All of that fiery stuff is actually defensive. Those are flares that are launched en masse to divert incoming heat seaking missiles. There's usually a bunch of antiradar chaff getting launched too but it isn't very visible. So it would be providing a bonus to Armor Class. The effect is sometimes called the "angel flare" because from head on all the fire and smoke patterns resemble angel wings (this mage is zoomed in to much to show the full pattern).
All of that fiery stuff is actually defensive. Those are flares that are launched en masse to divert incoming heat seaking missiles. There's usually a bunch of antiradar chaff getting launched too but it isn't very visible. So it would be providing a bonus to Armor Class. The effect is sometimes called the "angel flare" because from head on all the fire and smoke patterns resemble angel wings (this mage is zoomed in to much to show the full pattern).
That could probably be a sick way to flavour some protection spell. Casting shield by shooting out an array of flares would look awesome.
In a sense, that’s almost what Mirror Image is with visual targeting.