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

On January 28, the closed stress test for Patch 8 of Baldur’s Gate 3 kicked off on both PC and consoles, marking the final major update for this acclaimed game. This patch introduces 12 new subclasses, cross-play functionality across platforms, and a robust photo mode, significantly enhancing the gaming experience for fans worldwide.

Table of Content

• 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 will receive a unique subclass, complete with fresh spells, dialogues, and visual effects, enriching the game's depth and player engagement.

Sorcerer: Shadow Magic

Dive into the darkest corners of magic with the Shadow Magic subclass. Sorcerers can summon a hellhound to pin down enemies and cast a veil of darkness where only they can see. At level 11, they gain the ability to teleport between shadows, adding a thrilling tactical layer to gameplay.

Warlock: Pact Blade

Warlocks opting for the Pact Blade subclass forge a pact with a Shadowfell entity. From level 1, they can enchant a weapon to make it magical. By level 3, this ability enhances further, and at level 5, they can strike thrice per turn, possibly hinting at a need for balance adjustments.

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Cleric: Death Domain

Clerics in the Death Domain specialize in necrotic spells that bypass enemy resistances, adding a twist to the traditional healing role. They can resurrect the dead or cause corpses to explode, offering a unique playstyle for those interested in darker aspects of religion.

Wizard: Blade Song

Wizards with the Blade Song subclass become formidable in melee combat. Activating Blade Song grants ten turns to accumulate special charges through attacks and spells, which can then be used to heal allies or damage foes, making them versatile on the battlefield.

Druid: Circle of Stars

Druids in the Circle of Stars can switch between constellations, gaining bonuses that enhance their adaptability across various roles, making them an essential asset in any team composition.

Barbarian: Path of the Giant

Barbarians on the Path of the Giant can enter a rage that not only increases their size but also allows them to throw weapons with enhanced damage, adding fire or lightning effects. Their weapons return to their hands, and they gain improved throwing skills and carrying capacity.

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Fighter: Mystic Archer

Fighters choosing the Mystic Archer subclass blend magic with archery, firing enchanted arrows that can blind, deal psychic damage, or banish enemies to another dimension, embodying the elegance of elven combat.

Monk: Drunken Master

Monks following the Drunken Master path harness alcohol-induced strength to deliver devastating physical blows. Enemies hit by them become more vulnerable to subsequent attacks, making these monks formidable in combat.

Rogue: Swashbuckler

Rogues embracing the Swashbuckler subclass embody the pirate archetype, excelling in close combat with dirty tricks like throwing sand to blind, quick thrusts to disarm, or taunts to demoralize opponents, perfect for fans of Astarion.

Bard: College of Glamour

Bards from the College of Glamour are the rock stars of the Forgotten Realms, using their charisma to charm enemies and support allies. They can enchant foes into submission, making them flee, approach, freeze, fall down, or drop their weapons.

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Ranger: Swarmkeeper

Rangers as Swarmkeepers command hordes of tiny creatures, debuffing enemies with three types of swarms: bee swarms to repel, honey swarms to stun, and moth swarms to blind. Switching 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 boost allies, draw enemy attention, and absorb damage, making them essential for team-based play.

Photo Mode

The long-awaited photo mode comes with extensive camera settings and advanced post-processing effects, allowing players to capture high-quality screenshots of their adventures.

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Cross-Play

Cross-platform multiplayer is now available across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Windows, and Mac. The closed stress test focuses on fine-tuning this feature to ensure a seamless gaming experience across all platforms.

Gameplay, Combat, and Story Improvements

Patch 8 brings numerous enhancements to gameplay, combat, and story:

• Items detected during Perception checks are now marked on the mini-map and logged in the battle journal.
• Ally abilities are now properly displayed after dialogue in the High Hall.
• Items like scrolls and potions in unlocked containers can be used during conversations.
• Neutral and friendly NPCs no longer become hostile when stepping on combat-created surfaces.
• Characters no longer get stuck climbing stairs occupied by companions.
• Fixed moving platforms in the Shan Trial location to prevent characters from falling.
• Neutral NPCs no longer initiate combat without cause.
• Keris no longer engages in unnecessary fights with Mintara.
• Resolved loading screen freeze at 0% when joining modded multiplayer sessions.
• Improved server performance in the Adamantine Forge.
• Fixed an issue where you could tell Astarion about Gandrel's search even if Gandrel refused to reveal 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 set to release in February or early March 2025. Following this update, Larian Studios will shift focus to bug fixes, with no further major updates planned.