Larian Studios has officially announced that Baldur’s Gate 3 Patch 8, the game’s final major update, will launch on April 15, 2025, delivering a host of highly anticipated features to the 2023 Game of the Year. Revealed initially in November 2024, this update brings 12 new subclasses, cross-play functionality, a photo mode, Xbox Series S split-screen support, and a variety of bug fixes and cinematic improvements. As Larian prepares to shift focus to new projects outside the Dungeons & Dragons universe, Patch 8 serves as a heartfelt farewell to the Baldur’s Gate 3 community, ensuring the RPG masterpiece remains a vibrant playground for both new and returning players.

Patch 8 introduces cross-play, a feature long requested by the community, allowing players across all platforms—PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Mac—to adventure together seamlessly. Using the Larian Network, players can now create or join cross-play lobbies directly, regardless of their platform, with full cross-platform progression ensuring save files transfer smoothly across devices. To enable this, players need a Larian account, which also supports the existing cross-save feature. However, there’s a catch for PC players hosting lobbies with console or Mac friends: they must limit their mods to fewer than 100 and use only those compatible with consoles, a restriction aimed at ensuring stability across platforms. This addition is expected to breathe new life into the multiplayer experience, making it easier for friends to explore Faerûn together.

Another major highlight of Patch 8 is the addition of 12 new subclasses, one for each of the game’s existing classes: Bard, Barbarian, Cleric, Druid, Paladin, Fighter, Monk, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer, Warlock, and Wizard. These subclasses, drawn from Dungeons & Dragons’ 5th Edition rules with some custom tweaks for Baldur’s Gate 3, introduce new abilities, animations, visual effects, summons, cantrips, and even unique dialogue lines for characters like the Oathbreaker Knight. Standouts include the Bard’s College of Glamour, which lets players heal allies with temporary hit points via Mantle of Inspiration and charm enemies with Mantle of Majesty; the Ranger’s Swarmkeeper, offering swarms like a Legion of Bees that can knock enemies back 15 feet; and the Rogue’s Swashbuckler, which brings piratical flair with moves like tossing sand to blind foes and disarming strikes. These additions provide fresh role-playing opportunities, encouraging players to experiment with new builds or replay the game entirely.

The update also introduces a robust photo mode, accessible via the HUD near the minimap or with a hotkey (F9 on PC, or pressing both analog sticks on consoles). This feature allows players to capture their adventures with customizable options, including camera angles, lens settings, post-processing effects, frames, stickers, and character poses. Whether snapping a romantic moment between companions or a dramatic battle scene, photo mode offers a creative outlet for players to immortalize their journey. Additionally, Xbox Series S players will finally gain split-screen co-op support, addressing a key limitation that delayed the game’s initial launch on Xbox back in 2023. Alongside these major features, Patch 8 includes bug fixes and cinematic enhancements, such as ensuring Shadowheart’s hair dye no longer fades during romantic scenes involving water.

Patch 8 underwent extensive stress testing starting in January 2025, with Larian inviting players across platforms to help identify issues before the official release. This collaborative approach mirrors the testing for Patch 7, which introduced mod support in September 2024, leading to over 3,000 mods and 70 million downloads. While Patch 8 marks the end of major updates, Larian has committed to ongoing support for the modding community, promising future enhancements to mod tools to help players craft their own stories. This commitment reflects the studio’s gratitude for the community’s passion, which has kept Baldur’s Gate 3 thriving since its launch, with sales continuing strong into 2025.

The release of Patch 8 comes as Larian prepares to move on from Baldur’s Gate and Dungeons & Dragons, focusing on a new, undisclosed IP. Meanwhile, Hasbro, the owner of D&D, has hinted at future plans for the Baldur’s Gate series, with SVP Dan Ayoub noting in March 2025 that they are working on what’s next and will share more “in pretty short order.” For now, Patch 8 ensures Baldur’s Gate 3 remains a benchmark for RPGs, offering new ways to experience its rich world. As players gear up for the update’s arrival on April 15, the Sword Coast is set to welcome adventurers back for one last, unforgettable journey under Larian’s stewardship. [Ref web ID: 1] [Ref web ID: 11] [Ref web ID: 19]