DRK/RDM for solo? Hmmm...i would say its plausible, but i would think that DRK/WHM is better than /RDM and heres why i think so:

/WHM offers:

- na spells, these spells remove abnormalities that you have like poison or paralyze and are indespensible when you somehow get statused. As a WAR on my other char those things are truly a bitch ><

- Divine Seal, it offers more Curing potential no?

-You learn your magic way faster than your /RDM sub.

If you are going WEAK monsters a /BLM is nice for Warp and -aga spells for AoE killing yup.



As for RDMs meleeing and casting, they are casters first and melee secondary, as a RDM you have to Enfeeble, Refresh(if you ever plan to get RDM above 41), and to Magic burst and back up heal, and also Dispel(if you ever lvl it above 33). You do your mage duties and melee only on non AoE mobs(aka Goblins with bomb toss or Flies with Cursed Sphere) if it doesnt hinder your magely duties.

Examining is dependant on the person, if you dont like it go to Config and shut off the thing that shows it everytime someone examines you, simple..

As for Bley's plan the only part i dont agree is the WAR/BLM part, you do your best even when you lvl a sub, so lvl your WAR to 30, then raise your sub up the magely way.

If your going for Exp parties, disregard the first part of the post because thats SOLO only. Parties are DRK/WAR and DRK/THF mostly. Special circumstances are DRK/SAM. But the mainstream is DRK/WAR(for power) up to 60, and then DRK/THF (now that you got so much, SATA it onto the real tank and then make sure hate is on the tank) from there.