Baldur’s Gate 3 Kicks Off 2025 with Fresh Features and New Subclasses

What You Need to Know

Since its release in August last year, Baldur’s Gate 3 from Larian Studios has continued to captivate players and win awards. The developer has been diligent in rolling out updates, packed with new content and bug fixes. We’ve now got the scoop on the game’s upcoming Patch 8, which is set to be its final major update.

Patch 8 is scheduled for 2025 and promises some exciting additions. Players are looking forward to cross-play support and an official Photo Mode—features the community has eagerly awaited. Additionally, a new subclass will be introduced for each of the RPG’s 12 classes, taken directly from the beloved Dungeons & Dragons ruleset, yet adapted specifically for Baldur’s Gate 3. Early January will see players getting the chance to stress test this update across Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PS5. Details on how to join the test will be released soon.

Larian Studios hit the ground running with Baldur’s Gate 3 when it launched out of Early Access in August 2023. The game has only improved with continuous updates. Patch 7, released in September, included key features like official mod support, new evil playthrough cinematics, and enhanced splitscreen co-op. But Larian isn’t stopping there. The upcoming Patch 8 is set to bring some long-awaited features.

Among the patch’s standout features are cross-play support and a Photo Mode, finally making it possible to team up with friends on different platforms like Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, PS5, and even Mac. The Photo Mode, in particular, will delight virtual photographers by enabling them to capture stunning screenshots with ease.

The official announcement for Patch 8 goes into detail, showing just how comprehensive this Photo Mode is. Players will have a variety of camera, lens, and scene options at their disposal, along with the ability to set up party members in over 40 static and animated poses. You can also apply post-processing effects, frames, and access a wide assortment of over 300 stickers to personalize your photos.

With Patch 8, each of the 12 classes will receive a new subclass, sparking a wave of excitement and creativity among players. The subclasses are inspired by D&D and include:

• 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

These new additions are expected to bring a ton of fun. Personally, I’m thrilled to try out the Drunken Master subclass—the possibilities it opens up are intriguing and, frankly, hilarious. I can already foresee a "drunk build" becoming a personal favorite, and I’m eager to see how the new subclasses will shake up party dynamics. For instance, seeing Gale as a Bladesinging battlemage rather than a typical backline DPS could be a game-changer.

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As for Patch 8, aside from its major new content, it will also address numerous bugs and improvements for Baldur’s Gate 3. Although the full release date is not yet announced, Larian plans to conduct a public stress test of the update in early January 2025. This test will be available simultaneously on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PS5, though Mac may not be included.

Before the testing phase, players will need to register to access the builds of the patch. Further details will be revealed in an upcoming community update, outlining the stress test specifics and the sign-up process.

Even though Patch 8 is the final major update before Larian Studios concludes its journey with Faerûn, it’s not the end of the line for Baldur’s Gate 3. Larian still has plans to issue bug fixes and improve its mod tools. The modding community has thrived since Patch 7, with over a million mods installed in just the first 24 hours, and the enthusiasm remains strong.

Baldur’s Gate 3 is undeniably a classic. It’s a must-have for RPG enthusiasts and is regarded as one of the best games on both PC and Xbox platforms. Typically priced at $59.99, it’s currently available for $47.99 on GOG—a fantastic Black Friday deal for anyone interested in diving into one of the best gaming experiences available.