Also:
Making units invisible, detecting invisible units (IEDs, ambushers).
Do they have a counter/an easy way to shut them down?
I considered Invisibility, and then for unit detection, I have a couple of other units that'd do the job -- but making some battlemages detect invisible could be nice. Once again, thanks for your ideas, they're really neat.
I also have (temporary) stat boost abilities in mind for higher battlemages, but I'd appreciate some input on that too.
As for counters against the Battlemages, let me think... Firstly, most of the Battlemages themselves have slower movement speed (I intend most of them to be rather heavily armored). Then perhaps some dedicated anti-magic (building) auras, some specialized infantries and a few specialized tanks could counter them. Maybe a modified aura that damages and drains enemy Battlemages and other magic summons? I also think what if some Battlemage types can be overwhelmed by higher power Battlemages (perhaps some sort of "block magic flow" or "distort magic body" spell). Maybe there can be more counters for the Battlemages, though.
I intend Battlemages to be a main part of armies, and used frequently, but not too overpowered that tanks and other stuffs are obsolete. There should be some ways to counter them, but the counters should not obsolete the Battlemages, either.
I find the concept kinda flawed
Because science is basically our attempt to replicate magic. And I cannot think of a useful spell which cannot be achieved by tech in a steampunk setting.
Hmm...
I intend for spells and magics to derive from some sort of "psychic field", "biological aura" or "energy force field" and easily accessible by certain infantries. In the campaign, cybernetics and machineries cannot really duplicate fancy magical powers, only some energy weapons and fancy stuffs, and even then it would be quite limited. Like, Battlemages can boost the strength and agility of units, and employ many fancy "anime-ish" powers, but machineries can use mostly only lasers, EMP, energyballs, force shields etc. (I'd still appreciate some input, though.)
And in my campaign, most of the machineries are steampunk-ish and dieselpunk-ish, and tech level is around middle 20th century (with some adjustments, some techs being more advanced and some techs being behind from real life 20th century).
Maybe you can try giving some random spell ideas, while considering vastly upgraded firepower?
(If anyone knows C&C Red Alert 1 and Mental Omega 3.3, it's like that but with some fantasy flavors. We would have things like Chronosphere, Iron Curtain, tanks, rifles, psychics and even some primitive cyborgs, plus many people with an affinity to magical essences. But
not very advanced technologies.)
(When I think of this, I somewhat think of metaphysics and some sort of life force... just saying.)
EDIT : Ahh, yes, now I do have some more ideas of my own after writing this...
-- Mobile Darkcloak : Some spell that covers a unit in some black energy, making it nearly invulnerable?
-- Mutate (Parasite) : damages unit, puts a buff that takes away life every few seconds, and resulting in a new creature owned by spellcaster upon death?
-- Blink / Warp?
-- Mass Teleportation (Hero-level, but still Battlemage-ish)?