Baldur’s Gate 3 Patch 8 is shaping up to be a massive update, and one of its most exciting features is the introduction of 12 new subclasses—one for each of the game’s existing classes. If you’ve been itching to dive back into Faerûn with a fresh character build, this patch might just be the perfect excuse to reroll.
Scheduled for release later in 2025, Patch 8 is currently undergoing stress testing, so we don’t yet have a firm date, but the excitement is already building. In addition to these new subclasses, the update will introduce crossplay, a photo mode, and a whole host of other improvements, marking the last major content update for Larian Studios’ award-winning RPG before they move on to new things.
So, what’s in store? Every subclass promises to bring new mechanics, powers, and roleplaying opportunities to Baldur’s Gate 3. Here’s the complete roster based on the latest announcements:
- Bard: College of Glamour – Drawing inspiration from the Feywild, this subclass allows you to charm foes and buff friends with temporary hit points, ideal for a support character with a tricky, charming twist.
- Barbarian: Path of Giants – Prepare to increase in size and toss enemies (or objects) onto the battlefield with enhanced strength and carrying capacity—perfect for players who enjoy an untidy, hands-on gameplay style.
- Cleric: Death Domain – Dark and necromantic, this subclass introduces cantrips such as Toll the Dead and a homebrew corpse-explosion spell, perfect for those who embrace the dark side of divine magic.
- Druid: Circle of the Stars – Draw on star power with purpose-built starry forms (Archer, Chalice, Dragon), providing flexibility in battle and usefulness that might make Druids a go-to choice.
- Fighter: Arcane Archer – Combine shooting with spell-slinging, sending arrows flying that banish, blind, or psyche—range fighters’ dream come true with a touch of mysticism.
- Monk: Drunken Master – Tap into Jackie Chan energy using booze to power your ki, dealing woozy blows that destabilize enemies and enhance your abilities.
- Paladin: Oath of the Crown – A lawful tank class that takes a beating for your friends and goads your enemies, with fresh dialogue options should you fail in your oath.
- Ranger: Swarmkeeper – Order swarms of insects (such as bees!) to dominate the battlefield, infusing the Ranger’s arsenal with a creepy yet tactical twist.
- Rogue: Swashbuckler – Adopt a pirate-themed dexterity with improved close combat abilities, making Sneak Attack even simpler to execute.
- Sorcerer: Shadow Magic – Connected to the Shadowfell, this shadowy subclass brings shadow teleportation, a ghostly hound familiar, and toughness against being knocked out—perfect for sneaky or gritty characters.
- Warlock: Hexblade – A beloved favorite at last, using Shadowfell-forged swords, animating spirits, and dishing out necrotic damage for a blend of melee and magic.
- Wizard: Bladesinging – Mix sword fighting with spellcasting, enjoying supernatural quickness and new animations that make Wizards surprisingly lethal at close range.
These subclasses pull from Dungeons & Dragons lore while incorporating some Larian-specific tweaks, like unique animations, visual effects, and voiced dialogue (especially for Oathbreaker Paladins). Whether you’re a veteran theorycrafter or just love experimenting with new builds, Patch 8 offers a treasure trove of options.
The Path of the Giant Barbarian may lead you to yeet all things, whereas the Hexblade Warlock may encourage a Dark Urge run with a dark twist. Even underrepresented classes such as Druid receive a glow-up in the form of Circle of the Stars, possibly changing the meta for casual players and Honour Mode players alike.
Since there’s no DLC on the cards, this patch seems like Larian’s big send-off for Baldur’s Gate 3—although they’ve said they’ll continue to support it through mods, so the community will ensure the game endures.
The addition of crossplay will allow you to play with friends on different platforms, and photo mode will enable you to take photos of your new subclass antics in style. If you’re already planning your next character, Patch 8’s stress test previews (which are out now to certain players) suggest the chaos and creativity on the horizon. Time to rummage through your dice and get ready for the next adventure—Faerûn’s calling!