Lightning orb and other non-thunder orbs don't simply lose 1d8 damage. They gain a small AoE that auto-hits(?) everyone one "square" around the center for 1d4 (?) damage. They also gain a surface that auto-hits (?) everyone in that AoE for another 1d4 (?) damage on their turn. Finally they gain a status effect.
The single-target damage remains identical, while gaining a small AoE damage and status effect (debuff?). Lightning orb causes targets in the AoE(s) to be electrocuted, which can mean they lose an action on their turn perhaps? Poison orb causes the poisoned status effect that according to the BG3 wiki causes disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks. Assuming this is correct, the spell is now as much a debuff/control as it is a damage spell for these are potentially some very strong effects! Add to this; despite the AoE compartment, Chromatic Orb is considered single-target - which makes a sorcerer able to twin it and inflict 2 mini-AoEs. This is in breach of D&D rules that excludes AoE from twin metamagic.
All in all an interesting change I think. Perhaps even good...if balance isn't much of a concern, which it clearly isn't for Larian and the many uncritical fans who just want the lols. Given homebrew implementations such as the Sapphire Spark magic item that strongly buffs Magic Missile (making it a much better alternative for pure damage) and permissive rest mechanics, balancing issues quickly become kind of moot. Martial classes, in particular melee, have been buffed in several ways already including bonus action shove, throw, dip, weapon special attacks, jump, etc). At least surface effects on actual spells, makes the DOS2 shenanigans less consistently in your face than they were with the ever-present cantrips.
Last edited by Seraphael; 16/10/21 12:36 PM.
