On January 28th, a closed stress test for Baldur's Gate 3 Patch 8 commenced on PC and consoles. This substantial update, the final major one for the game, introduces 12 new subclasses, cross-play functionality across all platforms, and a highly anticipated photo mode. Let's delve into how this update transforms one of gaming's recent triumphs.

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, boasting new spells, dialogue options, and visual effects.

Sorcerer: Shadow Magic

This dark subclass summons a hellhound to attack and restrain enemies, and creates a veil of darkness visible only to the sorcerer. At level 11, they gain shadow-stepping teleportation.

Warlock: Pact Blade

Forgoing innate dark magic, this warlock pacts with a Shadowfell entity. From level 1, they enchant a weapon, adding another enchantment at level 3, and a third at level 5, allowing for three strikes per turn. (This might seem overpowered!)

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Cleric: Death Domain

Specializing in necrotic spells that bypass resistances, Death Domain clerics can resurrect the dead…or make corpses explode! Perfect for players who enjoy a religious character but prefer a less healing-focused role.

Wizard: Blade Song

Effective in melee, Blade Song grants ten turns where the wizard builds charges through attacks and spells, usable for healing or dealing damage.

Druid: Circle of Stars

Circle of Stars druids shift between constellations, gaining bonuses for adaptability and versatility on the battlefield.

Barbarian: Path of the Giant

Barbarians rage, grow larger, and throw weapons with increased damage and elemental effects (fire or lightning). The weapon returns to their hand after throwing. They also gain improved throwing skills and increased carrying capacity.

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Fighter: Mystic Archer

Mystic Archers blend magic and archery, firing enchanted arrows that blind, deal psychic damage, or banish foes. This subclass embodies classic elven combat.

Monk: Drunken Master

These monks use alcohol-fueled strength for devastating blows. Hit enemies become vulnerable to further attacks.

Rogue: Swashbuckler

The quintessential pirate archetype (perfect for Astarion fans!), Swashbucklers excel in close combat with dirty tricks like blinding sand, disarming thrusts, and demoralizing taunts.

Bard: College of Glamour

Glamour bards are the rock stars of the Forgotten Realms, charming enemies and supporting allies with charisma-based abilities that can subdue foes, making them flee, approach, freeze, fall, or drop weapons.

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Ranger: Swarmkeeper

Swarmkeepers command swarms of tiny creatures (bees, honey, moths) to debuff enemies. Swarm type changes only upon leveling up.

Paladin: Oath of the Crown

Oath of the Crown paladins are the epitome of lawfulness and righteousness. They gain powerful abilities to boost allies, draw enemy attention, and absorb damage for their team, making them excellent tanks.

Photo Mode

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The long-awaited photo mode arrives with extensive camera settings and advanced post-processing effects for high-quality screenshots.

Cross-Play

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

Gameplay, Combat, and Story Improvements

Patch 8 includes numerous improvements:

• 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 (scrolls, potions) in unlocked containers are now usable 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 with companions.
• Fixed an issue with moving platforms in the Shan Trial, preventing falls.
• Corrected a glitch where neutral NPCs would initiate combat without provocation.
• Keris will no longer unnecessarily fight 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 Gandrel was looking for him, even if Gandrel didn't reveal his target.
• Mintara no longer gets stuck watching 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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Baldur's Gate 3 Patch 8 is expected in February or early March 2025. Following this, Larian Studios will focus solely on bug fixes; no further major updates are planned.