I didn't say the class was easy, I said it was easy to get it to a viable point for a new and solo player. Look at the amount of work it takes to make a mage and the amount of work it takes to gear said mage 100% solo,. If you read what I said I clearly said that they can use pets to farm which may not be the strongest currently but will only get stronger as more mobs are added into the game.
My argument isn't that things shouldn't be balanced, just that it will impact other areas of the game and certain magic schools are different and specifically designed to be good in certain areas. Ecumenical is more supportive and there will be more to come that are perhaps better at 1v1s.
I couldn't disagree more. It's not easy to get a mage to a viable point for new or solo players specifically due to the imbalances in both PvE and PvP. You view viability as being able to buy armor or play support in a group. I view viable as being able to defend myself 1v1 in a PvP focused game and be able to farm (PvE). Viable would mean I'm not at a major disadvantage when I roll a mage.
Also, I shouldn't have to become a tamer or hybrid etc to be viable. I should simply pick any class and it should be relatively balanced. Obviously, balancing things is a bit challenging and I understand the worry about group PvP but something needs to be done in regards to balancing.
Ecumenical has plenty of offensive spells to use. It may be the intent to have that school support focused but if it's the first school someone gets then it needs to be more well rounded so you can survive a 1v1 type situations. Currently, a new player that's never played MO would be hard pressed to continue as a mage instead of re-rolling a Warrior.