Bravely Default: Arcanist Job Guide

In Bravely Default, the Arcanist is a master of dark magic. They increase the damage of Black Magic and reduce the cost. They cause death and chaos wherever they go. They also do massive damage to poisoned or sleeping enemies. If you like to use enemies as your personal play things, then Arcanist is the Job for you.

This guide will cover everything about Arcanist including:

• Unlocking Arcanist: How to unlock the job.
• Equipment guide: What they use, and the optimal equips.
• Ability List: What level they get them.
• Cross Job Tips: Which jobs fit well with Arcanist.
• Special Moves: Which are best suited for Arcanist.
• Combat Tips: Being most effective in battle.

Unlocking Arcanist

You unlock Arcanist in Chapter 4 by defeating Victoria.

• Follow the main quest until you reach Eternia Central Command 1st Floor.
• Go to the eastern room to fight Victoria and Victor.

Equipment Guide

Arcanists are all about Black Magic. They have S aptitude with Rods.

Armor

• Magic Attack and INT is key here. Pick armor and accessories that raise this.
• Nullify elemental damage accessories also work well.
• You can use a shield in one hand if you need extra defense.

Weapons

• Just stick with Rods.
• Equip two magic Rods for increased Magic Attack.
• This also allows you to use the Rod special move.

Ability List

The Specialty for Arcanist is Absorb Magic Damage.

• Absorb Magic Damage – Recovers HP equal to 25% of the damage taken from a magic attack.

Level 1

• Corpse – 75% chance to inflict Doom on a target. Doomed targets die after 4 turns.

Level 2

• Black Magic Amp – Support ability that raises MP cost of Black Magic by 1.5 times, but raises its damage by 1.25 times.

Level 3

• Exterminate – Deals tremendous Dark damage to all poisoned allies and enemies.

Level 4

• Absorb Magic Damage – Support ability that lets you use the Arcanist Specialty on other Jobs.

Level 5

• Twilight – Instantly kills all sleeping allies and enemies. Does not work on certain enemies, like bosses.

Level 6

• Save BM MP – Support ability that lowers the MP cost of Black Magic by 25%.

Level 7

• Sacrifice – Sacrifices 25% of your max HP to raise your Magic Attack by 50% for 3 turns.

Level 8

• Zero – Support ability that raises the damage of magic attacks to 1.5 times normal damage when the last digit of your current MP is 0.

Level 9

• Convergence – Support ability that raises the damage of magic that can only be group cast to 1.5 times normal damage by turning it into single-target only.

Level 10

• Annihilation – Dark magic attack that hits all allies and enemies with -1 BP or less. The lower the target’s BP, the more damage it does.

Level 11

• Status Ailment Amp – Support ability that raises the chances of causing a status ailment.

Level 12

• Iniquity – Dark magic attack that hit all allies and enemies with 1 BP or more. The higher the target’s BP, the more damage it does.

Level 13

• Max Black Magic – Support ability that greatly raises the MP cost of Black Magic, but greatly increases the damage.

Level 14

• Interment – Uses 25% of max MP to cast a Dark magic attack on all enemies.

Cross Job Tips

• Black Mage. Arcanists are a boost class for Black Mage. Unlike Spiritmaster though, they are useful by themselves as well. Their Group-Cast All ability lets them wipe out all enemies in an instant.
• Templar is great for the Magic Critical support ability. Get that on every Mage.

Special Moves

Rod

• Level 1 – Use magic 10 times to use.
• Piercing Bolt: Attack one. Raises Magic Attack for all allies.
• Level 2 – Use magic 20 times to use.
• Withering Ripple: Weaken enemy. Raises Magic Attack for all allies.

• Level 3 – Use magic 30 times to use.
• Holy Weapon: Attack all, slaying Demon. Raises Magic Attack for all allies.

Combat Tips

Arcanists can deal a ridiculous amount of Magic Damage, especially with a max level Black Mage sub job.

• Use the Black Mage support ability, Group-Cast All. Cast either Poison or Sleep, then Exterminate or Twilight. This is only useful for groups of enemies.
• Pay attention to the status ailments of your teammates. You don’t want to accidentally damage or kill your allies.

For more tips and guides, check my Bravely Default Master Guide List. If you have any questions or suggestions, let me know in the comments.