How does direct damage mage hold up on impossible?

[casio1987]

Direct damage is crap in AP / CW...
The mage got nerfed a lot compared to TL.

The only effective function the mage has in AP / CW is to buff or nerf.

The mage is the easiest character to win on impossible no loss in a very small amount of time, if you only nuke through the end (high mana prefered over int + astral resistance + armageddon + invisibility on 1 red dragon + heal).

On the other hand, warrior will beat the mage if you don't use the above mentioned "abuse", in terms of damage (physical vs magical). But... for no loss, games are very long for the warrior (because of high rounders, when you need to heal: phantom + resurrect, again, again and again) and even more for the mage (due to low leadership).