The line between an exploit and a mechanics can be thin. I'd say that barrels in BG3 are more cumbersome to use (due to the carry weight) and therefore more limited than spamming deadly earth with a kineticist in PK and WotR. Yet the latter is a legitimate class mechanics. The amusing part is that a level 13 kineticist mercenary would cost my character slightly more than the most expensive weapon in the local market, yet is far more powerful. And it's not like money is a limiting factor in WotR.
