I am currently traveling as a Storm Student lvl20+ and constantly fizzle when throwing a card of my school. I have the pips needed plus some, and no hex's are on the character and yet I always fizzle.
I have created other students from other schools and this same problem arises. It is very frustrating when battling and hope that there is an easy fix to this problem.
If you haven't played any characters past the level 20s, it is easy to understand why you think the problem is systemic.
Fear not, for the inherent fizzle rate drops as you increase in levels. By the time you are in your level 50's (Grandmaster), casting will be right as rain.