I'm with you on the black Mage. I've always had one in my party. My Original party was a Fighter Thief, black Mage, and a White Mage. Plays that party for years. Now the only substitution I make is with the Theif. I'll add another Fighter, or a Black Belt. I'm very anti Red Mage as you get deeper in the game he just falls off with his roll. It's like gimping yourself at the finish line of a race. It makes no sence at all. They are only really effective for the first 3/4 of the game. After that they hurt you in the party.