Meteor

[Septimus]

Dorje, Laevateinn, Maleficus and the MAB Magian Staff just went from "dreadful" to "useful every 10 minutes"

Not quite. They went from "dreadful" to "the least dreadful option available". Without the bonus from an elemental staff or magic affinity, Meteor is going to have to be silly strong to be competitive, especially considering the MP cost.