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Subclasses in Baldur’s Gate 3 play a vital role in shaping your character’s abilities and overall gameplay style. With the arrival of Patch 8, each class is set to receive a new subclass, enhancing the diversity of playstyles available to players.
The upcoming Patch 8 will make these new subclasses accessible to all players. Players can select these subclasses as they level up, further expanding the options for their characters and companions in the main campaign. Below is a comprehensive overview of the new subclasses and their unique abilities.
New Subclasses and Abilities in Patch 8 for Baldur’s Gate 3
Patch 8 introduces a total of 12 new subclasses, with one designated for each character class:
Barbarian: Giant Bard: College of Glamour Cleric: Death Domain Druid: Circle of the Stars Fighter: Arcane Archer Monk: Way of the Drunken Master Paladin: Oath of the Crown Ranger: Swarmkeeper Rogue: Swashbuckler Sorcerer: Shadow Magic Warlock: Hexblade Wizard: Bladesinging
These subclasses are unlocked at various character levels, allowing players to tailor their skills and abilities to fit their gameplay preferences. Below is a detailed exploration of the new subclasses and their features.
Giant Barbarian Abilities
The Giant Barbarian taps into the strength of giants, enhancing their attacks during Rage abilities. Players can expect to perform powerful throws and deal significant damage.
Features Level All Unlocks
Level 3 Giant’s Rage: Increases size while in Rage, doubling damage on throw attacks.
Vaprak’s Greed: Enhances carrying capacity by 25%.
Thaumaturgy: Ability to cast this cantrip at will.
Level 5 Boot of the Giants: Allows you to kick targets based on Athletics skill.
Level 6 Elemental Cleaver: Imbues thrown weapons with elemental damage, reappearing in hand after use.
Level 10 Mighty Impel: Enables throwing of medium or smaller creatures or objects.
College of Glamour Bard Abilities
This Bard subclass excels at captivating and distracting foes while enhancing their allies. Their abilities allow them to charm enemies and bolster teammates in battle.
Features Level All Unlocks
Level 3 Mantle of Inspiration: Grants temporary hit points to allies, potentially charming their attackers.
Level 6 Mantle of Majesty (Command): Issues commands to enemies without saving throw success.
Mantle of Inspiration: Increases temporary hit points granted to allies.
Level 10 Enhanced Mantle of Inspiration: Further increases temporary hit points and targets additional allies.
Death Domain Cleric Abilities
Clerics of the Death Domain manipulate necromantic powers, enabling them to inflict damage while sacrificing healing. This class is ideal for those who want to dominate through offensive spells.
Features Level All Unlocks
Level 1 Proficient with Martial Weapons.
Reaper: Necromancy cantrips can target multiple creatures.
Domain spells include Bone Chill, False Life, and Ray of Sickness.
Level 2 Touch of Death: Increases damage on melee attack hit.
Level 6 Inescapable Destruction: Spells ignore necrotic damage resistance.
Additional domain spells unlock with level advancements.
Circle of the Stars Druid Abilities
Focusing on celestial power, this subclass allows Druids to adapt their healing and damage capabilities according to the situation they face.
Features Level All Unlocks
Level 2 Provides access to the Guidance cantrip; allows for transformation into Starry Form.
Strong abilities such as Luminous Arrow and Chalice of Healing enhance combat and healing operations.
Features evolve as the player levels up, gaining additional charges and enhancements.
Arcane Archer Fighter Abilities
This subclass infuses archery with magic, giving players unique arrows to showcase various effects during ranged combat.
Features Level All Unlocks
Level 3 Proficiency in Arcana and Nature, coupled with special Arcane Arrows for various effects like bursting and enfeebling.
Level 7 Introduces Curving Shot, allowing a bonus attack on missed shots.
Fighters can choose additional Arcane Shots as they progress.
Way of the Drunken Master Monk Abilities
Embracing the chaotic nature of drunkenness, this Monk can use their inventory items as weapons, enabling unique combat strategies.
Features Level All Unlocks
Level 3 Cheeky Tipple: Immunity to negative drunken effects and the ability to regenerate Ki Points while drinking.
Skills that support movement and redirect attacks emerge as the Monk levels up.
Oath of the Crown Paladin Abilities
This Paladin subclass emphasizes defense and protection for allies while controlling the battlefield, compelling foes to focus on them.
Features Level All Unlocks
Level 1 Tenets that focus on Law, Loyalty, and Responsibility.
Gains abilities to command attention from enemies and heal allies.
Healer skills develop further with level progression.
Swarmkeeper Ranger Abilities
Rangers in this subclass harness nature’s spirits to empower their attacks and movements, offering versatility in combat.
Features Level All Unlocks
Level 3 Engage with various nature spirits, enhancing ranged attacks and mobility.
The Swarmkeeper can teleport or manipulate their swarm for tactical advantages.
Abilities become more potent at higher levels.
Swashbuckler Rogue Abilities
This Rogue subclass thrives on agility and charisma, enabling effective melee combat and evasive maneuvers.
Features Level All Unlocks
Level 3 Abilities that prevent opportunity attacks, enhancing rogue mobility and offensive tactics.
Additional skills like Dirty Tricks offer creative combat options.
Features grow to include social manipulations with Panache.
Shadow Magic Sorcerer Abilities
A master of deception, this Sorcerer uses darkness to confound enemies while enhancing their own survival potential.
Features Level All Unlocks
Level 1 Powers that allow visibility in darkness and survival against damage.
Further spell options bolster their capability to disrupt foes.
Hexblade Warlock Abilities
This subclass focuses on melee combat, offering spell-slinging power along with martial capabilities.
Features Level All Unlocks
Level 1 Proficiencies in weapons and armor, along with the Hexblade’s curse.
This Warlock class evolves to summon Spectres and unlock powerful spells as they advance.
Bladesinging Wizard Abilities
For players seeking a balance between melee and magical prowess, the Bladesinger offers enhanced combat versatility.
Features Level All Unlocks
Level 2 Ability to cast Bladesong, increasing combat efficiency and survivability.
This subclass allows for the use of spells alongside weapon attacks, making them formidable on the field.
Source
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