Baldur's Gate 3 Unveils Exciting Update 4

Article Key Points

Larian Studios released Update 4 for Baldur's Gate 3, fixing issues and introducing quality-of-life improvements and accessibility features.

The update incorporates more than 1,000 enhancements, modifications, and adjustments, such as the addition of a color-blind mode and the option to personalize the appearance of hirelings. The patch notes delineate numerous improvements across gameplay, combat, progression, art, animation, and user interface, all aimed at augmenting the overall gaming experience.

Larian Studios has recently launched Update 4 for Baldur's Gate 3, which addresses various issues in the popular RPG. Additionally, this update includes several quality-of-life enhancements and accessibility features to enhance the overall gaming experience in the world of Faerun. Serving as the fourth major update for Baldur's Gate 3, this patch continues to refine and enhance Larian Studios' RPG, even three months after its initial release.

After an extended period of early access, Baldur's Gate 3 was finally released on PC and PS5 by Larian Studios. The game became an instant favorite among RPG enthusiasts, garnering glowing reviews and an impressive Metacritic score of 96 out of 100. Baldur's Gate 3 was acclaimed for its intricate branching storylines, top-notch voice acting, meticulously designed environments, and unparalleled freedom. However, despite its critical success, some bugs and glitches persisted upon its full launch. To address these issues, Larian Studios diligently provided hotfixes and significant updates to further refine the game's overall polish.

Patch 4 for Baldur’s Gate 3 has implemented more than 1,000 fixes, tweaks, and changes. These updates have had an impact on various aspects of the game, ranging from combat mechanics to idle animations and even Scratch's fetch behavior. One notable addition in this update is the inclusion of a new feature designed for players with color blindness. Now, these players can choose between three different options - protanopia, deuteranopia, or tritanopia - to enhance the display of character outlines and circles, character map markers, and portraits. Additionally, Baldur's Gate 3 Update 4 introduces the option to customize the appearance of hirelings when recruiting them. Furthermore, Withers now offers an explanation of how the wardrobe system functions.

Content has been rewritten as follows:

The latest update addresses a range of issues, improving gameplay mechanics and companion behavior. While the purpose of this patch is to enhance the overall gaming experience, the rollout of Baldur's Gate 3 Patch 3 resulted in unexpected crashes and problems, prompting Larian Studios to promptly release a hotfix. Fans of Baldur's Gate 3 can only hope that this new major update will not introduce any game-breaking bugs, but instead enhance their in-game enjoyment.

With the release of Baldur's Gate 3 Update 4, PC and PlayStation 5 players can now discover the recipe for the Emperor's favorite soup. However, Xbox players will have to wait a bit longer before they can embark on their journey in the world of Faerun. Larian Studios has confirmed that the Xbox versions of Baldur's Gate 3 are currently undergoing playtesting and are expected to be available by the end of the year. At the time of writing, the company has not yet announced a specific release date.

Baldur's Gate 3 Update 4 Patch Notes

You can now dismiss dead avatars to Withers' Wardrobe. Withers will now also explain how the wardrobe works.

You can now customize hirelings' appearance when recruiting them.

Color-blind mode: In the Accessibility tab, you now have the option to select protanopia, deuteranopia, or tritanopia. This will impact the color scheme used to differentiate between factions and relationships, including map and minimap icons, portrait frames, and character outlines and circles.

Gameplay

Refined Scratch's fetch behavior. He will now fetch... pretty much everything.

Archfey warlocks now get a choice of cantrip at Level 4 as intended.

The mechanics of Speak with Dead have been revised to allow for multiple castings if no questions were asked during the initial casting. This applies even if the response received was that the corpse does not want to communicate with its killer, and subsequent castings can be done while in Wild Shape.

At Level 6, Knowledge Domain clerics will now accurately acquire 'Channel Divinity: Read Thoughts'. Nature Domain clerics will now accurately obtain 'Dampen Elements', and Trickery Domain clerics will now accurately acquire 'Channel Divinity: Cloak of Shadows'.

When you buy a statue from Boney at the circus, you now have the option to customize it to resemble yourself in complete gear, camp attire, or without any clothes.

Losing Scratch's ball will now be less likely. If you happen to misplace his ball, simply visit him at the camp, and there is a chance he will return it to you. (Ball warranty is not valid for accidents involving chasms.)

Added a controller option so that, if you want, you can have the End Turn button require a hold instead of a tap.

