In a surprising community update from Larian Studios, Baldur’s Gate 3‘s Patch 8 will be bringing along new features like photo mode, crossplay, and even a new set of subclasses. In total, 12 subclasses are arriving to Baldur’s Gate 3 when Patch 8 releases in 2025.
You may have thought that Patch 7 was the last major patch to arrive to this Dungeons & Dragons RPG, but we were all mistaken! Each class will get one new subclass with unique abilities and animations. Let’s dive into every new subclass coming to Patch 8 for Baldur’s Gate 3.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Patch 8 subclasses
Bard: College of Glamor
Originally from Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, the College of Glamor Bard subclass is for bards who perform to captivate friends but put fear in foes. This subclass will give you the power to “heal friends and command enemies in equal measure,” as Larian explained. The update confirmed two of the four subclass abilities would be arriving to Baldur’s Gate 3.
- Mantle of Inspiration: Grant allies 5 temporary HP. If an enemy attacks while it’s cast, they will be Charmed.
- Mantle of Majesty: Target Charmed enemies to command them to flee, move closer, freeze, drop to the ground, or drop their weapon.
Barbarian: Path of Giants
Give your Barbarian the strength of a Giant with the Path of Giants subclass, better known as Path of the Giant from Bigby Presents — Glory of the Giants. Not only can you become as strong as a Giant, but you can also take on the size of one with one of its abilities. Larian only went into detail about this ability.
- Giant’s Rage: A passive ability that grants both strength and size, allowing you to deal additional damage with Throw attacks. Also, your carry capacity is increased.
Cleric: Death Domain
Right from the Dungeon Master’s Guide, the Death Domain Cleric leans more into the necromantic side of Cleric powers. While Larian only mentioned one of the three new necromancy cantrips that Death Domain Clerics would have, they also mentioned adding a homebrewed ability. It will allow your Cleric to explode nearby corpses and damage enemies.
- Toll The Dead cantrip: Causes 1-8 damage when your Cleric rings the bell of impending doom. The number scales if your target has already been damaged.
Druid: Circle of Stars
The Circle of Stars Druid subclass comes from Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything and gives your Druid the power of starlight to draw upon. If you’re interested in understanding the power of the cosmos, you’ll now be able to use additional powers beyond your typical wildshapes.
- Starry Forms: Based on the constellations of the Archer, Chalice, and Dragon, you can take on these forms for different play styles. The Archer deals radiant damage with astral arrows, the Chalice restores HP to you and nearby allies, and the Dragon allows you to deal damage with an added bonus.
Paladin: Oath of the Crown
As an Oath of the Crown Paladin, pulled from the Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide, you have sworn yourself to your nation to uphold the principles of law. If you stay true to your oath, you can help your allies and disrupt your enemies. Larian mentioned two abilities that the Oath of the Crown subclass would get.
- Righteous Clarity: Guides your companions in battle (no further explanation given yet).
- Divine Allegiance: Absorbs enemy health while restoring your own.
Fighter: Arcane Archer
Also from Xanathar’s Guide to Everything is the Arcane Archer subclass for Fighters. As an Arcane Archer, you mix archery and magic to use some incredibly unique skills. Nothing specific was mentioned, but Larian described some of the abilities like being able to banish foes to the Feywild (called Banishing Arrow in D&D), remove them from the battlefield for a turn, or unleash psychic damage that can blind enemies.
Monk: Drunken Master
You can finally put all those bottles of booze to good use with the Way of the Drunken Master Monk subclass from Xanathar’s Guide to Everything. While you can consume alcohol to recover ki points, you’ll also gain some interesting abilities with the power of alcohol.
- Intoxicating Strike: Share a drink with your foes. Buffs your Armor Class and your chance to hit Drunk targets.
- Sobering Realization: Sobers up drunk targets, which deals physical and psychic damage.
Ranger: Swarmkeeper
Another pick from Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything is the Swarmkeeper subclass, giving your Ranger the power to connect with a swarm of nature spirits. You can use these deadly swarms in combat in different ways, depending on what type of swarm they are. Otherwise, every swarm gives you the power to teleport to a nearby location.
- Cloud of Jellyfish: Deals lightning damage to potentially shock your enemies.
- Flurry of Moths: Deals psychic damage and can potentially blind your enemies.
- Legion of Bees: Deals piercing damage and can cause enemies to be knocked back 15 feet.
Rogue: Swashbuckler
The Swashbuckler subclass for Rogues comes from Xanathar’s Guide to Everything and is perfect for any pirate character. This subclass can do things like toss sand in enemy eyes to Blind them, or they can Disarm a target by flicking their weapon at the target. One passive ability was also described.
- Fancy Footwork: A passive ability when in melee with your enemy that ensures they cannot make opportunity attacks against you.
Sorcerer: Shadow Magic
One of many new subclasses from Xanathar’s Guide to Everything is the Shadow Magic Sorcerer. With the power of darkness drawn right from the Shadowfell, your Sorcerer can use sneaky and deadly abilities. Alongside Superior Darkvision, Larian detailed three other skills this subclass will receive.
- Shadow Walk: Teleport between places of dim light or darkness.
- Hound of Ill Omen: Conjure a shadow puppy to harass your foes.
- Strength of the Grave: Prevents you from going down in combat.
Warlock: Hexblade
Straight from, yes you guessed it, Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, the Hexblade Warlock subclass grants you a pact from a Shadowfell enemy. Your powers manifest in the form of magical weapons, and while Larian named no abilities, it described one that sounded just like Accursed Specter. This can raise the spirit from the corpse of a dead creature to do your bidding and fight in battle.
Wizard: Bladesinging
Finally, the Wizard class gets the Bladesinging subclass from Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything which mixes spellbooks and swordplay. Instead of a staff, you cast spells right from your sword, or whatever sharp weapon you’re wielding. Larian mentioned one important ability that Bladesinging Wizards can use.
- Bladesong: Grants you supernatural speed, agility, and focus. Also, gain a bonus to any Constitution-saving throw you make.
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