Phantom is amazingly good. Phantom Ogres can lock down an army pretty good. Phantoming dryads is a surplus of thorns and a lock down on all level 3 and under units. Phantom Red Dragons for significant damage.
Fear is also pretty awesome, especially for a mage. The duration increases, but cost doesn't, when you level it up. This means you can often keep enemy forces locked down for a long time with it. It also prevents an enemy hero from casting on the feared units turn.
Helplessness. It completely dominates against basically any level 5 unit. Huge penalty to armor (Often causing double or tripple damage against the target) and the negative morale for a long duration is good too.
Summon Phoenix: In AP, the 'burning' effect decreases morale. You can also get summon phoenix fairly early, and it has something like a 90% chance to burn targets, so you can use it for good damage, massive debuffs, and as a tank (If you get it to level 3 early). It also is cheaper than any other summon spell.
Stone Skin: Resistence AND defense? Sign me up!
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