Can someone explain to me the Ice Storm spell?

It's not a area of effect (AoE) spell where you cast it on a spot right? It's described as a freezing whirlwind that does 40 points of frost damage per second to Health and Stamina.

A freezing whirlwind, so it's like a Fire Ball type of spell where you shoot it and it travels in a line to where you targeted right? or no?

What I'm really confused about though is why does it say "damage per second" and how does that come into play?

I wanna use it right and so I'm getting the full DPS out of each cast so please answer if you know.

Is it possibly like the Ice Wraith's spell that they cast it, it hits the ground in a icy mass of shards, and when you near that mass you take damage? That would explain where the damage per second part comes in.

Anyone? I know I'm not the only mage out there...

Okay I see now when you cast it that it travels a straight line, the cloud of frost I imagine does the damage but it leaves a trail of white snow? If they are standing in that line do they continue to take damage? or only if they are near the cloud?

Seems like it would be a good enough spell if you got them funneled into a corridor, like a dungeon/cave for example. Especially if you got more than one guy just cast it and it goes right through them all.

Just wondering if they take damage when standing in that line or if it's a direct hit does it stop the cloud? Any tidbits of info would be welcome. I'm just trying to learn how it works fully.

I don't like that spell...i use it when fighting fire dragons as my fireball does little damage against them but that cloud is soo slow, most times the dragon is already flying by the time it arrives so i have to stand side-by-side to the dragon and that's...risky.

I've found it's best used in larger battles. I originally thought it was a weak spell, until I took out 10 Imperials with a single cast. Try and get enemies into a line and it will work wonders.

Yeah it's my indoor spell now. Great in dungeons and caves or really any indoor tight corridor that you can funnel the enemy in one area. I set a Fire Rune Trap down and then alert the enemies, they come up and spring the trap as I'm casting Ice Storm and the combined Fire damage and Ice Storm damage kills all of them instantly. Beast Mode.

and I think they do take damage if they continue to stand in the line of ice left on the ground... Not for sure though.