While development ofBaldur’s Gate 3may be taking longer than some expected, Larian Studios continues the grand effort of expanding its RPG with a massive amount ofDungeons and Dragonscontent. Early access buyers ofBaldur’s Gate 3can hardly complain when Larian drops updates of substance regularly. SinceBaldur’s Gate 3’s early launch in October 2020, it’s released 7 major updates. Make that 8, as Larian has now delivered the latestBaldur’s Gate 3update, bringing it that much closer to full launch.Patch #8 delivers yet another update packed full ofDungeons and Dragonscontent forBaldur’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, theCollege 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 2023In addition to Bards, Larian is also adding another major class customization feature. Gnomes are now playable inBaldur’s Gate 3. Further, players can select fromthree 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 throughoutBaldur’s Gate 3now all have Gnome-specific dialogue and story options, too.
While the addition of Bards and Gnomes are the two biggestchanges toBaldur’s Gate 3in 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 ofBaldur’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 inBaldur’s Gate 3, Larian Studios still has big plans before it’s ready to fully deliver itsDungeons and DragonsRPG. The tentative release window forBaldur’s Gate 3remains 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 Dragonsis a massive experience and Larian could expandBaldur’s Gate 3for years if it wanted to. Expect an announcement only when Larian feelsBaldur’s Gate 3meets its internal standards for quality.
Baldur’s Gate 3is scheduled to release in 2023 on PC and Stadia.
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