Baldur’s Gate 3 Patch 4 introduces a significant array of fixes to the expansive role-playing game, with certain changes standing out as particularly vital. Despite its impressive launch, the game’s intricate branching narrative and extensive scope have led to a notable number of bugs and issues. Each successive patch has steadily improved the game, bringing it closer to an ideal state, and Patch 4 is no exception in this ongoing endeavor.
The Patch 4 updates for Baldur’s Gate 3 are extensive, as per the announcement on Steam, although this summary overlooks the comprehensive breakdown available on the developer, Larian Studios’ website. Consequently, amidst the comprehensive list of alterations, significant changes might easily be overshadowed. These adjustments encompass various aspects, ranging from fundamental gameplay mechanics to intricate story nuances. Criticism surrounding Act 3, considered by some as the weakest part of Baldur’s Gate 3, is particularly addressed, receiving substantial attention and improvement in this latest patch.
1.Personalizing Your Monument
In Baldur’s Gate 3, players can observe their protagonist’s helmeted statue, an opportunity offered during Act 3. Unfortunately, it was remarkably easy to mar Tav’s eternal commemoration due to the statue’s appearance being determined by the character’s attire at the time of the statue’s creation. This led to instances of inappropriate or comically mismatched clothing. However, the patch notes on the Baldur’s Gate 3 website now unveil new choices for the statue’s appearance, offering options for full equipment, camp attire, or for the more daring players, the choice to have the statue adorned with no clothing, allowing greater customization and personal preference for the statue.
2.Tailoring Companions
Hirelings have undergone various enhancements throughout the patches in Baldur’s Gate 3, and Patch 4 is no different. Players now have the capability to customize the appearance of Hirelings upon recruitment, ensuring that no party is burdened with followers whose appearance doesn’t match their party’s aesthetic. This builds upon Patch 3’s inclusion of the Magic Mirror, allowing players to adjust the appearance of custom characters through a similar system.
3.Revised Potion Appearance
In BG3, the Potion of Mind Reading underwent a minor but impactful modification. Initially resembling a Potion of Healing, this vial’s similarity caused confusion, leading to inadvertent selection errors, especially during intense combat situations. Patch 4 in Baldur’s Gate 3 introduces a color adjustment to distinguish the Potion of Mind Reading from its healing counterpart. This alteration significantly reduces the potential for confusion and subsequent regret associated with mistakenly consuming the wrong potion.
4.Expanded Autosave Functionality
Losing progress in Baldur’s Gate 3 can pose a significant setback, especially when complex tasks or challenging encounters need to be revisited. Although the game allows saving at any point, oversight can result in substantial losses. Patch 4 addresses this concern by incorporating additional autosave points in the Shadow-Cursed Lands of Act 2, as well as in Wyrm’s Crossing and the Lower City in Act 3. This expansion diminishes the probability of such setbacks, aligning the autosave frequency across Acts and lessening the risk of losing progress.
5.Tidying Up Characters
In Baldur’s Gate 3, the game doesn’t refrain from portraying the effects of close-range combat or muddied encounters on party members. Patch 4 introduces a functional aspect to sponges and soaps, offering the opportunity to clean up characters when needed. While not altering any core gameplay mechanics, this feature can be particularly appreciated by players seeking to capture aesthetically pleasing screenshots, especially for characters like Astarion, whose appearance might have been affected by the game’s immersion in blood and grime.
6.Enhancements to Withers’ Wardrobe
Withers’ Wardrobe was previously introduced as a remedy in Baldur’s Gate 3, enabling the removal of co-op avatars from the party to facilitate solo play. However, this implementation, stemming from a quick response to player feedback rather than a pre-launch feature, wasn’t entirely refined. Patch 4 aims to refine this feature by having Withers explicitly explain its functionality to ensure player understanding. Moreover, the update now includes an option to dismiss deceased avatars into the wardrobe, addressing user concerns and streamlining the experience.
7.Scratch’s Adjusted Interactions
While Scratch, the amiable canine companion in Baldur’s Gate 3, may not possess the prominence of major party members or antagonists, his endearing presence is well-received by players. Patch 4 introduces enhancements to his recruitment to the camp, particularly in his willingness to fetch items. Previously limited to retrieving a designated ball, Scratch is now more versatile, open to fetching ‘pretty much everything.’ This expansion of his capabilities is poised to encourage enjoyable and endearing experimentation.
8.End Turn Modification
Baldur’s Gate 3 endeavors to optimize the gaming experience for controllers, yet certain functionalities may present challenges when transitioning from mouse and keyboard. Patch 4 addresses a significant obstacle by allowing players to modify the ‘End Turn’ trigger from a tap to a ‘hold’ action. This adjustment facilitates the prevention of unintentional character movements, especially during crucial moments in challenging battles. Even a single action adjustment can significantly enhance the overall gaming experience, making this update a notable quality-of-life improvement.
9.Color Vision Accessibility Settings
In Patch 4, Baldur’s Gate 3 significantly improves its accessibility features by introducing settings tailored for three forms of color blindness: protanopia, deuteranopia, and tritanopia. These settings alter the colors used for crucial visual distinctions, such as character portraits during battles and icons on the minimap. Given the complexity of combat scenarios, where tracking various elements is essential, this provision offers a clearer visual representation for individuals with color blindness, significantly enhancing their gameplay experience and allowing them to fully enjoy Baldur’s Gate 3
10.Enhanced Camp Interactions
While the camp in Baldur’s Gate 3 serves as a reassuring sanctuary, extended periods within this environment can tend to feel somewhat repetitive. Patch 4 introduces a refreshing change by incorporating new idle animations, enriching the camp experience. Minthara, Halsin, Shadowheart, and Lae’zel are the fortunate beneficiaries of these added animations. Furthermore, Karlach receives specific enhancements in her idle behavior, addressing her tendency to remain motionless, a behavior that previously did not align with her dynamic character portrayal.