On January 28, the closed stress test for Patch 8 of Baldur’s Gate 3 commenced on both PC and consoles, marking the final major update for this critically acclaimed game. This patch introduces 12 new subclasses, cross-play functionality across different platforms, and an eagerly anticipated photo mode, significantly enhancing the gameplay experience.
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 now boasts a unique subclass, each with its own set of spells, dialogues, and visual effects, enriching the game's depth and player experience.
Sorcerer: Shadow Magic
This subclass delves into the darker arts, allowing sorcerers to summon a hellhound to pin down foes and create a veil of darkness where only they can see. At level 11, they gain the ability to teleport between shadows, adding a strategic element to their gameplay.
Warlock: Pact Blade
Warlocks with the Pact Blade subclass form a pact with an entity from the Shadowfell, gaining the ability to enchant weapons from level 1. By level 3, they can enchant another weapon, and at level 5, they can strike three times per turn, which might be seen as a powerful advantage or even a potential bug.
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Cleric: Death Domain
Clerics in the Death Domain specialize in necrotic spells that can bypass enemy resistances, allowing them to resurrect the dead or cause corpses to explode. This subclass is perfect for players who prefer a darker, less healing-focused religious role.
Wizard: Blade Song
Wizards using Blade Song become formidable in melee combat, gaining ten turns to accumulate special charges through attacks and spells. These charges can then be used to either heal allies or deal additional damage to enemies.
Druid: Circle of Stars
Druids in the Circle of Stars can switch between various constellations, each providing different bonuses that enhance their adaptability on the battlefield.
Barbarian: Path of the Giant
Barbarians on the Path of the Giant can enter a rage that increases their size and throwing capabilities, with weapons returning to their hand after being thrown. This subclass also boosts their carrying capacity and adds elemental effects to their attacks.
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Fighter: Mystic Archer
Mystic Archers blend magic with archery, firing enchanted arrows that can blind, deal psychic damage, or banish enemies to other dimensions, embodying the essence of elven combat techniques.
Monk: Drunken Master
Monks of the Drunken Master subclass harness the power of alcohol to deliver devastating physical attacks, making enemies more vulnerable to subsequent strikes.
Rogue: Swashbuckler
The Swashbuckler subclass offers a true pirate experience, perfect for fans of Astarion. These rogues excel in close combat, using dirty tricks to blind, disarm, or demoralize their opponents.
Bard: College of Glamour
Bards from the College of Glamour are the rock stars of the Forgotten Realms, using their charisma to enchant enemies into submission, causing them to flee, approach, freeze, fall, or even drop their weapons.
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Ranger: Swarmkeeper
Swarmkeepers control swarms of tiny creatures that can debuff enemies. There are three types of swarms:
- Bee swarm repels enemies.
- Honey swarm stuns with shock.
- Moth swarm blinds opponents.
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 their allies, draw enemy attention, and absorb damage, making them essential in team-based strategies.
Photo Mode
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The addition of a photo mode with extensive camera settings and advanced post-processing effects allows players to capture stunning in-game moments with ease.
Cross-Play
Cross-platform multiplayer is now available across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Windows, and Mac. The closed stress test was primarily launched to fine-tune this feature, ensuring a seamless gaming experience across all supported platforms.
Gameplay, Combat, and Story Improvements
Patch 8 brings numerous enhancements to improve the overall gameplay experience:
- Items detected during Perception checks are now marked on the mini-map and logged in the battle journal.
- Fixed an issue where certain ally abilities weren’t displayed correctly after dialogue in the High Hall.
- Items like scrolls and potions inside unlocked containers can now be used during conversations.
- Neutral and friendly NPCs no longer become hostile when stepping on surfaces created during combat.
- Resolved issues with characters getting stuck climbing stairs occupied by companions.
- Fixed issues with moving platforms in the Shan Trial location to prevent characters from falling.
- Corrected a glitch where neutral NPCs would initiate combat without cause.
- Keris will no longer engage 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 players could mistakenly tell Astarion that Gandrel was looking for him.
- Mintara no longer gets stuck while watching over Taniel in Act 2.
- Characters will no longer mistakenly believe 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. After this update, Larian Studios will shift their focus to bug fixes, with no further major updates planned.
