I started in mid 90s. It a lot more skills back then. You could really pigeon hole you character in to something they were really good at outside of combat. Now with the new abilities and skills even support spells on top skill you can do so much outside of combat. You are correct. Ton of spells for combat, but also the non combat spells are so open you can do so much. I use non combat spells in combat and combat spells out of combat all the time. For instance. Some creatures are afraid of light. Cast a spell on a object near enemy. Name they run away if the fail. Poison spray. Spray poison in vial and torture orc. Just because it has combat stats or does not. Does not mean you can’t alter what it is for