Originally Posted by Cantila
I think it's fine orb adds a surface but at the expense of a whole 1d8 damage is too much IMO. It's rarely or never going to be worth the trade off.
As are all surface additions in BG3, it will be very good for breaking caster's concentration, with the multiple sources of damage direct+surface. This is not a good thing, keeping concentration is already difficult enough using base 5e rules.
Originally Posted by 1varangian
I DON'T want my Lightning Orbs to lose 1d8 damage and create a water surface.
...what
Just...why?

+1 to allow you to target the ground to create a surface OR target an enemy for direct damage only. But not both.