Patch 8brought so much content toBaldur’s Gate 3, it feels like a brand-new game, even for players who have already platinumed it.
This includes finally giving some usage to items that normally are only worth the gold they sell for. Some of these items can be bought, or just foundwhile out in the beautiful world.
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Some of these items may start basic, but as you level up,you’ll need to bring out a pen and paperin order to calculate the exact amount of damage that you inflicted on a poor corpse.
And when it comes to playing with these items now that Patch 8 is available, there’s just one collective consensus regarding these items:finally.
More Than Just Camp Supplies
Before Patch 8, the only times players actively worked with alcohol in the game were when selecting their camp supplies for a long rest, or when trying to achieve thePunch DrunkorBottoms Uptrophies.
Being drunk in game was honestly reallyonly good for roleplay– that is, until Patch 8 dropped and finally brought theWay of the Drunken MasterMonk. Now, you don’t have to pretend you’re this subclass with a funky build, you’re just a walking bar fight.
Keeping alcohol on you now is essential to getting the most out of each attack the second wine or ale gets into your Tav’s system. Plus, it adds just a little spice to each encounter.
It only lasts two turns, but with how fast and efficient you’ll be as a drunken monk, two turns are literally all you’ll need.
9Ring of Flinging
Perfect for Giant Barbarians
Typically, the first vendor that you encounter is Aaron at the Emerald Grove, who’s selling some bits and bobs that he no longer needs.
One of these items is theRing of Flinging, which grants 1d4 bonus damage to throwing things, an ideal item for Barbarians. Normally, it was really only useful forBerzerker Barbarians, a killer class for Honour Mode.
But now with theGiantsubclass being added, your barbarian’s throw damage starts to be absolutely insane. And yes, this applies to the medium-sized creatures that only Giant barbarians can throw at Level 10 with theMighty Impelability.
Now, if a barbarian is throwing something (or someone), the opponents might come out with fewer injuries if they were simply run over by a train.
8Gloves of Battlemage’s Power
Let the Squishy Wizard Fight
One of the first rules of Wizards inDungeons and Dragonsis to never allow them to get up close and personal during encounters; you don’t want to take any chances with their overall squishiness.
Because of this, theGloves of Battlemage’s Powerdidn’t get a lot of use out of spellcasters, unless they’re a sorcerer with a particularly painful Shocking Grasp.
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All of that changed as soon as theBladesinging Wizardwas brought in with Patch 8. By removing the disadvantage of being too close, a Wizard can quickly throw a spell if they run out ofBladesong Powerwithout having to Disengage.
It allows the Bladesinger to remain up close without augmenting their true power, and that’s incredibly handy.
7Helmet of Smiting
What CAN’T You Do Now?
When you finally make it to the Underdark in Act One, there are all kinds of new goodies thatyou can loot– one of which is theHelmet Of Smiting, which can be easily missed if you don’t know where to look.
Located in the Selûnite Temple, the Helmet of Smiting grants the Paladin wearing the helmet temporary HP when their Smites inflict a condition on enemies. The condition could be anything, someone just has to be affected.
Sure, this is excellent for all Paladins since they all get a menagerie of Smites, but with the addition of Booming Blade, you’re able to now make each attack inflict a condition, mainly a Smite.
This will constantly keep your temporary HP topped off, and continue to turn your Paladin into the party’s designated lawn mower.
6Shapeshifter’s Boon Ring
Write Your Name Among the Stars
Normally, the Shapeshifter’s Boon Ring gives you an additional 1d4 to your Ability Checks while you’re shapeshifted. If you’re playing a Druid that’s more spell-focused, you won’t use your Wild Shape as often, making the ring completely useless.
This instantly changed with theCircle of the Starssubclass. While you may not be physically shapeshifted with the Constellation Wild Shapes from theCircle of the Stars, you’re considered Wild Shaped in-game, which is shapeshifted.
Because of this, you’re still able to focus on your spells and abilities, while getting that extra bonus to your Ability Checks in a humanoid form. It’s a small quality of life shift that can genuinely save you in a pinch, especially on harder difficulties.
