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Hi, I've started playing Warmachine with a local group and they say that everyone under the template of an AOE spell takes the full power of the spell.  Now, other AOE attacks only cause full power to the target that takes the direct hit and 1/2 power to everyone else, and I can't find anything that supports what these guys say about spells.  So, are they right?

Thanks.

Certain spells do cause full damage to all models under the template, but they have it spelled out in the spell discription. Spells like Breath of corruption is an example.

Prime Remix p. 48

Anything with an AOE is an AOE attack.

Then read the damage directions.

"Every other model with any part of its base covered by the AOE template is automatically hit by the attack and suffers a blast damage roll of 2d6+1/2 POW."

This is for all AOE attacks. A spell with an AOE is therefore an AOE attack.

As DarkTemplars stated, spells that allow for full effects to all models are exceptions to the
blast damage rule, and so will have explicit wording.

For instance, Breath of Corruption (Asphyxious's spell) states: "Models in the AOE suffer a POW 12 damage roll."

That rule takes precedence over blast damage.

Thanks.  That was what I'd thought, but these two guys were initially quite insistent.  Then after some discussion, they started questioning how they'd been playing things.  Then I said I'd post it to the internet and get responses.

Malfred's nailed it.