Black Mage
The Black Mage can be an incredible source of damage in the Zodiac Age version of the game. They gain access to incredibly powerful spells, and MP conservation tends to be less of a problem in this version of the game. They get access to a few Green Magick (such as 
Decoy, Bubble, and Syphon) and a ton of Magick Lore augments that increase the overall damage done by spells. This job is definitely helpful to have in any party.
Esper and Quickening Unlocks
Each Esper and Quickening you unlock is tied to a specific spot on the License Board, and claiming one opens up the licenses around it. The table below shows which extra licenses each Esper makes available on this board, along with the Quickening unlock, so you can decide which character should claim each one.
| Esper License Unlocks | Quickening Unlocks |
|---|---|
| Adrammelech: Hand-bombs 2 Exodus: Heavy Armor 8 Famfrit: 190 HP, 230 HP, 310 HP Hashmal:  MakaraMateus: Hand Bombs 3 Shemhazai: Heavy Armor 7 Ultima:  TelekinesisZalera: Steal, PoachZeromus: Heavy Armor 9 |
Quickening (50 LP): 70 HP Quickening (125 LP): 390 HP |
Weapons and Armor Overview
The Black Mage is the premier offensive spellcaster, wielding Staves that strengthen elemental Magick and wearing Mystic Armor for high Magick Power. It deals its damage through Black Magick rather than physical attacks.
| Slot | Proficiency |
|---|---|
| Weapon |  Staves |
| Armor |  Mystic Armor |
| Notable Licenses | Two Swiftness Licenses (faster attack speed) |
License Board
In The Zodiac Age, the Black Mage has its own License Board, shown below.
Job Pairing Recommendations
The Black Mage works best when paired with a second job that covers its gaps. A few combinations worth considering:
| Combination | Why It Works |
|---|---|
Black Mage /  Red Battlemage |
The strongest offensive Magick pairing. Two Mystic Armor casters maximize Magick Power, and the Red Battlemage adds healing and status spells to the Black Mage’s raw damage. |
Black Mage /  Monk |
Swaps in physical muscle: the Monk brings high HP, Poles, and Swiftness so the character can keep attacking when MP runs low, covering the Black Mage’s biggest weakness. |
Black Mage /  Knight |
Pairs glass-cannon Magick with the Knight’s Heavy Armor, shields, and greatswords for a durable battlemage that can also wield the Holy-elemental Excalibur. |
Read more in the job selection guide in the Tips and Tricks section:
Tips and Tricks
Having trouble deciding which jobs to assign to which characters? This guide walks through how to choose jobs and build effective party combinations.