SMs also used to have summon as well. Everybody seems to forget that because the people that abused it the most were arch-mages.
At one point the only defense against summon was to constantly move around and never AFK, ever.
Portal was put into place to replace summon and it does a fantastic job. An AM is still an extremely effective killing machine. I don't think anybody will argue against that. If they have, they certainly haven't played the guild.
I will give several reasons why, even without summon that AMs are extremely powerful.
1. Trigger spell. Basically it is almost impossible to kill an AM. Transport and teleport really should be removed from the list of acceptable spells.
2. Link is a very cool unique spell. I'm not suggesting it be removed but it is VERY useful in PK. An invisible AM can come out of nowhere and hit you with 7 spells instantly.
3. Gravity well. Has the potential to stop people from being able to run away. That could be in the link as well.
4. Scryguard. Almost impossible to suprise an AM unless you are MUCH higher level than they are.
5. Scry! The ability only 3 guilds get to find other people.
6. Delay. Although it takes some skill to use it can be VERY effective to hit people with multiple attacks all at once. Especially when combined with link.
7. Fop. Probably the most devestating attack spell on the mud. Sure it's quite random but this spell has probably killed me more than all of the greater bolts/strikes and other spells combined. It's one of the few spells that has a decent chance of one-shotting a character in good armour to death.
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If you say plz because it is shorter than please, then I will say no because it is shorter then yes.
