The problem you might be facing is, can I survive long enough to land the maledictions to change the fight?

I can't really help you unless you sent me some actual logs.

I will say this, a shapeshifter (especially an air shifter) is built on dictating the terms of the battle. Shifters cannot zap themselves in form, so they have to basically prep up and hope their opponents are around to fight while they have their preps up.

Also, mana is essential to a shifter. Without mana, he's just a completely utterly gimped transmuter who can't cast spells. So practice the art of stringing out battles against shifters. Especially air shifters (since they can't fly to you if they have no movement).