Baldur’s Gate 3 Patch 8 Reveals Swashbuckler & Shadow Hound

Larian Studios has pulled back the curtain on the final batch of Baldur’s Gate 3 subclasses arriving with Patch 8, injecting a dozen fresh playstyles into this sprawling DnD-inspired RPG.

Patch 8 for Baldur’s Gate 3 is shaping up to be a game-changer, and Larian’s latest reveals have me itching to dive back into Faerûn. Sure, crossplay and photo mode are shiny new toys, but it’s the twelve new subclasses that have my veteran gamer heart racing. From the bee-wielding Swarmkeeper Ranger to the tipsy brilliance of the Drunken Master Monk, these additions are some of the wildest twists yet for this RPG masterpiece. Today, we’re cracking open the last four—a Rogue, Sorcerer, Warlock, and Wizard—each bringing their own flavor of chaos and charm.

Larian’s been putting Patch 8 through its paces with community playtesting, so if you’ve been part of that crew, you’ve likely already tussled with these new toys. Pulled from the depths of Dungeons & Dragons’ most imaginative corners, these subclasses don’t just tweak your favorite Baldur’s Gate 3 classes—they reinvent them. In the final chapter of their three-part teaser series, Larian spotlights options that’ll have you rethinking every encounter.

First up, the Swashbuckler Rogue. Ever dreamed of swaggering through battle like a silver-tongued pirate—or maybe a rum-soaked scoundrel who lucks into glory? This subclass is your ticket. With tricks like flinging pocket sand to blind foes or chucking your blade to strip theirs away, it’s dirty fighting with style. ‘Fancy Footwork’ lets you dance away from melee strikes without triggering counterattacks, while ‘Rakish Audacity’ juices your Initiative and opens sneak attack windows even without advantage. It’s fast, flashy, and perfect for anyone who’s ever wanted to outwit and outstab their enemies.

Then there’s the Shadow Magic Sorcerer, a caster who doesn’t just wield darkness—they become it. Spells stretch further without burning sorcery points, and their night-vision makes shadowy lairs a playground. ‘Strength of the Grave’ is a clutch lifeline, keeping them upright at one HP when the dice betray them. But the real star? The ‘Hound of Ill Omen’—a spectral pooch Larian’s tweaked with some homebrew magic. I’ve lost count of how many runs I’ve theorycrafted just to sic this shadowy mutt on unsuspecting foes.

Hexblade Warlocks step up next, bound to a shadowy force from the Shadowfell that forges living weapons out of darkness. Their ‘Hexblade’s Curse’ amps up damage and lets you puppeteer fallen enemies as Accursed Spectres—ghastly allies who rip soul-shreds from your targets to patch you up. It’s grim, it’s gnarly, and after years of loving cursed builds in everything from Dark Souls to Diablo, I’m already hooked.

Finally, the Bladesinging Wizard. If you’re like me—someone who’s spent countless hours perfecting spell-and-sword combos in games like Dragon Age—this one’s a dream come true. Trigger ‘Bladesong’ and watch your AC soar, your speed spike, and your acrobatics shine, all while bolstering your Constitution saves. Melee prowess gets a glow-up with slick new spell visuals, an extra attack, and ‘Song of Defense,’ letting you burn spell slots to shrug off damage. It’s the ultimate fusion of magic and martial might, and I’m already plotting my next run.

No hard date yet for Patch 8, but with previews wrapping up and a third playtest build live, I’m betting we’re close to some big news. Until then, I’ll be hunched over my character planner, dreaming up builds to unleash these new Baldur’s Gate 3 subclasses on the Sword Coast.

Can’t sit still? Dig into the wildest Baldur’s Gate 3 mods for a taste of chaos now, or check out other epic RPGs that scratch that same itch. What’s your first pick from this lineup? Drop your thoughts—I want to hear how you’ll bend these subclasses to your will!