Ice Tear (spell) Balancing Suggestions

[Volcanicangel]

After playing the game multiple times, with max difficulty and forsaken class, and tinkering with all of the spells, none seem to compare to the immense power that is Ice Tear. Ice Tear dispatches every enemy in no time. This feels quite strange how an ice spell is capable of this (a generally control element), while not even a single fire spell (a generally aggressive element) doesn't even come close.

Ice Tear's large AoE, massive damage, duration, slow application (ice second effect), ability to stun per hit, AND doesn't harm the user in any fashion make it by far the best spell in the game (you can also get it fairly early in the game, but I won't be the one to spoil how). You can argue Flame Flare comes close, due to it having a longer duration and similar damage output; however, it has significantly less AoE, doesn't stun, and harms the user should they get in range of each Flare.

My suggestions to balance the skill would be to DEFINITELY damage the user, as a drawback for its insane damage, as well as to not stun per hit, as it already can slow enemies with its icy nature. Also, being an ice spell, you may want to consider lowering the damage as well. Another angle to cover might be to increase the cast time like Blue Flame Arc (which is both drastically weaker, harms the user, and has a longer cast time).

These are simply my thoughts on this particular spell, due to it standing out significantly more than every other spell for my reasons stated.