This is what I hate. No one will ever defend a Mage but instead point out all of it's supposed "pros" while comparing it to other classes that can't do the exact same things. Well no shit! If they did the same thing as me, again, what purpose would we serve? None, as I have stated before.
As I stated before, our range does not need to be incredibly long but long enough so that I don't have to sit there and get smacked around like a rag doll until the monster finally decides to drop. And why should I or any other Mage suffer just because it is a "party" game?
Every MMORPG is a "party" oriented game hence the "Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game". But again, most games will not screw people over like this to the point where soloing is (nearly) impossible. If I can't find a party, should I just never play? I mean, that makes no sense at all.
@Ralath: Um... probably because I don't enjoy getting hit and most of the time I can cast at least one spell before the monster is back to me, smacking me around? (This is directed at the Mind Drain comment.)
Edit: Seriously, the whole "Mages are wanted more than Archers" comment is just bullshit. There will be times when one class is preferred more than the other but most people are kind enough to accept either/or. If your server keeps picking Mages over Archers than I suggest switching to a new one.
Threaded Mode