.
Why it's buffed:
1) instead of rolling 5d8 (22.5 average), you are always guaranteed the 24 HP (no low rows, no RNG)
2) in BG3 - you KNOW precisely what the HP the enemies has, unlike Tabletop which you don't
3) no friendly fire
1.) 1 HP hardly makes a difference when I can typically either hit 3 goblins, one goblin and a booyagh, or one bugbear either way. The spell typically only affects one enemy or nothing later on in the game anyway when cast at level 1.
2.) Fair enough. I don't disagree that being able to see enemy ability scores and HP is an unnecessary luxury and a sign of the times in cRPG gaming.
3.) Friendly fire isn't an issue if you have an evoker. Why anyone else would know a spell with that radius and effect is beyond me. But you're right, the spell should affect all within, with a few exceptions.
Either way, I don't approve of the game changing rules to spells that are actually quite a bit stronger than the game allows. Sleep is a good spell. It's disappointing to see it so badly nerfed.
