Larian Studios Forums Baldur's Gate III Baldur's Gate III - Suggestions & Feedback Patch 8 shadowblade

Based on the feedback from the previous replies, it seems there are a few simple options:

1. Make it a concentration spell that lasts until long rest. That way it's not so much of a free power up and there's more cost to it, since it can be lost and needed to be cast again, plus not allowing other concentration spells at the same time.

2. Eliminate concentration completely. But make it a 10 turn spell as it works in 5e. That way it stays in line as a combat spell to be used per combat encounter, instead of working for every battle one may encounter in any single in-game day. But at the same time making it not be so easy to lose because of losing concentration on it.

3. Maybe make the spell add a condition that makes one unable to cast concentration spells while Shadowblade is active? Not unlike Lethargic.



Options I disagree with:

1. Taking away its upcast options. It works that way out of the box in 5e. Taking that away feels like it hurts a lot of player liked builds. Sounds like taking away people's fun. Even with the additional damage from the Stone. If the stone makes it too broken, then time limits need to be placed on the spell, in terms of turn limits (or even concentration I suppose, though now we'd be starting to go in circles).

2. Changing its damage type or taking away its dim light advantage effects. Those are all out of the box effects. A lot of people are to used to the spell already working that way

3. Changing it from an 2nd level spell to a minimum 3rd or 4th level spells. For many of the same reasons that were previously stated.


As for argument against concentration for any melee weapon, Shadowblade would not be the only instance of a melee range effect at risk of concentration. Spirit guardians is at the same type of risk due to the concentration and melee range, but can still be made viable through the right steps, as Cachat says. Warcaster Feat, Elixir of Peerless focus, simple high Constitution Stat. There's a few different ways to help maintain concentration for a spell like that. That's part of the fun, figuring out a strategy to make a cool idea work.

I will say though, being able to combine shadow blade with any other concentration Spell does sound very potentially game breaking.


Those are just my thoughts on the subject though. Seems like people feel very differently on it. We'll see what the Larian Team thinks and what their final solution for this ends up being. In the end, it won't be possible to completely please everyone. Just as long as the Spell ends up being as balanced as can be, while still making it a viable option for people to have fun with.