The stress test for Patch 8 of Baldur’s Gate 3 has now started for real and without any errors on Xbox, PlayStation and PC.
The week started off unintentionally stressful for Larian. Although it wasn’t supposed to happen yet, PlayStation players were able to access the last major update for Baldur’s Gate 3 early on January 27. Oops.
Now the time has really come: The real stress test for Patch 8 is officially live and has some patch notes ready – you can find them in full as usual on page 2 of the article.
Table of Contents
Patch 8 is now available for testing
The Patch 8 stress test started on January 28 on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. Those who signed up for PlayStation and PC should have received an email with their access data. Xbox users can access the test via the Xbox Insider Hub. You can still sign up for access at
If you want to test cross-play and play with your friends across platforms, you can request a stress test key for them. To do so, you must link your game account to your Larian account
The latest update has some highlights in store:
- Cross-play: You can now play together with players from any platform – whether PC, PlayStation or Xbox.
- 12 new subclasses: Each main class gets a new subclass.
- Photo Mode: You can now switch to photo mode at any time and create artwork using a wide range of settings.
- Splitscreen on the Xbox Series S: On this Xbox console, you can test the multiplayer with split screen in advance.
After the small update glitch, the preliminary test update should no longer cause any problems for your save games. However, since this is still the stress test, minor bugs and errors are likely to occur. Don’t forget to report them to Larian so that the final patch goes off without a hitch.
All patch notes of patch 8
Gameplay
- When you pass a perception check, the discovered object is now displayed on the minimap and listed in the combat log.
- Fixed an issue where the special abilities of some of your allies were not displayed correctly at the end of the dialog with them in the High Hall.
- Scrolls and potions in unlocked containers in your group inventory can now be used when rolling in dialogs.
- Neutral and friendly NPCs will no longer become hostile when they encounter non-combat surfaces that trigger passive abilities (such as electrified surfaces triggering “Lightning Strike”). Take it easy, guys.
- Fixed: Freecast resetting when applying a condition.
- Fixed: Characters getting stuck when pathfinding up a ladder already being used by another companion.
- Fixed a bug with the moving platform in the Gauntlet of Shar that sometimes caused you to be left behind and plunge to your death.
Combat
- Fixed an issue where neutral NPCs would initiate fights for no apparent reason.
- Cerys will no longer interfere with fights with Minthara from across the region. She is no longer an overzealous overachiever.
Modding
- Fixed an issue where you could get stuck on a 0% loading screen when trying to join a multiplayer session using mods.
- The “Mod Verification” window now appears regardless of where the request to connect to a multiplayer game comes from.
- The warning about third-party mods has been replaced by a clearer message.
Performance and Options
- Fixed: Rule selection is no longer displayed on the “Change Custom Mode” screen when accessing the rule settings via the multiplayer lobby.
- Improved server performance in the Adamantine Forge.
Scripting and Flow
- Fixed an issue where you could tell Astarion that Gandrel was looking for him even if Gandrel refused to give the name of his prey.
- Fixed an issue with the save game where you did not receive the appropriate amount of Shadow Gems for the Glove of Shar.
- Minthara now comments on the Emperor’s unveiling.
- Minthara has been reminded that “knocked out” does not mean “dead,” so she’s more likely to appear in Moonrise Towers.
- You can no longer teleport out of Moonrise while controlling Minthara unless you tell her to stay put.
- Minthara is now willing to talk to you after you tell her to wait in the torture chamber.
- Minthara no longer gets stuck babysitting Thaniel in Act Two.
- Fixed a problem where you could talk about Art Cullagh as if he were alive even though he is not.
- Your character will no longer think that Shadowheart is dead when she is not when talking to Viconia.
- Characters who had a relationship with Gale when he sacrifices himself at the end to defeat the Netherbrain will now receive an appropriately toned (read: amorous) letter.
- Fixed a dialogue issue that prevented Avatar Gale from speaking to Lae’zel about the Orb after consuming a magical item.
UI
- Discovered and available (non-enemy, alive, etc.) merchants will now be displayed on the world map regardless of your distance from them.
Cutscenes
- Shadowheart has agreed to stop changing her hair color constantly during certain intimate moments.
- Some cinematic animations for characters of different heights have been cleaned up when kissing during the evil ending.
Writing
- Corrected a duplicate dialogue option and the incorrect version of another dialogue option that appeared in Minthara’s main dialogue with the group.
