Subclasses in Baldur’s Gate 3: Patch 8 Overview
Subclasses in Baldur’s Gate 3 are a crucial element that defines your character’s unique playstyle and capabilities. With the release of Patch 8, each class is receiving a brand new subclass, introducing a wealth of potential features and abilities. These subclasses are available to all game owners when Patch 8 goes live, and you can select them at the appropriate level for your character. Additionally, these subclasses can be applied to your companions, adding more variety and strategic depth to your team as you progress through the campaign. Here’s a detailed look at all the new subclasses in Patch 8 and their exciting abilities.
Giant Barbarian: The Titans of Battle
As a Giant Barbarian, you channel the raw power of giants, making you a formidable force in combat. When you enter your Rage, you not only deal increased damage but also gain the ability to increase in size. This subclass is ideal for those who enjoy creative and dynamic combat scenarios, such as throwing enemies and kicking them away. At level 3, you unlock Giant’s Rage, which doubles your damage bonus on Throw attacks. Thaumaturgy and Vaprak’s Greed further enhance your carrying capacity and magical prowess. At level 5, Boot of the Giants grants you the ability to kick targets away, making you a versatile fighter. Elemental Cleaver at level 6 allows you to channel elemental forces into your weapon, dealing additional damage and receiving the thrown property. Finally, Mighty Impel at level 10 lets you throw creatures or objects of Medium size or smaller, adding to your arsenal of devastating attacks.
College of Glamour Bard: The Enchanting Performer
The College of Glamour Bard is a master of distraction and support, using charm and illusion to control the battlefield. At level 3, you gain Mantle of Inspiration, which imbues two allies with temporary hit points and charms their attackers. This makes you a valuable asset in any party, as you can ensure your allies stay in the fight longer. At level 6, Mantle of Majesty (Command) allows you to control enemies, making them flee, move closer, freeze, drop their weapons, or let go of their weapons. This ability can turn the tide of battle in your favor. As you progress, you can target more allies and grant them even more temporary hit points, making you an indispensable support character.
Death Domain Cleric: Master of the Grave
For those who prefer the dead to the living, the Death Domain Cleric is a powerful necromancer. You gain proficiency with martial weapons and access to necromantic spells and abilities. At level 1, you can use Reaper to deal additional damage with your Necromancy cantrips. Channel Divinity (Touch of Death) at level 2 allows you to deal extra Necrotic damage with melee attacks. As you advance, you gain spells like Bone Chill, False Life, and Ray of Sickness, making you a formidable force against the living. Inescapable Destruction at level 6 ensures your spells ignore enemy resistances to Necrotic damage. Divine Strike (Necrotic) at level 8 and other powerful abilities like Cloudkill and Contagion at level 9 make you a versatile and deadly cleric.
Circle of the Stars Druid: Healer of the Cosmos
The Circle of the Stars Druid looks to the stars for guidance, becoming a versatile healer and damage dealer. At level 2, you gain the Guidance cantrip and can transform into a Starry Form, which grants you unique abilities like casting Luminous Arrow, Chalice of Healing, and Dazzling Breath. These abilities can be used to support your allies or deal additional damage. At level 5, you gain additional Star Map charges, and at level 6, Cosmic Omen allows you to increase or decrease attack rolls, saving throws, and ability checks based on the omen you receive. As you progress, your Starry Forms become more powerful, with increased damage and healing capabilities, and the ability to hover and fly at a movement speed of 20 feet.
Arcane Archer Fighter: The Precision of Magic
The Arcane Archer Fighter combines the precision of a ranger with the power of magic, making you a versatile ranged combatant. At level 3, you gain proficiency in Arcana and Nature and can use four Arcane Arrows, each with unique effects like Bursting Arrow, Enfeebling Arrow, and Beguiling Arrow. These arrows can explode, deal additional damage, charm enemies, or banish them for a short time. At level 7, Curving Shot and Magic Arrow enhance your ranged attacks, allowing you to hit missed targets and overcome resistance. As you advance, you gain more Arcane Arrows and additional Arcane Shots, making you a formidable force on the battlefield.
Way of the Drunken Master Monk: The Drunken Avenger
The Way of the Drunken Master Monk uses alcohol to enhance your combat abilities, making you a unpredictable and powerful fighter. At level 3, you become immune to the negative effects of being drunk and can regain half your Ki Points when you drink alcohol. Drunken Technique allows you to punch twice in quick succession, granting additional movement and the benefits of Disengage. At level 4, Intoxicating Strike can potentially get your enemies drunk, and at level 6, Leap to your Feet and Redirect Attack make you more agile and resilient. As you progress, you gain abilities like Sobering Realization, which deals bonus Psychic damage to drunk targets, and Drunkards Luck, which negates disadvantage on ability checks, attack rolls, and saving throws.
