So, in seriousness... 
Bear in mind that I'm no high-end raider; L'yhta is a 50 BLM with Stardust Zenith, but I typically only spend my time in 4 player content. I like all of your ideas; let me propose some as well.
I agree that Firestarter specifically needs some work (Thundercloud is something I view as a "nice when it pops, but don't rely on it" kind of thing). One thing I'd like to see with it is more predictability. Instead of a flat percentage chance of the effect procing, perhaps it's a buff that stacks and decreases casting time and MP cost (and maybe increases crit rate and damage) to a minimum of zero at 3 stacks. That way, you always know when it's coming up and you can make tactical decisions about when to use it. Regardless of the solution, though, it needs to address the two weaknesses of the current trait: unpredictability (eliminates tactical options) and movement dependence (can't proc if it you can't cast due to dodging, which lowers net DPS over time).
Scathe is terrible. On my hotbar, it's relegated to one of my least used keys (Alt-8), and I basically only use it when something is almost dead. I don't know how to fix it, frankly; I don't want to see it end up like the Shocks and other off-GCD instant effects WoW has. I would almost suggest replacing it with a different Final Fantasy spell that would have utility for BLMs. I'd suggest something like Osmose, but that basically becomes a cut-rate Energy Drain. Perhaps it could be turned into a finisher -- low potency on most targets, but very high potency and high crit on targets below 20% HP.
Aetherial Manipulation isn't even on my hotbar. It's cute, but altogether useless. I love your idea of a "instant teleport in the direction you're facing" -- there's a lot of times (hi, Titan!) where that could be a real lifesaver.
As for Thunder, I would just make all versions of it have the same casting time and give each one some other effect to make the lesser versions useful. One could even rebuild it along the lines of the Fire line; Thunder I can proc Thundercloud, Thunder II is an AE DoT, and Thunder III does a lot of damage but is wildly inefficient outside of Thundercloud.
All in all though, IMO, the great weakness of the BLM is the inability to predictably deal damage while moving. SMN gets around this with their DoTs and pet. ARC and the melee DPS can attack while moving. If BLM isn't going to become a DoT or pet class (and I don't think it should), it needs to either have more ways to attack while on the move or (reliably) do far more damage when it has an opportunity to cast. Unfortunately, just jacking up the Potency of all the abilities isn't a viable option, since that would make BLMs overpowered in content where mobility isn't necessary. Admittedly, though, it would be quite fun for BLMs to be the glass cannons par excellance -- hit them and they go down quickly, but when they're up and can cast, no one can outburst them.
Bear in mind that I'm no high-end raider; L'yhta is a 50 BLM with Stardust Zenith, but I typically only spend my time in 4 player content. I like all of your ideas; let me propose some as well.I agree that Firestarter specifically needs some work (Thundercloud is something I view as a "nice when it pops, but don't rely on it" kind of thing). One thing I'd like to see with it is more predictability. Instead of a flat percentage chance of the effect procing, perhaps it's a buff that stacks and decreases casting time and MP cost (and maybe increases crit rate and damage) to a minimum of zero at 3 stacks. That way, you always know when it's coming up and you can make tactical decisions about when to use it. Regardless of the solution, though, it needs to address the two weaknesses of the current trait: unpredictability (eliminates tactical options) and movement dependence (can't proc if it you can't cast due to dodging, which lowers net DPS over time).
Scathe is terrible. On my hotbar, it's relegated to one of my least used keys (Alt-8), and I basically only use it when something is almost dead. I don't know how to fix it, frankly; I don't want to see it end up like the Shocks and other off-GCD instant effects WoW has. I would almost suggest replacing it with a different Final Fantasy spell that would have utility for BLMs. I'd suggest something like Osmose, but that basically becomes a cut-rate Energy Drain. Perhaps it could be turned into a finisher -- low potency on most targets, but very high potency and high crit on targets below 20% HP.
Aetherial Manipulation isn't even on my hotbar. It's cute, but altogether useless. I love your idea of a "instant teleport in the direction you're facing" -- there's a lot of times (hi, Titan!) where that could be a real lifesaver.
As for Thunder, I would just make all versions of it have the same casting time and give each one some other effect to make the lesser versions useful. One could even rebuild it along the lines of the Fire line; Thunder I can proc Thundercloud, Thunder II is an AE DoT, and Thunder III does a lot of damage but is wildly inefficient outside of Thundercloud.
All in all though, IMO, the great weakness of the BLM is the inability to predictably deal damage while moving. SMN gets around this with their DoTs and pet. ARC and the melee DPS can attack while moving. If BLM isn't going to become a DoT or pet class (and I don't think it should), it needs to either have more ways to attack while on the move or (reliably) do far more damage when it has an opportunity to cast. Unfortunately, just jacking up the Potency of all the abilities isn't a viable option, since that would make BLMs overpowered in content where mobility isn't necessary. Admittedly, though, it would be quite fun for BLMs to be the glass cannons par excellance -- hit them and they go down quickly, but when they're up and can cast, no one can outburst them.
The Freelance Wizard
Quality RP at low, low prices!
((about me | about L'yhta Mahre | L'yhta's desk | about Mysterium, the Ivory Tower: a heavy RP society of mages))
Quality RP at low, low prices!
((about me | about L'yhta Mahre | L'yhta's desk | about Mysterium, the Ivory Tower: a heavy RP society of mages))
