Changing the "Caster beats Mundane" paradigm

[Tanarii]

Either magic is more capable in battle, or it isn't used in battle. I see little in between.

Capable doesn't have to mean always superior. That holds true for non-magical solutions too. Sometimes a Heavy Crossbow is a better solution than a Longsword and Shield, and sometimes it's the other way around.

Magic doesn't have to be a Modern Machine Gun to the enemies wooden spears. It can be Artillery (magic) and Tanks (mundane).