the magic phase has been (slightly) neutered even more, now it's harder to cast your spells. TBH, the magic phase in 8th was fascinating (so much fun to build your lists arond it) but also too swingy for my tastes. I miss the magic pool, but not that handful of OP spells
I love the magic phase in 8th. Not perfect, but tactical and brilliantly fun. You're right that there were a small handful of spells that should have been toned down. Lizardmen were more affected than most due to their abysmally poor initiative.