Si you're argument is that surfaces should/will increase the power of spells ?
I'm sorry but there are PLENTY of spells in D&D that don't involve fire/poison/ice/electricity. What about them ?
Surfaces are cool but they definitely shouldn't be what balance the game.
They should add cool possibilities and/or tactical choices but they shouldn't define what is poweefull and what is not.
And that's why this game is 1 year plus off release. Yes, you can bet, surfaces will be HUGE and skew balance towards magic a lot. But don't assume that's all to it - you can already see Larian experimenting with other spells too, for example go compare 5e Sleep and BG3 Sleep - the spell is changed to take higher HP tables for goblins into account there too.
Same goes for sneakier things like that Magic Missile ring that turns it into a pretty beast spell for its level.
It's all iterative process. They will make adjustments where it's really necessary both ways, but one thing is certain - magic won't be weak in Larian game.
Sorry but I edited my last message while you where writing.
About surfaces and powerfull spells...
what is more powerfull ? (Fire bold)
- 40% chance to OS a goblin and 60% to do 1-6 damage (D&D rules)
- or 0% chance to OS a goblin, but 1D6 damage + burning + surfaces damage ? (Larian).
Sleep and control spells just suck in BG3...
Let the creatures have the D&D abilities and everything is solved. Let the spells have the D&D damages and everything is balanced.
And just let players create and play with surfaces if they want to choose that tactical options. Surfaces doesn't mean edit every D&D spells and their damages.
Surfaces are just areas on the ground that could create great tactical options.
