Look at like this, there has to be some challenge to overcome. He is an elf who's been around for a longtime and I'm sure has a few tricks up his sleave that most common mages don't...
If you get high enough in SOA with the TOB added you can get improved alclarity which lets you cast like a machine gun for 2 rounds. Spell trigger and contengcies spells are a must I think.
Irenicus, sure is one buff elf though...huh!
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To quote the pestering peasant, Neeber, of tradesmeet: "
I killed a rabid rabbit! I'm experienced, now!"