They're strong for what they are but pathetically weak for where and when you get them and leveling Blood Magic is one of the most painfully slow processes in the entire game, you can buff them with the protection staff but crap with a bow on it is still crap.

I was excited when I saw the Dvergr mages using spells, napalm fireball storms, cold nova, homing explodey boi, literal healing....then I made the staves myself...it was like a euphemism for the entire game...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Djlc6uHTVmY