Baldur’s Gate 3 is ringing in 2025 with new features and subclasses I’ve wanted since launch — here’s Patch 8’s release date for testing

Baldur's Gate 3 is ringing in 2025 with new features and subclasses I've wanted since launch — here's Patch 8's release date for testing

What you need to know

  • Since releasing in August last year, Larian Studios’ award-winning CRPG Baldur’s Gate 3 has been consistently updated over time with major content additions and bug fixes. The game’s final large update will be Patch 8, and now we know when it’s coming and what it will include.
  • Patch 8 will add cross-play support and an official Photo Mode to Baldur’s Gate 3, both of which are features the community has wanted for a long time.
  • On top of that, it’s also bringing a new subclass to each of the RPG’s 12 classes. Each subclass has been taken from the D&D ruleset and adapted for Baldur’s Gate 3.
  • Patch 8 is scheduled to come out in 2025, with Larian planning to allow players to stress test the update in early January. It will be available to test on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PS5; the developers will explain how players can register for the test in a future post.

As a long-time fan of Dungeons & Dragons and a connoisseur of immersive role-playing games, I’ve been eagerly awaiting Larian Studios’ masterpiece, Baldur’s Gate 3. Since its release last year, this game has not only met but surpassed my expectations with each passing update. The upcoming Patch 8, slated for release in 2025, promises to be the cherry on top of an already fantastic cake.


Larian Studios’ massive Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game (RPG), Baldur’s Gate 3, was met with immediate success upon its departure from Early Access in August 2023. Since then, the developer has consistently rolled out significant updates to enhance the gaming experience even further. The latest update, Patch 7, introduced official mod support, updated evil playthrough cinematics, and improvements for splitscreen co-op in September. However, Larian Studios is not finished yet. They previously announced their plans to release an additional update – Patch 8 – and we now have details about its arrival and contents.

Among the notable enhancements in this update are the inclusion of multiplayer compatibility and a built-in Photo Mode, two elements I’ve been eagerly anticipating for Baldur’s Gate 3 since its debut last year. The first feature will enable you to join forces with friends on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, PS5, and even Mac platforms, making it seamless to explore the world of Faerûn alongside a group of fellow players affectionately known as Tavs. On the other hand, the Photo Mode will give aspiring virtual photographers the ability to capture stunning screenshots effortlessly, eliminating the need for intricate camera adjustments.

In a recent announcement about Update 8, it’s clear that the Photo Mode offers an impressive level of detail. Users will have access to numerous camera, lens, and scene settings for capturing stunning shots during exploration or combat. Additionally, you can customize each character from your party with over 40 static and animated poses, add post-processing effects to scenes, and embellish your photos using various frames and more than 300 stickers.

Baldur's Gate 3 is ringing in 2025 with new features and subclasses I've wanted since launch — here's Patch 8's release date for testing

Patch 8 is introducing a fresh subclass to every one of Baldur’s Gate 3’s 12 character classes, and I can hardly wait to begin a new adventure once I complete the current one, which is in Act 3 at the moment. These subclasses are directly from Dungeons & Dragons and have been detailed in Larian’s recent post – for more information about each one, be sure to check it out!

  • Barbarian: Path of Giants
  • Cleric: Death Domain
  • Druid: Circle of Stars
  • Paladin: Oath of the Crown
  • Fighter: Arcane Archer
  • Monk: Drunken Master
  • Ranger: Swarmkeeper
  • Rogue: Swashbuckler
  • Sorcerer: Shadow Magic
  • Warlock: Hexblade
  • Wizard: Bladesinging

All these options appear incredibly enjoyable to me, but the one that catches my eye the most is the Drunken Master – a subclass I’ve longed for in the game whenever I’ve encountered equipment that grants a positive effect while under the influence. As soon as Patch 8 drops, I’m definitely planning on creating a “drunk character” build. I might also equip my companions with some of the new subclasses they’ve introduced too. I can imagine Gale relishing the chance to engage in combat more actively as a Bladesinging battlemage instead of just serving as traditional backline DPS. Path of Giants seems like it will make the widely-used “Karlach throwbarian” builds even more overpowered than they already are.

Baldur's Gate 3 is ringing in 2025 with new features and subclasses I've wanted since launch — here's Patch 8's release date for testing

All the points mentioned earlier, along with several bug fixes and enhancements, will be incorporated into Baldur’s Gate 3 following the release of Patch 8. While there isn’t a confirmed launch date for this patch as of now, Larian Studios has indicated that they aim to conduct public stress tests in early January 2025. It’s worth noting that the test version will be accessible simultaneously on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PS5. However, it remains uncertain whether Mac is included in this release, as Larian didn’t specifically mention Apple’s platform in their announcement post.

To gain entry to the test builds of the patch, it is necessary for you to register prior to that point. The studio has mentioned this pre-registration period will occur beforehand. Further details about exactly what aspects will undergo stress testing and the step-by-step registration procedure will be provided in an upcoming community update.

Keep in mind that although Patch 8 is the last significant update for Baldur’s Gate 3 before the developers set sail towards new horizons, it doesn’t mean they are abandoning support for this critically acclaimed RPG. Larian Studios intends to roll out bug fixes and enhance their mod tools in the future. Interestingly, since Patch 7 was released, using mods to customize Baldur’s Gate 3 has grown increasingly popular, with more than a million installations in just 24 hours, and many more being created and utilized since then.

Without a doubt, Baldur’s Gate 3 is among the greatest games ever created and is a must-play for RPG enthusiasts, whether you’re using a PC or an Xbox. Typically retailing at $59.99, you can currently grab it for only $47.99 on GOG – a fantastic Black Friday discount that I’d recommend jumping on if you’re considering giving it a try.

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2024-11-27 22:39