Combine with the Shapeshifter’s Hat, which grants an extra Wild Shape charge, and your druid is more than good to go.
5Resonance Stone
Minds Will Just Crumble
TheHexbladeis one of the most powerful patrons that a Warlock can have now with Patch 8, making the existence of theResonance Stoneall the more essential.
An already powerful item, the Resonance Stone will leave playersSteeped in Bliss– which grants advantage on all physical checks and disadvantage to mental ones, while turning everyone in a 30ft radius vulnerable to psychic damage.
It just so happens psychic damage is exactly what the Hexblade specialises in.
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You can castShadow Bladewith the Hexblade patron, which deals purely psychic damage, and you’re also able to castWrathful Smite, which can be donewiththe Shadow Blade.
Basically, your damage is going to be entirely in purple, with far too many numbers to keep track of once the Resonance Stone is brought into the equation.
4Ring of Arcane Synergy
Finally, A Use
There are a surprising number of items in this game for mages who want to use physical weapons and do close-up melee attacks. However, they were fairly useless until theBladesingerWizard was introduced.
TheRing of Arcane Synergyis one such item, which gives players Arcane Synergy when they deal damage with a cantrip. Because of this, your attack rolls are augmented to include your spellcasting modifier instead of your brute strength.
Considering spellcasters are notoriously not strong, this is a very handy ring for half-casters and for the new Bladesinger subclass.
This way, the ring will finally have a use – and not just be sold for pocket change.
3Eversight Ring
Never, Ever Go Blind
TheEversight Ringis an already mighty item that prevents the wearer from being blinded in any capacity. It’s especially handy for races that don’t have Darkvision.
However, after theShadow MagicSorcerer dropped with Patch 8, the Eversight Ring got a lot cooler, as it will guarantee immunity to your own darkness.
You get two types ofDarknessthat you can cast as a Shadow Magic Sorcerer, normal darkness and magical darkness, and you’re able to only see through your own magic one. With the ring, now, you can see through both regardless.
Plus, if you multiclass into rogue, you become death itself, made from the very shadows.
2Sword of Life Stealing
Absolutely Busted Necrotic Damage
When you first get to Last Light Inn, it’s easy to forget that Dammon upgraded his inventory to include theSword of Life Stealing. This sword, when you critically hit an enemy with it, will deal an additional 10 necrotic damage and heal you for the same amount.
It’s already a solid item, but when you combine this with the newDeath Domainsubclass that Clerics get, your necrotic damage output is suddenly insane.
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Just about any item that augments your necrotic damage in any way is ideal if you’re a Death Domain cleric, but the Sword of Life Stealing in particular tends to hit particularly hard. That is, until you can take Sarevok’s sword from him in Act Three.
Either way, you have become Death, destroyer of worlds, and the damage is exquisite.
1Punch-Drunk Bastard
Legitimate Use for Gimmick Items
Seems like Patch 8 is giving some love to those who have an alcohol problem. Before this major update, the only way you could properly play theWay of the Drunken Masterwould bethrough mods.
Items likePunch-Drunk Bastard, Amulet of the Drunkard, and Drunken Cloth would never get any use, as there was often not a need to even get drunk in-game, much less fight while you’re drunk. Of course, this has swiftly changed with the new Monk subclass.
Now, there’s a legitimate use for these normally gimmicky items; plus, it’s so much more refreshing to pick up an item and immediately think of how it can be used rather than the nearest vendor to sell it to.
Of all the items that got better after Patch 8 dropped, without a doubt, all the Drunken Gimmick items take the cake (er, actually the wine).
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WHERE TO PLAY
23 years on from the release of the seminal RPG, Baldur’s Gate 2, the third game in the series has been developed by Larian Studios (of Divinity: Original Sin fame). Set over 120 years after the events of the last game, Baldur’s Gate 3 tasks you and your party of heroes to fight off a mind flayer invasion of Faerun, while seeking a way to remove the tadpole in your brain that’s slowly turning you into the enemy…
