Sylvester Archipelago

After all, mages had strong control, Ples, and control is always stronger than combat abilities (or almost always). So, I personally perceived any mana-related difficulties as a balancing factor.

Control is still more for support units. Besides, we only encountered one opponent with immunity to melee attacks. But we encountered opponents with immunity or resistance to magic more often, perhaps.

Standard spells like fireballs were indeed a bit weak, I agree. Although they did have their advantages, and Alex demonstrated them to us quite well.

Their only advantage was when he fought his own priest. Otherwise, they weren't very useful. Battle with golems? Sorry, fire immunity. Battle with a jaguar? If he had invested in skills as a one-handed weapon fighter, he would have dealt no less (or not much less) damage, while dodging and parrying more often.

Skill points – I can't say that the costs are very poorly chosen. It's normal. And I can't say that it directly affects the balance.

It does affect it, imagine. When one thing is preferred over another due to a more favorable ratio of usefulness to cost, that is also a matter of balance.