But hey, we’re not the type to press for an unfinished game. Plus, if you’re a long-standing Larian fan, you’ll know that even if it takes a while, they’ll deliver something fantastic. And although we are coming to a year since the Early Access release, with no official release date in sight, we’re constantly seeing progress. It’s not like the game is in development-hell, as we are always seeing meaningful changes to the overall game.

As much as we might want the full game, you and I both know what a rushed game looks like… An unfinished, unpolished and rushed game can ruin a potentially fantastic concept.

That being said, the latest Panel from Hell has finally blessed us with even more content, updates and details on the progress of the game. Swen Vincke and the team are very clearly hard at work in creating this grand game. All things considered, there’s a lot of eyes on this game’s progress. I imagine there’s a lot of pressure and Larian very clearly want to please everyone. And while the majority of the Baldur’s Gate community (and the Dungeons & Dragons community too) are supportive and understanding, there are the occasional few who are getting increasingly frustrated that there’s no full release in sight.

However, Patch 6 might be able to tide over some people’s appetite. Considering it’s a whopping 60GB of new data full of new content. But more importantly – to some – there’s a new location and a new class!

General fixes and updates

This patch has added an immense number of changes and updates to the general game. A variety of fixes and bugs that aim the balance of the overall experience. You can read the full list of changes here but I’ll highlight the important ones.

A completely new graphical overhaul: VFX has been improved, making spaces and environments a lot more immersive. Textures have also been updated to lend to this even more. Completely revamped lighting system with volumetric fog/lighting.
Certain characters (female human and Githyanki) have updated and new gameplay animations.
The Automaton in the Underdark has gotten a makeover and improved animations!
Equippable salami. That is all.
Novices and True Souls have a proper prefix and title. They’ve also been given proper Absolute outfits.
Slash is now called Lacerate. Rush is now called Rush Attack. Pinning Shot is now called Hamstring Shot.
Enemy portraits now display concentration.
The Myconid spore attacks impact the target’s model character.
Druids get a new cat model to turn into.
Characters will become dirty, sweaty, bloodied and bruised during their adventures.
The camera system has been tweaked to make control over it feel more fluid and smooth.

New weapon actions

Added new weapon actions, giving ranged and melee weapons up to three lethal signature moves – now non-magic wielders have more options at their disposal in combat as long as they are proficient with the weapon.

Heartstopper: Smash an enemy’s chest to damage and possibly reduce their actions by one.
Weakening Strike: Target an enemy’s hands with a non-lethal attack to give disadvantage on its Attack Rolls.
Crippling Strike: Swing at an enemy’s legs to prevent them from moving.
Pommel Strike: Make a non-lethal attack against an enemy to possibly Daze them.
Piercing Strike: Stab an enemy to damage them that possibly left a Gaping Wounds.
Backbreaker: Put extra force behind your strike to possibly knock your enemy Prone.
Flourish: Feint an attack to possibly throw your enemy Off Balance.
Concussive Smash: Hit an enemy with all your might to deal damage and possibly Daze them.
Brace: Spend your movement speed to reroll your damage dice.
Prepare: Spend your movement speed to get an extra damage.
Piercing Shot: Shoot an enemy to damage them that possibly left a Gaping Wounds.
Mobile Shot: Make a Ranged Attack after you dash or disengage.

New class: Sorcerer

One of the more anticipated features come in the form of the new class, Sorcerers! I already went into a fair amount of detail about the Sorcerer in a previous article. But as I expected, we’ll be seeing the new subclasses from the Player’s Handbook, Wild Magic and Draconic Bloodline. Each with different features, but both sharing the same core. Sorcerers are innately magical, unlike all other classes. Warlocks, Clerics and Paladins are all granted their magic by a higher being, Wizards, Druids and Bards learn their magic.

Sorcerers are born with magic, it courses through their blood. Draconic Bloodline does exactly as it says on the tin, you have some draconic bloodline, you may be a distant ancestor to a powerful almighty dragon. And that manifests in your peculiar control of magic. As opposed to wild magic, where you are an unstable conduit for the Weave. You can control the weave to an extent, but don’t ever think you’re the master over it, as if you get reckless, you can cause a wild magic surge.

