Table of contents:
no marking = Minimum suggestion, you should at least own this.
( ) = Alternatives, mostly more expensive, than those previously stated.
[ ] = Currently the best (and probably hardest to obtain) known possible selections of gear for your BLM
Weapons:
Elemental Staves (HQ optional, more damage output.) -note, you may feel it unnecessary to carry certain staves that you do not use frequently, for example light, or earth and water. This is for you to decide yourself.
Head Armor: Wizard's Petasos (Demons Helm+1) [Wizard's Petasos+1] -note, this will be your main nuking headpiece. If you find yourself running low on MP, you may wish to use Wizard's Petasos full time, for the MP boost. However if you're taru, or have good gear swaps, you may find it convenient to use a Demons Helm+1 instead.
Igqira Tiara (Genie Tiara) -note, you will use this piece of gear a lot while starting out, to land sleep more, so don't skip it out. HQ is only a small advantage over NQ, so only buy it if you're positive your other areas of gear are adequate. Also, NQ tiaras are cheap across most servers (below 100k), and it's money well spent.
Note, other gear you may wish to carry with you is a Zenith Crown, for a Sorcerer's Ring Macro (this will not be covered in this guide) a Reraise Hairpin and a Republic Circlet (if you happen to be soloing in non-ToAU areas.)
Body Armor:
Igqira Weskit | Yigit Gomlek (Genie Weskit) [Morrigan's Robe] -note, this will be what you spend most of your time in as a BLM, your main nuking body piece. Igqira Weskits are so ridiculously cheap now, there really is no excuse not to have one. Again, if you have the money, buy a Genie Weskit, however if you don't have HQ staves etc. your money might be better spent on other items. If you have the time to commit to a salvage shell, going after a Morrigan's Robe might seem a bit ambitious, but if you put the time in, and work hard, you never know how soon you might be wearing one, and making everyone jealous.
Wizard's Coat (Wizard's Coat+1) -note, another important part of your Enfeebling set up, plus it's free.
Black Cloak | Errant Houpelande (Sorcerer's Coat | Mahatma Houpelande) [Full Yigit Set | Dalmatica] -note, you'll be using this gear to get your MP back. It's useful to have a standing around/town macro if you carry around a refresh body piece with you, as any MP regained is better than none, right? Some people choose to rest in their Refresh piece, following the argument that it's more efficient over 20 seconds to wear a refresh piece, however remember you have the clear mind trait, so as you rest, the time between ticks decreases, and your MP gained while resting increases. So over the long term, you may find resting in a Houpelande more efficient.
Note, other gear you might consider would be a Black Cotehardie or Dalmatica, for your Sorcerer's Ring macro.
Hand Armor:
Errant Cuffs | Igqira Manillas (Vicious Mufflers | Genie Manillas | Zenith Mitts) [Zenith Mitts+1 | Morrigan's Cuffs] -note, you'll spend your time nuking with these gloves on. If you're in a sky shell, you might well already have Zenith Mitts. If not, maybe you should consider joining one, Genbu is easy to kill, and the gloves are definitely worth the time.
Wizard's Gloves (Wizard's Gloves+1) -note, not strictly for soloing, as anything you'd really require these for will probably be too tough to solo, it's always useful to carry these around for HNM/Gods/Sea/pretty much any end game activity.
Leg Armor:
Errant Slops | Jet Seraweels (Mahatma Slops) [Shadow/Valkyrie's Trews] -note, this is your standard leg armor you will be casting nukes in. Jet Seraweels are a good alternative to Mahatma Slops if you find yourself with depleted MP Pools, especially for Elvaan and Galka Black Mages. Although more costly than Errant Slops, they are still cheaper than Mahatma Slops, and a worthy investment if you can afford it.
Igqira Lappas (Genie Lappas) -note, another part of your Enfeebling set up. However more costly than other items on the Enfeebling lists, you will find them cheaper than some other parts of the equipment set (namely the Spider/Enfeebling Torque.
Yigit Legs -note, hmp+1 for your resting set.
Feet Armor: Mountain Gaiters | Sorcerer's Sabots (Rostrum Pumps | Yigit Crackows) -note, your main nuking shoes. There aren't really any cheap alternatives to this slot, so if you find yourself without Rostrums, Yigit or Sorcerer's Sabots, you're going to have to bite the bullet and buy a pair of Mountain Gaiters. This is one of the only slots that's tough for an up and coming BLM to gear. You may wish to include Errant Pigaches, for the MP bonus, if you don't have the money for Mountain Gaiters.
[Goliard Clogs] -note, part of your resting set and enfeebling/ele dot macros. Also plausible for nukes if you don't have yigit.
Of course, I didn't include RSE, so you'll want to research that on your own.
Neck Armor:
Philomath Stole (Elemental Torque | Uggalepih Pendant) -note, Philomath Stoles have dropped dramatically in price since the Kraken Club moved into the same BCNM as it drops from, so you'll likely pick one of these rather nice necklaces up for less than 10k on your server. Elemental Torque is also a must if you do HNMs etc. And the Uggalepih Pendant is a nice addition to your gear, with a hidden effect of +8 MAB when you drop below 50% MP. If you can utilise both the stole and the pendant using macros, it will increase your efficiency greatly.
Spider Torque (Enfeebling Torque) -note, yep you guessed it, more Enfeebling Gear. Depending on the money you have, you may wish to camp the Spider Torque NM yourself, however she does have quite a bad drop rate, so you may find it easier to farm monsters instead.
Beak Necklace (Beak Necklace +1 | Grandiose Chain) -note, more h/MP gear, you may wish to skip these pieces if you're not aiming for high chain soloing, however if it's EXP you seek, you may find it a worthy investment.
Waist Armor:
Penitent's Rope (Elemental Obi) [Sorcerer's Belt] -note, more INT for your waist slot. Penitent's Rope is probably one of the staples of your gear, along with your Weskit, so try not to skip it if you can help it.
Hierarch Belt | Qiqirn Sash (Qiqirn Sash+1) -note, yet more h/MP...
Back Armor:
Rainbow Cape (Prism Cape) [Merciful Cape] -note, nuking armor for your back! Rainbow Capes are pretty cheap nowadays, so pick one up. You may wish to use a Blue Cape if you don't have alot of MP, or for a Sorcerer's Ring macro.
Earrings:
Moldavite Earring -note, if you don't have one of these, stop reading this and go camp Mysticmaker, then resume reading.
Phantom Earring (Phantom Earring+1 | Abyssal Earring) [Novio Earring] -note, you have a few choices for this slot, especially the Abyssal Earring, where you'll have to decide whether your heart lies in playing BLM, or playing other jobs. Make sure you don't regret your choice of Divine Might earring. Although you can go back and do it again, find a group who all have money to buy light ores might be a challenge. You may wish to bribe/sleep with some sea linkshell leaders to get them to give you a Novio...
Rings:
Diamond Ring (Snow Ring | Tamas Ring | Sorcerer's Ring) -note, if you've already completed CoP and chose a different ring, you might want to consider going back and changing to a Tamas, just to test it out and to see if you like it. Note, if you use a Sorcerer's Ring, you may wish to pick up a couple of Electrums, an Ether ring or even a Serket, depending on how your cash flow is.
Throwing Weapon:
Morrion Tathlum (Phantom Tathlum | Spirit Lantern) [Aureole] -note, if you have the time to attempt the Spirit Lantern ENM60, it's a worthy investment of time. If not, a Morrion/Phantom Tathlum will serve you well. With the new update, you can no longer throw these items (except the Aureole) so don't be worried that you might accidentally do the unthinkable.
