Patch #8 delivers yet another update packed full of Dungeons and Dragons content for Baldur’s Gate 3, as early access buyers would expect. The new patch is dubbed the “Bard Update,” so it’s unsurprising that the biggest addition to the game is the new Bard class. Included with the Bard is two subclasses, the College of Lore and the College of Valour. Musical instruments are also being added and can even be used by other classes so long as they pick up the Level 4 Performer feat.
RELATED: Baldur’s Gate 3 Is Expected to be Officially Released in 2023
In addition to Bards, Larian is also adding another major class customization feature. Gnomes are now playable in Baldur’s Gate 3. Further, players can select from three different Gnome varieties, with Rock Gnomes, Forest Gnomes, and the svirfneblin Deep Gnomes all available. Gnomes start with the Gnome Cunning feat, granting advantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma Saving Throws against magic, as well as +2 Intelligence. Naturally, NPCs throughout Baldur’s Gate 3 now all have Gnome-specific dialogue and story options, too.
While the addition of Bards and Gnomes are the two biggest changes to Baldur’s Gate 3 in Patch #8, there’s much more in terms of new content. Over a half-dozen spells have been added, swarm AI is enabled so that minor creatures will attack together, shovels can now dig up treasure and secrets in Act 1, animations have been improved during in-engine cinematics and for background characters, and Elves are now uniquely animated. There are also a significant amount of other, smaller additions and changes for players to discover.
Content isn’t the only focus of Baldur’s Gate 3’s latest early access update. Dozens of fixes for various bugs and crashes have been delivered, as well as user interface technical issues and usability improvements. For example, advantages and disadvantages applied by spells are now clearly sourced in targeting info, rather than being left ambiguous. Also, equipment can also be equipped and unequipped with a simple double click. These small changes that can dramatically improve minute-to-minute gameplay will certainly be welcome.
As much content as is found in Baldur’s Gate 3, Larian Studios still has big plans before it’s ready to fully deliver its Dungeons and Dragons RPG. The tentative release window for Baldur’s Gate 3 remains in 2023, at the very least. As for how many more updates and how much more content Larian wants to deliver, it remains to be seen. Dungeons and Dragons is a massive experience and Larian could expand Baldur’s Gate 3 for years if it wanted to. Expect an announcement only when Larian feels Baldur’s Gate 3 meets its internal standards for quality.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is scheduled to release in 2023 on PC and Stadia.
MORE: Is Baldur’s Gate 1 and 2 Worth Playing Today?
