Skills in the game

Magic is the key. Let scouting and training compete with mysticism.

You just haven't played experience-based tournaments. Training is a must. (Are we talking about +15% experience?) Scouting is sometimes the only solution when the "Flight" spell can't be used if the opposite shore isn't visible. Everything has its purpose, just in specific situations... Mysticism is a complex issue. If you wait for it to "accumulate," it's often faster to replenish magic somewhere else.