Patch 9 for Baldur's Gate 3 adds Paladin Class, improved reactions, ability to reach Level 5, and more

Following a new trailer shown at The Game Awards 2022, Larian Studios has released Patch 9 for the Early Access version of Baldur's Gate 3, which adds the Paladin class, the ability to reach level 5, new reactions, the 'Fly' spell, and more.

Additionally, Larian has announced that Minsc will be voiced by Matthew Mercer when the game launches in August 2023.

The VOD for the December 13 "Panel from Hell" stream and details can be found below, via Larian Studios.

Today Larian Studios hosted a festive livestream called Panel From Hell: Holy Knight. Featuring The Game Awards host Geoff Keighley, the stream brought tidings of highly anticipated content for Baldur’s Gate 3. This update follows Larian’s trailer at last week’s The Game Awards, which revealed that the game will officially launch in August 2023.

Available in-game today, Patch 9 for Baldur’s Gate 3 is, in essence, a response to the player community’s feedback throughout early access – including the Paladin class, a reworked Reactions system, and the ability to progress to Level 5.

Paladins vary in their specific missions and ideals, but all Paladins have sworn an Oath to stand with goodness against the encroaching evils of the world. Whether they’ve sworn an Oath of Devotion, an Oath of the Ancients, or an Oath of another kind, their ultimate goal is to uphold justice and righteousness above all else.

But what happens to a Paladin who forsakes that sacred promise? Can there be redemption? A hidden Paladin subclass, Oathbreaker, gives players the opportunity to explore this path. Will they seek a return to grace, or will they find that their Oath was worth breaking after all?

D&D players will recognize Level 5 as a significant power boost for all classes – a moment where your party is finally able to take on formidable, previously insurmountable challenges. Spellcasters do especially well at Level 5, gaining access to 3rd-level spells like Fireball, Counterspell and Animate Dead – play your cards right and you may just raise your very own zombie army.

Here are a few of the highlights from Patch 9:

• New Class: Paladin
  • Bursting with noble spirit and ardent reverence, the Paladin class is marked by the ability to unleash devastating combos in combat while providing aid and protection to their party when necessary.
  • Two Subclasses:
    • Oath of Devotion
      • Following the ideal of the knight in shining armor, these Paladins act with honor and virtue to protect the weak and pursue the greater good.
      • Holy Rebuke: Call upon your Oath to grant an ally a vengeful aura that deals 1d4 Radiant damage to anyone who hits them with a melee attack.
    • Oath of the Ancients
      • Paladins who walk this path fight on the side of light in the eternal struggle against darkness, vowing to preserve the sanctity of life and the beauty of nature.
      • Healing Radiance: Call upon your Oath to let nature heal all nearby allies.
  • Divine Smite: When using a melee attack, you may choose to spend a spell slot to deal radiant damage to your target in addition to your weapon damage.
  • Hidden Subclass: Oathbreaker
    • Paladins who stray from their sacred oaths become Oathbreakers, which comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
    • Embrace your newfound powers for good or ill, or start down the path of redemption.
• Level 5
  • Players can now progress to Level 5. This makes for a significant power boost for all classes, opening up 3rd-level spells like Fireball to those with spellcasting abilities.
• Revamped Reactions System
  • Reactions are a unique type of combat action that can be triggered by various combat circumstances – for example, an enemy in melee range running away can trigger an Attack of Opportunity.
  • Players can now choose whether or not to use a Reaction when one is triggered, allowing for more strategic combat!
• Flying
  • The ‘Fly’ spell can be used in and out of combat to do just that – fly. Spread your wings and fly to otherwise out-of-reach treasure, or out of reach of enemies.

Along with major additions to the content of the game, Larian announced during the Panel From Hell that the critical role of Minsc in Baldur’s Gate 3 will be played by voice actor and DM Matt Mercer.

Get all of the details on these features and the rest of the patch notes in our Community Update, available here. Further information is available at panelfromhell.baldursgate3.game