Pure END mage..

[Blaaaaaaaah]

Mages are supposed to take out their enemies from a distance...

^ No need for END if you do that.

Well I am "almost" a full INT mage (with only a few points in END), and it doesn't work that way. Sure, we do a lot of damage, but they have a lot of health and they will eventually get to you, and you'll have to tank one or two hits. I don't think I have enough END because I poured most of my points into INT. I don't imagine this to be easier either at higher levels.

So yup, full INT mage is almost a suicide build, unless you have the money to buy all the pots and stones.