"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 began on both PC and consoles. This monumental update marks the final major patch for the game, introducing 12 new subclasses, cross-play functionality across platforms, and a comprehensive photo mode. Here's how this update elevates one of the most acclaimed games of recent times.

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, enhancing the depth and diversity of gameplay.

Sorcerer: Shadow Magic

One of the darkest subclasses, the Shadow Magic Sorcerer can summon a hellhound to attack and immobilize enemies. They can also create a veil of darkness where only the sorcerer can see. At level 11, they gain the ability to teleport between shadows, adding a thrilling dimension to combat.

Warlock: Pact Blade

The Warlock's Pact Blade subclass shifts focus from innate magic to a pact with a Shadowfell entity. From level 1, they can enchant a weapon to make it magical. By level 3, this ability can be used again, and at level 5, they can strike three times per turn, a feature that might seem overpowered or bugged!

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Cleric: Death Domain

Clerics in the Death Domain specialize in necrotic spells that bypass enemy resistances. They can resurrect the dead or cause corpses to explode, making them an ideal choice for players who prefer a darker, non-healing role.

Wizard: Blade Song

The Blade Song subclass empowers wizards for melee combat. Activating Blade Song provides ten turns during which the wizard gains special charges from attacks and spells. These charges can be used to heal allies or damage enemies, adding tactical depth to battles.

Druid: Circle of Stars

Druids in the Circle of Stars can switch between constellations, gaining bonuses that enhance their versatility on the battlefield, allowing them to adapt to different combat roles seamlessly.

Barbarian: Path of the Giant

Barbarians following the Path of the Giant can enter a rage that increases their size and weapon-throwing damage, adding fire or lightning effects. After throwing, the weapon returns to their hand, with additional bonuses for improved throwing skills and carrying capacity.

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Fighter: Mystic Archer

Mystic Archers blend magic and archery, firing enchanted arrows that can blind enemies, deal psychic damage, or banish them to another dimension. This subclass embodies traditional elven combat techniques, offering a unique playstyle.

Monk: Drunken Master

Monks of the Drunken Master subclass harness alcohol-induced strength, delivering devastating physical blows. Enemies struck by the monk become more vulnerable to subsequent attacks, making them formidable in combat.

Rogue: Swashbuckler

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

Bard: College of Glamour

Bards from the College of Glamour are the rock stars of the Forgotten Realms, charming enemies and supporting allies with their charisma. They can enchant foes to flee, approach, freeze, fall down, or drop their weapons.

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Ranger: Swarmkeeper

Swarmkeepers, resembling beekeepers, command hordes of tiny creatures that debuff enemies. The swarms come in three types: bees that repel enemies, honey that stuns with shock, and moths that blind opponents. Swarm type changes occur only 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 to boost allies, draw enemy attention, and absorb damage for teammates, focusing on team-based play as a tank-like subclass.

Photo Mode

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Players have eagerly awaited the addition of a photo mode with extensive camera settings and advanced post-processing effects, ensuring high-quality screenshots that capture the beauty of Baldur’s Gate 3.

Cross-Play

Cross-platform multiplayer is now available across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Windows, and Mac. Larian launched the closed stress test primarily to fine-tune cross-play functionality, aiming to eliminate bugs and ensure a smooth integration of this feature.

Gameplay, Combat, and Story Improvements

Patch 8 introduces several enhancements to gameplay, combat, and story:

• Successfully detecting items during Perception checks will now mark them on the mini-map and log them in the battle journal.
• Fixed an issue where certain ally abilities weren’t properly displayed 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 a bug causing characters to get stuck climbing stairs occupied by companions.
• Fixed an issue with moving platforms in the Shan Trial location, preventing characters from falling to their deaths.
• Corrected a glitch where neutral NPCs would initiate combat without cause.
• Keris will stop engaging in unnecessary fights with Mintara.
• Resolved a 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 that Gandrel was looking for him, even if Gandrel refused to reveal his target.
• Mintara no longer gets stuck while watching over Taniel in Act 2.
• Your character will no longer mistakenly believe Shadohurt is dead if she isn’t.
• Discovered merchants will 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 focus to bug fixes, with no further major updates planned.