Larian Studios has released a new patch for Baldur’s Gate III, which introduces a number of major changes to gameplay.
The extensive update, simply called Patch 3, clocks in at a massive 4.8GB and is the first patch to come with “changes that affect story”, among other new additions. As previously reported, the patch will also render all current saved games incompatible with future versions of the game, although the developer has a temporary workaround for that.
The most notable change in Patch 3 will be the behaviour of companions, which Larian admitted could be “a little negative at times”. After the update, companions will be more “tolerant” of player actions and “start focusing more on the bigger picture.”
“[Companions will not nitpick] about every single little thing they don’t like but rather focusing on the things they do like while still maintaining their personality and having strong beliefs about certain things,” it added.
Players will also now be rewarded more for taking alternative story paths, specifically when choosing “pacifism and creative solutions that utilise the road less travelled”. Whether it’s a combat situation, dialogue, exploration or puzzle-solving, players will be able to “carve out a journey more true to your character’s identity” without being penalised for it.
