Hey Cpt. Obvious you dumb ugly motherfucker, don't diss on the person just beacause he likes WoW. Gaming is a hobby, a very popular one, which I just happen to love. It's not his fault you don't have any friends you ungrateful poverty-ridden douchebag.
mages can pull alot of dps, so can hunters but if you spec carefully. Hunters are needed for some raids but im sure a mage can also fill the spot. Mages seem more helpful to the raid buffs, food, ports, etc.