I know, not brought up here at all, but I'm only doing so because it falls into the criteria of being pvp, being online, and having its own exploits. The game? Why, it's called Arcanists (www.funorb.com) ((P.S. Sorry if this is considered advertising, I have a tendency to share games I love))
Now, if you want people to scream 'n00b' and all of its variations at you, then there are three spells you can easily use. Only one of them causes anything considered decent damage, but they all generally have the same effect.
Arcane Flash: 15 damage, melee range. Effect? Damage, clears out a considerable amount of terrain around yourself, and, if aimed correctly, sends the opponent flying, usually into the ocean.
Vine Whip: 15-30 damage, extended melee range. Effect? Damage, clears out a nice tunnel with a bubble at the end for you or allies to use, and if aimed right, sends the target hurtling through the air, usually into the ocean.
Shock Bomb: 35-70 damage, tossable, minor range. Effect? Damage, does nothing to terrain, and sends an opponent flying, usually into the ocean.
There are others that induce flight, but these are the ones that are used the most, and most people complain about. Why? They're easy to use, easy to set up (Shock Bomb especially as its book comes bundled with Flight, which allows the user to do a bomb run, if they so choose), and being sent into the ocean, unlike in Worms, only costs the target a turn as they teleport anywhere back on stage they choose.
Why do people complain? Because they're easy, and they often cost them a turn. I will admit, I often use them as a first turn attack, if only because the turn lost to my opponent is a turn that I can set up my defenses, all of which can be worked around with other spells, or tactics of their own.
Do people think of these tactics all the time? Will they know the limitations and strengths of their spells at every moment? Hardly if at all. I only know what works for me, what makes my fights as fun for others to watch as they are for me to play, and I push to that end.
Cheap players will go for a bundle of easy tactics with high results, of which there are countless.
Stylish players will go for the flashy spells with tactile demands and beautiful resolve.
'Good' players will go for a medium spread that allows them to go anywhere or counter just about anything without having anything really damaging until late into the match.
That's the long and short of it, anyways...
And anybody who complains about a shotgun to the face doesn't understand its purpose...outside of bird hunting
