That is good advice, Thrasher. I know what the OP is going through as far as the very early game goes, i.e., before you have a decently potent spell-caster. Once you get spells such as fireball, you gain some very useful crowd control capabilities. I read a few replies earlier about the bandit group with a lot of archers in back behind infantry - in this instance I'd use fireball or something similar to control the archers and then cone of cold will allow you to quickly dispatch the infantry. Then later in the game you get goodies like crushing prison for eliminating single, more powerful opponents…good times Never underestimate using a mage with good strategy.