In honor of the long-anticipated release of Patch 8 for Baldur’s Gate 3, Larian Studios has rolled out a new animated short that could potentially reinforce a popular companion pairing among its fans.
Titled “The Final Patch,” the animation’s YouTube description carries a reflective tone, stating: “After a considerable amount of testing and a fair share of stress, the party is gearing up for one last adventure to signify the conclusion of an era. Yet, something feels different…” This short serves as a fitting farewell to Larian’s prior contributions alongside the final update for Baldur’s Gate 3, marking the conclusion of their narrative journey.
The latest animation continues the tradition of chaotic fun, beginning with Astarion reminiscing about past adventures alongside his fellow Baldur’s Gate 3 companions: Gale, Karlach, Lae’zel, Shadowheart, and Wyll. The group is then drawn into Patch 8, encountering the new subclasses such as the Arcane Archer Fighter, Bladesinging Wizard, Death Domain Cleric, Path of the Giant Barbarian, Swashbuckler Rogue, and Hexblade Warlock.
Eventually, Larian’s lead, Swen Vincke, appears, and the animation shifts back to the characters in the present day, playing Baldur’s Gate 3 across various platforms, subtly indicating the new patch’s cross-play feature. It’s entertaining to see the characters depicted in real life, but the highlight is undoubtedly Karlach and Shadowheart cohabiting, subtly validating the fan-favorite pairing dubbed Shadowlach.
“OFFICIAL SHADOWLACH CONTENT NOTHING ELSE MATTERS!” – Commenter
Another viewer adds, questioning if this short confirms Karlach and Shadowheart as canon, to which they respond, “HELL YEAH!” As a devoted fan of Baldur’s Gate 3, I personally choose to regard this animation as confirmation of Shadowlach – and no one, not even Larian, can change my mind after viewing The Final Patch.
Baldur’s Gate 3 enthusiasts are continuously uncovering the D&D RPG’s discarded content, with one particularly grim scene prompting fans to remark that “75% of the player base would be killing Astarion” over it.
You can watch the animation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwCyTt8fSAU