hard time with mage - weak fireball and fire arrow

[MaroonMaurader]

You aren't going to be doing a ton of direct-damage that early in the game.

I'd rely more on buffing and de-buffing spells (haste/slow, stoneskin, target, fear, etc.)... at least until you get a higher intelligence. The mage has the toughest start, but can absolutely dominate once you get a bunch of runes and a good collection of spells to work with.