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So I'm playing a mage.

So it says I should focus on intelligence and willpower.

But as far as I've understood, willpower merely boosts saves vs magic and increases one's negotiating ability.

And I can't see how that is more useful for a mage than any other class.

A mage is suppose to have a high control over magic right? well one could say that they should not be affected so easily by hostile magics because of this.
Think of it like how important the Endurace stat is to melee characters. They can survive a beating for longer, which is good seeming you will be up close and personal for every fight. Mages would be killing most things from a distance, the only people that can shoot back from a distance are enemy mages and archers so it is beneficial to have resistance to one of those.

I haven't actually played Arena, so my knowledge is limited to what I have read, but this makes sense to me.

Nah. I can do without resistance as a mage since I can cast resistance/fortify attribute spells if the situation requires. What I really wanted to know is if willpower does something aside from above mentioned effects.

it's hard to know... since all of those factors are hidden. Let's ask Bethesda!