Larian Studios' work on Baldur's Gate 3 draws from its deep history with the DnD-style RPG genre – they did create the critically-acclaimed Divinity Original Sin and its sequel, after all. One thing that Divinity was particularly known for was Elemental Surfaces, which were so useful that they often would control the outcome of combat more than abilities.
Baldur's Gate 3: All Elemental Surface Types (& What They Do)
Elemental Surfaces in Baldur's Gate 3 aren't as important as they were in Divinity series, but BG3 players should still learn each Surface's effects.