Let's take the -2 to AC from the acid surface, doesn't seem like a big deal, right? Well keep in mind that an Ancient Red Dragon in 5E has an AC of 22. This is because of a design doctrine often referred to as "bounded accuracy" which boils down to "your to-hit and AC won't increase much as you level up," or "bonuses to AC and to-hit should be rare." But now you have a cantrip which leaves behind a surface that reduces one of the toughest monsters in the game's AC by 10%. And you're learning it at level 1.
Now I need to have a party with multiple people who can cast Acid Splash to test if the Acid Pools stack. Let me figure out combat log work and go test. If it does stack, best party is 4 people who can cast cantrips.
