Baldur's Gate 3 Is now over a year oldand developer Larian Studios is still bringing a variety of new features to the role-playing game in the upcoming eighth patch. Some of these features were announced a while ago, but are finally coming to play with this update, which apparently won't be rolling out for another few months. Larian plans to do some stress testing for Patch 8 for all platforms in January, so it looks like the update will be available to everyone later next year. Larian has described most of the new features Baldur's Gate 3 in one long Steam postso let's unpack what's coming.
The biggest new feature is crossplay functionality, which the game desperately needs as its audience is spread across PC, Mac, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. It doesn't sound like there will be any restrictions once the feature goes live, and you'll be able to create cross-platform co-op lobbies no matter where you play Baldur's Gate 3.
Aside from crossplay, Patch 8's other big feature is photo mode. If you're like me and take well over 1500 screenshots every time he plays a video game, then that's probably music to your ears. Luckily, it looks like Larian is putting together a really robust photo mode for it Baldur's Gate 3including the typical camera, lens and frame options, as well as more comprehensive options like the ability to pose your characters to create a dramatic or funny scene.
For the mechanics crazy, Larian is also introducing a major subclass overhaul that will introduce a new subclass for every base class in the game. For a breakdown of each event, see Larian's full recap below:
Bard – College of Glamour
As a bard of the College of Glamour, you will find that you have the power to heal friends and command enemies alike. Pour Cloak of Inspiration to give your allies 5 temporary hit points. And should an enemy attack while it is being cast, it will find itself Charmed. Play your hand correctly and you can use this to your advantage Cloak of Majesty. Aim at enchanted enemies and you can command them to flee, get closer, freeze, fall to the ground or drop their weapon.
Barbarian – Path of the Giants
Choose the path of the giants and your newfound giant strength will make it easier for you to defeat friend and foe alike. Forget about potions to pump your muscles, these barbarians benefit from it The Giant's Rage Passive that grants both strength and size and allows you to deal additional damage with throwing attacks. Are the bags weighing you down? Nothing for you and your increased carrying capacity!
Cleric – Death Domain
As the Cleric of Death, you'll have some sinister new tricks up your sleeve – from spells specializing in necrotic damage to three new necromancy cantrips. This includes Great the Deada cantrip that deals 1-8 damage when your cleric rings the Bell of Impending Doom – a number that scales if your target has already been damaged. We've also added the custom ability to explode nearby corpses, dealing damage to enemies.
Druid – Star Circle
These druids search the stars for answers and access powers beyond the classic wild forms. Take on one of three Star shapes for their power – the constellations Archer, Chalice and Dragon. Each of them favors a different play style and strategy – the archer, which deals radiant damage with astral arrows, the life-giving chalice, which restores hit points to you and others nearby, and the wise dragon, which allows you to deal damage with an additional Inflict bonus on Constitution checks. The star forms not only provide a celestial aesthetic, but also practical, powerful options to enhance your role as a healer, fighter or strategist.
Paladin – Oath of the Crown
They have sworn to uphold the principles of the law. Stay true to your oath and you will be rewarded with the power to aid your allies and disrupt your enemies. Lead your companions in battle Fair clarityProvoke enemies with strategic disruptions and keep your party strong Divine faithfulnessabsorb their damage while restoring their health.
Fighter – Arcane Archer
The Arcane Archer subclass masters the two arts of magic and marksmanship and offers unique abilities and new shooting animations. Banish enemies to the fey wilds, removing them from the battlefield for a turn, or unleash psychic damage that forces enemies to make a Wisdom saving throw or be blinded until the start of their next turn.
Monk – Drunken Master
By brewing the brew yourself as the Drunken Master, you have the opportunity to consume alcohol directly from your inventory and drink from bottles you see around the Sword Coast to regain Ki. By sharing the bottle with your enemies Exhilarating punchyou create an improvement to your armor class and your chance of hitting drunken targets. Drunken enemies are also vulnerable to the Drunken Masters' other abilities, such as: Sobering realization– which sobers up drunk targets and causes physical and psychological harm.
Ranger – Hive Guardian
The Swarmkeeper subclass provides Rangers with three types of deadly swarms to aid them in combat. The Jellyfish cloud Deals additional lightning damage and may shock your enemy. The moth vortex Deals psychic damage and gives you the potential to blind your enemy. The Legion of Bees Deals piercing damage, forcing the enemy to make a power-saving throw or be thrown back 15 feet. Each swarm also has the ability to provide you with teleportation capabilities!
Rogue – daredevil
This Rogue subclass introduces a number of new actions suited to the pirate life. Play dirty by throwing sand at enemies Blind them. Aim your weapon at a target Disarm them. Or use your new one Fancy footwork passively while engaging your enemy in melee to ensure they cannot make attacks of opportunity against you for the rest of your turn.
Wizard – Shadow Magic
As a shadow magic wizard, you wield a form of magic that makes you deadliest in the dark. This subclass provides its wizard Superior darkvisionas well as the ability to do so Shadow walk between places with dim light or darkness. This means you can also enjoy perfectly home-brewed beer Dog of ill omen to harass and use your enemies Strength of the grave to prevent you from going to the ground – ideal for those trying to run in honor mode.
Warlock – Hexblade
Hexblade warlocks make a pact with a creature from the Shadowfell that manifests itself in the form of magical weapons. Curse your enemies and force their souls to obey your commands. Kill any enemy that is generally not an element of nature, not a construct, not a giant blob, or already dead, and you can raise their spirit from their body for ten turns. This new summon can deal necrotic damage and rip out a portion of your enemy's soul to provide healing to your Hexblade Warlock.
Wizard – Bladesong
The Bladesinging subclass combines swordplay with sorcery. Expect new spell animations when you cast spells with your weapon, a new Bladesong ability that grants you supernatural speed, agility and concentration, while also giving you a bonus to every Constitution saving throw you make.
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