Lower LCS to level 7

[papilio]

Because it doesn't worth to put tremendous xp to use single-target short-ranged projectile spell

[Majang]

That would get it too similar to Iron Shot, and in the end one of them would have to be removed. But LCS is significantly stronger, and definitely worth the extra effort as a one-shot killer for even really nasty stuff. It is a high-end spell, and it should show in its cost.

[papilio]

But LCS is significantly stronger, and definitely worth the extra effort as a one-shot killer for even really nasty stuff. It is a high-end spell, and it should show in its cost.

I don't think so. Glaciate/Fire Storm is much more effective in terms of MP to kill single target, especially in situations where enemies' EV is high.
FIre Storm is much better than LCS to knock out orbs of fire.

[Majang]

...especially in situations where enemies' EV is high. Fire Storm is much better than LCS to knock out orbs of fire.

Granted, at low power LCS has issues with hitting some targets. That becomes different when you get your spell power up. I don't mess around with Firestorms to attack orbs, except if they show up in groups.
To bring the spell power up, one needs to invest heavily into earth magic, but even if you don't want to, LCS at low power is an effective weapon against low EV monsters, such as giants and various dragons. Since you are likely to have conjurations anyway, this will get you to use the spell in the late game without much investment into earth.

[NhorianScum]

LCS's at 8 is reasonable enough considering it needs near max spellpower to outpreform Iron Shot in a 15 rune game and should probably never be learned in a 3 rune.

[tabstorm]

How about making LCS have bolt targetting/penetration instead, to differentiate from iron shot? In practice it just gets used as a coverage spell, where it competes with iron shot and OOD.

[Majang]

Instead of turning it into a bolt, one might also consider making it unmissable, like a high-powered magic dart, reducing its damage to compensate for that. That would probably justify its level 8 status.

[njvack]

How about making LCS have bolt targetting/penetration instead, to differentiate from iron shot? In practice it just gets used as a coverage spell, where it competes with iron shot and OOD.

It's a crystal spear, it should at least have reaching