They really need to tweak spell damage. It's really putting me off that Glintstone Pebble is so much more efficient than everything else, and isn't even all that far behind heavier, more costly spells in damage-per-cast.

I think there's a posture component. I think I've seen phalanx break enemies.

if he's dead you get a bell-bearing for the Fingers in the hub; they will sell all of his spells.

How do you get his bell??

kill em

Jajajajajaja si hermano!

spells like this are useful for the first example you described. not every tool available to the player has to be hyper effective for every situation. a spell like this isn't great for staggering bosses, but it can be good as a easy way to deal damage during a combo you can't retaliate against normally. and even still the main use of spells like this is against aller enemies and even players who'd otherwise benefit from being super aggressive, instead keeping them on the defensive. use the right spell for the right situation.

I also think the decision to have it do greater stance damage despite lesser base damage than in previous games is a good one.