Larian Studios’ latest patch for Baldur’s Gate 3 has introduced a new spell that promises to revolutionize melee combat, and it’s not what you’d expect. Meet Booming Blade, a cantrip that deals Thunder damage to enemies when they move, making it an attractive option for Fighter players.
Booming Blade is a level-1 cantrip that slaps a debuff on enemies, causing them to take 1d8 Thunder damage when they move. However, its true power lies in its compatibility with the Extra Attack feature of any melee class. This means Fighters can use Booming Blade as an alternative to Paladin smites, without burning spell slots.
With Booming Blade, Fighters can deal extra Thunder damage on their initial attack and follow up with additional hits from their Improved Extra Attack feature. The spell’s versatility is further enhanced by its ability to be paired with Action Surge, allowing players to deal even more damage in a single turn. In ideal circumstances, this means nine attacks – three of which receive a significant damage boost.
While Booming Blade seems poised to give Fighters an edge over Paladins, it appears Eldritch Knight subclasses won’t benefit from the spell as initially thought. A patch 8 stress test revealed that casting Booming Blade doesn’t activate the War Magic feature, which could have added another attack to the Fighter’s damage output.
For those looking to make the most of this powerful spell, choosing a different subclass may be the way forward. The Champion and Battle Master subclasses offer alternative options for Fighters who want to pair Booming Blade with their abilities. Alternatively, adding a level in a spellcaster class and taking on a Hexblade dip can also unlock the full potential of this game-changing spell.
Source: https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/baldurs-gate-3-patch-8-added-a-busted-new-spell-that-gives-fighters-better-smites-than-paladins-and-its-only-a-cantrip