Wizard Spells and Schools (D&D Essentials)

[Shatteredtower]

It's like they hate evocation sometimes... Among at-will spells, arcing lightning is the only one to match magic missile for range, but if you don't have two targets, you should probably stick with the spell that can't miss, rather than the extra little bit of damage you might do if you hit. As for freezing burst, at least it has a chance to hit three or more targets sometimes, but that can include your allies.

Compare that to the enchanter's beguiling strands, a fair sized blast that only targets enemies. Its damage is small, but it's the best minion clearer for its level and its pushes everything else. Hypnotism is not as good, but the choice of two results against a slightly more distant target has its uses, especially against brutes or opponents on ledges. Note that enchanters increase the distance either of these spells can move someone.

The illusions are both single target, but they can do more damage than evocations and have additional effects. Phantasmal assault is a rogue ally's best friend.

[Mando Knight]

You'll rarely need that much distance anyway. Range 10 is enough for almost any fight...

[Kurald Galain]

Evocation isn't very good: just look at what Fireball and Delayed Blast Fireball do compared to other dailies of that level.

Also, a problem is that many older spells have the keyword "charm" or "illusion" for unrelated reasons, which means that they qualify for the specialist bonus - yet no older spells have the "evocation" keyword.

On the other hand, blaster wizards are pretty good, and tend to upstage the sorcerer at his own game. It just so happens that being an evocation specialist doesn't really help for this.

[Shatteredtower]

You'll rarely need that much distance anyway. Range 10 is enough for almost any fight...

Also true, though there have been times artillery has been able to hold that sort of distance. Still, those are rare enough you can opt for the Sleep spell as an opener.