Larian Studios has recently unveiled a blog post concerning an update for the upcoming Patch 8 for Baldur’s Gate 3, which has not yet been released and is still undergoing stress tests. The update brings several adjustments to subclass balance, alongside the usual bug fixes. However, the update did not include significant modifications to the new cantrip, Booming Blade, which is expected to greatly influence game balance.

In the update, various crashes, bugs, and scripting errors linked to Patch 8’s changes have been addressed, as well as some improvements to the upcoming photo mode. Notably, balance changes have impacted the Death Domain Cleric’s new cantrips while reducing its Reaper passive, requiring players to target two different creatures with their double cast.

This adjustment highlights a discrepancy against other abilities like the Swords Bard’s ranged Slashing Flourish that allows the same enemy to be targeted twice. The decision to roll out this type of balance change without corresponding adjustments to Booming Blade raised some eyebrows.

Currently, Booming Blade acts as a free Paladin smite, usable multiple times per turn, leading to a unique interaction that enables the previously underwhelming Eldritch Knight subclass to attack three times per turn by level seven, and potentially four by the game’s end, without consuming spell slots or other resources.

Many within the community, especially those engaged in building characters, are torn over the implications of this unlimited power without any trade-offs. On one hand, the thrill of playing a highly powerful thunder-smiting spellsword is appealing. Conversely, there are concerns that simplified character builds could dominate the game meta, overshadowing other classes.

Despite this uncertainty, enthusiasm for exploring new builds remains strong. Players are likely to persist with their first runs, particularly with new subclasses like the Arcane Archer that pique interest as Patch 8 approaches.