If you’ve been eager to traverse the vast realms of the Sword Coast alongside your friends, there’s exciting news: crossplay is on its way to Baldur’s Gate 3 after what felt like an eternity—almost as long as an elven lifespan! Larian Studios revealed today that Patch 8 is now entering the stress testing phase. While it still requires some final touches, Larian has high hopes for this update, which they state will be the final major patch.
This patch is packed with features. It introduces crossplay, along with an impressive addition of 12 new subclasses, a photo mode, and brings back split-screen gameplay for Xbox Series S users. Additionally, it contains numerous bug fixes and balance adjustments.

The new subclasses are thoughtfully crafted, featuring unique animations, abilities, and special dialogue options for each class. For instance, playing as an Oathbreaker Paladin—a class known for its controversial reputation in the world of Dungeons and Dragons—might elicit unfavorable reactions from certain NPCs. The subclasses include:
- Bard — College of Glamour
- Barbarian — Path of Giants
- Cleric — Death Domain
- Druid — Circle of Stars
- Paladin — Oath of the Crown
- Fighter — Arcane Archer
- Monk — Drunken Master
- Ranger — Swarmkeeper
- Rogue — Swashbuckler
- Sorcerer — Shadow Magic
- Warlock — Hexblade
- Wizard — Bladesinging
The newly introduced photo mode is also quite impressive, allowing players to take creative shots with a variety of customization and editing tools. You can make adjustments such as enacting character visibility, removing enemies from the frame, and even adding fun elements like stickers or blood splatters to your scenes.

If you’ve opted in for the stress test, keep an eye on your inbox. PlayStation 5 and PC users should find their access codes there, while Xbox players can get theirs through the Xbox Insider Hub. Larian is aware of several bugs—some are more significant than others—and encourages players to report any issues they encounter.
Interestingly, crossplay is even feasible with friends who are using modded versions of the game, as long as you’re both on compatible platforms. The host may only have up to 100 mods installed, and those mods must work on both console and Mac to allow for cooperative gameplay.
The stress test is still open for new participants, although applying for an invitation doesn’t guarantee access.
While Larian Studios hasn’t specified an exact launch date for this patch for the general public, they aim for it to be the last substantial update. They plan to shift focus to new projects beyond the Dungeons and Dragons universe, with an expected rollout sometime in 2025.