source :- posted in UO U.Hall CatHat (UO Character/Environments Artist) mentions his area weapon avoidance policy:


from the thread Re: Hit Area Question


Comment

Okay, so I got a longsword with Hit Fire Area 44%. I was out in this crazy Mongbat spawn area to try it out, wanting a large cluster of creatures before I struck with it. Well, there also happened to be a few NPCs (healers, fighters) near me and they got hit with the blast too! My question is, will this sword hit other PvMers if I were to go out hunting with it? I really like the Fire Area but I don't want to be hitting every living thing within the radius if that's the case.


CatHat : Area flame weapons are tricky - Ideal used in close quarters with a lot of monsters if your in a dungeon solo, and surrounded by attackers and/or heavily out numbered.

I've foolishly used a few weapons like that out in the open in Fel, and unknown to me - near a slightly concealed Mondain's Priest or a Healer.. and when that weapon flames em - lol - You bet they'll suddenly try to off you.

Can't say that i've used one in Trammel near an NPC after that.