Re: Love for Non-Casters?
I don't see it as much of a problem. Any character that has access to such a 'battle field' weapon is likely to be a fairly advanced character anyway, and such a spell would largely be a roleplaying chrome, as how often do adventurers find themselves facing armies anyway? As a tank (I prefer playing melee characters) I would be happy knowing that the crunchy mage I am usually protecting has such utility spells as can reduce an army of kobolds. I am content that when that armored war troll is bearing down on our wizard, I am the only thing that stands in the way of his oblivion.
Besides, casters are not the only ones who can leverage their power to specific situations. At the same point level as that caster with battlefield magics, my tank too will be exceedingly scary. Throw in a few things like:
15 pts Heavy Lethality: Deadly Blow: +2d6 Killing, any circumstance, any 'heavy' weapon
6 pts Passive Blocking: +3 DCV; OIF: Weapon of Opportunity (-1/2), vs HtH Only (-1)
8 pts Second Skin: Combat Luck (6 PD/6 ED) (12 Active Points); Only While Wearing Heavy Armor (-1/2)
5 pts Battle Recovery: +15 REC (30 Active Points); Only When Taking A Non-Post Segment 12 Recovery In Combat (-2)
Add to the likes of that a big weapon that strikes for 3d6 killing, full plate, a martial maneuver for sweep, and I can wade through war trolls.
Ultimately the biggest balancing factor of course is the GM. Have character sheets written in pencil. They get handed to the GM before the game starts. The GM makes any necessary adjustments and hands them back. Game starts. All is good. And I'm a player, not usually a GM.