What is known about the latest major patch for Baldur's Gate 3

On January 28th, a closed stress test for Baldur's Gate 3's highly anticipated Patch 8 commenced on PC and consoles. This significant update, the final major patch for the game, introduces twelve new subclasses, cross-play functionality across all platforms, and a much-requested photo mode. Let's delve into how this patch transforms one of the most acclaimed games of recent times.

Table of Contents

• New Subclasses in Baldur’s Gate 3
• Photo Mode
• Cross-Play
• Gameplay, Combat, and Story Improvements

New Subclasses in Baldur’s Gate 3

Each of Baldur's Gate 3's twelve classes receives a unique subclass, each boasting new spells, dialogue options, and visual effects.

Sorcerer: Shadow Magic

This dark subclass allows summoning a hellhound to attack and restrain enemies, creating a veil of darkness visible only to the sorcerer, and, at level 11, teleporting between shadows.

Warlock: Pact Blade

Instead of relying on inherent dark magic, this warlock forms a pact with a Shadowfell entity. From level 1, they can enchant a weapon, adding more enchantments at levels 3 and 5, potentially allowing three strikes per turn.

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Cleric: Death Domain

Specializing in necrotic spells that bypass resistances, Death Domain clerics can resurrect the dead or even trigger corpse explosions—a perfect choice for players who prefer a darker, less healing-focused religious character.

Wizard: Blade Song

Effective in melee combat, Blade Song grants ten turns to accumulate charges through attacks and spells, usable for healing allies or damaging foes.

Druid: Circle of Stars

This subclass allows druids to shift between constellations, granting adaptive bonuses for versatile battlefield roles.

Barbarian: Path of the Giant

Barbarians enter a rage, grow larger, and throw weapons with increased damage and elemental effects (fire or lightning). The thrown weapon returns to their hand. Additional benefits include enhanced throwing skills and increased carrying capacity.

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Fighter: Mystic Archer

Mystic Archers blend magic and archery, firing enchanted arrows that blind, inflict psychic damage, or banish opponents—a subclass reflecting classic elven combat styles.

Monk: Drunken Master

These monks rely on alcohol-fueled strength for devastating physical blows, weakening enemies for subsequent attacks.

Rogue: Swashbuckler

A pirate archetype, ideal for Astarion fans. Swashbucklers excel in close combat, using dirty tricks like blinding sand, disarming thrusts, and demoralizing taunts.

Bard: College of Glamour

These glamorous bards charm enemies and support allies, using charisma to subdue foes—making them flee, approach, freeze, fall, or drop their weapons.

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Ranger: Swarmkeeper

Swarmkeepers command swarms of creatures (bee, honey, or moth) each with unique debuffs (repelling, stunning, blinding). Swarm type changes only upon leveling up.

Paladin: Oath of the Crown

These lawful good paladins gain abilities to boost allies, draw enemy attention, and absorb damage for their team, functioning as a powerful tank.

Photo Mode

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The highly anticipated photo mode arrives with extensive camera settings and advanced post-processing effects for creating stunning screenshots.

Cross-Play

Cross-platform multiplayer is finally enabled across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Windows, and Mac. The stress test primarily focused on refining cross-play functionality for a seamless experience.

Gameplay, Combat, and Story Improvements

Patch 8 includes numerous enhancements:

• Perception checks now mark discovered items on the mini-map and battle journal.
• Fixed a display issue with ally abilities after dialogue in the High Hall.
• Items in unlocked containers are now usable during conversations.
• Neutral/friendly NPCs no longer become hostile from stepping on combat-created surfaces.
• Resolved character-getting-stuck issues while climbing stairs with companions.
• Fixed moving platform issues in the Shan Trial.
• Corrected a bug causing neutral NPCs to initiate combat without provocation.
• Resolved unnecessary combat between Keris and Mintara.
• Fixed a 0% loading screen freeze in modded multiplayer.
• Improved server performance in the Adamantine Forge.
• Addressed a dialogue issue with Astarion and Gandrel.
• Resolved Mintara getting stuck in Act 2.
• Fixed an issue where Shadohurt was mistakenly believed to be dead.
• Discovered merchants now appear on the world map regardless of distance.

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Patch 8 for Baldur's Gate 3 is expected in February or early March 2025. Following this, Larian Studios will focus on bug fixes, with no further major updates planned.