Update: This article is just a brief primer on disciples of war. Since the time of writing, I’ve found this guide. I recommend you head over and get yourself a copy as well. Not only does it have an insanely detailed chapter on disciples of war, but an absolutely brilliant leveling guide as well (see my review). I so wish I had gotten that when I first bought the game – it would have saved me a lot of time (which could have been used to improve the design of this blog instead :))
The Disciples of War are the front line damage dealers of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. Players looking to cast spells or craft items should look elsewhere because the Disciples of War are all about using their advanced weapons and skills to deal direct physical damage to the enemy. In order for players to maximize both their durability and damage, Disciples of War should focus on Strength, Dexterity and Vitality as their main stats. With enough experience in these classes, a player can branch out into more advanced jobs like the Bard or the Dragoon.
Gladiators are the primary battlefield controllers of the Disciples of War. They specialize in using one-handed weapons like daggers and longswords to dispatch their enemies, and using shields to help mitigate damage to themselves and their allies. Though a Gladiator cannot inflict large amounts of damage on the enemy, they are unmatched in protecting their more vulnerable allies. Read the full FFXIV Gladiator Guide.
The Pugilist class uses their powerful fists to get right into the middle of a fight and deal damage. Pugilists use their exceptional speed to maintain a very high amount of damage per second on their enemies, and instead of absorbing damage like other classes, they try to dodge and evade damage as much as possible. The Pugilist’s skills are primarily offensive, though they do have skills that allow them to heal themselves in the heat of battle. Read the full FFXIV Pugilist Guide.
Archers are the ranged damage dealers of Final Fantasy XIV. They use their bows to deal quick and consistent damage while staying on the outskirts of a battle. Archers are weaker than some of the other Disciples of War, but they make up for this by using their mobility to avoid damage. An Archer’s skills are primarily offensive, though they also have a limited ability to buff their allies as well. Read the full FFXIV Archer Guide.
Lancers are the consistent mid-range damage dealers of Final Fantasy XIV. A Lancer focuses on heavy damage to the enemy without having to get too close. Because Lancers are almost exclusively focused on dealing damage, they have very few defensive skills which can make them susceptible to a focused attack from the enemy. Read the full FFXIV Lancer Guide.
The Marauder is the toughest front and center fighter not only in the Disciples of War but in all the classes Final Fantasy XIV has to offer. They have a wide range of defensive skills that allow them to draw attention away from their more vulnerable allies and to turn some of the damage that they are dealing into health for themselves. The Marauder is perfect for players who want to protect their friends and be the center of the battle. Read the full FFXIV Marauder Guide.
On the chance of repeating myself, this article is just a brief primer on disciples of war. Since the time of writing, I’ve found this guide. I recommend you head over and get yourself a copy as well. Not only does it have an insanely detailed chapter on disciples of war, but an absolutely brilliant leveling guide as well (see my review). I so wish I had gotten that when I first bought the game – it would have saved me a lot of time (which could have been used to improve the design of this blog instead :))