The spell is a damage over time fire spell. I think it is quite unique, in that fire now does not have any moves to apply constant pressure.
Rather then constantly having to spam fire elves in pvp, to be clearing shields or being able to use this in PVE and then be able to deal with the boss while the spell does its job.
Since its damage value is quite small. It is not a damage spell but a utility spell. Since the 8 pip cost prevents it from being spammed.
It is also a good source of pressure to classes that now can have 10K+ health and can just heal large portions at a time, but cant deal with continues damage.
It also single handed ends most stalling strategies. Which is needed in the games meta now