Baldur’s Gate 3’s Patch 8 is already live. Released on April 15, 2025, it added one subclass for each of the game’s 12 classes, alongside cross-play, Photo Mode, an updated modding toolkit, and Xbox Series S split-screen. Larian describes it as the game’s final major patch—not as a separately purchased subclass pack.
What Patch 8 added
Larian announced the 12 subclasses in advance in November 2024, then released them as part of Patch 8 on April 15, 2025. The update also brought cross-play and Photo Mode. Larian’s Patch 8 announcement calls it the final major patch for the game; that wording does not rule out smaller fixes or maintenance updates.
The descriptions below summarize how Larian presents each subclass. They explain the intended play style and signature mechanics, not a tested ranking of power or performance.
All 12 new subclasses
| Class | Patch 8 subclass | What Larian says it offers |
|---|---|---|
| Barbarian | Path of the Giant | Giant-like size and strength, greater throwing damage and carrying capacity, including the ability to throw a weapon that returns. |
| Bard | College of Glamour | Ally protection and enemy control. Mantle of Inspiration grants temporary hit points and can charm attackers; Mantle of Majesty lets the Bard command charmed enemies. |
| Cleric | Death Domain | Necrotic damage and necromancy cantrips such as Toll the Dead, plus a homebrewed ability that can make nearby corpses explode. |
| Druid | Circle of Stars | Three Starry Forms: Archer for radiant damage, Chalice for healing, and Dragon for resilience and damage support. |
| Fighter | Arcane Archer | Magical arrows such as Banishing Arrow and Shadow Arrow, with Curved Shot to redirect missed shots. |
| Monk | Way of the Drunken Master | Regains Ki through alcohol, is immune to drunkenness, and can deal psychic damage with Sobering Realisation. |
| Paladin | Oath of the Crown | Order-focused ally support and protection, including absorbing damage and restoring health. |
| Ranger | Swarmkeeper | Summons swarms—including moths, jellyfish, or bees—to produce different effects. |
| Rogue | Swashbuckler | A pirate-inspired approach featuring mobility, ways to disarm or blind, and charm effects. |
| Sorcerer | Shadow Magic | Shadowfell magic, teleportation between shadows, and a Hound of Ill Omen summon. |
| Warlock | Hexblade | A bound sentient weapon, curses, and Accursed Spectres that can siphon health. |
| Wizard | Bladesinging | A blend of blades and spells; Bladesong builds toward an attack climax described as damaging enemies and healing allies. |
Larian’s November 2024 preview and its release coverage describe these mechanics. Those summaries are the studio’s feature descriptions, not independent assessments of balance.
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- Evolved turn-based combat - based on the D&D 5e ruleset. Team-based initiative, advantage & disadvantage, and roll modifiers join combat cameras, expanded environmental interactions, and a new fluidity in combat that rewards strategy and foresight
- Define the future of the Forgotten Realms - through your choices, and the roll of the dice. No matter who you play, or what you roll, the world and its inhabitants will react to your story
- Player-initiated turn-based mode - allows you to pause the world around you at any time even outside of combat. Whether you see an opportunity for a tactical advantage before combat begins, want to pull off a heist with pin-point precision, or need to escape a fiendish trap. Split your party, prepare ambushes, sneak in the darkness -- create your own luck!
When each subclass becomes available
You can choose a Patch 8 subclass when its class first offers subclass selection. That timing is separate from when the subclass unlocks its later features.
- Level 1: Cleric, Sorcerer, Paladin, and Warlock.
- Level 2: Druid and Wizard.
- Level 3: Barbarian, Bard, Fighter, Monk, Ranger, and Rogue.
How to choose one for a new run
There is no source-backed universal best subclass. The official announcements establish the feature set, but not comparative win rates or a performance ranking. A useful choice depends on the role and character concept you want:
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- Deluxe Edition: This premium edition includes the base game, exclusive stickers, and an official soundtrack to enhance your adventure.
- Epic Storytelling: Embark on an epic journey filled with complex narratives, challenging quests, and memorable characters.
- Tactical Combat: Engage in strategic, turn-based battles that require careful planning and execution of your party's abilities.
- Customizable Characters: Create and customize your own unique heroes, shaping their appearances, abilities, and personalities to fit your playstyle.
- Support or control: Consider College of Glamour for protective and charm-based tools, or Oath of the Crown for ally protection.
- Ranged or area effects: Arcane Archer focuses on magical shots; Death Domain and Swarmkeeper offer distinct corpse- and swarm-based effects.
- Mobility and weapon play: Swashbuckler leans into mobile pirate-style combat, while Bladesinging combines swordplay and spells.
- A particular character fantasy: Path of the Giant suits a strength-focused thrower; Circle of Stars offers its three celestial forms; Way of the Drunken Master builds around alcohol and Ki; Shadow Magic centers on darkness and shadow travel.
- Early access to the subclass identity: Use the level list above to see whether the class selects its subclass at level 1, 2, or 3.
To judge which build performs best, a comparison would need to specify factors such as difficulty, party composition, equipment, and game version. Larian’s feature summaries alone do not establish a winner.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Other Patch 8 features
Cross-play and cross-platform progression
Larian says players on PC, Mac, Xbox, and PlayStation 5 can use multiplayer cross-play and cross-platform progression through Larian Network. For modded cross-play, everyone in a lobby needs the same versions of the mods installed. Larian also says third-party mods cannot be used on consoles and that consoles have a limit of 100 mods. See the official Patch 8 notes for the studio’s full details.
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- Baldur's Gate II - Continue a journey started in Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition or create an entirely new character in this isometric Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game.
- Baldur's Gate: Siege of Dragonspear - Adds a new chapter to the Bhaalspawn saga. The events occurring between Baldur's Gate and Baldur's Gate II are at last revealed in this 25-hour adventure.
Photo Mode
Photo Mode lets you pose and position party members and adjust the camera, lens, scene, color grading, frames, and stickers. Larian lists F9 as the PC toggle and pressing both analog sticks as the console toggle.
Modding Toolkit changes
The update adds partial level editing and several supported template overrides. The official toolkit still cannot add dialogue or change static world elements such as buildings, scenery, or terrain, according to Larian’s Patch 8 notes.
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Xbox Series S split-screen and fixes
Patch 8 adds split-screen support on Xbox Series S. Larian also lists fixes and improvements across gameplay, achievements, the user interface, saves, and quest behavior; consult the patch notes for the exact changes.
Is Patch 8 a separate purchase?
No: Patch 8 is an update to Baldur’s Gate 3, not a separately purchased subclass pack. The release covers the game on PC, Mac, Xbox, and PlayStation 5, with platform-specific features and support as described by Larian. For the exact platform release details, see Larian’s Patch 8 overview on Xbox Wire.
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