Do caster out of combat options matter?

[Arkhios]

If out of combat options are not required, your campaign writing sucks.

Agreed, that is a bit harsh, but there's a seed of truth in it.

Spells that can, for example, cut a long journey short should be acknowledged when writing campaigns.

Give the long method to travel as what is normally required to get from A to B, but don't punish players for having and using their alternative methods. Keep in mind that you shouldn't place mandatory encounters along the usual route, if there is a possibility that players can avoid them whether they know of them or not. If you insist that players use one method alone, you might as well show them the rails and give them the locomotive.

(Choo, choo!)