Talk:Dark Elf/@comment-78.185.99.67-20180215191225/@comment-2A02:587:3019:5900:94B7:9AF2:B329:184C-20180301182344

Personally I wouldn't go for either, but between the two choices the Ice Mage would be better.

Ice has more damaging spells than Chaos and even some (underwhelming yet not random) niche tricks to make use of. Also, many of these spells cost very little in mana allowing a player to easily beat crowds. Freezing enemies can also really help in combination with Dark Riders and Assassins, both able to become a threat for enemy Heroes. Gemcutting is a litteral gem (excuse me for the pun hehe) however, allowing the ever crystal-hungry elves to amass crystal.

Chaos would offer some nice late game spells, but the Morph ones are unremarkable, unless you intend to rely on hordes of cheap and weak units, such as Skeletons, Spiders and Imps. Also, warding helps with making your units tougher to beat with elemental attacks and helps against psychological effects.

Both classes should also make use of the MUCH better Summoning sphere.

All in all, consider on what skills and armies you would like to rely on.