Metamagic

What makes a Sorcerer all the more powerful is Metamagic, a special feature you get access to as a natural mage. Metamagic is the Sorcerer’s signature feature which allows them to adapt your spells in the heat of combat. With it, they can increase a spell’s range, duration, or hit two enemies simultaneously, among other powerful variations on your spells – making you a powerful and unpredictable presence in battle.

These are the Metamagics we currently have access to in the EA, with more to come upon full release:

Distant Spell: When you Cast a Spell that has a range of 5 feet or greater, you can spend 1 sorcery point to double the range of the spell. When you Cast a Spell that has a range of touch, you can spend 1 sorcery point to make the range of the spell 30 feet.

Twinned Spell: When you Cast a Spell that Targets only one creature and doesn’t have a range of self, you can spend a number of sorcery points equal to the spell’s level to target a second creature in range with the same spell (1 sorcery point if the spell is a cantrip). To be eligible, a spell must be incapable of targeting more than one creature at the spell’s current level. For example, Magic Missile and Scorching Ray aren’t eligible, but Ray of Frost is.

Extended Spell: When you Cast a Spell that has a Duration of 1 minute or longer, you can spend 1 sorcery point to double its Duration, to a maximum Duration of 24 hours.

Careful Spell: When you Cast a Spell that forces other creatures to make a saving throw, you can protect some of those creatures from the spell’s full force. To do so, you spend 1 sorcery point and choose a number of those creatures up to your Charisma modifier (minimum of one creature). A chosen creature automatically succeeds on its saving throw against the spell.

Heightened Spell: When you Cast a Spell that forces a creature to make a saving throw to resist its Effects, you can spend 3 sorcery points to give one target of the spell disadvantage on its first saving throw made against the spell.

Quickened Spell: When you Cast a Spell that has a Casting Time of 1 action, you can spend 2 sorcery points to change the Casting Time to 1 Bonus Action for this casting.

Subtle Spell: When you Cast a Spell, you can spend 1 sorcery point to cast it without any somatic or verbal Components.

Draconic Bloodline Sorcerer

If you’re more keen on a tankier mage, then Draconic Bloodline is your best bet. Oh and you also get some cool looking scales!

Dragon Ancestor

At 1st level, you choose one type of dragon as your ancestor. The damage type associated with each dragon is used by features you gain later.

Draconic Ancestry
Dragon Color	Damage Type
Black	Acid
Blue	Lightning
Brass	Fire
Bronze	Lightning
Copper	Acid
Gold	Fire
Green	Poison
Red	Fire
Silver	Cold
White	Cold

You can speak, read, and write Draconic. Additionally, whenever you make a Charisma check when interacting with dragons, your proficiency bonus is doubled if it applies to the check.

Although we might not see any use of this just yet, as the only dragons we see in–game are the Gith’s and I have a feeling they might not be too receptive to chatting with us.

Draconic Resilience

Your ancestral magic will begin to show itself upon you, you’ll be hardier, a lot more resilient and stronger. At 1st level, your hit point maximum increases by 1 and increases by 1 again whenever you gain a level in this class.

Additionally, parts of your skin are covered by a thin sheen of dragon-like scales. When you aren’t wearing armor, your AC equals 13 + your Dexterity modifier.

Special spells

Draconic bloodline sorcerers will also have access to new spells, depending on their ancestor.

Wild Magic Sorcerer

Chaos incarnate, you can manipulate the Weave but it can just as easily manipulate you.

Wild Magic Surge

When you cast a spell, you might have to make a d20 roll, if you get a 1, you’ll flare with chaotic magic and cause a wild magic surge. The effect from the surge can be beneficial but they can also be detrimental, they are completely wild and chaotic but immensely fun!

Tides of Chaos

With Tides of Chaos, you can manipulate the forces of chance and chaos to gain advantage on one attack roll, ability check, or saving throw. But if you get a natural 1, a wild magic surge might happen.

New location: Grymforge

Added new Grymforge region, an ancient Sharran fortress featuring new content, quests, combat, and mysterious NPCs to face. Added setup for several Grymforge quests in the Underdark.

This new patch has seen a lot of attention given to the Underdark areas of the game, with more expansion and development to them. So players can now spend more time there, with more interactions to be made.

I don’t want to go too into detail about the Grymforge, as it’s a completely new environment for you to explore. All you need to know is there’s lots more to see and explore.

Baldur’s Gate 3 Patch 6 is the biggest yet – New class, new location,

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