Then you just use Fire1 or Fire2. I had Fire2 by the time I got to the Midgar Zolom. :p I frankly hardly ever used Flamethrower. It's just one of the most unassuming, uninteresting enemy skills in the game.
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On all my play throughs flamethrower is hits pretty damn hard at that point in the game. I know there's a way to get beta at super low levels but I just get flamethrower running through the game anyway.
Flamethrower does slightly less damage than Fire2, but is 50% more mana efficient (when the reduced damage is taken into account). Also there is no way that you have Fire2 by the Mithril Mines unless you are doing a lot of necessary fighting.
Likewise for the Flamethrower vs Beta argument. You can't realistically expect the average player to go to the extent of picking up Beta at that point in the game. I consider it more of a bonus/secret type deal.
I selected everything but Quistis and Kimahri since they are only in limit breaks and I didn't use those character much.
In general, blue magic is often more effective than regular magic. There are several spells in each game that give you more damage per MP, earlier in the game, than any other attack spells. Blue magic also gives you the versatility of being able to attack, heal, support, and many other unique things all in one skill set. Blue mages often also are a lot more durable and better physical fighters than other mages.
Blue mages rock.
Craaaaaap. I thought it was a one vote poll.
I went with enemy skill, as it provides lots of great attacks, and can make any character a blue mage. Versatile spells, versatility in who gets those spells, and versatility of when and where to use those spells. I think it deserves top billing.
I would have followed up with the Blue Mage of FF5, followed by Quina.
Then Quistis or Kimahri.