Dark Mage class series

From Golden Sun Universe
Call Dullahan: Proof that, like in Irish lore, more than one dullahan exists.

The Dark Mage class series is a special class series that is only achievable when the Tomegathericon is equipped to any character. Consequently, this is one of only three class series that can be learned by any Adept. This class also features at least one Psynergy from each element, though the majority are Venus and Mars.

It is important to note that there is also a class in the Medium class series titled Dark Mage (later renamed Dark Shaman), but it is very different from this class series.

The class series, when at its highest stage of Necromage and compared to the other series at their highest respective stages, has excellent PP (tying with the Dark Mage of the Medium class series, the Wizard, and Pure Mage for the highest PP statistic) and very good Agility, but having below average HP (tying with the Angel and both variations on the Oracle and being higher only than the Sorcerer), low Attack (tying with the Angel and Wizard and being higher only than the Sorcerer), and tying with the Sorcerer for having the lowest Defense rating of all final-stage classes. The series has a Luck rating below the standard. Noteworthy Psynergy from an endgame perspective includes Revive and Call Dullahan, and its most useful area-of-effect Psynergies are Dire Inferno and Poison Flow. Average stats from an endgame perspective are 145% (156% if you don't factor in Luck).

While the class is not present in Dark Dawn due to the lack of class items, the Curse Mage class series has all of its unique techniques, except for the use of the Call Psynergy series.

As of the Game Boy Advance titles, an Adept in this class series is especially likely to be affected by Stun-inflicting effects.

Statistical Influence

Dark Mage class series
Class Name Djinn HP PP ATK DEF AGI LCK
Venus Adepts Mars Adepts
Jupiter Adepts Mercury Adepts
Dark Mage none none 80% 140% 80% 90% 140% 90%
none none
Crypt Lord 1 Star mars.gif, 1 Star jupiter.gif, 1 Star mercury.gif 1 Star venus.gif, 1 Star jupiter.gif, 1 Star mercury.gif 100% 160% 100% 110% 150% 90%
1 Star venus.gif, 1 Star mars.gif, 1 Star mercury.gif 1 Star venus.gif, 1 Star mars.gif, 1 Star jupiter.gif
Necrolyte 2 Star mars.gif, 2 Star jupiter.gif, 2 Star mercury.gif 2 Star venus.gif, 2 Star jupiter.gif, 2 Star mercury.gif 130% 170% 120% 120% 160% 90%
2 Star venus.gif, 2 Star mars.gif, 2 Star mercury.gif 2 Star venus.gif, 2 Star mars.gif, 2 Star jupiter.gif
Necromage 3 Star mars.gif, 3 Star jupiter.gif, 3 Star mercury.gif 3 Star venus.gif, 3 Star jupiter.gif, 3 Star mercury.gif 160% 190% 130% 130% 170% 90%
3 Star venus.gif, 3 Star mars.gif, 3 Star mercury.gif 3 Star venus.gif, 3 Star mars.gif, 3 Star jupiter.gif

Notes on Class Names

  • Hover your cursor over class names for alt-text of series' Japanese names.

Psynergy Setup

Psynergy
Lvl Psynergy PP Range Power
1 Star mercury.gif Call Zombie 5 Range 1.gif 40
9 Star mars.gif Raging Heat 9 Range 5.gif 45
17 Star venus.gif Haunt 5 Range 3.gif
19 Star venus.gif Revive 15 Range 1.gif
20 Star venus.gif Fire Puppet 7 Range 3.gif
22 Star mars.gif Fiery Abyss 18 Range 5.gif 90
24 Star venus.gif Curse 6 Range 1.gif
26 Star venus.gif Call Demon 13 Range 1.gif ATK*1.9
Class must be Necrolyte or higher.
29 Star venus.gif Condemn 8 Range 1.gif
31 Star jupiter.gif Drain 3 Range 1.gif 50
33 Star jupiter.gif Poison Flow 28 Range 5.gif 125
39 Star jupiter.gif Psy Drain 0 Range 1.gif
47 Star jupiter.gif Call Dullahan 21 Range 1.gif ATK*3
Class must be Necromage or higher.
53 Star mars.gif Dire Inferno 32 Range 7.gif 200

There are perennial rumors that Dullahan must first be defeated before the Necromage can use Call Dullahan. This rumor is proven false; Call Dullahan is a Psynergy that becomes available to Necromage Adepts at level 47 or above just like any other typical Psynergy spell. It is even possible to use Call Dullahan on the boss Dullahan in Anemos Sanctum.

Analysis

The Dark Mage class series is likely the most rounded class series out of the Item Dependent classes. It has decent HP and good Agility, as well as an excellent PP pool. The Attack and Defense are slightly below average, meaning that the Dark Mage is more frail.

The Dark Mage is an excellent damage dealer, with a combination of ranged and single target Psynergies to choose from, due in large part to the high PP pool. The Dark Mage has a combination of Power-based moves and elemental physical attacks, making them an excellent party member for random encounters or boss battles. Of particular note is Call Dullahan, available to the Necromage, which has the highest damage multiplier of any Psynergy. Meanwhile, the Raging Heat series is among the strongest Mars-oriented Power-based Psynergies. Also worth noting is the class's access to Revive, which is useful for damaging boss battles.

The best Necromages tend to be those Adepts that are naturally more durable and attack-oriented, due to the lower Defense and Attack. Warrior-style Adepts, like Felix or Garet, make excellent Necromages due to their access to stronger Armors and Weapons as well as their higher Attack. In addition, the 190% PP is among the highest possible values they can access. Alternatively, the more combat-oriented Mage-style Adepts, like Jenna, can capitalize on the high damage multipliers of Call Dullahan due to their access to Light Blades.

Like all Item Dependent classes however, specializing an Adept into the Dark Mage Class will leave an awkward number of Djinn floating around if one does not prepare the other two Item Dependent classes.

Class series in the Golden Sun series
Mono-Elemental (GS/TLA): Flame UserGuardMarinerSquireWater SeerWind Seer
Mono-Elemental (DD): Aqua SquireBeastlingGuardMikoPirateSquireWater SeerWind Seer
Dual-Elemental: ApprenticeBruteCurse MageHermitPagePilgrim (Jupiter)Pilgrim (Mercury)ScrapperSeer (Jupiter)Seer (Mercury)Swordsman (Mars)Swordsman (Venus)/Crusader
Tri-Elemental: DragoonMediumNinjaRangerSamuraiWhite Mage
Item-Dependent: Dark MagePierrotTamer
Psynergy-Dependent: Wild Animal