Grasping Shadows - Best wizard 1 encounter power?

[Al'Kelhar]

The wizard power grasping shadows from Dragon 364 is a 1st-level encounter attack power, with the following characteristics:

Area: burst 1 within 10 squares
Target: Each creature in burst
Attack: Intelligence vs. Will
Hit: 2d8 + Intelligence modifier psychic damage, and the target is slowed until the end of your next turn.
Effect: Shadows writhe in the designated area and continue until the end of your next turn. Any creature that enters the area of grasping shadows takes psychic damage equal to your Intelligence modifier and is slowed until the end of its next turn.

So the power does more damage than any other 1st-level wizard attack spell, it does it in a 3x3 area, and the area remains damaging for a round (or two, if you want to use your orb power). Damaged creatures are also slowed. And in addition, the damage is psychic, which very few monsters have any resistance to.

Is this the best 1st-level wizard power by far, or am I missing something?

Cheers, Al'Kelhar

 

[Ventifus]

It's only 1d8 (check the final Dragon 364). But yes it's very neat. If you can get your allies to push additional enemies into the area it's even better.

 

[keterys]

It only deals 1d8 damage, not 2d8. You may want to download the full dragon pdf as the 2d8 was an error in the original pdf.

It is, however, tied for best with Icy Terrain based on the grading in this thread.

 

[James McMurray]

Also, the orb will only extend your at-will powers.

 

[kclark]

With the final pdf corrections it is good, but not overpowered.
Note that you cannot use the extra round ability from the orb implement spec.
That only works on At Will powers.