Back in the Neverwinter Nights days, there were few people more revered than clerics administering buffs before a party plunged into a crypt full of bodaks and liches. Because without Protection from Evil and Death Ward, everyone would be wiped out in minutes. It made the cleric feel awesome, and it made the party feel awesome, and no cleric would waste a slot on damage spells in that situation.

I don't get that feeling in BG3. Shadowheart can throw a healing spell and beside that she's almost useless. Her attacks always miss, and her buffs aren't necessary. Maybe it's a low level issue, given what's available, but I guess one way to make buffs attractive is to simply make them necessary for survival. I've never played 5e and I understand that some things have changed, but as I recall from older versions of D&D, without buffs and countermeasures, you were dead. It gave the game this aspect of having to know your enemy and plan ahead. Not just knowing their weakness, but knowing yours, against their special powers.

Last edited by Gimbal; 14/02/21 08:41 PM.