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Baldur’s Gate 3’s Final Patch Adds Cross-Play, 12 New Subclasses and Photo Mode

Larian Studios’ final big update includes major gameplay elements and new screen capture tools, plus fun surprises to send off the game in style.

Baldur’s Gate 3 is closing out its development with a massive final patch, and it’s a gift to fans who’ve stuck with one of our best PC games since launch. 

Larian Studios’ Patch 8 is officially the last major content update for the role-playing game, but it’s much more than just bug fixes. This latest patch introduces cross-platform multiplayer, an all-new photo mode and a full set of new subclasses that shake up how every class plays. In short, it’s a major update, and one that cements the game’s legacy as the studio prepares to move on.

Whether you’re just getting your sea legs with a brand-new game of Baldur’s Gate or you’re a seasoned player ready to see it through to the end, here’s everything that’s packed into this epic send-off.

Cross-play means no more walls between platforms

The biggest feature in Patch 8 is full cross-play across PC, Mac, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. You can now jump into multiplayer sessions with friends on any supported platform, with cross-save support also letting you carry your progress between devices if you’re using a linked Larian account.

Getting started is simple: Connect your game to your Larian profile, enable cross-play in the gameplay settings, and add friends using their Larian usernames. After that, you’re free to join or host multiplayer sessions no matter what system you or your friends are playing on.

Mod support is also part of the mix, but with some caveats. Everyone in a cross-play session needs the exact same mod setup, and console users are capped at 100 mods. Mods must be installed via Larian’s in-game manager (not through third-party tools), so keep that in mind when you’re looking for a new favorite to try out. 

A dozen new subclasses refresh every class

Each of the game’s 12 core classes now has a brand-new subclass option, expanding the possibilities for players who want to try something different in their next campaign. Whether you’re into arcane sniping, necrotic magic or charming enemies into submission, there’s a new flavor for everyone.

Some highlights include the Swashbuckler for Rogues, bringing fast, flashy melee combat; the Circle of Stars for Druids, which draws on celestial energy; and the Hexblade for Warlocks, who forge pacts with sentient weapons. 

These subclasses aren’t just cosmetic changes — they include unique mechanics, new spells and custom animations that meaningfully change how each character plays. Here’s the complete list of new subclasses you can now choose from:

  • Path of the Giant Barbarian
  • College of Glamour Bard
  • Death Domain Cleric
  • Circle of Stars Druid
  • Arcane Archer Fighter
  • Way of the Drunken Master Monk
  • Oath of the Crown Paladin
  • Swarmkeeper Ranger
  • Swashbuckler Rogue
  • Shadow Magic Sorcerer
  • Hexblade Warlock
  • Bladesinging Wizard

You can unlock each new subclass after you reach each required level, which will change depending on your class. For instance, a Cleric, Sorcerer, Paladin or Warlock can choose a new subclass at Level 1, but a Druid and Wizard must wait until Level 2. A Barbarian, Bard, Fighter, Monk, Ranger or Rogue must wait until Level 3.

Photo mode is a game changer for creators

If you’ve ever wanted to freeze the action and line up the perfect screenshot (or just fawn over Astarion in the moonlight), now’s your chance. Patch 8 for Baldur’s Gate 3 introduces an official photo mode, and it’s more than just a camera tool. Players can adjust lighting, add filters, change facial expressions, shift character poses and more — all in real time.

Photo mode can be activated by pressing F9 on PC or clicking both thumbsticks on a controller. You can use it during combat or exploration, though it won’t be available during dialogue or prerendered scenes. Once snapped, images are saved directly to your system, whether you’re on a PC, a Mac or a console.

Steam cards, modding tools and a farewell short

Patch 8 for Baldur’s Gate 3 gives PC players something extra to look forward to: Steam Trading Cards are now live. Collecting them lets you craft profile badges and unlock exclusive emotes and backgrounds tied to Baldur’s Gate 3.

The patch also brings improvements to Larian’s official modding tools. Creators now have more freedom to add NPCs, create interactive environments and build new experiences within the existing world — though editing fixed terrain is still off-limits for now.

To mark the arrival of the final Baldur’s Gate 3 update, Larian released a lighthearted animated short featuring the game’s main cast and a cameo from studio founder Swen Vincke. It’s a charming little tribute that reminds players just how much personality the team brought to this RPG. If you haven’t played it yet, you’re probably going to want to after this. 

