Losing the loot does seem like a good penalty to balance the power of this mechanic, similar to how Disintegrate (Black Blade of Disaster etc) worked in Baldur's Gate 2.
Disintegrate, finger of death, Stinking Cloud and other AoE that wouldn't aggro enemies if they were beyind sight, exaploding arrows.
BG1&2 has quite a few rough edges - there is a reason Disintegrate and Finger of Death don't work like they used to. An in my opinion for the better.
Even so, those were high level spells, selling a power that wields a powerful spellcaster - they late progression rewards, and could be used only sparingly. Push, however, is available to anyone with high enough strength and can be used in everyturn, while performing all the other attacks one wants.
Sadly, my experience say it dont really matter where you stand ... i spend litteraly half of my movement speed (12m? not sure) to stand far from edge in Grymforge-Nere+Duergars batte ... and they still managed to shove me to lava. :-/ Im sory, but that is just not fun.
@Rag! I think your account was hacked.
