Targeted Magic skill
Targeted Magic (or TM, Target) is defined as channeling offensive (mostly destructive) magical energy toward targets.
TM spells typically have very short preparation times, but usually rely upon actual targeting on the caster's part for accuracy. Utilizing the TARGET command fully will afford a large accuracy bonus, while negating it will turn this into a large penalty. Fine targeting of specific body parts is possible with added difficulty, though not all spells allow this.
Spell tiers have special importance in the TM model. Upper tier spells tend to have narrower mana ranges (higher min prep, lower max prep), much steeper difficulties and greater damage output. The average number of ranks needed across all magic skills to cast a TM spell at minimum mana are around 1 rank for first tier, around 20 for second tier, around 60 for third tier, and around 200 for fourth tier. After the spell has been successfully cast the TM contest works very much like a ranged attack.
Targeted Magic is the primary sphere of influence for Warrior Mage magic. Clerical TM versus Undead, however, is matchless.
Training
TM experience heavily depends on the damage inflicted by the spells, and fine targeting body parts provides no boost. Using spells of tiers appropriate to your skill levels may also be necessary for effective learning. Agility and discipline are the stats that influence TM.
For those targeted spells that do allow fine or pinpoint targeting, as it is sometimes called, practictioners will find that learning may increase or decrease based on the opponent body part targeted, though any fine targeting of a spell that connects with the opponent will teach more targeted than one that connects with the same damage but has not been fine targeted.
Smaller body parts such as the head, neck, and eyes appear to teach more, while larger parts such as the chest, limbs and abdomen teach less.
Tactics
Opponent balance is a key factor in the outcome of a targeted spell. An opponent with compromised balance is significantly easier to hit with a targeted spell, and moreover, they are likely to receive significantly more damage.
Fine targeting of spells can be useful in partially disabling or disarming opponents or, for destabilizing their balance - for instance, an opponent who receives enough damage to a weapon hand or arm can be forced to drop the weapon in hand, while enough damage to a leg can cause the opponent to fall to the ground.