Havoc Mage

[mootoall]

Well, I was reading through my Miniature's Handbook (Oh, Warhulk, will you ever get less ridiculous?) when I spotted the Havoc Mage. What does the Playground think of this? With 3/4 BAB and an interesting class feature, does this make a nice class for a Gishy guy?

[Greenish]

Battlecast, as written, seems to allow only one attack in conjunction with casting a spell, which doesn't seem so hot. Medium BAB and two caster levels lost are just bad - with 4 BAB you can qualify for a spellsword (with proficiencies, true) for the level required to reach 5 BAB and Abjurant Champion, without losing caster levels.

[Thrice Dead Cat]

Basically what Greenish said. The only time you should be losing a single caster level is when you get something like what Malconvoker throws your way. Two is okay with something like Jade Phoenix Mage and in general being a solid gish, but two lost levels over 5 prestige class levels compared to, effectively 18 and 10 above above? Just not worth it.