sleep (damage wakes the targets, careful), that’s hardly useful in any serious content. In solo and leveling, however it’s great. In the outside world you can sleep enemies when you need to escape, interact with objects or talk to NPCs without interruption. In dungeons, you can single handedly save your group from a wipe by just chain sleeping if your tank dies, for example. Not a bad skill for clutch moments.
L12 Skill Unlocked Blizzard II – An AoE version of blizzard, of which the same rules of single target blizzard apply.
L15 Skill Unlocked Scathe – This is a desperation spell that you simply cast if you cannot cast anything else while moving. It’s also great for killing low level trash. Basically, in any serious content Scathe is almost a “fail case”.
L18 Skill Unlocked Fire II – An AoE version of Fire, of which the same logic from Fire applies. Take note that this has an absolute titanic MP cost.
L18 Role Action Unlocked Swiftcast – For THM (a caster without resurrection), this is basically used to cast while moving, that’s it. While this may not seem like much this early on, this is a HUGE BOON as you learn more and more about THM / BLM, and appreciate every inch of mobility you can afford.
L20 Trait Unlocked Magick and Mend – Just a passive
L24 Role Action Unlocked Lucid Dreaming – Weirdly useless for THM. This skill will only work if you ABSOLUTELY BREAK and MESS UP your rotation. Only use it if you got stuck on “no buff” phase with no mana. Why is this useless? Ice generates gigantic MP regen on demand (making this unneeded), and FIre disables all forms of external MP regen (making this useless).
L26 Skill Unlocked Thunder II – An AoE version of thunder, which is godlike. The same rules apply, avoid reapplication on Fire phase (do it on Ice). Start the fight and refresh it as long as the enemy survives a long time… yada yada.
L28 Trait Unlocked Thundercloud – Your first proc! Proc basically means “chance of occurring”. Basically, each time Thunder ticks, you get a chance to get Thundercloud, which basically allows you to INSTANTLY cast for FREE a FULL DAMAGE (FULL DOT DURATION) THUNDER SPELL. Did you catch all that? FREE, FULL, AND FAST like when I skip the bill.
Typically using these “procs” give you a chance to move – something you shouldn’t take lightly in more difficult content
L30 Skill Unlocked Manaward – a very welcome defensive ability that isn’t game breaking in the solo or leveling department, but very useful in endgame content. Be aware you have it, and use it when appropriate to help your healers out.
Completing this quest and unlocking Windbite marks your final class quest as Thaumaturge. You now have the right to become a Black Mage!
Thaumaturge Rotation – L1 to 30 SUMMARY
Here’s what your THM rotation is in the early leveling process, that hopefully, “Works like magic”. Adjust to your currently learned skills.
THM L30 Single Target Rotation
ADJUST DEPENDING ON WHICH ELEMENT YOU’RE AT or at NO ELEMENT. Instead of typing this out in a priority, I’ll go thru it in terms of a cycle…
- Slam Thundercloud (Thunder I) procs whenever you can.
- Gain Umbral Ice (via Transpose hopefully, or Blizzard)
- Thunder I is usually best to reapply here.
- Cast Blizzard (or whatever, or wait) until MP is full
- Gain Astral Fire (via Transpose hopefully, feelsbad to double fire)
- Spam Fire until no more MP
- Gain Umbral Ice (via Transpose)
- Repeat
THM L30 AoE Rotation
ADJUST DEPENDING ON WHICH ELEMENT YOU’RE AT or at NO ELEMENT. Instead of typing this out in a priority, I’ll go thru it in terms of a cycle…
- Slam Thundercloud (Thunder II) procs whenever you can.
- Gain Umbral Ice (via Transpose hopefully, or Blizzard)
- Thunder II is usually best to reapply here.
- Cast Blizzard (I or II, whatever, or wait) until MP is full
- Gain Astral Fire (via Transpose hopefully, feelsbad to double fire)
- Spam Fire until no more MP
- Gain Umbral Ice (via Transpose)
- Repeat
There’s only two differences from single target and AoE The Thunder you use is obviously affected, and the Blizzard too. Don’t sweat not using the AoE blizzard if it affects your movement too much.
Scathe should only very rarely serve as a Filler, typically in the Ice phase if your mana regen wont be affected. It’s very niche.
Thaumaturge Leveling: L1 to 30
As per the general leveling guide, this tier is divided into two sub-chunks. So I’ll be sub-chunking the following segments into two “tabs” as well. These two tabs represent A) L1 to 16, and B) L16 to 30.
Thaumaturge Leveling L1 to 30 Activity Flowchart
A rundown of things you can do to gain EXP – again split “to 16”, and “to 30”.
THM Leveling Activities to L16
Remember the universal truths: Main Scenario Quest is king, and always have your passive EXP buffs (FC, Food, Chocobo, etc)
Renewable EXP sources
- FATES (Great when you're in queue)
- Levequests (Actually good EXP but better saved for DoH or DoL)
- Deep Dungeon -Palace of the Dead (Repetitive, terrible for LOW levels)
Burst EXP sources
- Challenge Log* (Complete passively until nearing reset, then force it)
- Guildhests (First completions per class is mega bonus EXP)
- Hunting Log (Great source of EXP this early on)
- Sidequests (Personal preference. Better if in tandem with MSQ!)
- Duty Roulette: Guildhest (Pretty irrelevant...)
*Challenge Log won't be unlocked in this tier if it's your first time around. While you need to be L16 to initially unlock it, it can be used by any level character thereafter.
