It's easy to prefer magic because a level 35 mage will beat a level 40 warrior but a level 99 warrior will pwn a level 99 mage yet a clever level 99 ranger could beat the mage and the warrior. The Ranger beats the Mage because of the weapons triangle. The Ranger beats the Warrior if he hides behind stuff and keeps moving. Magic is slow. 3 arrows to one fire wave. And on rapid? About 9. Arrows for ever!