Hardest hitting single target magic attack

[lolledredbun]

What is the hardest hitting single target magic attack in this game?

[FloodSpectre]

I'm not entirely sure myself, but most people seem to think Shatter (Ice Mage) is the strongest. I myself haven't played many magic-based characters, so I could be wrong.

[Manumitted]

That's hard to answer, because at least three related factors are at work:
1. Max damage at spell level 1
2. Incremental damage from each spell levelup
3. Amount of Skill Points that you can devote to the spell

It's likely that the strongest spell at level 1 isn't the same as the strongest spell at level (reasonable Skill Point investment) isn't the same as the strongest spell at level (dump all your SkP into it).

The inquiry also fails to address important spell subeffects like slowing, damage over time, or stunning. A mob too slow to catch a ranged attacker is no threat. A mob that has sustained a mortal DoT wound only needs to be kept away until it expires. If you're fighting just one opponent and have sufficient Mana Regen, you can slow-roast it with an L1 Thunderbolt, laughing all the while like Emperor Palpatine.

[DeathKnight1728]

I dont know but one that is rarely used but does good damage and has high critical is lightning blast. I know ill be laughed at but it has good damage and with lightning mastery it gets 5% damage and 10% critical. Saves you points on intelligence from that. It has 1.3 speed which is longer. I havent played a mage class often so i dont if when you wear fast cast speed gloves how that affects the damage. If it affects the damage as if it was 1.3, then your good. If it affects it on how fast it is then, then i dont know if its useful.