Bryan92 Although it's up to you and how you play, I do suggest that you have the following:
Ingle - Many enemies are weak to fire, and it's good for targeting flying enemies that are weak to fire (like harpies, griffons, etc).
Levin - Another early spell. It's useful in that it can target behind obstacles. Also cyclops don't like it (it can stun them temporarily)
Fire Boon - Either you or a mage pawn should have this. As mentioned before, most enemies are weak to fire.
Comestion - This is a relatively early spell itself. It takes a bit longer to cast than Ingle, but it's much more devastating. Knocks smaller enemies into the air, and unsteadies many of the larger ones. Since most enemies are either weak or not resistant to fire, it is pretty useful. It can be used to target groups unlike Ingle (and also would do way more damage to a single target anyway). It is rather essential if you're playing as a Mage/Sorcerer and going after certain quarry. Against dragons for example, it was great for keeping them on the ground when they had been knocked down. Earlier on it was great for bringing the pain to Chimeras, Griffons, and even Cyclops.
Healing - Only Mages can heal. Early on it will be useful, but it might be better later to have a mage pawn to do it instead. Especially if you want to be a sorcerer (better offensive power at the cost of being able to heal yourself).
As to the more powerful magic, and the special effect stuff, it's up to you.
Necromancy was slightly useful earlier on when I got it (and High Necromancy). It would be much more useful though, if the effect lasted longer (often the spirits disappeared before I could use them, and casting it in battle is not the best use of your time). Not everyone likes
Bolide or
Maelstrom. You have to use them correctly. If enemies haven't spotted you yet, then they can be great. I've obliterated packs of enemies with Maelstrom without having to fight at all. Bolide is very inaccurate but you can be pretty sure that at least one meteor will hit a mark. Bolide is more useful if your allies protect you well, and you need a powerful attack that can unseat and/or kill enemies in a wide area. If nothing else though, Bolide and Maelstrom are rather fun spells to use. Especially maelstrom (watch it fling wolves or other smaller enemies way up above the treetops XD).
In short, the real trick is to save your most powerful attacks to when you're at least reasonably sure you won't be countered before they are executed.
The left stick aiming thing
Raijin1999 mentioned is rather useful. I used it pretty often.
On top of the augments Raijin mentioned, there is an augment that increases the knockdown effect from magic. I do believe this greatly enhances Comestion's ability to knock down/unsteady larger foes.
There are also augments that either decrease your chance at being knocked back when intoning spells, or decrease damage when doing same (combined it allows you to keep intoning spells when either you'd be knocked back too hard, or damaged too much to complete it). They are more useful I think, when you first unlock them. Other augments would be more practical later on (if you're about to be hit, it might be better to just cancel the spell anyway).
