It all depends on the targets. If you are getting good quality targets (decent mages) then usually - yes. Also since the army is putting you in a bind make it worth even more gems than usual. If you are just getting non-mages - then no.
Strange that he hasn't put in an astral mages there. Mind Hunts are the best assassination spell out there sans astral mages. You have more guts than I do risking them like that.
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Invest in Thunder Wards or something like that...