[Gregstrom]

Yes - S1 only has a 1/6 chance of killing S4 in a duel, or 10/36 for killing S3. I only suggested it because if you're TC going up against Bandar/Arco in MA, it might be a better way of going up against therir astral mages than sitting there waiting for them to duel you. If the master casts Power of the Spheres too, odds are 10/36 for S2 v S4 and 15/36 for S2 v S3 (NB: these odds include the chance of mutual annihilation - if you don't have Pyre up this might be a bigger concern)

A bit of MM can reduce the odds of at least the first death of each slave hurting any other casters.