Alexander "peter bjorn" Fadin On January 28, the closed stress test for Patch 8 of Baldur’s Gate 3 began on both PC and consoles. This large-scale update will be the final major patch for the game, bringing with it 12 new subclasses, cross-play functionality across platforms, and a robust photo mode. Here's how this update transforms one of the most celebrated games of modern times.
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.
Sorcerer: Shadow Magic
One of the darkest subclasses, capable of summoning a hellhound to attack enemies and hold them in place. Another key ability is creating a veil of darkness where only the sorcerer can see. At level 11, they gain the power to teleport between shadows.
Warlock: Pact Blade
Instead of relying on innate dark magic, the warlock forms a pact with an entity from the Shadowfell. From level 1, they can enchant a weapon, making it magical. By level 3, they can do so again, and by level 5, they can strike three times per turn. This feature may seem like either a bug or an overpowered advantage!
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Cleric: Death Domain
Specializing in necrotic spells that bypass enemy resistances, clerics in the Death Domain can resurrect the dead—or even make corpses explode! Ideal for players who enjoy religious characters but aren’t fond of healing roles.
Wizard: Blade Song
Effective in melee combat, activating Blade Song grants ten turns during which the wizard accumulates special charges through attacks and spells. These charges can then be used to heal allies or deal damage to foes.
Druid: Circle of Stars
Circle of Stars allows druids to switch between constellations, gaining bonuses that let them adapt to various battlefield roles, enhancing their versatility.
Barbarian: Path of the Giant
Barbarians enter a rage, grow in size, and throw weapons with increased damage, adding fire or lightning effects. After throwing, the weapon returns to their hand. Additional bonuses include improved throwing skills and higher carrying capacity.
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Fighter: Mystic Archer
Mystic Archers combine magic and archery, firing enchanted arrows that blind enemies, deal psychic damage, or banish opponents to another dimension. This subclass embodies traditional elven combat techniques.
Monk: Drunken Master
Monks rely on alcohol-induced strength rather than secret abilities or magic, delivering devastating physical blows. Enemies hit by the monk become more vulnerable to subsequent attacks, making them formidable fighters.
Rogue: Swashbuckler
A true pirate archetype, perfect for Astarion fans. Swashbucklers excel in close combat, using dirty tricks such as throwing sand to blind enemies, quick thrusts to disarm them, or taunts to demoralize.
Bard: College of Glamour
These bards are rock stars of the Forgotten Realms, charming enemies and supporting allies. Their charisma can enchant foes into submission—making them flee, approach, freeze, fall down, or drop their weapons.
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Ranger: Swarmkeeper
Swarmkeepers resemble beekeepers, commanding hordes of tiny creatures. These swarms debuff enemies and come in three types:
- Bee swarm repels enemies.
- Honey swarm stuns with shock.
Moth swarm blinds opponents.
- Switching swarm types occurs only upon leveling up.
Paladin: Oath of the Crown
Paladins following the Oath of the Crown are the most lawful and righteous. They gain powerful abilities that boost allies, draw enemy attention, and absorb damage for teammates. This tank-like subclass focuses on team-based play.
Photo Mode
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Players have long awaited the addition of a photo mode with extensive camera settings. Advanced post-processing effects will ensure high-quality screenshots.
Cross-Play
Cross-platform multiplayer will finally be available across all supported platforms: 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 smoothly integrate this feature.
Gameplay, Combat, and Story Improvements
Patch 8 brings several enhancements:
- 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 expected to release in February or early March 2025. Following this update, Larian Studios will focus on bug fixes, with no further major updates planned.
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