BG3 Patch 8: Massive Update Requires Stress Testing

Larian Studios has initiated a stress test phase for the highly anticipated Patch 8 of Baldur's Gate 3, ensuring a smooth rollout when it officially goes live. Here’s everything you need to know about the stress test and the exciting features coming with Patch 8.

Patch 8 Stress Test Update 1 Arrives With Bug Fixes

Only Available To Testers

Larian has released an update to the Patch 8 Stress Test build, addressing numerous bugs, crashes, and scripting errors. This update also ensures that Gale correctly consumes magical items as intended. It's important to note that this update is exclusively available to those participating in the Patch 8 stress test. Non-testers will need to wait for the full patch to experience the new enhancements and content.

Key improvements in this update include ensuring containers within inventories retain their contents even when destroyed, enhancing the screenshot functionality in Photo Mode for Steam Deck users, refining pose responsiveness, improving cross-play capabilities, updating the Booming Blade tooltip values, and resolving several crash issues. For a detailed list of these enhancements, visit the official Baldur’s Gate 3 website's news section.

Patch 8 is poised to be one of the last major updates from Larian before their departure from the world of Faerûn. This substantial update will introduce platform cross-play, over 12 new subclasses including the Death Domain Cleric, Path of Giants Barbarian, and Arcane Archer Fighter, and the much-awaited Photo Mode.

Photo Mode Is As Customizable As It Can Be

While awaiting the official release of Patch 8, players can dive into an in-depth sneak peek video showcasing how to maximize the potential of the upcoming Photo Mode. Larian aims to ensure that players can "get the Absolute most out of Photo Mode from the start."

Photo Mode offers unparalleled customization, accessible almost anytime—during adventures, combat, or in multiplayer sessions hosted by the player. You can position companions and characters in any pose you envision, with or without party members, and even include quirky elements like a jumping frog that dominates half the screen. The freely movable camera allows for capturing the perfect shot from any angle.

Enhance your photos further with post-processing effects, stickers, and frames. However, during dialogues and cinematic cutscenes, you'll be limited to adding post-process effects without the ability to change poses.

Larian is set to release a tips and tricks video to further inspire creativity among players, helping them to master the art of in-game photography.