There is a subtle difference betwwen your mage and a mage-monster: The mage-monster must win only one combat in the game. Your mage must win many combats in the game. Therefore:
1. The mage-monster can use all his powers on a single combat. Your mage can not because he must keep in mind not only this monster but also the monster behind the corner.
2. Almost all mage-monsters in SoA use Spell Triggers or Contingencies. They (as well as you) can have only one Spell Trigger or Contingency. But this single Spell Trigger or Contingency is enough for a mage monster...
If you want to play the game the same way as a mage-monster does, then you must do the following: one combat - rest - one combat - rest - ... Well, something in the game would have to warrant you uninterrupted restings. That's why mage-monsters seem to "kick ass" and your mage seems to "suck".
Thus, do not compare your mage with mage-monsters. Mage-monsters are dangerous opponents, that's all.

Enemy mages aren't that good really. The only time they win is when they get their spells off before you do. Also, it is probably clerics you are talking about, with their confusion spells... damn they are annoying! They confuse your entire party, then all their friends come and beet you up while you stand there swinging at anything that moves!

The spell I fear most from enemies is Insect plauge! I hate it! It seems to go right trough my spell trapp and then I wont be able to cast spells for a long time and my mage will be lucky if he lives after that. Allways kill the druids casting insect plauge.

True enough, but with a little experience and knowledge of the spell system a pc mage will wipe the floor with any one, mage or otherwise. There is simply no stoping a mage with time stop abilities.

lol, there is simply no stopping a PC mage at all! (once he/she knows the spell system)

of all mages liches are damn hard. they are immune to normal weapons being undead, they cast mantle, making themselves immune to most weapons, and when you try and strip away magic protections those ole innate magic resistances come intp play.. seriously one well played pc mage can kick some real ass.

Heh, whatever you summon, is never as tough as a true player warrior :D

I play mostly melee class, because I like it. I mean, real men wear platemail and don't run around in dresses :D

Things are harder to start with mages indeed, as they are at lower levels pretty weak, can't hit worth a thing and every little slap on their cheeck is as if a truck with bricks just ran them over. Lateron, though, they will become the drivers of that truck themselves.

LOL! Nice analogy. http://www.plauder-smilies.de/biglaugh.gif

Mages are indeed quite powerful spellcasters, but I prefer the long endurance that Clerics have:
1. They can wear any armor and still cast spells
2. They can use a slightly better variety of weapons than mages (use the Flail of Ages!)
3. Spells like Rightous Magic allow the mediocre Cleric to become an immensly strong fighter of the same level + extra HP
4. Evil and undead creatures are GONE in the face of a strong Cleric. Sunray, Finger of Death, Sol's Searing Orb, Bolt of Glory, False Dawn, and even Holy Smite will blow them away easily.
Maybe mages have stronger spells, but Clerics can match them in almost any fight.

Welcome to the forum, Arquendil Lorigollo.
Just to say that I agree with everything you have said.