Is a Red Mage and Paladin job a good idea??

Is it I'm just wondering.....

are you talking about RDM/PLD or PLD/RDM?

It doesn't matter which way he means it: both combinations are god-awful. As has been discussed in many other threads, red mage terribly cripples your character when used as a sub-job. Because a red mage learns spells later, as a sub that wait is doubled. You wouldn't get stone until level 8 or cure until 6, for example. Because of it's general spread of stats, it doesn't offer much to either the casting or meleeing nature of your character.

Aside from that, paladins should never go without a warrior sub. Otherwise, they cannot tank and become next to useless.

As far as a paladin sub for a red mage, once again, it doesn't offer much. Sure, it'll give your red mage a defense boost, but for the most part you don't get many new spells out of it, and if you're a red mage, you shouldn't be taking too many hits, so the defense would go to waste. A black or white mage sub offers a lot more.

When it comes down to red mages, stick with a black or white mage sub. White mage is probably the better choice because it offers all the bar- spells and status heals. Black mage becomes more useful at 34 when you would have warp, which is convient.

Like I said about paladins, they don't work at all well without a warrior. If they can't keep the hate because they don't have provoke, their healing abilities go completely to waste. Paladins were made to soak up damage, denying them tanking abilities by subbing anything but warrior is just stupid.

I hope that helps.

Zaphier got it pretty much, a PLD/WAR is the ONLY combo. A /RDM is only viable prolly for Fast Cast but even if you sub it, it shouldnt be long as there are other abilties that are better.

RDM/PLD offeres nothing, defense is worthless. A RDM/WHM pre 40ish is a good idea as it offers more, then above a RDM/BLM becomes more viable with Conserve MP and Warp and later Escape.

Maybe if the level cap was raised it would be useful so you could get Refresh and convert on your PLD but I think it's a dumb idea. RDM is better as main, subbed by another mage class.

Still dont think with lvl cap raised PLD/RDM is viable. You lose the most important hate gainer: Provoke. Not to mention Defender, Berserk(WS), Double Attack, and Agressor.

Now...with Convert..WHY?! You have over 1000 hp(or around 8-900 for taru PLDs), and you probably have around 200 MP with maybe a hundred or so more....that is not a viable Convert, not to mention it leaves you dead in HP, which one hit can easily wipe you out. Convert does not help a PLD.

Refresh doesnt help either. MP Regen is great, but it will come off during battle, and its a hefty 40 MP to cast. Its not that practical for the things that you give up with the WAR sub. And no Phalanx doesnt help extremely(only very little) on Incredibly Tough monsters else RDMs would solo them instead of VT and T only.

What about a Dark Knight? As a sub/main? I think I read somewhere it was a good idea...... I think....

PLD/DRK is like dumb...PLD ONLY go with WAR, all the DEF and ATK wont do a single lick of good without Provoke to grab hate. Provoke is always the #1 most easy and basic way to nab a spike of hate. PLD/WAR is always for exp parties.

RDM/DRK is weak too, you dont attk well as RDM no matter what you sub, period. Only reason RDM/DRK is used is high lvl HNM hunting where claim speed is everything and you as lvl 74ish get Stun by subbing /DRK. In an exp party, another mage sub will be much more appropiate.

Lat two questions

What about RDM/WAR or RDM/SUM? Are they good if not why?

you musr really love RDM? :p look here:

Great setups:
RDM/WHM
RDM/BLM

Can be great if youre good:
RDM/SMN

REALLY REALLY GREAT FOR SOLO:
RDM/DRG (dont believe meh? look on FFXIonline.com and look for sticky in dragoons topic made by tazirai,,,)

Great for solo:
RDM/WAR
RDM/DRK (maybe...)
RDM/RNG

everything else: dont go for it...:p

A RDM/WAR works under lvl 30 when mobs arent so hard hitting and the armour difference between RDM and melee arent that substantially different, so yes under certain mobs RDM/WAR UNDER 30 can tank. But after 30, your better off with a mage sub.

A RDM/SMN is only useful post 50 with Auto-Refresh, before it doesnt offer too much as the other two subs. Its a situational sub..and i really think WHM or BLM is more useful in exp.

I say RDM/DRG is good if you equip that earring(i think its earring anyway..) that gives you a Haste bonus with a DRG sub to help boost your potential in soloing.

Thanks I'll keep that in mind thanks I have no more questions.............. or at least for the time being. :D