Two spell mechanics in Baldur's Gate 3 are so "painful" to use that they changed the DNA of Dungeons and Dragons forever.
Baldur's Gate 3 – Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Gameplay Mechanics (Learn Now)
BG3 is based on the 5th edition rules for Dungeons & Dragons, and while those rules haven’t really presented a problem for tabletop players yet, there were a few limitations with a few spells in particular, most notably Cloud of Daggers and Produce Flame. These pressure points were so great, Dungeons & Dragons lead designer Jeremy Crawford has admitted, that they’re actually being revised for the 2024 Players Handbook.
In the Handbook video, Crawford mentioned that the D&D team has long been brainstorming ways to improve 5th edition to make it “more fun” and provide a smoother play experience. But it wasn’t until he played BG3 and saw these spells in action that his changes really clicked. These changes will make them more versatile and easier to use, ensuring that casting them is no longer “painful.”
These changes will come as a welcome relief to many players, who have also noted how painful these spells are, but their utility is too good not to use. As one player noted, this is because using spells like Cloud of Daggers is "disturbingly satisfying", as it can make challenging fights easier if you know how to spice them up with the spell.
