The Orc in the alpha, and maybe more so in the beta, give you a great advantage at level 1. If you convert all of the glyphs as a human, you get a modest +% bonus and could probably kill a level 2. If you convert all of the glyphs as an orc, you could very likely take down a level 3 creature as long as it has low damage. This allows you to level up faster in the beginning, which makes you much strong later on.
*edit
Since we were on the topic of magic vs. phys damage earlier, here's a quick way to make the fireball much more useful, and the wizard pretty much amazing: throw an item in that reduces the cost of burndayaz by 1. Most classes cast for 5, where then the wizard can cast for 4. That's a whole lot of fireballs and AM pleasing power.
There are also a ton! of items that make a physical damage user stronger - really big sword, the tri-sword, turog's equipment, all of the blacksmith items, long sword, etc. Where is the love for mages? Where is the item or glyph or boon that reduces enemy magic resistance? Or the wand that increases fireball's damage by +1/level (exactly like AM's boon)?