I must agree wholeheartedly!!!! My DM hated that spell when my Dwarven Wizard cast it, as he almost always managed to fail the save, no matter how powerful the opponent was. Nothing like watching a Fire Giant fall to the ground laughing his head off while we run away.
My other favorite combos were Mage Armor, Protection from Evil, Shield, Stoneskin and Fly, plus a permanent Protection from Arrows spell once I was high enough level. Being an Abjurer had it's advantages. Oh yeah, and Enhanced Magic Missiles. True Magic Missiles are common in any game, but Enhancing them after 9th level (I was 14th) made them VERY dangerous.
You're welcome, RogueJK! I like the idea of even a low-level spellcaster cursing someone's hair to fall out, or cursing the crooked merchant's tongue to fork. It's like a mean-spirited Prestidigitation.