Actually with a fair amount of DEX, mage armour, shield, cat's grace and ghostly visage you will have an AC very close to a fighter if not better. (Not a buffed cleric though, they're insane!) You also have concealment and damage reduction.
I used to make the mistake of going for 'pure caster' earlier but the game AI just doesn't allow that. All the best damage spells come at or after level 6.
Best just to compensate for it. With 'flame weapon' cast you will do more damage than a fighter anyway. It can be the only damage spell you need for a long time. (Except for the bloody mind devourer which is immune to fire! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/memad.gif" alt="" /> )
Womble
