[matthewmwps]

I don't know if this is it chief. Mayhaps this is a hot take but tomes feel on the low end of weapons, second only to bows. There are almost no 'good' options here besides this weapon and even then it's VERY hard to pick a tome over a simple elemental staff. Let tomes have SOMETHING, considering every other weapon gets their own 'broken' thing.

The only suggestion you have i slightly agree with is a lowered stat scaling. Cel scaling won't make the issue any better since wind mages gouge cel to heck. Modernising a weapon based on another which is different in purpose and use seems silly, especially when neglecting a material difference and the fact Balrog has a secondary effect ontop of the fire attack. And Indignant Idol is just a totally unrelated tangent (which all I'll say is, 'best in slot' doesn't mean it should be nerfed. Unless we want to go down the rabbit hole of bodyguard and lifesaving charm).