Though Baldur's Gate 3 is confidently eyeing its August 2023 release window, players will be getting one last content patch to its Early Access featuring Paladins, a myriad of new spells, and more. When the new Baldur's Gate 3 trailer had its debut at The Game Awards, its veteran players only had one thing on their mind: the realization that Jaheira and Minsc might be coming back as companions for one last adventure on the Sword Coast. Though Minsc was confirmed by Larian Studios as the party's ranger, the recent Baldur's Gate 3 livestream finally clarified that both Minsc and Jaheira could be potential companions or adversaries for the protagonist of the game.
This Panel From Hell, as Larian had dubbed it, went on to unveil a plethora of other additions to the game, citing Patch 9 as the final content update for the Early Access of Baldur's Gate 3. In addition to implementing new hairstyle and face options for the main character, players will also be able to assume a non-binary gender identity in Baldur's Gate 3. Moreover, Patch 9 will see the introduction of the long-awaited Paladin class to the game, as the Baldur's Gate 3 livestream gave its holy warrior the righteous debut it demanded.
Larian Studios went on to reveal that the final patch for Baldur's Gate 3's Early Access is already live, and that players can enjoy all the announced options and additions from the livestream firsthand. The level cap for the Early Access is being raised to Level 5, which is important for many Baldur's Gate 3 classes such as Fighter or Wizard, whose capabilities only truly open up past Level 4. The Reaction system is also getting an overhaul with the new patch, allowing players to customize when it will come into effect on a case-by-case basis.
Lost amidst all the excitement is the fact that Baldur's Gate 3 players who wanted to make their Tav a half-orc or dragonborn will have to wait for launch. Furthermore, there are still several subclasses that are being saved for Baldur's Gate 3's official release such as Champion Fighter, Assassin Rogue, War Cleric, and even the entire Monk class. While Larian Studios has confirmed that all the races and classes from the Player's Handbook will make their way to the game, it is a bit disappointing that some players will have to wait till August to try those options out.
With Jaheira and Minsc returning to Baldur's Gate, and the recent trailer hinting at a heavy involvement of the Dead Three in the game's storyline, Baldur's Gate 3 is shaping up to be a proper sequel to the tremendous legacy of its predecessors.
Baldur's Gate 3 is releasing in August 2023 on PC.
