simple question which I have not had the chance to test myself:
if I cast an offensive spell with AoE into a large group of enemies and friendlies (summons, bystanders, guards, etc) will my spell hit everyone (including me) or just the enemies? I have been hesitant to create and use AoE spells because I don't want to hurt myself or my summons or to accidentally anger the guards that may be helping me. There is also the age old problem of a close quarters fireball!

I have crowded roads mod which adds lots of travelers to the roads so there are always people around to help me out (when I am near a roadway) and I don't want to accidentally kill them for helping me.

AoE affects everyone around you within the specified radius, except yourself. So if you have friends nearby, don′t use that spell

I haven't tested exactly that recently, so I'm hoping someone else can chime in to back me up (or correct me):

Your area off affect spells will affect both friend and foe; however, they will not affect you even if you are in the blast.

Edit: Oops, ninja'd and confirmed by mirocu. :goodjob:

ok, thanks. I guess I can sacrifice my summon if im alone in a dungeon (just summon it again), out in the world though, I will just let the chaos of the traveler hoard take care of most of the fighting! lol! I do like that I am not affected by my own spell radius!

cramped underground tunnel with a hoard of goblins comming?

Bouncing Betty Fire Ball comming online B.A.!

The only time I've seen my own AoE spell hit me (lightning) is when one of the targeted crowd is right behind me and I'm in way of my spell hitting them.

It hits everything in it's path.