Oath of the Crown Paladin: The Defender of Civilization
The Oath of the Crown Paladin is a stalwart defender of civilization, loyalty, and responsibility. At level 1, you must follow the tenets of Law, Loyalty, and Responsibility, and you gain Righteous Clarity, which grants an additional proficiency bonus to attack rolls. At level 3, Champion Challenge compels enemies to attack you, making it easier to protect your allies. Turn the Tide and other powerful abilities like Warding Bond and Spiritual Weapon at level 5 and Spirit Guardians and Crusader’s Mantle at level 9 make you a robust tank capable of taking on multiple threats. DIVINE Allegiance at level 7 allows you to take damage in place of an ally, further solidifying your role as a protector.
Swarmkeeper Ranger: The Guardian of Nature
The Swarmkeeper Ranger channels the power of nature’s spirits to enhance your ranged attacks and provide versatile combat options. At level 3, Prey’s Scent and Gathered Swarm allow you to deal additional damage to creatures marked by Hunter’s Mark and choose a swarm of nature spirits to form a bond with. Each swarm type, such as Legion of Bees, Cloud of Jellyfish, or Flurry of Moths, has unique effects like dealing damage, pushing enemies away, shocking them, blinding them, or teleporting you to a safer location. As you progress, you gain more powerful abilities like Writhing Currents, which allows you to fly and become unaffected by surface effects, and Mighty Swarm, which increases your swarm’s strength and AC when you teleport.
Swashbuckler Rogue: The Agile Acrobat
The Swashbuckler Rogue is a close-combat specialist who excels at avoiding attacks and outmaneuvering enemies. At level 3, Fancy Footwork prevents enemies from making opportunity attacks against you after you make a melee attack, and Rakish Audacity grants a +2 bonus to initiative rolls and the ability to trigger a Sneak Attack without advantage. At level 4, Dirty Tricks allows you to disarm, blind, or mock your enemies with unique abilities. Panache at level 9 lets you roll a Persuasion check to beguile humanoids, giving them disadvantage or charming them. This subclass is perfect for those who want to remain agile and unpredictable in combat.
Shadow Magic Sorcerer: The Master of the Dark
The Shadow Magic Sorcerer specializes in using the power of darkness to protect yourself and your allies. At level 1, Eyes of the Dark allows you to see in the dark up to 80 feet, and Strength of the Grave ensures you regain one hit point when you reach 0. At level 3, you can cast Darkness as a level two spell at will, and Hound of the Ill Omen at level 6 allows you to summon a creature of darkness. Shadow Walk at level 11 lets you teleport into the shadows, and the next spell you cast gains the Distant Spell effect without costing Sorcery Points. This subclass is ideal for those who want to remain hidden and surprise their enemies.
Hexblade Warlock: The Demonic Warrior
The Hexblade Warlock channels the power of your patron to enhance your melee combat abilities. At level 1, Hex Warrior grants proficiency in medium armor, shields, and martial weapons, and Bind Hexed Weapon allows you to use your Charisma modifier for attacks with your main hand weapon. Hexblade’s Curse can apply a debilitating effect to targets, reducing the number needed to land a critical hit and restoring health if the target dies. As you advance, you gain powerful abilities like Accursed Spectre, which raises a spectral companion from the soul of a fallen cursed target, and Armor of Hexes, which allows you to nullify attacks from cursed creatures. This subclass is perfect for those who want to wield demonic power in close combat.
Bladesinging Wizard: The Martial Mage
The Bladesinging Wizard is a melee-focused wizard who combines magical prowess with the skills of a fighter. At level 2, you gain the ability to cast Bladesong, which increases your armor class, movement speed, and advantage in acrobatic checks. Training in War and Song grants proficiency in light armor and the Performance skill, as well as proficiency in various weapons. As you progress, you gain additional charges of Bladesong and the ability to perform extra attacks. Song of Defense at level 10 allows you to expend a spell slot to subtract damage when you take it during your Bladesong, making you a powerful tank and damage dealer.
By introducing these new subclasses, Patch 8 of Baldur’s Gate 3 offers a vast array of new playstyles and strategic options, enhancing the depth and enjoyment of the game. Whether you prefer to channel the power of giants, the dark arts of necromancy, or the grace of a swashbuckler, there’s a subclass that will fit your playstyle and enhance your character’s capabilities.
