Rank the 12 spells

[mitchiemasha]

Lets not forget EU Genie is anyone on the board... No LOS required.

Head to the courage card thread to read there, no doubt to the EU cards wording.

[Gold Bearer]

1/2. Heal Body/Water Of Healing
3. Tempest
4. Geni
5. Ball Of Flame
6. Fire Of Wriath
7. Courage
8. Rock Skin
9. Sleep
10. Pass Through Rock
11. Swift Wind
12. Vail Of Mist

1. Earth
2. Water
3. Air
4. Fire

1/2. Heal Body/Water Of Healing
3. Tempest
4. Chains Of Darkness
5. Genie
6. Ball Of Flame
7. Fire Of Wriath
8. Cloak Of Shadows
9. Wall Of Stone
10. Invisibility
11. Courage
12. Rock Skin
13. Arrows Of The Night
14. Sleep
15. Pass Through Rock
16. Future Sight
17. Treasure Hoard
18. Clairvoyance
19. Swift Wind
20. Vail Of Mist
21. Dispel

1. Earth
2. Water
3. Air
4. Fire
5. Darkness
5. Fire (US)
6. Protection
7. Detection

The healing spells are lightyears ahead of all the others.

I couldn't make a list, I tried making one but water of healing and heal body ended up not close together which is just stupid so I gave up.

So why not just move one next to the other?

Genie -Again, a pretty good chanceof killing any monster anywhere on the board.The damage isn't guaranteed (you could roll ) also the rest of the Wind Spells are pretty useless so I prefer Fire of Wrath

What about tempest!?!

Lets not forget EU Genie is anyone on the board... No LOS required.

It still seems really weird to me that fire of wraith and genie need LOS in the US version.

Head to the courage card thread to read there, no doubt to the EU cards wording.

Yea I read that wrong as well. I thought it was until there's no monster in sight in the US version but it's your first attack unless you haven't attacked the next time there's no monster in sight so it's worse than a potion of strength. With that and the two other fire spells being defended on a 5 or 6 instead of a black shield it makes the US fire spells really under powered compared to the other three element sets.

Having read this thread I know think the the EU version of fire of wraith and ball of flame might supposed to mean defended on either shield. That would make a lot more sense comparing the power of the EU and US fire sets. I prefer it that they defend on their own shield though, the fire set is weak enough already.

[Count Mohawk]

Yea I read that wrong as well. I thought it was until there's no monster in sight in the US version but it's your first attack unless you haven't attacked the next time there's no monster in sight so it's worse than a potion of strength. With that and the two other fire spells being defended on a 5 or 6 instead of a black shield it makes the US fire spells really under powered compared to the other three element sets.

In EuroQuest, Ball of Flame has a higher chance of killing off a standard 1 BP monster than Genie if the monster rolls at least 3 defend dice.
In AmeriQuest, however, Ball of Flame deals less damage than Genie on average unless the monster rolls at least 8 defend dice.

However, if you use the Euro text of the spell "Courage", I would not call Fire "underpowered", as all three Fire spells are very useful for pressing an attack. (American Courage is pretty bad, though - one of the few places in which AmeriQuest gets the short end of the stick)

[Gold Bearer]

In EuroQuest, Ball of Flame has a higher chance of killing off a standard 1 BP monster than Genie if the monster rolls at least 3 defend dice.

Yes but genie's main use is to open doors. The attack option it just a bonus really. Oh, and it's an anywhere on the board spell. That makes it slightly better than ball of flame for me.

However, if you use the Euro text of the spell "Courage", I would not call Fire "underpowered", as all three Fire spells are very useful for pressing an attack.

Well they're underpowered in my eyes because they don't have a healing spell and they're less effective at attacking than air spells in my opinion. Air has genie and tempest and fire has three attacking spells that together are slightly less damaging than all three fire spells.

[clmckay]

I noticed the difference between wording of some EU cards to US spells (minus courage). When we started up two years ago I made US format cards with the wording of both editions. We've been playing that if the Wizard had 8 or more MP he gets those scaled up versions. (I'd assume we'd do the same for the Elf, but it's never come up).

[Gold Bearer]

Edit:
I meant air has genie and tempest and fire has three attacking spells that together are slightly less damaging than the two air spells.

The US fire of 'wraith' should be renamed to embers of mild irritation!

[mitchiemasha]

It still seems really weird to me that fire of wraith and genie need LOS in the US version.

Yeah it's no good.

