Red Mage

FFXIV SH Alisaie 2 — Alisaie Leveilleur is a Red Mage from *Final Fantasy XIV*.

Red Mage (赤魔道士? or 赤魔道師, Akamadōshi?, lit. Red Sorcerer), sometimes abbreviated as RED or RDM (赤, Aka?, lit. Red), is a job class in the Final Fantasy series, and is featured in several installments. It is among the first job classes introduced in the series.

Profile[]

The standard Red Mage attire consists of red, black, and white clothing, including a red cloak with white or black trimmings, black boots and a red cavalier hat with a white feather.

Ff11-red-mage — A Red Mage imbuing their blade with magic from *Final Fantasy XI*.

The Red Mage is a jack-of-all-trades, but a master of none. They are, in essence, among the more versatile characters of the series though it comes at a price: their stats are usually low, and they cannot cast higher level spells or use stronger equipment. Red Mages typically cast both Black and White Magic and can also wield swords and equip armor that normal Black and White Mages cannot. Later entries would make the rapier the signature weapon of the Red Mage.

In most entries Red Mages can learn many spells, but are typically not the strongest, often borrowing novice and middle tier spells used by the White and Black Mages. Later entries would begin to add variety of new spells that could be exclusively used by Red Mages, such as Temper, Flurry, Ardor, and Jolt. In most games, Red Mages have the Dualcast special ability; sometimes localized as Chainspell or Doublecast, which boosts their spell casting efficiency.

Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIV would introduce the concept of Red Mages actively serving a role in physical combat, allowing them to learn a variety melee skills to perform with their rapiers. Final Fantasy Dimensions and Final Fantasy XI added several abilities that allow the Red Mage to attack with elemental-imbued blades, similar to the Mystic Knight job.

Appearances[]

Final Fantasy[]

Main article: Red Mage (Final Fantasy)

First appearing as one of the basic six job classes, Red Mages can upgrade into the Red Wizard, which is distinctly versatile in both magic and weapons. Red Mages can cast up to the first of the third-tier level of elemental spells, Firaga (FIR3), and they can also cast Curaga (CUR3), allowing them to function as a healer albeit lacking the party wide heals of White Mage and White Wizard. Red Wizards can cast the two remaining third-tier elemental spells, as well as a variety of other spells up through the 7th magic level.

Final Fantasy III[]

Main article: Red Mage (Final Fantasy III)

The Red Mage is a job gained from the Wind Crystal. Red Mages use a wide assortment of weapons, and both Black and White Magic, but are unable to become true masters of either school of wizardry.

Final Fantasy V[]

Bartz Red Mage from FFV SD art — Bartz as a Red Mage.

Main article: Red Mage (Final Fantasy V)

The Red Mage is available after visiting the Water Crystal in Walse Tower and marks the debut appearance of Dualcast in the series, as the Red Mage's final job skill.

Final Fantasy XI[]

Main article: Red Mage (Final Fantasy XI)

The Red Mage (RDM) has access to White and Black Magic spells, but is especially proficient at buffing and debuffing spells, with its signature spell being the MP-restoring Refresh. Red Mages have reduced spell casting times and the ability to "Convert"—swapping their HP and MP values around. Because of their jack-of-all-trades set up, and survival skills, Red Mages have sufficient "solo" capability, depending on the content level.

Rainemard was an Elvaan Red Mage who was murdered before the game starts. Players can undertake a series of quests to investigate his murder mystery. In the Wings of the Goddess expansion, Rainemard is alive and can be recruited as a freelancer to help players in Campaign battles.

Final Fantasy XII[]

Main article: Red Battlemage

Represented by the zodiac sign of Cancer, Red Battlemage is the only class to use Arcane Magick. They can wield maces and greatswords.

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII[]

A garb imbued with the soul of the red mage. It increases wearer's physical damage as well as magic damage in a balanced way.
Description

LRFFXIII Red Mage — Lightning in her Red Mage garb.

Lightning obtains the Red Mage at the start of Day 2 from a treasure cube in the Ark. It raises maximum ATB by 20, but comes with a slight disadvantage of starting a battle with the ATB gauge filled at 50%. Its passive ability, Soul of the Red Mage, raises Lightning's Strength and Magic by 8%. The garb comes with locked abilities Light Slash Lv. 2 and Buster Euin Lv. 2.

