I just want to point out there were 12 magic schools planned and we've only gotten 4 of them. While it may take years before we get more eventually the way you build and play a mage will change. With just Ecumenical and Spiritism currently mages aren't very good at solo combat. Perhaps one of the unreleased magic schools will be tailored more towards solo play or it'll come at a combination of spells.
Glad you're enjoying the game and hope to see you in game sometime.
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Minor correction, we have 2 schools (Ecumentical and Spiritism) out of the 13 Henrik says are planned. There is no "mage" class, but focusing on the current magic schools as others have mentioned definitely has utility in groups and I would argue is more interesting gameplay than a pure melee. Without spiritism there is no Rez in a group, so it's critical for PvE. Powerful healing comes from Ecumenical, as well as a variety of damage spells which have been tuned up in PvE, but yes, soloing as a mage isn't really viable right now.
Then again this is not really a solo game. If you do want to solo as a mage, be a hybrid just so you can at least do something when a mob gets in your face (ie open with magic, fight up close, heal with magic).
Things will only get more and more viable for mages as schools get introduced. Necromancy introducing pets to defend you, staff magic allowing you to fight up close with your staff (purported to be the next two schools).