Unleashing the Elements: A Comprehensive Guide to Baldur's Gate 3's Surfaces & Their Game-Changing Effects

Larian Studios draws on their extensive experience in the DnD-style RPG genre for Baldur's Gate 3. This stems from their success in creating the acclaimed Divinity Original Sin and its sequel. Divinity's standout feature, Elemental Surfaces, greatly influenced combat outcomes due to their usefulness.

While not as predominant in Baldur's Gate 3, Elemental Surfaces still play a significant role. Players have the ability to apply certain Surfaces, such as Fire and Poison, to their weapons, enhancing their attacks. It remains crucial for players to grasp the properties of each Surface type in BG3. This understanding avoids adverse effects, such as being stunned by an Electrocuted Water surface or mistakenly casting a Fire spell onto a Smokepowder surface.

All Elemental Surface Types in BG3

Blood Surface

Fire can be extinguished by Blood surfaces and can be transformed into Ice surfaces by freezing them. Blood surfaces are usually formed in the vicinity of deceased creatures that had blood. However, it is worth noting that defeating an Elemental will not result in the creation of a Blood surface.

Fire Surface

Stepping on a Fire surface inflicts 1d4 damage and ignites the creature, causing the Burning status effect. This effect persists, dealing 1d4 Fire damage per turn for a few rounds. Additionally, coating a weapon in Fire grants it the ability to deal an extra 1d4 Fire damage for three turns.

Water Surface

Water surfaces, like Blood surfaces, have the ability to freeze, transforming into Ice surfaces, and quench nearby fires. In addition to that, Water surfaces can also be electrified, converting them into Electrified Water.

Electrified Surface

Upon contact with an Electrified surface, a creature shall suffer electrocution and sustain 1d4 Lightning damage. This effect resembles that of stepping on a Fire surface, although players are prohibited from immersing their weapons into Electrified surfaces.

Electrified Water Surface

The Electrified Water surface forms when a Water surface is exposed to Lightning effects. Stepping onto this surface inflicts 1d4 Lightning damage and induces the Shocked condition for the creature. If a character becomes Wet while in the Shocked state, they will be Stunned, as well as if they experience Shock two times.

Ice Surface

Ice surfaces form when a region, often bodies of water, freezes over. Walking on ice reduces a creature's movement distance by half and requires them to make a Dexterity saving throw to avoid slipping and falling prone – a mishap that occurs more frequently than anticipated.

Caustic Brine Surface

A Caustic Bulb, abundant in the initial Mind Flayer ship area and its wreckage, is instrumental in producing Caustic Brine. Stepping foot on this perilous substance inflicts 1d4 Acid damage per round on creatures, rendering numerous resistances ineffective.

Poison Surface

When a creature traverses a surface contaminated with Poison, it is required to make a Constitution saving throw. Failing this throw results in the creature becoming Poisoned and suffering from Disadvantage on both Ability Checks and Attack Rolls. In the case of a weapon being immersed in a Poisoned surface, it inflicts an extra 1d4 Poison damage for a duration of three turns.

Mud Surface

Mud surfaces are commonly found in the wilderness, but not very often. These surfaces halve creatures' movement distance when walking through.

Acid Surface

When exposed to acid surfaces, whether caused by certain abilities, items, or the presence of acid-dwelling creatures, individuals incur a penalty of -2 to their Armor Class. This penalty is universally applicable and does not allow for any saving throws.

Steam Cloud Surface

When Fire is applied to Water, it generates a Steam Cloud on the surface. This phenomenon can be observed in several locations in the world. Any creature that enters the Steam Cloud becomes Wet, which not only hinders their ability to burn but also provides them with increased resilience against all types of Fire Damage. However, this state of being also renders them more susceptible to Cold and Lightning attacks.

Smokepowder Surface

Upon throwing a Smokepowder Barrel onto the ground, it unleashes a burst of explosive force, enveloping a limited vicinity in a Smokepowder surface. Alas, when traversed by a creature, the Smokepowder remains inert. However, when the surface is met with Fire damage, its dormant potential ignites, causing a remarkable eruption that inflicts 2d6 Fire damage as well as 2d6 Force damage upon all within its reach. Additionally, the detonation forcefully propels affected beings in reverse and promptly transforms the vicinity into a blazing Fire surface.

Baldur's Gate 3 releases August 3, 2023 on PC and September 6, 2023 for PlayStation 5