It’s been quite a journey, hasn’t it? Since Baldur’s Gate 3 launched, it’s captured the hearts (and many, many hours) of players across the globe. Now, with the release of the final major patch in April 2025, it feels like we’ve reached the end of an era. Or maybe, the beginning of something new. Larian Studios dropped a monster update packed with long-requested features, serious quality-of-life improvements, and a few surprises no one saw coming.
Let’s dig into everything this farewell patch brings to the table.
Crossplay Is (Finally) Here
Yes, it’s real. Yes, it works. And yes, it’s been worth the wait.
Crossplay has been one of the most requested features since the game first came to console. As of this final patch, PC, Mac, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S players can party up effortlessly. Whether your best friend’s a keyboard warrior or prefers lounging on the couch with a controller, it no longer matters. Everyone’s invited to the table now.
I’ve personally tested it with a group spread across three platforms during a late-night Friday session. No lag spikes, no weird UI bugs, and connection issues were practically nonexistent. We even used voice chat via Discord with zero interference from gameplay.
That said, crossplay does require all players to be running the latest version of the game, and cross-save works hand-in-hand with it. You can now pick up your PC save on console without breaking the narrative flow. Feels like magic, but it’s really just rock-solid development and a dev team that cares deeply.
12 New Subclasses: Build Diversity Galore
Larian didn’t just patch in a few tweaks and call it a day. They brought the heat with 12 entirely new subclasses, each with unique mechanics and playstyles. These aren’t rehashes or filler; they genuinely add new dimensions to how you can approach the game.
Here’s a look at my top three picks:
🛡️ Echo Knight (Fighter): Borrowed from Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount, this subclass lets you summon spectral echoes across the battlefield. It’s strategic, it’s flashy, and yes, it’s ridiculously fun if you enjoy hopping across the map to outmaneuver enemies. Great for tactical minds who love positioning and control.
🌲 Circle of Stars (Druid): Throwing constellations into the mix? Yes, please. With this subclass, I found myself using star-based forms and guides to support and damage. It shifts the Druid from a support-y wild-shape wizard into a cosmic powerhouse.
🧠 Aberrant Mind (Sorcerer): Wild psionics, eerie illusions, and a spell list that reaches into enchantment territory. This one plays like something between a sorcerer and a mind-flayer-in-training. And I’m here for it. It adds a sinister flair to magic casting, almost like your spells are watching your enemies.
The full list of new subclasses includes picks from Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything and homebrew tweaks approved by Wizards of the Coast. Patch notes confirm full compatibility with existing multiclass rulesets, giving min-maxers a fresh sandbox to explore.
Want to roll a Warlock who deals divine damage? It’s possible now. Favor a Monk with radiant teleportation? Go wild.
Say Cheese: Photo Mode Arrives
No more fumbling with the ‘Print Screen’ button or struggling to capture that perfect sunset over the Sword Coast.
Photo Mode is seamless and surprisingly robust for a game not originally designed with a photography tool. You can pause time, move the camera freely, tweak filters like saturation, brightness, vignette, and even add letterboxing for a cinematic effect. Want to hide your UI or freeze a mid-action pose during combat? Done and done.
I’ve already spent way too much time staging scenes in the Underdark just to grab moody shots of my party lit only by faerzress. Larian even included a “pose selector” for your companions, which can result in some hilariously sassy group portraits (looking at you, Shadowheart).
This tool feels lovingly crafted for the passionate fanbase that’s been screenshotting every romance arc since day one. And it delivers on every front.
What Comes Next for Baldur’s Gate 3?
The term “final patch” might sound like a closing chapter, but for many of us, it feels more like Larian handing over the keys and saying, “Have fun.”
With crossplay, dozens of subclasses, and a community thriving through mods and custom campaigns, the world of Baldur’s Gate 3 feels more alive than ever. There are no current confirmations of DLC beyond what’s already been released, and according to Larian’s April 2025 dev blog, the studio is now turning its focus to future projects that are not set in the Forgotten Realms.
Speculation is rampant. Some fans believe we might see an expansion pack drop a year from now. Others say this is truly the end. One thing is for sure: the modding community isn’t slowing down. Since the patch’s release, NexusMods has already seen dozens of new subclass tweaks, custom portraits, and UI overhauls.
“It’s not the end. It’s the beginning of whatever you want to make it,” one longtime player commented on the official forums.
And judging by how the community has treated this game like a living, breathing D&D campaign, I’m inclined to agree.
Final Thoughts: A Fond Farewell or an Open World?
After hundreds of hours, dozens of characters, too many long rests, and maybe a few tears during Act 3’s quiet moments, Baldur’s Gate 3 still hits home. This last major patch doesn’t just polish the edges. It expands what’s possible inside its admittedly epic frame.
If you’ve been waiting for a reason to dive back in, this is it. Crossplay makes it easier than ever to play with friends, the new subclasses breathe fresh life into every build, and the photo mode lets you document your adventures in Lord-of-the-Rings-tier grandeur.
So gather your party. Fire up the game. And for the love of Mystra, don’t forget to quicksave.
Have thoughts about the final patch? Share your wildest new builds or funniest co-op stories in the comments. We’d love to hear from you.
