Final Fantasy 14 Pictomancer job explained: Best rotation, opener, and more

Pictomancer in Final Fantasy 14 Dawntrail is one of the new jobs introduced with the expansion. As you level it up to 100 — the current level cap in the game — you will unlock around 20 spells in total. However, unlike in traditional MMORPGs, you won't choose a specific set of abilities based on your build. While the Pictomancer's rotation is quite flexible, you must use all its abilities for optimal damage output.

This guide covers everything you need to know about Pictomancer in Final Fantasy 14 Dawntrail, including the best rotation, opener, and tips to play it effectively in combat.

---

Pictomancer mechanics in Final Fantasy 14 Dawntrail

The Pictomancer in Final Fantasy 14 Dawntrail functions with the help of two major mechanics: Palette Gauge and Canvases. Here's how these mechanics work:

Palette Gauge

The Palette Gauge and White Paint charges (Image via Square Enix)

Basic Combo

• Every time you use the Basic Combo (Fire in Red > Aero in Green > Water in Blue), you generate 25 aether in the Palette Gauge. With 50 aether, you can use the off-Global-Cooldown (oGCD) spell, Subtractive Palette. This allows you to use the Enhanced Combo (Blizzard in Cyan > Stone in Yellow > Thunder in Magenta). The Enhanced Combo deals significantly more damage but has longer cast times.
• Additionally, the Palette Gauge can store up to a maximum of 100 aether.

White Paint

• Every time you use a Basic Combo or an Enhanced Combo, you generate a charge of White Paint, up to a maximum of five. You can spend a White Paint charge to cast a spell called Holy in White.
• Additionally, using the Subtractive Palette spell will convert a charge of White Paint to Black Paint, allowing you to use the Comet in Black spell. This spell is significantly more powerful than Holy in White.
• Both Holy in White and Comet in Black are instant-cast spells. They are ideal for situations that require a lot of movement.

Canvases

The different types of Canvases (Image via Square Enix)

• The Pictomancer in Final Fantasy 14 Dawntrail utilizes three Canvases, each storing a different type of Motif: Creature Motif, Weapon Motif, and Landscape Motif.
• Motifs are spells that take a long time to cast and activate their respective Muse spells.
• Muse spells are instant-cast oGCD abilities that deal exorbitant damage or provide a powerful buff.

Creature Motif

• There are four types of Creature Motif spells that must be used in a specific order: Pom Motif > Wing Motif > Claw Motif > Maw Motif.
• Pom Motif allows you to use Pom Muse.
• Wing Motif allows you to use Winged Muse, followed by the Mog of the Ages spell.
• Claw Motif allows you to use Clawed Muse.
• Maw Motif allows you to use Fanged Muse, followed by the Portrait of the Mardeen spell.

Weapon Motif

• There is only one Weapon Motif called the Hammer Motif.
• Hammer Motif allows you to use Striking Muse, which in turn allows you to execute the Hammer Combo: Hammer Stamp > Hammer Brush > Polishing Hammer.
• Each Hammer Combo spell guarantees a Critical and Direct Hit.

Landscape Motif

• There is only one Landscape Motif called the Starry Sky Motif.
• Starry Sky Motif allows you to use Starry Muse, followed by the Star Prism spell.
• Starry Muse also reduces cast times for other spells and provides a party-wide damage buff.
• Additionally, casting five spells after using Starry Muse allows you to instantly cast the Rainbow Drip spell.

---

Best Final Fantasy 14 Dawntrail Pictomancer opener, burst setup, and rotation

The Pictomancer has a flexible rotation (Image via Square Enix)

Pictomancer opener

Here is the most optimal opener for Pictomancer in Final Fantasy 14 Dawntrail:

1. Rainbow Drip (- 4.5 seconds)
2. Striking Muse (- 0.4 seconds)
3. Holy in While
4. Grade B Tincture of Intelligence (Potion)
5. Pom Muse
6. Wing Motif
7. Starry Muse
8. Hammer Stomp
9. Winged Muse
10. Hammer Brush
11. Mog of the Ages
12. Polishing Hammer
13. Subtractive Palette
14. Blizzard in Cyan
15. Stone in Yellow
16. Thunder in Magenta
17. Comet in Black
18. Star Prism
19. Rainbow Drip

---

Two-minute burst setup

Use the following spells for the two-minute burst windows:

1. Starry Muse
2. Comet in Black
3. Subtractive Palette
4. Stone in Yellow
5. Thunder in Magenta
6. Comet in Black
7. Fanged Muse
8. Star Prism
9. Retribution of the Madeen
10. Hammer Stamp
11. Hammer Brush
12. Polishing Hammer
13. Rainbow Drip

---

What is the optimal rotation for Pictomancer in Final Fantasy 14 Dawntrail?

The Pictomancer rotation in Final Fantasy 14 Dawntrail is more flexible compared to some of the other jobs with rigid rotations.

The goal is to start the fight with the opener and then use the burst setup every two minutes for optimal damage output. Between the opener and the two-minute burst window, you must prepare all the Canvases using the different types of Motif spells. This will allow you to use their respective Muse spells during the burst phase.

Additionally, use the Basic and Enhanced Combos to manage your Palette Gauge efficiently and White or Black Paint charges for mobility.

Lastly, the Pictomancer has three spells for defensive utility: Tempera Coat, Tempera Grassa, and Addle. Tempera Coat is a self-shield, Tempera Grassa provides a group-wide shield, and Addle reduces incoming magic damage from bosses. Use these abilities during phases where bosses deal significant damage.

---

More on Final Fantasy 14:

• Final Fantasy 14 Dawntrail patch notes
• How to get a free Phial of Fantasy in Final Fantasy 14