So I've unlocked Novus and have started procuring Alexandrites… Now the question remains as to which stats to infuse and how many of each.

I've done A LOT of research and found the following useful:

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/threads/113691-The-Ultimate-Black-Mage-Resources-with-Damage-Calculator
(the above is good for more than just help with Novus)
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/threads/187236-Black-Mage-Novus
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B2B5ZgXNYrdrWjbcxDoFu9FCKnbsA2wY7_Zsqp4k66Y/edit#gid=1095419961

Based on the above, and personal job knowledge and preference, I've come up with the following 4 scenarios:

MEDIUM RATE, VERY HIGH COST, OPTIMUM STATS
SSPD - 44 (T1x11, T2x11, T3x11, T4x11)
DET - 31 (T1x7, T2x8, T3x8, T4x8)
This build is clearly the optimal setup due to stat weights, but as you can see from the infusion success rate chart and market board materia prices… Not a very reliable option and will probably cost into the tens of millions to complete. Alternatively it could involve a ton of spiritbonding, materia transmutation, and most importantly, praying to RNGsus.

HIGH RATE, HIGH COST, VERY HIGH STATS
SSPD - 41 (T1x11, T2x11, T3x11, T4x8)
DET - 27 (T1x7, T2x8, T3x8, T4x4)
CRIT - 7 (T1x7)
This build is one of the two I'm personally leaning towards, depending on market board materia prices as it has a heavy focus on the most important stats, but without breaking the bank. The infusion success rates are pretty high for the materia that would be most expensive (T3 & T4), so it could prove to be a very good option with minimal reliance on RNG, however the materia are still expensive.

OPTIMUM RATE, MEDIUM COST, HIGH STATS
SSPD - 39 (T1x11, T2x11, T3x11, T4x6)
DET - 25 (T1x7, T2x8, T3x8, T4x2)
CRIT - 11 (T1x11)
This build is one of the two I'm personally leaning towards, depending on market board materia prices as it has a heavy focus on the most important stats, but without breaking the bank. The infusion success rates are the best possible for the materia that would be most expensive (T3 & T4), so it could prove to be a very good option with no reliance on RNG.

HIGH RATE, LOW COST, MEDIUM STATS
SSPD - 28 (T1x11, T2x11, T3x6)
DET - 19 (T1x7, T2x8, T3x5)
CRIT - 28 (T1x11, T2x11, T3x6)
This build is the budget version, it has very high infusion success rates for the most expensive materia (T3) as well as minimal use of them. The down side is that it spreads out the stats and doesn't really allow you to excel at DPS.

I may adjust these numbers slightly, based on future market board materia prices, but they are good starting points. I think it's safe to start by getting SSPD to the minimum of 28 and DET to the minimum of 19 for now, but what do you guys think about going from there?

Also… The next stage of Zodiac comes on in less than a week, so depending on how they handle the "upgrade" from Novus to whatever, it could affect these numbers further. If so, I'll make a post to express that revision.

Hopefully my ideas help you if you're working on your own BLM Novus.

Thanks for your help if you post a suggestion! ^_^

On a side note…. Obviously I'm collection as much as I can of T1/2/3/4 materia for these stats. If you happen to have some you don't mind parting with at a reduced cost (or free if you're filthy rich lol) then it would be greatly appreciated :)

The materia names are:
Quicktongue
Savage Aim
Savage Might

For those who may have already completed Novus and need some help understanding the new Nexus tier…

http://www.reddit.com/r/ffxiv/comments/2gm1ru/nexus_light_information/

…This is the best source of information I've found so far ^_^ Good luck!

After much thought and consideration, I've decided to revise the strategy slightly and go with the following:

SSPD - 40 (T1x11, T2x11, T3x11, T4x7)
DET - 25 (T1x7, T2x8, T3x8, T4x2)
CRIT - 10 (T1x10)
This build features maximizing the most heavily weighed stats with only a tiny bit of RNG involved. Considering the prices of T4 materias, and the cost/benefit factor… I feel confident enough to say this is the best option.

I hope this helps someone else who works on BLM Novus :)

Also I found this interesting for Nexus….
http://www.reddit.com/r/ffxiv/comments/2jw0c9/do_novus_stats_upgrades_effect_nexus_results/

It explains how through the use of a second scroll, it's possible to gain light for the Nexus upgrade while replacing materia on the Novus scroll until you have the best possible stats (if you want to slowly go that route). Check the comments in the thread for details.

I may have various tiers of that materia knocking about my retainers (though I've a horrible feeling I sold some of it recently). I'll have a look for you.

Thanks Jan! :)

Though I'm up to T4 on everything now I think (except the T1 Savage Aim which are cheap iirc).

T4 cost a pretty penny so if you have em, I'll be happy to pay you rather than some random schmuck lol

T1/T2 Savage Aim, Might and Quick Tongue I'm afraid. Yours if you need them, though.

T1 Savage Aim is good :) Thanks muchly!

So I finally finished my Novus and have moved on to the Nexus stage! :D

I've also decided to make use of the "replace stats via second scroll" option so I'll be taking my current Novus (44 SSPD, 24 DET, 7 CRIT) and replacing the 7 CRIT with 7 DET over time. It'll be costly, but when amortized it's not so bad. I might even try my hand at some spiritbonding for the Savage Might IV I need :)