I prefer it that they defend on their own shield though,

Agreed.

[The Admiral]

I play NA rules now, but as a hark back to my EU days, I allow the Fire of Wrath to be cast anywhere. At 1BP with a 66% chance of success I feel I needs that boost.

[SirRick]

The power of a lot of these spells depends on the player turn order. Sometime I want to try playing with the Wizard as the first or second character in line.
1/2 Heal Body, Water of Healing
3 Tempest: Works automatically on everything except the Witch Lord and the Witch Queen, combine this with the Wand of Magic to also cast Courage on your main fighter or whatever other spell you might need.
4 Courage
5 Genie
6 Rock Skin: Cast at the beginning of the quest on anyone to help ward off the stray Goblin attack or whatever as mentioned earlier. Equally useful for the Wizard or the tank wearing Borin's Armor, a Shield, and a Helmet.
7 Ball of Flame
8 Sleep
9 Fire of Wrath
10 Veil of Mist: Another spell to combo with the Wand of Magic to have your main melee character run past all the monsters to attack the boss. Very risky, but also very funny in my opinion! Very situational.
11 Pass through Rock: Very situational, but the potential shennaigans this spell can bring about means it cannot be the weakest spell.
12 Swift Wind: It sounds really cool, but honestly I don't think I've ever had to cast this spell.

[wallydubbs]

All of the spells are situational, but some situations happen more often then others and often tactically effective for experienced players. I'm going to address this with American spells in mind, but I'd also like to include the expansion spells from Wizards of Zargon and the Elf Spells from Mage of the Mirror.

