In the words of Ron Burgundy, "Well, that escalated quickly".
I'm not saying that this build is viable for end-game bossing. It's more of a leveling build (look at what level my mage is) and one that adds some more DPS. I know all you high level mages are saying that pure casters are better, which is fine, but remember that I'm looking at this build from a now level 124 mage perspective. When I equip a Focus of Seer and Aggy book, my Firebolt/storm increase by a couple hundred points, neat...I'm adding auto attacks between 150-300 damage with an axe offhand, damage helm and Hero gloves.
The way I look at it is that on a 2-4* mob I am getting a free 1-2 Firebolts worth of damage from just autos in between casts, not to mention the damage from my Cloak of Fire. The auto damage allows me to finish off the mobs last fraction of HP without having to waste another FB/FS on the mob and then be on cooldown while I'm starting the next mob. My cloak is hitting for 200-300 per hit as well. 1* mobs I can get down to 1/4 HP from just the Lure/FB, so I can move to the next mob while my Cloak finishes off the 1*. I'm also getting added damage when my Firebolt or Firestorm misses through autos, thus killing quicker.
I'm sure as I get higher, my build might change some or maybe I'll go pure caster all together. What I know and what I have EXPERIENCED is that as of right now, this build is doing great and I kill really fast and the XP I'm getting is superb.
It's not the cheapest way to level, as I go through Resto pots due to typically being up closer to the mobs, but the whole idea is to maximize my damage. This build isn't meant for STRICTLY MELEE. It's used as supplemental damage. If I wanted to go pure melee mage I'd thrown on an Aggy Trident and pierce lure as well.
This build is meant to have fun with and not be like EVERY OTHER FRICKIN' mage out there. That's one thing I dislike about the game, is that builds are very cookie cutter.
So he wants to use some dmg gear and melee between casts. Who cares? If he enjoys that build a lot more than pure caster build, then how can someone say he is wrong? Maybe it's less efficient at killing mobs, again so what. He is enjoying doing a melee build more than pure caster and playing a game is about having fun.
Zyz gets it... why can't y'all?