Casters would cast a lot lower level spells back in the day then around Luclin they got level appropriate stuff
http://www.tski.co.jp/baldio/patch/20020605a.html
NPC casters should be a little bit smarter now. They will choose their spells a little more carefully.
http://www.tski.co.jp/baldio/patch/20020612.html
NPCs are now bound by spell casting distance rules, meaning that an NPC's spell will no longer connect from halfway across the zone.
NPCs now have a chance to be interrupted by normal combat when casting newer spells.
NPCs that are much lower level than their target have had their potential casting damage reduced using a similar mechanic to the one that player characters' level differences use.
NPC Wizards no longer have an inherent bonus to their fire and cold based spells.
Most NPCs that had previously had their spellcasting level inflated to make up for poor spell selection have been brought back into line with their actual level.
NPCs no longer automatically get free access to rarely dropped spells, such as Garrison's Superior Sundering and Funeral Pyre of Kelador.
The funeral pyre is what I remember and actually what I used to search it haha. That shit was brutal