Or maybe have it be a list of "expensive/tough to get spells that you should probably get eventually but it's not as huge a deal as some people make them out to be if you don't have them immediately", namely (IMHO, don't flame me too much... or go ahead, this is an FFXI forum after all heh):

• WHM: Erase (I've almost never used it other than out of convenience when I get randomly bound.. most mobs this was needed for in retail aren't regularly fought here)
• WHM: Lv38+ teleports (great to have but not a huge priority, just do the quests at some point)
• WHM: Raise III (get it when you can but it's not game-breaking if you don't right away)

• BLM: AM spells other than Freeze AND Burst (you'll want both of these for manaburns, but you'll rarely use the others outside of niche fights or funsies in lowbie areas)
• BLM: Sleepga II (debatable... you probably don't -need- this in exp, but definitely go get the quest line going/done as soon as it's tenable, as this is a REQUIREMENT for endgame stuffs)
• BLM: Blizzaga III (very expensive since the drop rate is terrible.. feel free to grab a THF buddy and go farm bones in Gustav for this, watch out for Taxim)

• RDM: Phalanx (not terribly expensive but not necessary for exp)

• BRD: Ballad I -and- II (I know II is fairly expensive if BRD is your first job into the 50's, but it's incredibly useful)
• BRD: Raptor/Chocobo Mazurka (cuz I wanna go fast dangit!)

• SMN: Fenrir and Diabolos (work on getting them, but Fenrir won't be super useful in exp for the most part. Definitely need both for endgame stuff, so work on them when you can)


Meanwhile, here are the few job-defining spells that I believe are absolute must-haves, and people will be upset at you if you don't have them at level or at least shortly thereafter:

• BLM: Sleep/Sleep2/Sleepga
• BLM: At least -one- AM spell, preferably freeze
• BLM: At least an ice staff and a dark staff (not a spell, but come on)

• RDM: Refresh (yep, it sucks, but hey - it's way cheaper now)
• RDM: Dispel
• RDM: Debuffs (and for the love of Jebus please use them.. Slow and Dia especially)
• RDM: Haste (and please use it, especially on your tank and DDs. Helps to keep yourself hasted, too, if you have time in your rotation)
• RDM: Highest tier buffs for your level

• WHM: Highest tier buffs for your level
• WHM: Haste
• WHM: Debuffs (AND keep your enfeebling up, especially if there's no RDM in the party - Slow and Dia are huge)

• SMN: All 6 of the primary avatars, at least once you're 20. Feel free to look me up if you need help with the prime fights, they're easy solos for SMN or BST (and others, I'm sure)