[Taqwus]

I'm fond of the Boots of Stone, for a low-encumberance way to give a battlemage half-decent prot and save the armor slot for perhaps a light armor (dragon scale, air/earth-based armors, robe of shadows, etc). I also like to give astral combat mages a clam to cut down on gem micromanagement if I can afford to (may not have the water income or mages). For others, I might use the messenger shoes for the reinvig.
Elemental armor is excellent if you have the earth/fire mages for it and can spare the encumberance.