[quote=lordmidget]
Okay, where do I start with John:
1. The magic on the surface seems weak but when you think about it, it's really strong. Something about it needs to change, either it needs to not be able to absorb living things or John needs to be able to only absorb in one area at a time.(Reason being John could redirect an attack and then instantly move his enemy into a pocket dimension, forcing them to break out and be hit by their redirected attack)
2. Mage Hunters aren't actually a thing as murder is still Illegal, magic was just considered evil and people were driven away or scorned when it was found out that they used it. Magic is/was managed by the council (see the main post which is about to be updated for details).
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1. Hmmm I see what you mean. I did mean John to be more of a support-type mage, but I feel like those changes would really limit what he could do. To me it seems that any OPness stems from the pockets of space being an insta hit, so how about we say that the casting time is closely proportional to the size of the space he needs to displace? A person is much bigger than say, an arrow, so that way they should have time to move out of the way if John attempts to trap them (the visual cue would be a blurriness in the air where the spell is being cast at). That would cover the case you mentioned anyway. If there are more that I've missed let me know.

2. I've re-read the intro. I get that the Council oversee magical law enforcement, but still, given how few mages remain (and I'm imagining fewer legal ones) is it not feasible for them to hire non-mages to lighten the workload and help take down criminal mages and such like?