No DLC coming, but support continues

Larian has confirmed that Patch 8 is the final major update for Baldur’s Gate 3. There are no expansions or sequels in the pipeline, and the team is officially moving on to new projects. However, that doesn’t mean the game is being left behind entirely. Bug fixes, quality-of-life tweaks and backend improvements will continue for the foreseeable future.

In the meantime, this final patch is a powerful way to wrap up this epic role-playing game. It smooths out rough edges, adds meaningful content and gives players new tools to enjoy the game in even more creative ways. Whether you’re rolling a new character, testing out a subclass or finally convincing your Xbox friend to join your campaign, Patch 8 makes Baldur’s Gate 3 feel new again, just in time to say goodbye.

You can read the full patch notes here.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for Oct. 23 #599

Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for Oct. 23, No. 599.

Looking for the most recent Strands answer? Click here for our daily Strands hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.


Today’s NYT Strands puzzle might be Halloween-themed, as the answers are all rather dangerous. Some of them are a bit tough to unscramble, so if you need hints and answers, read on.

I go into depth about the rules for Strands in this story. 

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections and Mini Crossword answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: NYT Connections Turns 1: These Are the 5 Toughest Puzzles So Far

Hint for today’s Strands puzzle

Today’s Strands theme is: Please don’t eat me!

If that doesn’t help you, here’s a clue: Remember Mr. Yuk?

Clue words to unlock in-game hints

Your goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle’s theme. If you’re stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those hints but any words of four or more letters that you find will work:

  • POND, NOON, NODE, BALE, SOCK, LOVE, LOCK, MOCK, LEER, REEL, GLOVE, DAIS, LEAN, LEAD, REEL

Answers for today’s Strands puzzle

These are the answers that tie into the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you have all of them (I originally thought there were always eight but learned that the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the nonspangram answers:

  • AZALEA, HEMLOCK, FOXGLOVE, OLEANDER, BELLADONNA

Today’s Strands spangram

Today’s Strands spangram is POISONOUS. To find it, look for the P that is the first letter on the far left of the top row, and wind down and across.

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Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Oct. 23, #395

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Oct. 23, No. 395.

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.


Today’s Connections: Sports Edition has one of those crazy purple categories, where you wonder if anyone saw the connection, or if people just put that grouping together because only those four words were left. If you’re struggling but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by The Times. It doesn’t show up in the NYT Games app but appears in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Fan noise.

Green group hint: Strategies for hoops.

Blue group hint: Minor league.

Purple group hint: Look for a connection to hoops.

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: Sounds from the crowd.

Green group: Basketball offenses.

Blue group: Triple-A baseball teams.

Purple group: Ends with a basketball stat.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is sounds from the crowd. The four answers are boo, cheer, clap and whistle.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is basketball offenses. The four answers are motion, pick and roll, Princeton and triangle.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is triple-A baseball teams.  The four answers are Aces, Jumbo Shrimp, Sounds and Storm Chasers.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is ends with a basketball stat.  The four answers are afoul, bassist, counterpoint and sunblock.

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Technologies

Amazon’s Delivery Drivers Will Soon Wear AI Smart Glasses to Work

The goal is to streamline the delivery process while keeping drivers safe.

Amazon announced on Wednesday that it is developing new AI-powered smart glasses to simplify the delivery experience for its drivers. CNET smart glasses expert Scott Stein mentioned this wearable rollout last month, and now the plan is in its final testing stages.

The goal is to simplify package delivery by reducing the need for drivers to look at their phones, the label on the package they’re delivering and their surroundings to find the correct address. 


Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.


A heads-up display will activate as soon as the driver parks, pointing out potential hazards and tasks that must be completed. From there, drivers can locate and scan packages, follow turn-by-turn directions and snap a photograph to prove delivery completion without needing to take out their phone.

The company is testing the glasses in select North American markets.

Watch: See our Instagram post with a video showing the glasses

A representative for Amazon didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

To fight battery drain, the glasses pair with a controller attached to the employee’s delivery vest, allowing them to replace depleted batteries and access operational controls. The glasses will support an employee’s eyeglass prescription. An emergency button will be within reach to ensure the driver’s safety. 

Amazon is already planning future versions of the glasses, which will feature «real-time defect detection,» notifying the driver if a package was delivered to the incorrect address. They plan to add features to the glasses to detect if pets are in the yard and adjust to low light.

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