Baldur's Gate 3: Major Patch Changelog Revealed

Baldur's Gate 3 Patch 8: A Comprehensive Overview of the Final Major Update

A closed stress test for Baldur's Gate 3 Patch 8 commenced on January 28th, encompassing both PC and console platforms. This substantial update, the final major patch for the game, introduces 12 new subclasses, cross-platform play, and a highly anticipated photo mode. Let's delve into the transformative features of this update for 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: Harnessing dark magic, this subclass allows summoning a hellhound, creating a veil of darkness, and teleporting between shadows (level 11).

• Warlock: Pact Blade: Forming a pact with a Shadowfell entity, this warlock enhances weapons with magic, enabling multiple strikes per turn (up to three at level 5).

• Cleric: Death Domain: Specializing in necrotic spells, Death Domain clerics can resurrect the dead or unleash corpse explosions, offering a compelling alternative to healing roles.

• Wizard: Blade Song: Effective in melee, Blade Song grants charges for healing or dealing damage, accumulated through attacks and spells.

• Druid: Circle of Stars: This subclass allows shifting between constellations, providing adaptive battlefield bonuses and enhancing versatility.

• Barbarian: Path of the Giant: Entering a rage, giants grow in size, throw weapons with enhanced damage (fire/lightning effects), and have the weapons return to their hand. Expect improved throwing and carrying capacity.

• Fighter: Mystic Archer: Blending magic and archery, Mystic Archers fire enchanted arrows with effects like blinding, psychic damage, or banishment.

• Monk: Drunken Master: Utilizing alcohol-fueled strength, Drunken Masters deliver devastating blows, leaving enemies vulnerable to further attacks.

• Rogue: Swashbuckler: A swashbuckling pirate archetype, excelling in close combat with dirty tricks like blinding, disarming, and demoralizing taunts.

• Bard: College of Glamour: These charismatic bards charm enemies into submission, causing them to flee, approach, freeze, fall, or drop weapons.

• Ranger: Swarmkeeper: Controlling swarms (bee, honey, moth) with various debuffs, Swarmkeepers offer strategic battlefield control. Swarm type changes upon leveling up.

• Paladin: Oath of the Crown: The epitome of lawful good, Oath of the Crown paladins bolster allies, draw enemy attention, and absorb damage, functioning as a formidable tank.

Photo Mode

A highly requested feature, the photo mode offers extensive camera controls and advanced post-processing effects for creating stunning screenshots.

Cross-Play

Cross-platform multiplayer is finally here, bridging PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Windows, and Mac. The stress test focused primarily on refining cross-play functionality.

Gameplay, Combat, and Story Improvements

Patch 8 includes numerous improvements:

• Enhanced item detection in Perception checks (mini-map & battle log).
• Resolved display issues with ally abilities.
• In-conversation item usage from unlocked containers.
• Prevention of unintended hostility from NPCs.
• Fixes for character movement issues (stairs, moving platforms).
• Correction of unwarranted combat initiation by NPCs.
• Resolved various story-related glitches (Keris, Mintara, Shadohurt).
• Improved world map display of discovered merchants.
• Server performance enhancements (Adamantine Forge).

Patch 8 is anticipated for release in February or early March 2025. Post-release, Larian Studios will focus on bug fixes, with no further major updates planned.