Elemental Affinity is never the complete answer, though at times can be helpful. What many people don't realize and thus don't utilize, which makes Magi super powerful, are Green Teas and the Level 5 Polymorph skill Apotheosis which, when used in-tandem, allows you to spam almost every tier 3 Source spell on the books at a cost of 1AP and 0SP per cast. Add in the ability to pop Skin Graft next turn with the addition of utilizing Adrenaline Rush and Sacrifice (if you're an Elf) and you can pretty much obliterate everything in single turn with a Mage, even a hybrid Mage, unless they are highly resistant or immune to your damage (which is a thing).
Elemental Affinity is just to get you through to the point where you can execute the above combination. At that point, balance and this entire discussion goes out the window because everyone is hurling 3 Source abilities like pennies.
