What's so great about...

[tinkthank]

1. Blade Wind? I had a Lord of Hell with level 9 evocation researched, armed to the teeth ... cast blade wind at his enemies (mostly Jotun troops, Arco troops, Devils and Vampires and other undead). He could have been casting Holy Pyre, or that lvl9 fire spell which costs 1 gem but does a lot of short-range damage, or or or... He ended up doing almost no damage until his enemies starting beating on his head, at which point he finally whipped out his atheme and starting cutting them to pieces. But every now and then, he would cast Blade Wind in between.
I have noticed that the tactical engine loves Blade Wind, and I have the feeling it loves it for the same reason it likes Fire Flies over Fire Darts, etc. --- it seems it likes "More (possible) Targets" more than "More Damage". But I think this may leave room for improvement.

2. Ice Devils? Sure, with a lifedrain weapon they are decent warriors, as just about anything is with a lifedrain weapon -- but at least one of them has no hands, and I am not sure about the others. But everyone swears by them, why?