Larian Studios is preparing to release Patch 8, the final major update for Baldur’s Gate 3, in early 2025. This update is set to introduce exciting new features like crossplay, a robust photo mode, and 12 fresh subclasses, transforming the already-acclaimed RPG into an even richer experience.
Despite this being the last major update, Larian confirmed ongoing support for modders, with plans for significant enhancements to modding tools. Since the release of official mod tools in September, the community has uploaded over 3,000 mods, racking up 70 million downloads.
Crossplay: Unified Multiplayer
Baldur’s Gate 3 Patch 8 introduces full crossplay, allowing players to join multiplayer lobbies with friends across all platforms. Through the Larian Network, you can seamlessly invite players and enjoy cross-platform progression. This ensures a smoother, more connected multiplayer experience, regardless of the system you use.
12 New Subclasses: Fresh Ways to Play
Each core class in Baldur’s Gate 3 gets a new subclass, adding unique abilities, animations, and dialogue. Here’s what’s coming:
1. Bard – College of Glamour
Bards from the College of Glamour draw their power from the Feywild, using their charm and magic to inspire allies and manipulate enemies. Their signature ability, Mantle of Inspiration, grants temporary hit points to allies while enchanting enemies to become Charmed. With Mantle of Majesty, they gain the power to command Charmed enemies, forcing them to flee, approach, or even drop their weapons. This subclass excels at supporting the party while subtly controlling the battlefield, making it a perfect choice for tacticians.
2. Barbarian – Path of Giants
The Path of Giants gives Barbarians the strength of towering titans. Giant’s Rage increases their size, boosts damage output, and enhances their ability to hurl objects and enemies. This subclass also increases carry capacity, allowing for creative combat strategies like throwing boulders—or even teammates—into the fray. Path of Giants is all about raw power and spectacle, perfect for players who want their Barbarian to dominate the battlefield.
3. Cleric – Death Domain
The Death Domain Cleric taps into the darker side of divine magic. Specializing in necrotic damage, they wield abilities like Toll the Dead, a cantrip that grows deadlier if the target is already wounded. They can also harness necromancy to explode nearby corpses, dealing area damage to enemies. With this subclass, Clerics can shift from traditional healers to powerful, death-dealing forces of nature, adding a sinister edge to their playstyle.
4. Druid – Circle of Stars
Druids in the Circle of Stars look to the heavens for guidance, channeling celestial power into their abilities. Their Starry Forms—Archer, Chalice, and Dragon—offer different combat roles. The Archer form focuses on radiant damage with astral arrows, Chalice boosts healing for allies, and Dragon enhances constitution rolls and grants powerful damage options. This subclass blends support, offense, and utility, making it versatile for any situation.
5. Paladin – Oath of the Crown
Paladins sworn to the Oath of the Crown champion law and leadership, protecting their allies while disrupting enemies. They can use Righteous Clarity to guide their companions, Divine Allegiance to absorb damage for party members, and taunt enemies to maintain control of the battlefield. With abilities designed to enhance teamwork, this subclass is ideal for players who want to embody a true leader.
6. Fighter – Arcane Archer
Arcane Archers blend precision shooting with magical prowess. Their enchanted arrows bring unique effects, such as banishing foes to the Feywild for a turn or dealing Psychic Damage that blinds targets. New animations enhance their dual mastery of ranged combat and arcane magic. This subclass is great for players seeking a Fighter with flair and versatility in combat.
7. Monk – Drunken Master
The Drunken Master Monk uses unpredictability to their advantage, recovering Ki by consuming alcohol from their inventory or the environment. Intoxicating Strike debuffs enemies, making them Drunk and vulnerable to follow-up attacks. They can then use Sobering Realisation to deal damage and remove the Drunk status. This whimsical yet strategic subclass brings humor and unique mechanics to the Monk class.
8. Ranger – Swarmkeeper
Swarmkeeper Rangers summon swarms of creatures—jellyfish, moths, or bees—to aid in battle. Each swarm has unique effects: jellyfish deal lightning damage, moths inflict Psychic Damage and can blind enemies, and bees cause piercing damage while potentially knocking foes back. Additionally, the swarms enable teleportation, providing mobility and strategic positioning. This subclass combines damage and utility in a thematically rich package.
9. Rogue – Swashbuckler
The Swashbuckler Rogue is built for flair and agility. They can blind enemies with sand, disarm foes with a flick of their weapon, and use their Fancy Footwork to avoid opportunity attacks during combat. These abilities make them nimble and disruptive, allowing them to dart around the battlefield while outmaneuvering their opponents. Perfect for players who enjoy stylish combat.
10. Sorcerer – Shadow Magic
Shadow Magic Sorcerers thrive in darkness, gaining Superior Darkvision and the ability to Shadow Walk between areas of dim light. Their unique summon, the Hound of Ill Omen, harasses enemies, adding to their arsenal of deadly tools. They also have Strength of the Grave, a lifesaving ability that prevents them from being downed. This subclass is ideal for stealthy, high-risk players.
11. Warlock – Hexblade
Hexblade Warlocks form pacts with entities from the Shadowfell, wielding cursed weapons that siphon life from their foes. They can summon spirits from the bodies of slain enemies, dealing necrotic damage and healing themselves. This subclass is perfect for players who want to mix melee combat with dark, otherworldly magic.
12. Wizard – Bladesinging
Bladesingers blend swordplay and spellcasting, creating a graceful and deadly combat style. Activating Bladesong enhances their speed, agility, and concentration, while their new animations showcase seamless transitions between melee attacks and spells. This subclass is great for players who want to play a highly mobile, versatile Wizard.
Photo Mode: Capture Your Adventures
Baldur’s Gate 3 Patch 8 introduces a Photo Mode with a wide range of features:
- Camera Settings: Adjust angles, focus, and composition for perfect shots.
- Scene Settings: Remove NPCs or enemies to customize your frame.
- Post-Processing: Tweak contrast, brightness, and saturation for cinematic results.
- Frames & Stickers: Add creative flair with over 300 stickers and various frames.
This feature allows you to pause gameplay and immortalize key moments, whether during combat, exploration, or dialogue.
What’s Next for Baldur’s Gate 3?
While Baldur’s Gate 3 Patch 8 is the last significant update, Larian isn’t leaving the game behind. They plan to continue supporting modders, adding tools to expand storytelling possibilities. A stress test for the patch is scheduled for January 2025 on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation, ensuring a smooth rollout.
Larian Studios is also shifting its focus to new games outside the Dungeons & Dragons universe, marking a new chapter for the studio.
Final Thoughts
Baldur’s Gate 3 continues to evolve, offering players new ways to experience its rich world. Patch 8 cements its place as one of the most immersive RPGs ever made. Whether you’re excited for crossplay, diving into a new subclass, or snapping photos of your adventures, there’s something here for every adventurer.
Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the patch’s release!
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