Baldur's Gate 3 Patch 4 Takes Away One of the Game's Most Beloved Memes

Article Key Points

In the latest update for Baldur's Gate 3, namely Patch 4, several noteworthy changes have been introduced. These include the addition of a color-blind mode, improvements to spell mechanics, and resolutions to combat-related crashes. However, one unfortunate alteration entails the removal of the previous strategy of defeating the boss by Shoving him off a ledge.

Using humorous tactics such as employing a miniature giant space hamster or transforming enemies into sheep, players turned the act of shoving Cazador Szarr to his demise into a widely shared meme within the community.

The encounter with Cazador Szarr during the game marked a significant change in tone, as it involved a lighthearted and non-serious death amidst intense cutscenes. With the release of Patch 4, the boss battle has become even more demanding, as it eliminates the option to shove and introduces new abilities for Cazador.

Baldur's Gate 3, an RPG game inspired by Dungeons and Dragons, recently received its fourth post-launch patch on November 2. This new patch includes various updates and improvements, such as a color-blind mode, adjustments to spell and weapon mechanics, and fixes for combat and dialogue-related crashes. Additionally, Patch 4 addresses a popular meme in the Baldur's Gate 3 fan community, as it removes the ability for players to defeat the powerful vampire Cazador Szarr by simply Shoving him off a ledge.

Cazador Szarr is the final boss of the companion quest titled "The Pale Elf," which revolves around the vampiric rogue named Astarion. This villainous vampire has a plan to perform a ritual that would elevate him to become an immensely powerful Vampire Ascendant. The ritual involves sacrificing several thousand vampire spawn, including Astarion himself. In order to save Astarion's life and prevent the ritual from taking place, players must engage in a challenging, time-sensitive battle against Cazador. The fight is meant to be difficult, as it involves multiple minions and a boss capable of invisibility. However, prior to the release of Baldur's Gate 3 Patch 4, players could exploit the fight by taking advantage of the platform's location over a chasm and Cazador's lightweight, ethereal form, resulting in a swift victory.

Shoving Cazador Was A Source Of Memes

The potential of Shoving Cazador into his demise in Baldur's Gate 3 was swiftly discovered by players, resulting in its transformation into a popular meme. This humorous trend was not the only combat-related meme that emerged within the community. Other notable examples included utilizing the adored miniature giant space hamster known as Boo to defeat formidable bosses, employing the spell Polymorph to transform adversaries into harmless sheep during battles, and engaging in combat with comical weapons such as sticks of salami.

"The Vampire Descending"

The focus of much of Cazador's and Astarion's scenes and conversations centers around the Ascension ritual, a fixated preoccupation of the ancient vampire that he dedicated two centuries to planning. Interestingly, fans couldn't help but notice the irony when Cazador ultimately met his demise by falling, a literal descent rather than an ascent. Depictions of his downward plunge became known as the "Opposite Ascension" or "The Vampire Descendant" images.

"Astarion Approves"

Astarion, Cazador's spawn, presents a considerable challenge when it comes to gaining his approval. He prioritizes his own survival and frequently expresses disapproval towards actions that are typically considered "heroic," such as rescuing innocent individuals. This can be particularly frustrating for players who aspire to engage in a romantic relationship with the alluring vampire. Although shoving Cazador during a battle did not actually result in Astarion granting any approval, there were often instances where images of the vampire's pathetic demise were accompanied by captions such as "Astarion approves" or depictions of Astarion wearing a satisfied or content expression.

Tone Shifting And Corpse Teleporting

The battle against Cazador Szarr occurs amidst several intense cutscenes where Astarion confronts and conquers his haunting past as a captive spawn who was compelled to bring victims for two centuries. These scenes are highly emotional and Neil Newbon, the voice actor, has received well-deserved acclaim for his exceptionally poignant performance. The insertion of a rather frivolous and non-dramatic death amidst these tense sequences creates a noticeable shift in the overall mood. Additionally, the inclusion of a cutscene where Astarion stabs Cazador after his master's demise leads to a comical situation where the body humorously teleports from the chasm back to the platform, allowing players to loot the corpse as if nothing peculiar occurred.

This Late-Game Battle Has Become More Challenging

The outcome of whether the meme will completely disappear is uncertain, but Patch 4 has significantly increased the difficulty of the boss battle against Cazador Szarr, in line with the grand finale of a companion's quest. The option to "Shove" has been removed, as pushing the vampire off the cliff would result in him transforming into mist and returning to the battlefield. Furthermore, his range of sight has been expanded, he can now transform into a swarm of bats, and he has been granted Legendary Resistance on the Tactician difficulty level. This fight is expected to pose a much greater challenge to players from now on.

It is highly likely that Baldur's Gate 3 will continue receiving regular updates from Larian Studios, addressing glitches and implementing both major and minor changes. The community is yet to determine which new memes will arise in the absence of Cazador's formerly comical and undignified demise.

Baldur's Gate 3 is an RPG video game developed and published by Larian Studios. It was initially released on August 3, 2023, for PC, Stadia, macOS, and PlayStation 5. The game has received an ESRB M for Mature rating due to its depiction of blood and gore, partial nudity, sexual content, strong language, and violence. The estimated gameplay duration is 30 hours, and it has received a Metascore of 96. The split-screen orientation is vertical only, allowing for one to two players. You can find the game on the PlayStation Store.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I have mixed feelings about the removal of the shove meme in Baldur's Gate 3. On one hand, I understand the developers' decision to make the game more challenging and to prevent players from cheesing the boss fight. On the other hand, I'm sad to see a beloved meme go. I think the shove meme was a creative and funny way to defeat a tough boss, and it will be missed by many players.

Overall, I think the removal of the shove meme is a loss for the Baldur's Gate 3 community. It was a fun and creative way to defeat a tough boss, and it will be missed by many players. However, I also understand the developers' decision to make the game more challenging, and I'm excited to see what new strategies players come up with to defeat Cazador Szarr.