Because of Baldur’s Gate 3, even Dungeons & Dragons is changing. The creators realized that some spells are really trash.
It is well known that Baldur’s Gate 3 was a huge hit and that many people are excited not only about the game itself but also about the underlying rule system. However, Baldur’s Gate 3 was so big that the “Dungeons & Dragons” rule system is now being changed. This is because the creators have noticed that some spells in Baldur’s Gate 3 are so annoying that they should not be like that in Dungeons & Dragons anymore.
What was said? The current lead designer of Dungeons & Dragons, Jeremy Crawford, talked on the game’s YouTube channel about how Baldur’s Gate 3 has influenced some spells. While playing the RPG, he noticed that some spells are not only cumbersome but also have extremely low utility for their costs.
In most cases, Baldur’s Gate 3 remained true to the guidelines of D&D, so these “annoying” spells are also present in the video game. Crawford found it so irritating that in the latest update version of the “Player’s Handbook”, many spells were revised and adjusted.
Which spells are affected? Several, but some of the most obvious annoyances were discussed in more detail.
- Produce Flame: The spell conjures a flame that can then be hurled at an enemy in the next turn or alternatively serves as a light source for a duration. Having to use an entire turn to use this spell—without being able to throw it directly—makes it particularly cumbersome and in most cases just plain bad. There are spells that can do both better, so this is being revised.
- Cloud of Daggers: The spell conjures a cloud of daggers that deals 4d4 damage to anything that enters the target area every round. In Baldur’s Gate 3, you could primarily use this spell when you wanted to block narrow passages—like doors. In the future, it will be possible in Dungeons & Dragons to move this spell afterward, just like many other area spells.
Additionally, the Player’s Handbook 2024 will also have some completely new spells—but these are not inspired by Baldur’s Gate 3.
Maybe Baldur’s Gate 3 will continue to stay true to the template and eventually release a patch that implements these changes into the video game—so that some of the most annoying spells become more useful. The combat system often leads to discussions, as it requires quite a bit of overcoming for players.
What do you think about it? Is it cool that Baldur’s Gate 3 also influences the original Dungeons & Dragons? Or were the corresponding spells actually good enough and the rules appropriate?
