Larian Studios Forums Baldur's Gate III Baldur's Gate III - Suggestions & Feedback Dancing light

Hello,

Mostly sure this has already been said somewhere in the last monthes but I don't remember... I'm also not 100% sure that this hasn't been fixed yet but I don't think so. Correct me if I'm wrong.


The spell "Dancing light" is mostly useless in BG3, especially because we cannot move the lights during the next turns.
I used it a few times at the beginning of the EA but ennemies are moving while the lights are not. After a turn the lights are often in a position that's not usefull anymore and you have to cast it again, spending another action.

There's mostly not point at casting dancing light as currently implemented because it require a full action too many times to be really usefull. The spell light seems to always be a better choice.

In my opinion we should be able to move the lights at every turn using our bonus action (or we should be able to "recast it" on another position but it would looks less cool than moving lights).

It would be even better if we were able to move the 4 lights independently of each other in exemple to light 4 parts of the area.

It would also be very cool if we were able to create "groups" of lights.
4 lights as a single light = dim light in a 12 meters radius.
3 lights as a single familiar = dim light in a 9m radius.
2 lights = 6m radius
1 light = 3m radius

This would add a lot of possibilities to play with the light / shadow mechanic.
We could choose to create : 2 different spots with 2 lights or 1 with 1 light + 1 with 3 light, 1 big spot with 4 lights or 4 different spots with 1.

I'm not sure it would be possible but I think it could be very interresting. Of course the radius are given as exemple.

Or just make it a Bonus Action as before. Then you can just recast it somewhere else without actually moving it. Seems like something Wizards could do with the snap of their fingers.

I like the OP idea ...
But i dont believe Larian would implement it ... so (at least) fixing recast for Bonus Action would be much appreaciated.

While the idea is good it would be probably better to stick with the original dnd design.

The main reason Dancing Light feels garbage at the moment is because you don't need it: the Underdark is way too bright since patch 8 (not in line with dnd) and the disadvantage from shooting at "obscured" target is more than compensated by the constant advantage you get from simply holding the higher ground (not in line with dnd).

Dancing light isn't broken, the rest is.

Well, you don't get advantage anymore from being on higher ground, just +2 - so you still loose out on your chances to hit.

I totally disagree.
Not being able to move / recast it makes it more broken/useless than anything else to me.

While "light" can move with your characters/ennemies... "dancing light" is completely static and useless as soon as the ennemies have moved.

See Wormerine's answer for details about highground.

Dancing Lights spell has its uses as of now - I cast it on a rare occasion when my companion without darkvision needs a disadvantage removal, also I use it with human ranger together with of-hand crossbow shots. It has its uses, it is just not for every situation. Being a bonus action is a bit too strong and universal (I had it on anyone without darkvision back then), but I guess casting it with an action and moving/recasting it with a bonus action can be interesting. I like it.

It's great for illuminating screen shots.

Back in the day....when the UnderDark was dark, I much preferred casting light on my weapon.


It needs love.

This is only tangentially related to the topic, but it seems like the right place to post:

Dear Larian,
There should be no such spell or action which is completely useless in Baldur's Gate 3. It makes the content feel like flourish or throwaway garbage. If it's not useful in combat, make it useful in dialogue. If it's not useful in dialogue, make it useful in stealth. If it's not useful in stealth, make it useful in traversal. If it's not useful in traversal, make it useful in bartering. If it's not useful in bartering, make it useful to interact with the environment. If it's not useful in interacting with the environment... Well, the idea has been hammered home.

Puting aside that usefullness is relative ...
As far as i know there is no such spell. O_o

If we would say that any spell that have better alternative is useless ... then we would rule out all damaging Cantrips. :-/