Help understanding what is going on in a battle

[Bananadine]

It would be nice to start with an F4 mage anyhow, and boost to F6, expecting to use six gems for Fire Storm. That would help, if you've got the items and free slots for it. Fire Storm is hard to cast! Since the mage has astral skill, you might also make him a communion master, both to distribute fatigue and to boost his effective skill.

An extra pearl or two for Power of the Spheres is a very good idea. Or, you could skip that casting altogether by putting a crystal shield on the mage. But that might encumber him too much to do whatever he's supposed to do next.