Patch 8, the final content update for Baldur’s Gate 3, has arrived, ending an era of unprecedented support for a primarily single-player CRPG. Developer Larian Studios has saved the best for last, though, as Patch 8 is the biggest update yet, bringing 12 brand-new subclasses to the game – one for each class.

The full patch notes can be found on the Baldur’s Gate 3 website, which begin with an emotional intro from the developers about the game’s historic journey through early access to release and the year-and-a-half-plus of post-launch support. Alongside Patch 8’s 12 new subclasses, it brings cross-play for all platforms, photo mode, modding toolkit updates, split-screen support for the Xbox Series S, and a wide variety of smaller fixes.

12 New Subclasses Headline BG3’s Final Patch 20 Months After Release

One Last Gift From Larian

From the early introduction of the Magic Mirror to the release of the official modding toolkit, Baldur’s Gate 3 has seen incredible post-launch support, but none as robust as Patch 8’s 12 new subclasses. Every playable class in BG3 now has a new method of playing the game, each being one from Dungeons & Dragons fifth edition and its supplemental source books that had not previously been adapted. Here’s the full list of new subclasses in Patch 8:

Path of the Giant barbarian
College of Glamour bard
Death Domain cleric
Circle of Stars druid
Arcane Archer fighter
Way of the Drunken Master monk
Oath of the Crown paladin
Swarmkeeper ranger
Swashbuckler rogue
Shadow Magic sorcerer
Hexblade warlock
Bladesinging wizard

These 12 subclasses bring a triumphant conclusion to roughly 20 months of support following BG3‘s original PC release in August 2023. Counting its lengthy early access period prior, though, Baldur’s Gate 3 has been a long and tremendous undertaking for Larian. While more bug fixes are likely to come with future updates, Patch 8 is “the last game patch to introduce new content“ according to the patch notes; Larian “won’t be adding any new narrative content or significant changes to storylines, Origin characters, or companions.“

Our Take: Patch 8 Brings About The End Of An Era

BG3 Is One For The History Books

Custom Image by Katarina Cimbaljevic

Patch 8 is exciting in its own right, and a huge motivator to play Baldur’s Gate 3 yet again, but I can’t help but feel a bit melancholic here at the end of bespoke content updates. Larian has already focused on its new title, but this being the official, final update is bittersweet. 20 months of regular free content updates is more than you should expect from any RPG, let alone the smash hit that was sprawling and deep even before all of its post-launch additions.

Baldur’s Gate 3 is arguably among the best games of all time – setting an incredibly high bar for CRPGs specifically – and that’s unlikely to change once the dust settles on Patch 8. Adding 12 new subclasses is a major injection of new content that can revitalize the game in practically every facet, even if it’s not a whole new challenge like Honour Mode. Photo mode and cross-play will ensure Baldur’s Gate 3 ages gracefully and keeps its most dedicated fans engaged, even after its historic run of awards and updates.