[Truper]

Well, the point to using an arch-mage type pretender is to get many magic paths at once - commonly referred to as a "rainbow mage". Something with say 2 or 3 in a lot of or even all the paths. Makes a great site finder and item forger. If you are going to stick with one or two magic paths, you usually will be better off with a Titanic pretender, as these usually start with higher dominion, and are more useful in combat.