The mage can fill in as a solid dps class in all but raid situations. Where the latter falls apart is the level disparity between even a max level pet and the raid boss (My best focused water on Vindi does about 45dps which is a mediocre ranger or knight). Presuming summoning is safe at all. In those situations with 60+ raid bosses, your nukes won’t land or will barely land. DS is really solid but you only need one class to check that box.
Here is an old crusty thread I did once trying to figure out the worth of a DS. It depends if the mob casts, doubles, or quads. Also slowing really limits the effectiveness…but not all grind groups do.
https://www.project1999.com/forums/s...highlight=Mage
Sub 60 targets cons it’s way different. A max level focused water with Deadwood staves on Miragul did 65dps over 1.5 mins and a Tstaff 60 monk did 58dps and EoT did 42dps. I’ve seen 70’ish dps water parses in seb. (Note: It’s still probably better to use Air since stun is underrated and no need to worry about positioning if the tank isn’t trying).
The wiki says basically 24dps for a Burnt Wood chain clicking; 35 for velks boots. Using mana Scars of Sigil is likely the best dps and certainly is the most functional due to the 2 second cast. Mages will be Conjuration spec for coth and Shock of Steel is MR based so it’s often your go-to for mana efficiency at about 130dps.
Adding up this fairly narrow book of tricks, you still get COTH which can come in handy and they get Mala and Sini which is really nice if no shaman and relying on enchanter for pet and slows. That and if carefully casting a mage should never pull aggro nor will the healer have to heal the pet unless it’s split-tanking.
Epic pet vs air or water is kind of moot. The water will situationally best the epic but the epic is much better as a sum of its parts situation. No epic mage is frustrated getting smoked by a water pet on a 100% spell resistant target because they can get another water staff for little to no effort.