1.) Heal Body - originally I was going to place Courageas best but upon reading other answers, they've made great points that health is essential; as long as a hero is alive he can keep killing monsters. Although Potions of Healing can have the same and sometimes better effect, they are of 1 time used, these spells replenish after each quest.
2.) Water of Healing - although essentially the same thing, ranks just 1 under Heal Body because heroes more commonly choose Earth over Water spells and Heal Body is incorporated into a scroll card.
3.) Courage - there seems to be 2 different types of Courage spells, but the American one can last for many turns until no more enemies are visible. It adds 2 attack dice. Although this is usually saved for the final boss battle, when used in the middle of the quest heroes will find a way milk this for all that it's worth; often opening doors to the next room before the final monster is dead.
4.) Hypnotic Blaze - if played right this spell can totally disrupt an ambush and render some of the bigger monsters (Ogres and Giant Wolves) useless for 3 turns, allowing heroes to take a major capitalization. It'll work great too on a room full of orcs and goblins or the undead. The only downside is that it may effect the other heroes as well, but once the contents of the room is known, you can send the elf in alone and it's like dropping a grenade.
5.) Genie (Attack) - although it is only a 1 off attack, it's ranged and has the potential to deliver 5 body points of damage... although realistically it's more likely to land 2 or 3. But the Elf my crew took out Ulag and Gulthor in consecutive quests.
6.) Double Image - this one can last a while during a tough battle and I've seen it save the wizard 3 times from almost certain death. Even if a monster lands a hit this gives a hero a 50% chance of not taking damage.
7.) Cloak of Shadows - this essentially creates a safety zone from any physical attacks, although it prevents physical attacks, you are still vulnerable to spells from.within. But this can be used to trap an enemy spellcaster in a confined area, preventing him from casting spells.
8.) Wall of Stone - I've seen this wall last for 12 turns, blocking off a corridor or room full of monsters; however I've also seen it only last 2. If the heroes get surrounded this could protect their back. Although it only has 2 body points, it defends with 6 dice! It could also be used to enclose an enemy and prevent them from escaping.
9.) Flashback - this can save a hero after a very costly turn: opening a door filled with legions of horror he wasn't prepared for, springing a trap, drawing an unwanted treasure card, or even flopping terribly on an attack that could determine the end of the quest. The fact that this can be used at any time adds a great sense of usefulness.
10.) Rock Skin - it's best to use early on while dealing with the underlings, where it'll make the most difference. It can last indefinitely (I've seen it last the entire Rescue of Sir Ragnar). But it might not be as effective against the bosses (unless the hero has sufficient armor).
11.) Future Sight - although this lasts only 1 turn and can be very easily wasted, in a scenario where the hero is surrounded on 3, possibly 4, ends, he can potentially save himself by rerolling any and all defence dice. This'll also last until his attack phase, which can make a difference in wiping out the final boss.
12.) Tempast - this is best used against an enemy spell caster, capitalizing where Chains of Darkness can't. In an important battle it can prevent the enemy from hitting a spell or hard attack. It can also dispel fireburst traps and the cloud of chaos. This, I feel, makes a world of difference.
13.) Sleep - seems more detrimental in the later quests, such as Mage in the Mirror, with ogres and Giant Wolves, and has the potential of lasting longer than Deep Sleep. Of course, it depends on when this spell is cast within player turn order.
14.) Timestop - gives a hero an extra go, potentially cutting off a monster's turn and finishing it before it has a chance to strike. It can also be used at other times to take an extra movement or search for traps and treasure side-by-side.
15.) Dispel - it's a perfect 1 time use on an enemy spell caster, but the odds are that the enemy has multiple spells, so the odds of kicking out the worst one isn't likely but it gives the heroes a chance of taking out a spell that could seriously harm them.
16.) Arrows of the Night - much like Ball of Flame, this spell inflicts 2 body points of damage but depends on the monsters mind points in defense. Although I find this perfect against Mummies, the higher up the enemy is the more potential this spell has to fail.
17.) Ball of Flame - unlike Arrows of the Night this spell doesn't depend on monster stupidity, all monsters, great or small, have an equal chance to avoid this spell. Generally it's almost almost definitely going to land 1 hit.
18.) Chains of Darkness - it stops a monster's movement and attack, good to use on heavy hitters to avoid damage for a turn, but not up to par with Tempest.
19.) Deep Sleep - can potentially last longer then its counterpart, but not entirely likely. This just prevents the monster's defence, but won't last too long. It's useless if the Elf's turn is last and only seems useful if he moves first.
20.) Treasure Hoard - this depends on your Treasure deck, you have a better chance of getting good stuff if you use this spell early on while the deck is full because each time hazards and Wandering Monsters are reshuffled in. Considering the card ratio, though, you're likely to get 2 good and 1 bad, but there's always the possibility of getting 3 good or 3 bad...
21.) Pass Through Rock - it's a pretty cool spell, though has limited use as well as potential dangers. However in some of the later quests it can save a hero when he's trapped in a room that is blocked off by a falling block trap, it's also a good way to get around and ambush an enemy. But it can also lead to a lot more trouble then it's worth.
22.) Disappear - this gives a hero a chance to go exploring without being seen or springing traps; although he has no actions while invisible, it lasts indefinitely, depending on dice roll (especially with American Plate Mail). Otherwise the spell can end abruptly on a high roll.
23.) Slow - having 2 spaces between you and a monster can keep one under this spell from attacking. It also slightly limits the monster's defence, but not by much.
24.) Fire of Wrath - although this can reach anywhere on the board it only potentially does 1 BP of damage. However, despite there being a 2 in 3 chance of working, from my experience I've only seen it work 28% of the time.
25.) Veil of Mist - a lot of people bash this spell, but I've seen the Wizard use it rather effectively: not only to escape, but getting heroes to access a room that the monsters' blocking the doorway to, or even offensively, to sandwich a train of monsters in a corridor. It still has limited use, but I've seen it come in handy.
26.) Clairvoyance - this spell only gives the heroes a degree of preparation when about to enter another room, but since the card doesn't specify I've added the bonus of picking out traps in the room as well. Though still not worthwhile, it makes it better.
27.) Swift Wind - though usually this spell is played for a hero to play "catch-up" when he's lagging behind, I haven't really seen it used for a rescue, but I have seen the Wizard use it in retreat, after opening a door when the heroes are on the other side of the board.
28.) Genie (Door) - this is just a step under Clairvoyance, although it reveals what's in the room, the monsters can now come out and it doesn't show traps. However in the case of certain stuck doors, like in Keller's Keep, this can prevent the roll.
29.) Invisibility - a hero can't move through monsters, he can't attack, but all other actions are optional. Although it gives a wider variety of actions then Disappear, it's only protecting a hero for one turn... he won't go very far, unless coupled with Swift Wind. I'll allow the hero to perform trap searches while Invisible in the room with a monster, but essentially this doesn't help much, except maybe prevent a spell from being cast on you.
30.) Twist Wood - I've never seen the elf choose this spell. The heroes don't quite know what monsters they'll be facing in each quest, so they won't know when to choose it. There aren't even that many enemies to use this on: Occasionally there'll be an orc or goblin with a crossbow; very rarely do the Elven Archers appear... I guess it'll work on an Ice Gremlin. However, it could probably come in handy in Dark Company.