One of the biggest problems with Divinity-like elemental surface effects is the lack of protection against them. In D:OS, having physical/magical armor negated the damage and effects. In Baldur's Gate 3, and in D&D in general, there's no such automatic protection. This makes the abundance of elemental/surface effects extremely frustrating. Shoot a Ray of Frost in a minor fight? Your melee fighters slip and fall down. And gods help if you end up in electrified water or steam cloud.
I don't want all of the surface effects gone, just heavily toned down. If I shoot a fireball, I can accept that the ground will be burning for some time. And if I throw a bottle of oil to make a puddle, I want it to ignite when targeted with Fire Bolt. But having Fire Bolt set everything on fire is just wrong, and way too powerful for a cantrip.
