Wow, as if Baldur's Gate 3 wasn't already one of the best RPGs money can buy, developer Larian is delivering what sound like another outstanding update in 2025. In a new community post on Steam, the studio spills the beans on what we can expect from Patch 8.
There are three huge additions incoming: full cross-play functionality, a new subclass for every existing class (no, really), and an in-depth photo mode. What more could you possibly want?
Cross-play is what many players have been pining for — the ability to play co-op with friends (or strangers!) across all platforms. "Baldur’s Gate 3 multiplayer will soon feature full cross-platform progression, including cross-play — just as the gaming gods intended," writes Larian.
As for the new subclasses, the developer really is going above and beyond here. Again, every existing character class is getting an all-new specialisation, which should bring so many more gameplay options to the table.
Here's a quick list of the new subclasses:
- Bard - College of Glamour
- 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
According to Larian, you can look forward to "new abilities, animations, VFX, summons, and cantrips."
And finally, the photo mode looks to be every bit as detailed as you'd hope. You can have characters strike poses, add or remove certain elements, apply various visual effects, and even slap frames on your favourite shots.
Stress testing for Patch 8 will begin in early January, and apparently, PS5 players will be able to take part in order to put cross-play through its paces. Larian says it'll share more information soon.
What do you make of Patch 8 for Baldur's Gate 3? Pick your jaw off the floor and try a new subclass in the comments section below.
[source store.steampowered.com]
Comments 26
Adding a new subclass for every existing class is absolutely insane. Larian is GOATed.
Everytime I go to start this game another amazing update comes that makes me wanna hold off longer 😭 darn you Larian with your amazing updates.
Legendary developers! Won't have time for another playthrough in quite a while, but this should make it a more fun experience.
Never finished my first run.
Must get back to it as was very impressed with the game despite knowing nothing about D&D.
My ***** god!! a new-class! This is probably the best news I've seen today.
And finally Death Domain Cleric!
Larian kept cooking.
"Pick your jaw off the floor and try a new subclass in the comments section below."
Too late! I need to head to the ER to get my jaw relocated. Thanks Push Square.
So in theory (for purely scientifical purposes,) I can have an entire portfolio of Karlach pictures?
Too late to be included in GOTY discussions? If DLC can make it... /s
I will definitely do another play through of this masterpiece. Larian is absolutely killing it.
Played the game when it first came out and now with the ps5 pro im itching to do a dark urge tactician play through for trophies i missed . I’ll wait for the next update before doing that
Shadow Magic, Death Domain and Bladesinging sound very cool. I don't think I ever looked in to the sorcerer class and no one in my party has ever used it, but that may change one day!
But let it be known that the Bard, gwaed Arian, was already a swashbuckling rogue 😁
4th playthrough coming up.
Amazing news, absolute legends. That said, this fails to address the one feature we all not only want, but NEED. Costumes for Scratch.
Larian are without a shadow of doubt the best of the best developers. Divinity Original Sin was fantastic, but was bettered by the amazing sequel. Then they made BG3, which is, in my humble opinion, the best game ever made. It deserved every one of the Game of the Year awards that it won last year, and is so good it should get a Platinum Game of the Year award. An absolute masterpiece...
@AdamNovice F*** yeah!
Literally started a new playthrough with mods the other day, sillily assuming they were done with the updates now. Wonderful game.
I already decided to start the game in late December. If I play through it again in maybe 5 years on PS6 it's nice to know new stuff will be waiting^^
Finally crossplay!
I’ll be honest, I didn’t have the best experience with this game. I bought the game to play with friends, and didn’t realize there was no crossplay at launch (my bad), so I was left out of “the party” to play by myself. I asked my wife to join me for the game, but she kept dying, so she quit. Then I tried to play it in single player, and the game was the buggiest game I’ve played all generation (though admittedly I’m not very far in Stalker 2). I had game breaking bugs twice where I had to restart on top of other jank. It was weird. I’ve been waiting for crossplay to get added to give it one more attempt. I have to try one more time!
I’m glad they’re adding some of this, but I’d rather have the third act be worked on and not somewhat obviously unfinished and empty compared to the first part of the game as deadlines approached.
I've always planned to go back and do an 'evil' playthrough. I imagine they should have this out by the time I get around to it. I look forward to going through this great game again with the new stuff.
@Welsh_Will
Sillily. That's a choice.
Thank you for the great news... I was planning to buy Baldur's Gate 3 in 2025 anyway... So, I see that content will be even richer... Thank you so much...
(I knew that my love for Larian Studios is not in vain, since "Divine Divinity")
Wow more options… 😳 The sheer amount of choice in this game is awesome, but can also be really overwhelming. There were moments in my (unfinished) play through where I was able to say, “f*** it!” and just roll with something—like when two of my companions fought and I had to choose sides and then one was killed permanently! Other times, I felt so totally frozen and unable to continue playing because it was just all too much—and then, shocker, I stopped playing completely. Amazing game though!
@DonJorginho Absolutely. Can they please stop making huge updates to make me feel it's the right time to buy and say it? Lol, I'm just kidding
Latina and Owlcat are really doing things as standard bearers.
I’m going to end up caving and buying this digitally eventually 😭😭😭 I want to purchase it from Larian physically but the damn shipping makes it unreasonable. I don’t need any extra goodies (can’t remember if it comes with any). I’m fine with just the base game physically 😭😭😭 On the plus side, whenever I do play it the game will be at its peak for quality/almost or fully complete with patches. I guess that’s a plus :’)))))
@Ravix For pure utility, Sorcerer is pretty damn good! Not as wide a spell selection as wizards, but being able to cast 2 spells in 1 turn, or hit 2 enemies with 1 blast makes them way better, in my book.
Plus, it's a charisma focussed class, so you get all the perks of being able to suavely flirt your way out of any trouble you cause! 😉
Towards the end of my honour mode run at present... possibly my 5th playthrough?
But defo gonna have to squad up with my xbox mates in the new year, for run number 6 with some tasty new subclasses! 😏
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