An (slightly) edited exchange between David E. Kinchen and Bob Beattie which looks at the strengths and weaknesses of Magicians.

Dave K. writes:
I must disagree about the Magician's they have several other good points IIRC:
1. Move as individuals (long distances)
2. Hand to hand factor a 4 ?
3. If you bring 2, you can use 1 as support until you roll your first 1 and then switch to the other.
4. If you are attacking you have a pretty good chance of ensorcelling the other guys heroes.
5. Good artillery against flyers.
6. Make neat frogs.

Bob Beattie writes:

I think the Magicians only turn to frogs after two throws of a "1" when trying enscorcel an opponent, not during close combat. Also on down side, they need 2 pips to move

Ensorcelling opponent's hero if you are defender is not such a good idea, as the hero can return next to your stronghold and capture it, or at least be behind your lines.

By the way, the rules say that an extra pip is expended for each extra bespeller. Does this extra one mean that it costs 3 pips for two magicians and 4 pips for three magicians?

(Note from Alan - Yes)

Another good thing about magicians, they cast spells in 360degree area around them and can cast spells on elements that are in overlap or even in contact with you elements, but since it is done in your bound there are very few contacts you would not want. Maybe one left from a tie previous bound.

And he continues:

Note the difference between Magical Attack and Distant Shooting.

MA
A magician element which is neither in contact with nor overlapping any enemy can bespell one enemy element within 600p during a bound.

DS
Artillery ... or shooters ... can shoot at any one enemy element within a element base width of straight ahead but only if neither in contact with nor overlapping enemy. Shooting is not permitted if a terrain feature or troop elements even partly block the shooters view of their targets except ...

so you can see that the conditions for magic are very different from shooting.

Magic has no restrictions as to:
a. the "area of fire"
b. whether the target is overlapping or in contact
c. whether the target is blocked from view.