The reason to be a mage = without 100% less mana enchantments it actually requires some brainwork to be useful. Thats why i like it.
Exactly, there is alot of tools in the toolbox of a Mage if you got the brains for it

I can't wrap my head around it, why people are whining so much over the magic in this game because I have no problems only challenges.
I don't want to be able to kill a enemy at higher level just with shooting fire at him\her, what's so much fun about that..
But I guess that is why people are complaining, they want it simple.. just spray some fire and the enemy dies like they do in the early levels, heh.
I say there is a reason for Paralyze, Fear, and that other spell I can't recall the name of that make them fight eachother and summoning the dead back to life, eh.. yeah!