[masteralef]

To add to Spineles' list-

For level 9/abilities, I usually run with Improved Alacrity. With Robe of Vecna and the Amulet of Power (both in SoA), you can cast spells significantly faster than any enemy mages. With Timestop/Improved Alacrity/various Spell Trigger and Chain Contingencies, you can easily empty all of your high level spells before the enemy gets a chance to do anything.

Of course, if you can put forward a Project Image, then you can empty your spells from the Image and still have your mage with their original spells...