3-4 dissolves isn't uncommon. It's mandatory.
Aylin's suggestion of Deathlock is a good one, also.
What sort of spellbook are you playing?
Now only "very Aggressive" mage have chance to beat him...
Other mage which is not "very Aggressive" type cannot win him at all in my opion.
I did try destory battle forge in early game....
But it seems give much help....
Because it will cost me a lot of mana to use "surge wave" & "force hammer" ,
then I cannot play in a very aggressive style.
Maybe need more test...
I have a Aggressive priest.
This priest will start game with bloodstone & battle forge.
and try to beat down enemy.
But this priest is very hard to win.
Beacuse I cannot give him any light damage to put burn token in middle game ,alought I have 7 dice attack.
(NEC with cloak of shadow)
Bloodstone can damge this NEC 1 damage per turn in average .
I will use bear strength on bloodstone,but he always put agony on bloodstone,too.
When Bloodstone is killed , I am lose.
Other,I have a Aggressive druid.
This druid will start game with vine tree and bear.
And rush enemy as soon as poisible!!!
This druid have more chance to win.
because this druid have more disolve & disolve ability plant & acid spell
I have try
Forrest - Johktari Beastmaster .
Matt - Priestess.
(
http://forum.arcanewonders.com/index.php?topic=13044.0 )
Thomas forcemaster.
(
http://forum.arcanewonders.com/index.php?topic=13718.msg31266#msg31266)
All this chmapion mage is hard to win.
But i think i dont use this chmapion mage very well.