The problem with almost every tactic with an AP
is the narrow window you have for success. Basically every fight is win or lose within a couple rounds without enough souls/gear to give you the HP to pull off anything to give you the edge.

Giving yourself that time to try anything means constantly prepping. Bringing up Merf, if you look or play with him, he spends alot of his time getting prepared. For me that just isnt all that fun. i don't mind preparing but the sheer 'need' of it with an AP compared to other mage classes is depressing after awhile.

The concept is you are this big badass knight of evil but it doesn't 'feel' like you are for a real long time. I didn't start feeling like a badass until I got my control and even then as mentioned I wasn't very impressed with flames considering the PK requirement to get it.

Just not for me i guess, I probably won't do another AP unless I get REAL bored or do another placeholder character. And next time I will try and be a bit more aggressive and see how that works out.