[OmikronWarrior]

Path-2 is typically all any mage needs to be effective on the battlefield. This is when most booster spells come available and there are a lot of useful things to cast at Path-2.

Path 1 mages are obviously weaker on an order of magnitude. However, there are exceptions. Astral-1 is handy to serve as an Communion Slave, or use Light of the Northern Star to boost all Astral-1 to Astral-2 where Paralyze (a situationally devestating spell) and other spells come handy. Air-1 can still power up with Storm power (assuming Storm is cast) and can cast Lightning Bolt or burn an air gem to cast the much more devestating Thunder Strike. Water-1 can cast Frozen Heart, a great AN, no MR single target spell, especially for being Path-1.