To complete the look of the Red Mage garb, the player can acquire the Red Mage's Chapeau adornment as a reward for defeating the superboss Ereshkigal in the Ultimate Lair.

Final Fantasy XIV[]

Main article: Red Mage (Final Fantasy XIV)

Red Mage (RDM) is a job that came with the second expansion, Stormblood. They are a DPS class armed with rapiers and a magicked crystal medium. The job is described as "a hybrid ranged/melee style achieved via high-speed positioning."

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance[]

Main article: Red Mage (Tactics Advance)

Red Mage (RED) is a job available to viera. Red Mages are a small blend of Black and White Mages, and also have a few status effect spells.

They have well-rounded stat growth between physical and magic attack power, and are much sought for their extremely useful Doublecast ability. Even when silenced, they can still dish out decent physical damage with rapiers with their surprisingly good Attack Power.

Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift[]

Main article: Red Mage (Tactics A2)

Red Mages are versatile as they have good Magick and Strength. They are good mages as they can use Black, White, and Green Magick, as well as the ability Doublecast that can be used not only on Red Magick, but on any other magick (recommended for Summoner) as long as the player has them as the secondary A-ability.

Final Fantasy Tactics S[]

This section about a job class in Final Fantasy Tactics S is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.

Final Fantasy Type-0[]

Class Third moogle of the Cranberry Knights represents the Red Mage job class.

Final Fantasy Adventure[]

Julius disguises himself early on as a Red Mage from the original Final Fantasy, he attacks the enemy with fireballs.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a Darklord[]

Main article: Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a Darklord enemies § Red Mage

Red Mages are enemies that invade Mira's tower in order to destroy the crystal in the top floor.

Final Fantasy Dimensions[]

Main article: Red Mage (Dimensions)

Elgo bears the Red Mage job class. The Warriors of Light obtain access to this job with the completion of the chapter featuring that character: "Tome of Dawn". It is one of the standard jobs available to both groups.

Final Fantasy Dimensions II[]

A Red Mage appears as an obtainable signet summon and character costume.

Jornee gets an alternate costume based on the Red Mage job from the "Phantom Beast Great Decisive Battle!" event. The costume can only be seen when Jornee is equipped with the "Red Mage Equipment" accessory. Whoever equips the accessory will gain 20% magic critical chance, along with 80 magic and 30 speed.

This section about Summon magic in Final Fantasy Dimensions II is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.

Dissidia Final Fantasy (2008)[]

In the Duel Colosseum, when selected, the Red Mage job card will cause the cards at the selection area not to be discarded while not chosen. In the North American, European and Universal Tuning versions, it also makes Treasure Cards cost 0 medals. This is great for those who want to obtain a lot of treasure with minimal expense, especially with the Thief job card active as well.

Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy[]

The Red Mage job card appears in Labyrinth mode, and halves the cost of Treasure cards.

Pictlogica Final Fantasy[]

This section in Pictlogica Final Fantasy is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.

Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade[]

Main article: Red Mage (Airborne Brigade)

The Red Mage specializes in intelligence abilities and is available from the start. The preferred weapons are swords and staves. The job is involved in the requirements to unlock the Dancer and Blue Mage jobs.

Final Fantasy Artniks[]

The Red Mage appears as a character card.

This section in Final Fantasy Artniks is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.

Final Fantasy Artniks Dive[]

This section about a job class in Final Fantasy Artniks Dive is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.

Final Fantasy All the Bravest[]

When red mages chainspell opposing elements, enemies have a tough time staying alive.
Description

The Red Mage is a character available to the party, he uses the Dualcast ability during battle. It unlocks at level 36.

Final Fantasy Record Keeper[]

Main article: Red Mage (Record Keeper)

These warrior mages bring a variety of talents to the party, from white and black magic, to skill with melee weapons, enabling them to adapt swiftly to the changing tides of battle.
Description.

Red Mage appears as a recruitable character unlocked as the First Time Reward for completing Darill's Tomb in the Classic mode in Final Fantasy VI storyline.

Final Fantasy Explorers[]

Main article: Red Mage (Explorers)

Red Mage is a job unlocked after learning Curaga, Firaga, and Graviga. The Red Mage is a flexible damager and tank with the ability to quickly cast a chain of spells.

Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin[]

Main article: Red Mage (Stranger of Paradise)

The Red Mage is an Advanced Job available after unlocking the corresponding nodes in the Swordfighter and Mage Job Trees. It is available to Neon after clearing the "Audience with the Dark Elf" main mission. Leveling this job is required unlock the Tyrant and Void Knight expert jobs. The Red is a Jack-Of-All-Trades job that delves into melee, casting, and supportive styles of play. The player has access to both portions of Black Magic and White Magic spells to serve as a self-sufficient hybrid job that covers each field of combat to compensate for its lack of sheer magic power. The job has good physical break damage, MP Recovery, and middling stat growth in Strength, Intellect, and Spirit to encourage both avenues of combat.

Mobius Final Fantasy[]

Red Mage was a summonable job for Wol, and upgraded to Sorcerer and later Crimson Sage. The Red Mage could not equip other weapons than staves, and has very low health. He made up for this with very high offensive stats.

Final Fantasy Trading Card Game[]

The Red Mage job appears in Final Fantasy Trading Card Game as multiple Fire- and Lightning-elemental cards, most of them being of Backup type, but also as a Forward type card. The cards depict Arc, Refia, Ingus, and Luneth from Final Fantasy III, Lenna and Faris from Final Fantasy V, an Elvaan and a Hume from Final Fantasy XI, a Viera from Final Fantasy Tactics A2, and the Red Mage job from Final Fantasy Explorers.

Final Fantasy Portal App[]

Assorted Red Mages from throughout the series appear as Triple Triad cards.

Allusions in series entries[]

Several titles have featured allusions to the Red Mage job.

Final Fantasy XIII-2[]

Red Mage's hat appears as an adornment for monsters, as an allusion to the job in Final Fantasy XIII-2.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time[]

In Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time, Del Dee is a mercenary who is dressed as a Red Mage and boasts a high level of magic, but mentions when the player hires him that he is mainly into fashion and dislikes fighting.

Non-Final Fantasy guest appearances[]

Square Enix Legend World[]

The Red Mage version from Final Fantasy XI appears as a card.

Heavenstrike Rivals[]

Red Mage and Red Wizard are units and their ability is Pride's Courage. Red Mage can be promoted to Red Wizard.

Knights of the Crystals[]

The Red Mage appears on a gold card.

Samurai Rising[]

The Red Mage appears as a job. The Red Mage can equip a swords and rods, and wielding magic spells.

Kingdom Hearts[]

In Kingdom Hearts Union χ[Cross], players can have their male avatar dress like the Red Mage from Final Fantasy Record Keeper.

Bravely series[]

Ringabel and Edea as Red Mages in Bravely Default.

BS Red Mage — Magnolia as a Red Mage in *Bravely Second: End Layer*.

The Red Mage job appears in several titles in the Bravely series. In the original Bravely Default and Bravely Second: End Layer, the Red Mage is obtained after defeating Fiore DeRosa, the holder of the job asterisk. It has a very distinct appearance from the traditional Red Mage outfit, wearing red rose-decorated outfits. The Red Mage is one of, if not the most versatile jobs, having access to both White and Black Magic. In addition to its standard abilities, the Red Mage also has abilities that let them gain extra BP when certain battle conditions are met.

In Bravely Default II, the Red Mage is obtained from Roddy McGranate, who holds the asterisk. Unlike the traditional Final Fantasy inspired Red Mage, the job in Bravely Default II learns its own exclusive spells - Aero, Stone, and Heal. In addition, the job has the innate trait that allows the caster to imbue status ailments into their elemental spells.

Other media[]

The 8-Bit Theater character Red Mage Statscowski is based on this job.

Behind the scenes[]

In the first Final Fantasy, the Red Mage is a different job in terms of naming in the original Japanese, being known as the Red Magician (赤魔術士, Majustushi?). Its upgraded form, known as the Red Wizard in English, is known as the Red Sorcerer (赤魔道士, Akamadōshi?) in Japanese.

"Red Wizards" from Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy III.

The original Famicom version of Final Fantasy III was planned to include upgraded jobs like the first entry, with an upgraded version known as the Red Magus set to appear.^[1] However, due to some of the staff finding the job change sprites scary from their cute previous forms in the original NES release of Final Fantasy, the idea of the class change was abandoned in future releases by Hiromichi Tanaka.^[2]^[3] Starting from Final Fantasy III, the Red Wizard/Red Sorcerer would become the recurring job known as Red Mage in all later series entries, often sharing the cute appearance of the Red Mage job from the first Final Fantasy.