Friends is also a powerful combo with the charlatan background. The cantrip makes it easy to talk your way out of combat, whereupon the background grants inspiration points which can be used in later conversations. No-one willing to talk will ever lay a hand on you.
I don’t think Larian mind. For one, BG3 is about discovery. Finding powerful abilities and cool ways to use them is one of this game’s strenghts. For two, re-loading isn’t much fun. We all know how cruel the dice can be. I welcome the help. For three, Friends has been nerfed once in early access. Targeted NPCs will become hostile if you stick around long enough for the spell to end. And there’s inherent risk in using a caster for conversations, as they’ll be on the front line of combat should things go sideways.
