Baldur’s Gate 3 Patch 8 Update: Larian Studios Shares Changes

Update Overview

Baldur’s Gate 3 patch 8 stress test update 1 is now available on PC, Xbox, and PS5.
This update resolves several issues related to Gale’s magical items and improves radial menu descriptions.
Additional enhancements include updates to photo mode, cross-play functionality, user interface (UI) adjustments, artistic elements, scripting codes, subclass corrections, and various crash fixes.

Larian Studios has officially launched update 1 for the Baldur’s Gate 3 patch 8 stress test. This patch addresses key issues affecting gameplay, notably those related to Gale’s magical items and inaccuracies within the radial menu descriptions.

Since its release, Baldur’s Gate 3 has achieved remarkable success, winning prestigious accolades at The Game Awards and selling over 10 million copies globally. Despite the game’s impressive performance, Larian Studios remains committed to enhancing player experience by rolling out continual support and content updates. Currently, they are focused on patch 8—the last significant content rollout—now in stress testing phases.

Participants in the Baldur’s Gate 3 patch 8 stress test can now experience the benefits of update 1, which introduces significant fixes and enhancements across numerous game features. A notable correction allows Gale to once again utilize his magical items effectively. Furthermore, bugs affecting Oath of the Crown paladins—a class that erroneously lost spell slots upon leveling up—have been addressed, alongside fixes to prevent certain items from losing condition when entered into the inventory.

Update #1 for the Patch 8 stress test is going live later today! Unable to feed Gale his magical shoes? Worry not, his appetite has been restored and we’ve fixed a range of issues in the Patch 8 stress test! Read more: https://t.co/9TDKBt7iYC pic.twitter.com/pKK6vnCxhB — Baldur’s Gate 3 (@baldursgate3) February 6, 2025

The update also brings improvements to the game’s photo mode, introducing an in-game pop-up guide accessible through the journal. Additionally, users on Steam Deck will benefit from an upgraded screenshot feature, allowing seamless access to images via the Steam Screenshots page. Other enhancements in photo mode include fixes for blurriness during split-screen usage and game freezes while switching tabs.

Cross-play functionality benefits from several corrections, removing issues that previously caused clients to get stuck on loading screens, as well as PS5-specific problems with splash screens and combat crash instances. The UI has received a comprehensive overhaul, tackling character creation problems, button functionalities for keyboard shortcuts, and bugs related to controller input within the main menu.

In addition to these improvements, various issues concerning the game’s artistic presentation, scripting, subclasses, and crash occurrences have been resolved to ensure that patch 8 is fully optimized for its eventual release. While Larian has yet to announce an exact release date for patch 8, predictions indicate that it could debut in mid to late February.

Baldur’s Gate 3 Stress Test Update 1 Patch Notes

Gameplay Enhancements

Resolved an issue where containers in inventories did not release their contents upon destruction, potentially risking the loss of crucial quest items.
Fixed a bug that caused Oath of the Crown paladins to incorrectly lose spell slots during leveling.
Corrected issues with item pickups in multiplayer that could hinder character movement via controller.
Addressed problems with the Wild Shape: Panther’s Prowl action and Prowling condition not functioning as intended.
Fixed bugs which caused items stored in inventory to lose their conditions, impacting performance when using items like the Elemental Cleaver.
Ensured that the Shadow Blade remains locked to the caster when maximally upcast.

Improvements to Photo Mode

Introduced an in-game pop-up for Photo Mode accessible from the journal at the start of the game.
Updated Steam Deck’s screenshot function to utilize Steam’s built-in system for easier photo access.
Prevented characters from entering private cutscenes during the activation of Photo Mode in multiplayer sessions.
Concealed the ‘Toggle Photo Preview’ legend when capturing images via Steam’s method.
Fixed blurriness issues when opening Photo Mode on split screens.
Implemented camera shutter sound effects during screenshot actions in Photo Mode.
Corrected poses for wolves in Attacking and Jumping sequences.
Addressed an issue where excessive vignette settings displayed an intrusive cross on the screen.
Troubleshot inconsistent responsiveness when using the ‘Look At Camera’ option for some creatures.
Eliminated freezing occurrences when quickly navigating tabs in Photo Mode.
Enhanced Depth of Field sliders for better proportional adjustments.
Fixed a graphical issue where dragonborn tails appeared detached.
Adjusted the Grasping Vine’s poses to function properly.

Cross-Play Enhancements

Resolved an issue that would lock the client on loading screens after removing and re-adding the host.
Corrected splash screen visibility issues on PS5 during gameplay.
Addressed crashes occurring at the initiation of combat.

Subclass Updates

The Booming Blade tooltip now reflects correct values when upcast.
Corrected the Rakish Audacity tooltip’s erroneous bonus value.
Updated Toll the Dead and Bursting Sinew functionalities to be compatible with Potent Cantrip, applying half damage on successful saves.
Fixed the inclusion of Pact of the Blade’s Extra Attack in Deepened Pact, even when not selected.

Artistic Modifications

Fixed clipping issues with the Flaming Fist armor, enhancing visual consistency.

User Interface Improvements

Resolved a UI bug affecting Gale’s donation functionality, which prevented feeding him magical items.
Ensured Hexblade’s class actions and subclass features are displayed accurately during character creation.
Fixed problems where keyboard shortcuts and certain buttons within the UI failed to respond correctly.
Improved the clarity of several Reaction tooltips, including the Divine Allegiance description.
Resolved UI lock-ups when alternating rapidly between keyboard and mouse versus controller inputs.
Fixed the issue where selecting the Main Menu via controller would not default to the ‘Resume’ option at the top of the list.
Eliminated condition icon duplications on the party line during act transitions in cross-play.
Addressed navigation issues that prevented wrap-around functionality in settings on controller inputs.
Altered character respeccing behavior, allowing players to directly select a new passive without needing to deselect the current one.
Resolved the bug where toggleable Illithid Powers would disappear from the Character Sheet and become unresponsive in the Illithid Powers UI.
Corrected avatar visibility issues in multiplayer/cross-play lobbies.

Scripting Enhancements

Re-evaluated achievement guidelines in light of 12 forthcoming subclasses in Patch 8, ensuring that the armed version of Stunning Strike no longer inaccurately counts as an unarmed attack for the Fists of Fury achievement, while its unarmed variant now does.
Confirmed that Monks’ Unarmed Strike bonus actions appropriately contribute toward the Action Surge achievement.

Crash Fixes

Resolved issues causing crashes when attempting to start a game from a lobby multiple times.
Fixed numerous crashes and freezes related to the UI functionalities.
Addressed crashes occurring on Vulkan registration when utilizing Photo Mode.

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