Positives of an I/L?

If you want to go HT you need a friend who make ht runs, otherwise its almost impossible that someone takes you to their run even if you are the strongest of gms. (you know they dont like mages)
You should wait for Evans they are stronger and cooler and your chances of HT running are way better.

Evans are stronger when they have SE. Otherwise it's the same damage.

Also, Kalovale, while I/Ls can one hit chief oblivion gaurdians at high levels, they'll be able to one hit skeles before. Plus skele mobs are much more, so mages that want the fastest exp/hour will still go to skeles. That and selling leech will probably still net you more money than training on oblivion 4.

Not to say I won't be heading there. But most of the time I'll be using CL/ ice strike because the mobs are usually too small for spamming ultimates.