imagine this:

A mage Vs. A Warrior what would win?
Race: High Elf
Mage :
White Robe Enchanted with Shield 50 %
Blue Hood Enchanted with Shield 50 %
Blue Shoes Enchanted with Reflect Damage 15 %
Spells:
Fire 35 damage for 15 secs. (costs 48) On Target
Reflect Damage 50 % .(costs 33) On Self
Fire 75 Damage for 2 Secs (costs 85) On Touch
Paralyze for 5 secs. (costs 150)
Iron Dagger (1 Damage) Enchanted Fire 15 damage for 10 secs
Poisons Damage Health and Fatigue 10 damage for 3 secs(15 poisons)
5 Welkynd stones and no potions
Health:200
Magicka:340
Fatigue :100

Race: Imperial
Warrior :
Mithril Cuirass(25 Protection) Enchanted Fire Shield 25
Mithril Helmet Enchanted(10 Protection) Fire Shield 25
Mithril Boots(5 Protection) Enchanted Fortify blade 10
Mithril Gauntlets(5 Protection) Enchanted Reflect Spell 10
Mithril Shield(14 Protection) Enchanted Reflect Spell 10
Deadric Mace(Damage 25) Enchanted Damage Health 15 points for 10 secs and Damage Magicka for 10 secs
Health; 450
Magicka: 85
Fatigue: 350

If you need more details just ask.
i wil probably creat more treads like these.
this is just to keep our minds thinking
BTW you might need a Calculator to keep the damage and protect i dont know who would win it depends on the minds of course. But it might be funny to think about it .

Why doesn't the mage just do reflect damage 100% on his apparel?

In this game, an accomplished mage is easily the most powerful character IMO.

because that was no fun this is simply a game imagine you playing oblivion with this characters against this characters ! then you will see what would win