The above are fun builds. I do find it a pain to run without lifegiver, but you can be an effective 1v1 killer without it. Just take care if you are using fireball or slag with curse not to stun your opponent while they are cursed. Otherwise defeats they whole purpose of cursing them. For my curse build I run without fire. I occasionally run with slag or clyde but don't use their arcane either until the curse runs out or when I see the rogue in trouble and running for health packs. If you are going to be a curse mage and run without lifegiver you may consider using frost instead of fire for 1v1 battles. Has higher damage and will slow but not stun your opponent.