Fixed the Enemy of Justice condition sometimes applying when it shouldn't.

Fixed a bug where initiating an attack while in the Invisible state would still result in a guard spotting and engaging in a conversation with you if a civilian was in close proximity.

Halsin will no longer randomly transform into a bear before engaging in a conversation with you during Act I.

More autosaves have been added to various locations within the Shadow-Cursed Lands, as well as in several areas of Wyrm's Crossing and Lower City, such as the Steel Watch Foundry, Iron Throne, and Rivington.

Eating the spider meat found in the Gauntlet of Shar could potentially cause illness. It would have been wise to heed Gale's advice.

You can now read the recipe for the Emperor's favorite soup.

You can now use sponges and soaps to clean up your party members, removing grime, blood, and bad odors!

Combat

Cazador suddenly remembered he can turn into mist and fly, so he'll no longer give up the ghost if he falls into a chasm.

Fixed an inconsistent issue where enemies wouldn't do anything during combat except Dash and move.

Fixed some NPCs being able to shoot through floors and ceilings. They've said they'll play fair.

Flow

We've told Mol to be more polite and thank you if you saved Mirkon from the harpies. This will close up the quest correctly.

Improved multiplayer support has been implemented for the post-celebration night in Act I, allowing all avatars to select their desired companion for intimate moments.

Lae'zel's issue of carrying Act I and Act II into Act III has been resolved. Consequently, she will avoid making out-of-context remarks as if you are still progressing through the earlier stages of your journey.

Certain parts of Jaheira's quest have been blocked to prevent spoiling major revelations if skipped. If the Gur's questline in Cazador's lair was peacefully resolved, they will now offer their support in the endgame.

Avatar Gale or a Tav with Gale as a recruited companion will be given priority to speak during the dialogue about Gale's origin if they are present near the elder brain in the Colony.

Introduced additional dialogue choices for Minsc upon discovering the link between the Dark Urge and Gortash.

In Act III, if Mayrina decides to destroy the hag wand, Connor will vanish. However, if you revive him using the wand, you can still converse with him.

After a comrade is abducted, Yenna now goes back to camp accurately.

Gale should no longer complain about you making a deal with Raphael if you haven't.

Art

Tweaked the color of the Potion of Mind Reading to distinguish it from Potions of Healing.

Animation

Minthara, Halsin, Shadowheart, and Lae'zel now have new idle animations and behaviors implemented in the camp. Karlach's presence in camp will now appear more vibrant and active rather than being idle and still.

UI

You can now customize which solution is selected in the second slot of the Alchemy panel.

Added map markers for when characters want to talk to you.

Added unique map icons for the Magic Mirror and Withers' Wardrobe.

Improved the Skills section of the Character Sheet: Introduced skill icons, incorporated stars to signify Proficiency and Expertise in specific skills, and enhanced the skill tooltips.

Combat rounds are now segregated by distinct headers in the Combat Log, facilitating clearer identification of the sequence of events.

Baldur's Gate 3 is an RPG game developed and published by Larian Studios. It draws inspiration from Dungeons and Dragons and offers both single player and cooperative gameplay. Players can choose their character's starting class, embark on quests, progress through levels, and engage in turn-based combat following the D&D 5th edition rule set.

Franchise: Baldur's Gate

Platforms: PC, Stadia, macOS, PS5

Release Date: August 3, 2023

Developed by: Larian Studios

Published by: Larian Studios

Genre: RPG

ESRB Rating: M for Mature - Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence

Metascore: 96

Available on: Playstation Store

Editor's P/S

Baldur's Gate 3 Update 4 is a massive undertaking, with over 1,000 fixes, tweaks, and changes. It's clear that Larian Studios is committed to making the game the best it can be, and this update is a testament to that. From combat mechanics to idle animations, no aspect of the game has been left untouched.

One of the most significant changes in Update 4 is the addition of a color-blind mode. This is a huge step forward for accessibility, and it will make the game much more enjoyable for players who are colorblind. Another great addition is the ability to customize the appearance of your hirelings. This is a small but much-appreciated feature that will allow players to create a truly unique party.

Overall, Baldur's Gate 3 Update 4 is a major improvement to the game. It fixes a number of bugs, adds new features, and makes the game more accessible. If you're a fan of Baldur's Gate 3, then you'll definitely want to check out this update.