I try not to touch Freeze, the game gets extremely easy with that spell. I'm lvl20 now and I've cleared the Abby, the Elite Orcs still kick my [nocando] though. So now is the time for Verdistis I guess. I don't remember Marcus, I'll have to check my journal.
I wouldn't say it makes it easy. Just makes it so you can fight the elites at level 16 instead of level 20. There still a challenge and you don't have to always use it. But I unstand its a personal preference.
