Trying to use our AoE spells (Fire series, Stonera, and Aerora) can be frustrating... maybe not game breaking, but frustrating.

When the Tank and DDs are engaging multiple targets like skeletons in Dzemael or Imperial forces during their attacks:
1. Mage selects spell
2. Select target
3. Begin casting AoE spell
4. Target dies before spell completes
5. Spell is cancelled
6. Go back to step 1 and repeat several times until maybe you can cast 1 spell

I agree that some sort of change would be nice, although I don't know if switching all AoE spells to ground based targetting is the best answer.

Our old Ancient Magic spells (now removed) were cast on a target, but they were essentially ground based after you began casting -- so if the target moved out of range before the cast was complete (happened often) you wasted the spell.

Caster-centered magic like Holy, Flare and Blizzara are okay, but it means you have to be right in the middle of of the enemies which can be dangerous for mages if the enemies are hitting with AoE attacks. I'm fine with Holy, Flare and Blizzara now, but I wouldn't want all AoE to be caster-centered.

Maybe letting a spell complete even if the target dies is the best answer? It could lead to instances of wasted MP, but it might be better than constantly having spells cancelled because someone else killed your target with an AoE WS first.