Being a mage is an awesome class, even better when you are an evil tempered mage who sides with the rebel mages.
It becomes very very very interesting further on.
I trust your opinion on this one, just bought the game and about to start.
I love the mage - except the Knight Enchanter. That is absolutely boring to play and to watch (animations).
I loved Archers in previous DA games, but not in this one - deleted my Tempest Archer because it was as dull as ditchwater (maybe an Assassin Archer could be fun). But Double Dagger Tempest is damn awesome. Warrior is next up, but I'm not sure what kind. I usually hate S&B, but this game is throwing my usual likes for a loop.
As others have said, no respec, and not likely to get modded due to the lack of tools and the possibility of breaking other things. Try out by playing your companions with different builds/specialisations.
And yes, you can play a mage as a Dalish elf - as anything except a dwarf, in fact. All races can play any class and specialisation ... except no dwarven mages.
[Edited by LadySheogorath, 12/31/2014 6:39:27 PM]
I have played mage and archer rogue in both previous games but my warrior in this one is fun :3
i went pretty tanky though, a mix of sword and shield and vanguard along with templar specialization, as i just take all the punishment i got Sera, Dorian and Solas raining hell on the enemies while i beat them down