"Latest Major Patch Details for Baldur's Gate 3 Revealed"

On January 28, the eagerly awaited closed stress test for Patch 8 of Baldur’s Gate 3 kicked off on both PC and consoles. As the final major update for this critically acclaimed game, Patch 8 introduces a slew of exciting features, including 12 new subclasses, cross-play functionality, and a comprehensive photo mode. Here's a deep dive into how this monumental update elevates one of the most celebrated games of our time.

Table of Contents

• New Subclasses in Baldur’s Gate 3
• Sorcerer: Shadow Magic
• Warlock: Pact Blade
• Cleric: Death Domain
• Wizard: Blade Song
• Druid: Circle of Stars
• Barbarian: Path of the Giant
• Fighter: Mystic Archer
• Monk: Drunken Master
• Rogue: Swashbuckler
• Bard: College of Glamour
• Ranger: Swarmkeeper
• Paladin: Oath of the Crown
• Photo Mode
• Cross-Play
• Gameplay, Combat, and Story Improvements

New Subclasses in Baldur’s Gate 3

Each of the twelve classes in Baldur’s Gate 3 receives a unique subclass, enriched with new spells, dialogues, and striking visual effects, providing players with fresh gameplay dynamics.

Sorcerer: Shadow Magic

Delving into the darkest arts, the Shadow Magic subclass allows sorcerers to summon hellhounds that can immobilize foes. They can also create veils of darkness, visible only to themselves, and at level 11, teleport through shadows, adding a thrilling layer of strategy to encounters.

Warlock: Pact Blade

Warlocks opting for the Pact Blade form a pact with a Shadowfell entity, enabling them to enchant weapons from level 1. By level 3, they can enchant again, and by level 5, unleash up to three strikes per turn. This potent ability might feel like a game-changer or even an overpowered edge!

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Cleric: Death Domain

Clerics of the Death Domain specialize in necrotic spells that bypass enemy resistances, and can even bring the dead back to life—or make corpses explode. This subclass is perfect for players who favor religious characters but prefer combat over healing.

Wizard: Blade Song

Wizards embracing the Blade Song become formidable in melee, accumulating special charges over ten turns through attacks and spells. These charges can be utilized to either heal allies or deal significant damage to enemies, enhancing their versatility on the battlefield.

Druid: Circle of Stars

Druids in the Circle of Stars can switch between different constellations, gaining bonuses that allow them to adapt seamlessly to various combat roles, making them exceptionally versatile.

Barbarian: Path of the Giant

Barbarians on the Path of the Giant enter a rage that increases their size, allowing them to throw weapons with enhanced damage, often accompanied by fire or lightning effects. These weapons return to their hands after being thrown, and additional bonuses include improved throwing skills and higher carrying capacity.

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Fighter: Mystic Archer

Mystic Archers blend magic with archery, launching enchanted arrows that can blind, inflict psychic damage, or banish foes to another dimension. This subclass encapsulates the essence of elven combat techniques.

Monk: Drunken Master

Monks following the Drunken Master path harness alcohol-induced strength to deliver devastating physical blows. Enemies struck by the monk become more susceptible to further attacks, turning them into formidable combatants.

Rogue: Swashbuckler

Swashbucklers embody the classic pirate archetype, ideal for fans of Astarion. They excel in close combat, employing cunning tactics like throwing sand to blind, quick thrusts to disarm, or taunting to demoralize opponents.

Bard: College of Glamour

Bards of the College of Glamour are akin to rock stars in the Forgotten Realms, using their charisma to charm enemies and bolster allies. Their enchanting abilities can compel foes to flee, approach, freeze, fall, or drop their weapons.

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Ranger: Swarmkeeper

Rangers as Swarmkeepers command swarms of tiny creatures, debuffing enemies in various ways. They can choose from three types of swarms: bee swarms to repel, honey swarms to stun with shock, and moth swarms to blind. Switching between swarm types is only possible upon leveling up.

Paladin: Oath of the Crown

Paladins adhering to the Oath of the Crown are the epitome of lawfulness and righteousness. They gain abilities that bolster allies, draw enemy attention, and absorb damage for their teammates, making them essential for team-based strategies.

Photo Mode

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The long-awaited photo mode arrives with Patch 8, offering extensive camera settings and advanced post-processing effects to capture stunning in-game moments.

Cross-Play

Cross-platform multiplayer becomes a reality with Patch 8, supported across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Windows, and Mac. The closed stress test focuses on refining this feature, ensuring a seamless and bug-free experience for players across different platforms.

Gameplay, Combat, and Story Improvements

Patch 8 brings a host of enhancements to Baldur’s Gate 3, including:

• Successful Perception checks now mark items on the mini-map and log them in the battle journal.
• Fixed an issue where certain ally abilities weren't displayed correctly after High Hall dialogues.
• Items like scrolls and potions in unlocked containers can now be used during conversations.
• Neutral and friendly NPCs no longer turn hostile when stepping on combat-created surfaces.
• Resolved a bug that caused characters to get stuck on stairs occupied by companions.
• Fixed moving platforms in the Shan Trial to prevent characters from falling to their deaths.
• Corrected a glitch where neutral NPCs would start combat without provocation.
• Keris no longer engages in unnecessary fights with Mintara.
• Fixed a loading screen freeze at 0% when joining modded multiplayer sessions.
• Improved server performance in the Adamantine Forge.
• Fixed an issue where you could mistakenly inform Astarion about Gandrel’s search, even if Gandrel refused to disclose his target.
• Mintara no longer gets stuck while watching over Taniel in Act 2.
• Your character no longer mistakenly believes Shadohurt is dead if she isn't.
• Discovered merchants now appear on the world map regardless of distance.

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Patch 8 for Baldur’s Gate 3 is slated for release in February or early March 2025. Following this update, Larian Studios will shift their focus to bug fixes, with no further major updates planned for the game.