Holy shit at magic in this game. I don't think I gave it a decent go last time I played this because it was always the realm of my pawn, but now I wish I did. In prep for magic Archer I started levelinh mage. It felt rough at first since staff damage is a pittance unless they are weak to the element, but after getting the 2nd tier magic after the 'high' versions of the other elements was a game changer. Conflag and whip lightning just fucking decimated ogres, gryphons, chimera on top of aoe one shotting or close to it, every goblin or thief trash mob in the game. Coming from melee and archery, those bigger bosses felt like sponges and now I have no fear. If I see that dragon again I think I can take him at this point.
The balancing seems a bit wack there, but I'm down for enjoying this ride.
I still just don't see the purpose of all the Crowd control or debiliations yet. Nothing lives long enough for it to matter, which is giving up a slot for more elemental coverage or a heal.