Some combat spells are never used?

[Ironhawk]

I dont have a script but I have seen Flame Eruption scripted against me. My enemy put some fire mages at the front of his army and placed them just right so that they blew away my whole front line just as they were about to slaughter them. That'll teach me to use the same formation twice!

Also, I have occassionally scripted close range spells during siege defenses. Its one of the only times you know with some degree of assurance that you can put a mage on the front line and he wont be killed immediately. The only problem is that there is a decent chance he will hit your own troops guarding the gate. Orb Lightning works like a charm in that situation tho!