After already solidifying itself as one of the most enduringly popular RPGs in recent history, Baldur’s Gate 3 is still being supported with an upcoming update of an unprecedented scale. Following promises that the mod support of Patch 7 would be the last major addition to the game, Larian Studios has now announced that new subclasses will be coming to every single class option in the game in Patch 8. The value of bringing that many new playstyles into Baldur’s Gate 3 cannot be understated, but one particular choice has come in the wake of countless fan requests.
While similar builds have been possible, Dungeons and Dragons‘ Hexblade subclass for Warlock has always been notably absent from BG3 despite its popularity. In what would commonly be a DLC-scale release nowadays, Larian is going to officially provide this option as a free update.
Related
Why Wizards and Clerics Might Be the Winning Classes of Baldur’s Gate 3 in the Long Run
Wizards and Clerics in Baldur’s Gate 3 offer unparalleled variety and other lasting qualities, showcasing the depth of the game.
Playing a Hexblade Warlock Was Only Thought to Be Possible in Baldur’s Gate 3 Through Modding
The Notable Omission of One of DnD’s Most Popular Subclasses
In D&D, Hexblade Warlocks are known for their pact with an entity from the Shadowfell which typically allows them to summon a magical weapon and inflict curses upon enemies. Despite that plane itself actually appearing at the end of Baldur’s Gate 3 Act 2, there is no explicit connection to the Warlock class in the same way. While Wyll’s use of melee may have evoked the Hexblade initially, many players have since settled for mods to get their desired features.
Players Have Settled for Analogs in the Base Game
It’s reasonable that one of the more melee-based Warlock subclasses would earn a reputation as a desirable playstyle with a dark flair, and players have managed to imitate it outside directly by adding the Hexblade through mods in Baldur’s Gate 3. Multiclassing into Paladin for an increased melee focus under a shared Charisma modifier has risen to prominence, for example, largely because most players have adapted after they never anticipated an official update to the Warlock.
Baldur’s Gate 3’s Upcoming Hexblade Subclass is Poised to Be Faithful to the Source Material
New Features Go Beyond Pact of the Blade Alone
After over a year of players resorting to similar features in the vanilla game, Baldur’s Gate 3 Patch 8 subclass additions are finally allowing the Hexblade to shine with its hallmark abilities. The announcement post by Larian doesn’t go into direct detail about the new gameplay options by name, but it’s been made clear that elements like summoning a pact entity as a weapon and a summon similar to Accursed Specter are on the table. If the example of the more detailed descriptions of the other new subclasses is to be followed, it’s likely that the Hexblade will be handled faithfully with some possible adjustments that fit within its theme.
The Extent of the Warlock’s Expansion Remains Yet to Be Seen
It’s not known how far BG3‘s next update is going in iterating on the game’s classes, as the likes of Warlock have exclusive feature selection in the form of Eldritch Invocations. Building out the array of these could further complement the new Hexblade, as it has typically been paired with some that have only been available in tabletop. In terms of supporting a melee powerhouse, Eldritch Smite can further bolster damage via Warlock spell slot, while Relentless Hex allows the player to teleport to a visible enemy affected by Hex. No matter the extent to which Larian tailors the game around the subclass, the Hexblade Warlock is almost guaranteed to be elevated to one of the most viable mixed spellcasters in Baldur’s Gate 3 Patch 8.
Leave a Reply