Play slows down a lot if you roll individually for all targets within an AoE (as opposed to a spell that specifically targets multiple individuals).

But but, this one AOE attack on page 270 says I have to make an individual roll for each hit.

One of the few that I've seen is on page 388 (Farstrike) but you're making weapon attacks. There may be a few others out there that overrule the specific.

If you roll 1 Attack / 1 Damage, you do the 1/2 damage on a miss (other than minions) and if you roll multiple Attacks / multiple Damages, there's no 1/2 damage on a miss.

John

I would consider whirlwind an AoE attack. If my main character survives to tier 3, he will be performing a whirlwind with 10' radius from a 10' center, 28 squares in range. So there is a consideration for alternative for the melee attack.

John is correct here.. that spell is an acceptation to the rule, which is why it's called out in that specific spell

Just in case it ever matters, if you play at my table, you'll need to roll each hit and damage separately with Whirlwind. Bring lots of dice

John