This is a feature I always wished for in FFXI.

Having spells that can be targeted on an area of ground does a few things

1) you have a visual indicator of the area affected
2) the spell effects can be made much more interesting, instead of (effectively) the single target spell effect being applied generically to everything within range)
3) more careful control over AoE, allowing you to hit certain targets but not others if positioned well.
4)adds an element of skill to AoE effect use- timing and positioning become factors.

I would also like it if AoE targeted on self or allies showed an indicator of the area of effect. Virtually real-time RPG online and off has this; FFXI and FFXIV are among the few that don't. Even if enemy targeted AoE isn't made to work like the above, an indicator of the area of effect would still be hugely appriciated. It's very frustrating to have to guess if a monster is or isn't going to be hit by it.

(I'm not sure what dev tags to fit these under. Please help by adding the right tags if you can.)