Baldur’s Gate 3 introduces its official modding toolkit in patch 7, arriving in September

Larian Studios is releasing patch 7 for Baldur’s Gate 3 this September, adding even more features and capabilities to an already extensive juggernaut of a game including the long-awaited official modding toolkit.

This patch is also fixing existing features as well as adding new ones to the user interface, general gameplay, story cinematics, and to our beloved character’s behaviors. Some aspects of patch 7 appear to be just for Steam, like the modding toolkit, while others will likely be available to all players regardless of platform.

Here’s what BG3 players can expect from patch 7 in September!

What’s included and not included in the Baldur’s Gate 3 modding toolkit

The BG3 modding toolkit will rollout with patch 7 and give Steam players access to new mods as well to the tools needed edit or create their own mods from the game’s files including:

• Items
• Cosmetics (including body customizations)
• Classes and Subclasses
• Races
• Dice Skins
• User Interface
• Various quality-of-life improvements

While Steam players will be the first ones to access mods, they’re also the only ones who can use the modding toolkit to create new content and edit existing content. Larian is planning for MAC and console players to be able to eventually browse and install a curated list of mods after it’s been rolled out on Steam. Console players will not have access to any portion of the official toolkit and there isn’t an official timeline for the arrival of console mods, though we’ll may get more information after patch 7 releases.

What can’t be done with the official modding toolkit is just as important. According to their mod FAQ, cross-platform functionality prevents official mods from “direct level editing and changes to core game elements (like story, cinematics, dialogues, quests, and local gameplay adjustments).” They also said NSFW mods may not make it through the vetting process. However, they aren’t stopping the robust unofficial mod scene from getting extra spicy. Larian also listed this update as the “first iteration” of their modding tools, so we have further improvements and additions to look forward to.

Patch 7 UI, gameplay, and cinematic changes

Co-op BG3 players will have the option of choosing a new “dynamic split screen” mode in patch 7. This mode will keep the screens of co-op players separated until they come close to each other, which will cause the screens to merge into one view. Travelling further away from each other again will bring back the split screen and keep the perspective focused on that character. This feature can be toggled in the active HUD menu and in the game settings, with both options available in and out combat.

Once patch 7 releases, certain creatures will have an expanded repertoire of Legendary actions in Honour Mode (aka hard mode) including a certain hobgoblin, a tunneling friend, a sure-handed medical professional, and some high-level githyanki. There will also be new cinematics in evil playthroughs for custom characters, Origin characters, and the Dark Urge to discover.

Origin character updates and fixes

All of the Origin characters are getting various bugs fixes in their respective active and idle animations, dialogue options, quest triggers, cinematics, as well various fixes to general visual and audio effects. Some updates to Origin characters will be a bit more prominent than others:

• Wyll is getting noticeable changes to his romance interactions, scenes, and cinematics that should trigger more consistently in all acts.
• Dark Urge players will be able to add a controllable bard companion to their party. Larian has also (rightfully) ignored the pleas to let Dark Urge characters romantically interact with a certain character that needs to button up their shirt.
• Gale’s magical item donation UI has been expanded to include the inventory of your current party and the Traveller’s Chest.
• Party banter has been expanded in multiplayer parties, with other player-controlled characters joining in on the commentary.

If you are a PC player and you want to playtest these new features in patch 7, you can sign up now for the closed beta that starts on July 22nd via the BG3 Steam page. Right now, there doesn’t appear to be an option for console players to participate in a beta test for patch 7 at this time. Larian also promised this won’t be the last update for this game and has confirmed they’re still actively working on more features, including cross-play and photo mode, for a future patch release!