Really? You're worried about a 5th level spell (from a 9th+ level caster) that hits from ~100 feet away for 5 damage 5 times? You're worried about a 5th level spell that deals 25 points of damage?
....
I guess you're free to worry about whatever you want to. But my four-ogre attack squad can get into face-smash range before you kill more than 1 of them with multiple 5th level spells. So, I think you're worrying about the wrong stuff.
You're probably right, I am a 3e noob, lol.