modify area-of-effect logic for epic spells

apparently, hostile epic spells having an area of effect centered on the caster will affect the caster too. this suggestion is to change the 'area of effect' modifier so that epic spells with an area-of-effect centered on the caster, but no 'hostile-only' modifier, will still affect all creatures around the caster indiscriminately, including friends, associates, and henchmen, but not the caster.

w/one specific exception [i.e., the 'cloud'-based conjuration spells], this approach is entirely consistent w/pre-epic spells which have an area-of-effect, such as earthquake, fire storm, horrid wilting, etc.

To clarify, I do not beleive, off the top of my head, there are any hostile seeds that are restricted to being centered on the caster, so they can all be cast at range to avoid hitting the caster, without needing the hostile-only limitation.

yes, i got that. i'm imagining a situation where the adventurer[s] is/are surrounded by enemies. casting an epic spell w/a big a-o-e in this case would be not only less effective, it would be more difficult to target accurately. ideally, it would function like one of the pre-epic spells, where the caster could cast centered on self and the surrounding enemies would be affected, but not the caster.

I think maybe that - "Centered on caster, caster excluded" - should be added as an option during spell research, only available once an AoE is chosen, which reduces the research and casting DC.

Also, perhaps an additional option could be added to the target limitations, "Caster excluded", which could be used without needing the spell to be centered on caster... and would increase the research/casting DC by 5 or something.

Yes, it would be good to have options like this!

I approve of this option. I recently made a custom version of Disintegration Wave and I am slightly concerned that I might one day disintegrate myself along with my enemies....

As a side note, seeing what looks like a Mass Greater Ruin fire off is extremely pleasant, though a bit more flair when the effect actually insta-kills a target other than the standard blood splatter would be nice