With proper use of metamagic, every spell is potentially like five different spells. Poindexter over here might have two dozen different named spells written down in his diary, but I know two fire based spells and I can make each of them do about eight different things, half of which aren't even fire damage.
It's the difference between writing down a recipe, and knowing how to cook.
Gentlemen, you know what must be done. We ride at dawn.