everything's been nerfed so don't feel bad.

I think it was intentional. They're removing features that made it difficult to balance battles, stripping it down to basics so they can work up from there. If you ask me, your AoE still more than makes up for your loss in attacks, but that's just my opinion.

It's also the stat difference in your character. Your stats aren't customizable, and the effect of having lower STR is more profound than it was before (just ask any GLA).

The point of having auto-attack and Spirit Dart for a mage can only be for TP generation at this point. Consider investing in a useful TP move?