Well, without going into whether any of those "upper echelons" have more than a 5% chance of actually solo PKing an ABandS mage without an "already writhing" type of situation ... are we agreeing, but talking a matter of degree here?

Meaning, we agree that there is a distinct, fairly rare set of dangerous non-mage characters that a mage would "need" ABandS to fight on equal footing?

But we disagree that this set is limited to, say less than 5 characters at a given time?

I disagree that ABandS is necessary to fight those guys (AB*or*S, yes, but not AB*and*S), but I'm OK with that Because my new plan, really, is to place mages in the same competitive field as those "upper echelon" non-mage characters. Basically, the mages have to compete with each other over a limited set of permenant ABandS talismans that have unlimited charges. The more I think about it, the more genius it sounds. What makes the characters you listed "dangerous"? Larely their skill, of course, but also their limited weapons and gear. Only two people can have that Defiance. Only two people can have that Humansunder. Etc. So put mages into the same equation -- only 4 or 5 mages can have that nocharge barrier talisman. (And probably put a crumble flag on it if it stays in a Rager's inventory for too long.)

I can't believe no one has thought of this before.

Think about it. No more easter egg hunts. Everyone knows the 4-5 mobs where these nocharge limited ABandS talismans come from. You just need them to be "in" on the mob, or you need to PK someone to get them. And once you do, you're capable of being one of the most powerful characters in the game, with full ABandS.