Pondering early 4th job strategy

Ah, I see. That might also be useful for bosses you have to hug to avoid getting owned... either Manon or Griffey is like that, I believe I remember hearing—with one of them you're better off standing on top of him and taking constant damage, thereby avoiding getting either stunned+dispelled or sealed+dispelled, I forget which. Still... not something I'm likely to be doing a lot.

Thanks for the insight on Ice Demon. I had thought it only weakened mobs to fire, but the way you put it makes it sound like (in addition to some ice DOT) it also removes other elemental resistances. (The official skill description definitely makes it sound like it only weakens to fire. "Monsters stricken by Ice Demon become vulnerable to fire-based attacks.") Is the in-game description misleading?

It automatically gives the monster these three elements, only regarding if it's a boss:

Weak to fire
Neutral to ice
Neutral to lightning

ID would be nice if you decided to goby, making it so you don't have to use lollmagicclaw