Area of Effect (AoE) skills affect a given area of the playfield, and not any one specific enemy; any enemy inside of the area will be affected by the skill. The affected area does not move over time, so aware players can move elsewhere to avoid the negative effects caused by the skill. In PvE play, henchmen and creatures now flee from AoE skills due to an update on November 10th 2005. In PvP play, use such skills to clear a tactically important area of opponents so your team can take and exploit such a breach in the opposing team's defense.
Most AoEs require a target; however, some will take effect around the caster. This are called PBAoEs—point-blank area of effect.
See also: Range