Keep in mind that mages using ultimates at bosses can lag out players and even d/c some of them (Genesis tends to d/c me and several others with runtime errors, for some reason). Also you would severely mess up NLs and BMs/MMs who have a minimum attack distance. On topic of the original post, I think my opinions have already been covered. Mages are fine as they are- in fact, they have more training areas than Bishops as it is. Name a training place for a bishop outside of Skeles that is holy weak. Can you? That's because there isn't any. Bishops literally spend 108-200 at Skeles, outside of boss runs. Mages can go to Ulu, Newties, Temple of time. They have many more options to train at, requiring less magic and less funding in comparison. They get an elemental boost from their wands, from elemental amplification, and they have more places they can potentially train at. I think that more than makes up for the fact they don't have HS. They're a grinding class, not a DPS character nor are they support. In every MMO it's like this. I wouldn't mind a buff for CL or paralyze (or for Paralyze's effect to work properly). But their ultimates are fine. There's plenty of stuff to balance them out in my opinion. If you want to go on boss runs, then make a bossing character. Some classes are much more suited to bossing than grinding. Some are more suited to grinding than bossing. Mages and buccs, for example, are great grinders. NLs and BMs make better bossing classes. It's just how it works. Why pick mage? Because you enjoy the class, in all its glory and in all its faults. Just like why someone would pick a Marksman or a Paladin, knowing they are outshined by other classes in mostly every way. You pick the class you play because you enjoy it, that's all.
I still believe having HS allows bishops to make anywhere a good training spot. Bishops can easily 1-2 hit skeles, petris, RoR, basically anywhere a mage can train. Idk why people keep bringing up the fact that bishops have more training spots than mages. I believe that simply is not true. Like I said before, it doesn't have to be an ultimate buff. I just used that one as an example because it was the one implemented in GMS. I would definitely be in favor of buffing CL or paralyze. I believe these skills were buffed along with the mage ultimates in GMS, although I don't know the exact numbers. All in all, I believe the mages should get some sort of buff. I believe there is a reason they are underplayed, and think the points in my post may have some influence on that. If mages aren't buffed, it's not the end of the world. I'm not here to demand a buff of any sort, was just sharing my opinions and reasons. It was merely a suggestion and I'll play my doodoo girl until I stop enjoying her (which probably will never happen)
I don't have any problems with Arch Mages getting a buff, but some of this bishop crucifixion (esp by GoodDoodoo) is based on false calculation. You guys have way too high of an opinion about how strong bishops are. no bishops can 1 hit petris (besides maybe 2 - who are both already level 200, since you need that much magic to 1hit them) or Oblivion maps/RoR. While arch mages can.. bishops don't leave skeles, because 1h skeles has the best exp/h than any other grinding spot (for a bishop). While Arch Mages can 1 hit petri fighters really easily, which is in my opinion, the best exp/h in the server at the moment. So while Arch Mages can't boss that amazingly (I still think Arch mages that can 1 hit dark wyverns are pretty crucial to horntail runs - hence why I always tried to take ilvulcan), they are in a position to take advantage of the best exp/h grinding spot in the game. on a plus side, the staff agreed to v86 skill book tables (about a year ago), so the buffs you want will be here in the future.
Nothing's stopping you from making a Level 82 Priest with Maxed HS and having it camped at Free Market.
There are 2 sides to the map for a reason. Mages could easily go to the right side of the map and lure the mobs, if they don't already 1 shot them.
They were buffed but they also received a 30 second cd at max level, (if we are taking Big Bang) Nothing stopping the bishop for doing the same, unless you need the bishop to be a walking all cure. I don't feel increasing spawn would make Arch mages more useful, only nerf ranged classes. Edit: If spawn would get increased I can't solo
Some of them split and just causes more hassle that I doubt that Mages will do much about if they even get accepted to a Zakum Run.
When an IL mage uses CL it bounces on every monster it causes same problems as if a bishop were to spam gen all the time.