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

The closed stress test for Patch 8 of Baldur’s Gate 3, which commenced on January 28, marks a significant milestone for the game. Available on both PC and consoles, this update is the final major patch, enhancing the game with 12 new subclasses, cross-play functionality, and a much-anticipated photo mode. Let's delve into how Patch 8 elevates one of the most acclaimed games of recent years.

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 the twelve classes in Baldur’s Gate 3 receives a unique subclass, bringing fresh spells, dialogues, and visual effects to the game.

Sorcerer: Shadow Magic

The Shadow Magic subclass introduces one of the darkest paths, allowing sorcerers to summon a hellhound to immobilize enemies and create a veil of darkness where only they can see. At level 11, they gain the ability to teleport between shadows, enhancing their tactical advantage.

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, and by level 3, they can do so again. At level 5, they can strike three times per turn, potentially making them a formidable force on the battlefield.

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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 make corpses explode, making this subclass ideal for players who prefer religious characters without the traditional healing role.

Wizard: Blade Song

The Blade Song subclass empowers wizards in melee combat, granting them ten turns to accumulate special charges through attacks and spells. These charges can be used to heal allies or deal damage to foes, making wizards versatile in battle.

Druid: Circle of Stars

Druids in the Circle of Stars can switch between constellations, gaining bonuses that allow them to adapt to various battlefield roles, enhancing their versatility and utility.

Barbarian: Path of the Giant

Barbarians on the Path of the Giant enter a rage, increasing in size and throwing weapons with enhanced damage, which can be imbued with fire or lightning effects. The weapon returns to their hand after being thrown, complemented by improved throwing skills and higher carrying capacity.

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Fighter: Mystic Archer

Mystic Archers blend magic with archery, firing enchanted arrows that can blind enemies, deal psychic damage, or banish them to another dimension. This subclass embodies the traditional elven combat techniques, adding a magical twist to archery.

Monk: Drunken Master

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

Rogue: Swashbuckler

The Swashbuckler subclass embodies the pirate archetype, perfect for fans of Astarion. They excel in close combat, using dirty tricks like throwing sand to blind enemies, quick thrusts to disarm them, or taunts to demoralize opponents.

Bard: College of Glamour

Bards in the College of Glamour are the rock stars of the Forgotten Realms, charming enemies and supporting allies. Their charisma can enchant foes into submission, causing them to flee, approach, freeze, fall down, or drop their weapons.

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Ranger: Swarmkeeper

Swarmkeepers resemble beekeepers, commanding hordes of tiny creatures that debuff enemies. These swarms come in three types: bee swarms that repel enemies, honey swarms that stun with shock, and moth swarms that blind opponents. Switching between swarm types occurs only upon leveling up.

Paladin: Oath of the Crown

Paladins following the Oath of the Crown are the epitome of law and righteousness. They gain powerful abilities that boost allies, draw enemy attention, and absorb damage for teammates, focusing on team-based play.

Photo Mode

The addition of a photo mode with extensive camera settings has been eagerly awaited by players. Advanced post-processing effects will ensure high-quality screenshots, allowing players to capture their favorite moments in the game.

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Cross-Play

Cross-platform multiplayer will now be available across all supported platforms, including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Windows, and Mac. The closed stress test for Patch 8 primarily aims to fine-tune this cross-play functionality, ensuring a seamless experience across devices.

Gameplay, Combat, and Story Improvements

Patch 8 brings several enhancements to the gameplay, combat, and story:

• Successfully detecting items during Perception checks now marks them on the mini-map and logs 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 expected to 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.