Mage build not viable from beginning?

[Rallianto]

I played through the game twice, once as a strength build with 2H swords and once as dexterity with daggers.
Now I started a mage build, and it feels akward. One spell attack consumes all focus, but doesn't kill the enemy. Then you have to engage in melee and hit with the staff to build up focus, and you have to hit 4-6 times before you have enough focus for another spell attack, which still does not kill the enemy mob, and you have to go back to melee combat again.
The only viable way to play mage, is to start out as another style, and later respec the points into mage/intelligence?
How are you guys playing mage, spending all your money on focus potions?

[Sgt.JESUS]

It is, gets way easier after you reach town though, like any other class. You have to parry to get that focus back quickly, but even without it the staff has a very good running attack that will fill that focus too, use bombs on the groups and you can get to town without a problem, than its bye bye game when you get that lightning staff after upgrading the enchanter.
Just save those focus potions for Worrick, if you dont want to parry him that is. The fireballs are very good against him if you get ther level 4 or 5.
I usually explore the whole map before him, minus the flower cave, no inventory space anyway, but if things become too tight on the potion side make another realm and farm more levels and potions, then go back to the original realm and kill worrick.

[Palicai]

I have a mage who is now a GOD, but he wasnt in the beginning. The early game WILL require you to melee for focus, yes its akward and i feel the game should have a mana system of some sort, Focus is great for skills, not for spells.

Even late game you will also have to melee enemies at certain points, beeing a 100% ranged mage is not something this game really supports, my lvl 30 mage has ALOT of focus now,but i will run out and need to swing at stuff.

[Bandit17]

Putting a few points into Int early really helps the staff melee damage as well as the Runes. I had no problem just using the staff to get through the early bits. That being said it was my 2nd character and I had a good grasp of combat and the game's systems by that point.

I think the game really becomes too easy and a little boring once focus can be easily generated. I know the devs are working on mages, stats and how enemies respond to ranged attacks so we will have to keep our fingers crossed they can find the right balance.