Larian Studios Forums Baldur's Gate III Baldur's Gate III - Suggestions & Feedback D&D 5e - In Depth Look At Classes

I will say this. Playing Solasta just now, and some of the spell limitations are too much, in my opinion. As much as I like the fact that they are more true to 5e, the "No Free Spell Hand" rule they have implemented drives me a bit crazy. I definitely like that I don't have to worry about freeing up a hand in BG3.

As far as the Level 1 or higher Spell + Bonus Action Spell vs. Cantrip + Bonus Action Spell, I'm still on the fence. If it was just single player and Larian made sure enemies didn't abuse this, I'd maybe not worry about it so much. However, this is multiplayer also, and the way Larian has done encounters so far, with duergar shoving characters into lava and phase spiders teleporting around and spitting at people all in the same turn, I have serious doubts that they'll make sure that a wizard or Light Cleric won't hurl a Fireball and do something like buff their AC or Misty Step (or later Far Step) away from you so you can't even touch them.

What I mean is, imagine you're playing multiplayer with 3 other people. One guy is a wizard, level 5. You're a barbarian. Then there's a Light Cleric and rogue. You trigger battle against Nere, Thrinn and the duergar. Wizard wins initiative. When battle started, Thrinn, Mind Master Whatever, and Nere are all in a line. Wizard couldn't normally get into position to cast Lightning Bolt on them because to do that would cost a Dash Action. However, player Misty Steps using bonus action so that she is able to move 30 and line up perfectly to cast Lightning Bolt. 8d6 damage off of Thrinn, Nere and Mind Master whoever. Cleric wins next initiative. Casts Shield of Faith and Fireball, catching Thrinn and Nere in the blast. Another 8d6 damage off of both. Cleric then runs up next to Nere. If he even tries to escape, the cleric gets opportunity attack. Rogue goes next, fires Sneak Attack against Nere because cleric is right next to him. Hits. Nere dies. Main boss enemy taken out by two powerful spellcasters and a rogue. Poor you, the barbarian. You're just left with cleanup duty.

Flip the script. Nere goes first. Teleports to high ground and hurls Fireball down on you and your companions. Morghal, the Duergar Cleric, casts Silence on your group and then casts Shield of Faith on herself. Runs up to your wizard so if your wizard tries to flee, she'll get opportunity attack. You, the barbarian, tries to attack Morghal, but misses because she got to not only cast Silence, she also cast Shield of Faith, so she has higher AC. Rogue tries to hit Nere, but can't because he's on high ground with +2 AC, and even if he did, he wouldn't get Sneak Attack.

Do you see how it can be, and is, all about initiative in BG3 when it comes to spellcasters? If you win initiative, you can easily teleport to an advantageous position AND dish out a high powered spell.

Now, same scenarios. Wizard is limited. Can EITHER cast Lightning Bolt OR Misty Step. Not both. Well, she could Misty Step and move into position, but she wouldn't be able to Lightning Bolt right away. So, fat lot of good that would do to Misty Step into position for a Lightning Bolt when all your enemies will likely move before your next turn. Cleric can EITHER cast Fireball or Shield of Faith. If Fireball, they won't gain the +2 AC bonus for Shield of Faith, thus easier for enemies to hit. If Shield of Faith, no high powered damage spell against the enemies, but better chance of defending against enemy attacks.

Nere's turn. He can EITHER Misty Step away from you to escape OR he can Fireball you but be at a much closer range. So, if he Fireballs, you, the barbarian, will be more likely to get into range to deal some hefty damage off the baby AC mage. If he Misty Steps, no Fireball, giving you and your party at least a round to stop him; cast Silence, get to him, scatter so you're not all within a Fireball radius... something to avoid everyone in your party being blasted by Fireball.