Well, there’s not much to point your bow at this early on, but here’s where the arrow falls nonetheless. It’s slim, but you gotta start somewhere.
Of course, adjust this to your own personal preference.
THM Leveling Activities to L30
Remember the universal truths: Main Scenario Quest is king, and always have your passive EXP buffs (FC, Food, Chocobo, etc)
Renewable EXP sources
- Dungeons (Stable, "fun", massive EXP easpecially with rested bonus)
- FATES (Great when you're in queue)
- Deep Dungeon -Palace of the Dead (Repetitive, but fast)
- Levequests (Actually good EXP but better saved for DoH or DoL)
- Beast Tribe (EXP is meh, but great for getting cosmetic items)
Burst EXP sources
- Duty Roulette: Leveling (The ultimate EXP source until L50)
- Challenge Log (Complete passively until nearing reset, then force it)
- Guildhests (First completions per class is mega bonus EXP)
- Hunting Log (More for completionism or first timers, it's "alright")
- Sidequests (Personal preference. Better if in tandem with MSQ!)
- Duty Roulette: Guildhest (Pretty irrelevant...)
A few adjustments to your leveling mentality here, mainly the addition of Duty Roulette: Leveling, as a daily burst, and straight queuing Dungeons as an option as well.
Of course, adjust this to your own personal preference.
Important Notes (THM L1 to 30)
Important things to keep in mind during the process, so you don’t miss out on any potential value.
THM L1 to 30 Gear Updates: Needed?
TLDR: Not really significant. This applies to both sub-tiers. Just make sure to pick up whatever along the way, or find dirt cheap upgrades in the MB or wherever (quests etc).
Important notes to keep in mind
As always, Main Scenario Quest takes the highest priority.
There are too many skills that get unlocked here for me to talk about individually, which is why the skill unlock / rotation segment above should be your guiding light in that regard.
Limited Burst EXP sources take priority: Newly unlocked Guildhests, Challenge Log entries, Hunting Log.
Renewable EXP sources if you need to grind: FATE’s are great, followed by Levequests and if so you choose, Sidequests. (Deep Dungeon: POTD – can you zone it from Level 1? Even if you could, I don’t think I would…)
At level 15 you get access to your first Dungeon, Sastasha, but I don’t see much reason to grind there, unless you wanna burn rested EXP and want to hit 16 ASAP.
At 15 you should catch up and do your class quests, as you do get a skill form it – Scathe. Not a bad skill, great for finishing off trash while moving. Don’t expect to integrate it too heavily into your rotation is it IS a “mistake” more often than not.
A note on Levequests: Can be an attractive source of EXP. Every tier has “good and bad” levequests so it’s up to you if you wanna go try them out. Main downside is using them up in place of DoH / DoL. Consider using them if you’re at or near the Levequest allowance cap!
As always, Main Scenario Quest takes the highest priority.
Starting L16, you open up Duty Roulette: Leveling, which is you should be doing everyday! This is an important source of EXP – it’s a huge daily burst! Also at L16 you can unlock Challenge Log if you haven’t already.
Overall, the same concept applies. Daily and Weekly bursts of EXP > Basic Renewable EXP sources of your choice > Other side activities to alleviate boredom or monotony.
Renewable EXP sources? At this point it’s Dungeons, FATES and Deep Dungeons, and maybe some Levequests. Burst EXP sources? Roulettes, new Guildhests, Hunting and Challenge Logs.
at L18 THM becomes one of the best dungeon classes this early on due to Fire II. It’s an incredibly powerful AoE spell!
at L20 If you haven’t unlocked your Companion (combat Chocobo), do so now. You can begin the process now – it entails getting your first mount as well (at least for most new players).
L26, unlocks Thunder II – makes THM a GODLIKE AoE DPS. For such a low character level, Thunder II and Thundercloud is GODLIKE.
This makes Dungeons a juicy choice.
At level 30 get your class quests done, as it’s one of the prerequisites to transform into Black Mage!
Levequests notes, same as usual. Sad to take ’em away from crafters and gatherers, but it’s viable EXP. Definitely use them up if you’re overcapped on allowances.
Stop at Level 30! Unlock your advanced job as soon as you can!
(THM turns into Black Mage at Level 30)
Thaumaturge L30 Onward: Unlocking Black Mage
STOP WHAT YOU’RE DOING ONCE YOU HIT THAUMATURGE LEVEL 30.
Unlock Black Mage ASAP!
How to become a Black Mage? Unlocking Black Mage requires a Level 30 Thaumaturge, and completion of the L30 THM Class Quest. From there, return to your guild and it should point you to the quest! See: Unlocking all jobs.
The reason we unlock ASAP is, not only to get a new skill at L30 (In your case Manaward), but most if not all new skills and traits going forward are for BLACK MAGE and not THAUMATURGE, so you have no reason to stay as a THM any longer.
Thaumaturge Leveling – Related Reads
Some good reads and related links here:
- General Leveling Guide – Oft mentioned here, but bears mentioning again.
- Thaumaturge General Basics Guide – Basic info regarding the THM class.
- Black Mage General Basics Guide – Basic info about THM advanced job, BLM.
- Unlocking all Jobs and Classes – Summary on how to become the various jobs.
- Caster Role Actions – a more detailed look and use cases for them.
Summary and Closing
And with that YOU’RE DONE WITH LEVELING Thaumaturge! Congrats! Hopefully our Thaumaturge Leveling Guide helped you out. May your fire light your way, and they who bar it. GL AoE’ing in deez dungeons.
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