Magic has some advantages , and at the same time has some disadvantages.
Its advantages include manually aiming. This makes firing spells needs some degree of coordination. Simply enough, it is less likely to misfiring, since it will travel in a straight line exactly to where your crosshair is pointed without arcing. It is not what you need to worry about. Magic is easy to dodge than arrow, because it travels slower in the air.
Magic does come with its disadvantages as well. it is kind of expensive to use magic in darkfall online, since casting a magic requires a reagent or component with the exception of the starter spells. It is tough road to skill up spells and school with components.