After hurting myself and allies the first 5 times or so I have found that they're a school of spells that when used correctly are possibly the best effect per AP in the game. Early game examples are most of the animal fights and in Kniles' room. The little or 0 MA on these mobs make it easy to poison/ignite/freeze them all. Just takes a quick check to make sure you're doing more good than harm. On discord I usually just ask if anybody's standing in anything or if they have MA to withstand it as well. That all being said I have a friend that will never carry those spells because he hates them, that's part of the beauty of this game. Don't like a spell then nothing makes you carry it, they're plenty of targeted spells.