Mage epic --- game changing?

[Balimon]

They can be used to ToV more than people think or currently do. I get why ToV is a focus, but it's not the entire game. The epic is a huge upgrade for raiding because of its guaranteed level, sure a max level focused water pet does more DPS, but good luck getting a max summon every time you cast it.

People hating on the epic simply have never played a Mage before and after to understand the difference. Is it worth acquiring? That's something people need to decide for themselves because the cost is so great. For most folks it simply isn't.