Part of the success of the build is due to being able to take enemies one at a time, and with illusion you have complete control over a single enemy.
If rushing in with a big sword worked equally well it'd be disappointing.
The combination of skills is designed to kill things from safe range, you use quite a few abilities at early levels, you have to take things slowly and carefully. The one thing I can say though, is that if melee was easier or less risky it would kind of kill the point of it. Level 52 without dying right now, and I'm not bragging or lying it really is that easy. I play a stealth archer, conjurer, illusionist on expert. Still easy but some enemies will one hit kill you
