Patch 8, the final content update forBaldur’s Gate 3, has arrived, ending an era of unprecedented support for a primarily single-player CRPG. Developer Larian Studios has saved the best for last, though, asPatch 8 is the biggest update yet, bringing 12 brand-new subclasses to the game– one for each class.
The full patch notes can be found on theBaldur’s Gate 3website, which begin with an emotional intro from the developers about the game’s historic journey through early access to release and the year-and-a-half-plus of post-launch support. Alongside Patch 8’s 12 new subclasses,it brings cross-play for all platforms, photo mode, modding toolkit updates, split-screen support for the Xbox Series S, and a wide variety of smaller fixes.
12 New Subclasses Headline BG3’s Final Patch 20 Months After Release
One Last Gift From Larian
From the early introduction of the Magic Mirror to the release of the official modding toolkit,Baldur’s Gate 3has seen incredible post-launch support, but none as robust as Patch 8’s 12 new subclasses.Every playable class inBG3now has a new method of playing the game, each being one fromDungeons & Dragonsfifth edition and its supplemental source books that had not previously been adapted. Here’s the full list ofnew subclasses in Patch 8:
These 12 subclasses bring a triumphant conclusion to roughly 20 months of support followingBG3’s original PC release in August 2023. Counting its lengthy early access period prior, though,Baldur’s Gate 3has been a long and tremendous undertaking for Larian. While more bug fixes are likely to come with future updates,Patch 8 is “the last game patch to introduce new content"according to the patch notes; Larian “won’t be adding any new narrative content or significant changes to storylines, Origin characters, or companions.”
Our Take: Patch 8 Brings About The End Of An Era
BG3 Is One For The History Books
Patch 8 is exciting in its own right, and a huge motivator to playBaldur’s Gate 3yet again, butI can’t help but feel a bit melancholic here at the end of bespoke content updates.Larian has already focused on its new title, but this being the official, final update is bittersweet. 20 months of regular free content updates is more than you should expect from any RPG, let alone the smash hit that was sprawling and deep even before all of its post-launch additions.
Baldur’s Gate 3is arguably among thebest games of all time– setting an incredibly high bar for CRPGs specifically – and that’s unlikely to change once the dust settles on Patch 8. Adding 12 new subclasses is a major injection of new content that can revitalize the game in practically every facet, even if it’s not a whole new challenge like Honour Mode. Photo mode and cross-play will ensureBaldur’s Gate 3ages gracefully and keeps its most dedicated fans engaged, even after its historic run of awards and updates.
Sources:Baldur’s Gate 3,Larian Studios/Bluesky
Baldur’s Gate 3
Developed and published by Larian Studios, Baldur’s Gate 3 is an upcoming role-playing game set to release in August of 2023. Players will create a character to embark on a large-scale journey and can do so solo or cooperatively with a friend. Combat is a turn-based style this time around.
