[zlefin]

when you say resistance, do you mean resistance or immunity? (i.e. res 100%, or res 50-75%) cuz if it's not immunity, then heat/cold will kill your own guys.

What about empowering mages in other paths? there are some sites you don't need to search for as can give gems.
and anyone could alchemize to get some, most likely to get astral to empower with.
Also, acashic record could give some major diversity.
aside from the normal indy mages, what about the ones that come from sites? those could give cross-path access.
What about summons with access to other paths? (spectres, tartarians)

Mind hunt may be a problem, as most nations will have no astral, so nothing to stop mind hunt spamming.
Empowerment may provide some limited protecrtion from that, but is very expensive, and could get countered by magic duels to kill them.

with such high awe, the ladies have some sc potential, but different paths vary widely in whether they can decently equip an sc on their own. though that may not be too big an issue.