Since the patch 9 files were recently uploaded to Steam, I’m going to go ‘all-in’ with the predictions: this will be their biggest event yet. With 2023 only around the corner, so too is the release date – so this 2nd anniversary is a chance to also drum up hype for that.
I believe they’ll offer everything people have been asking for – and all the usual ‘offerings’ (1 new class per patch) will be amped up somehow to make it seem all the more ‘explosive’ from a marketing POV.
The highlights for Patch 9 being:
1) Both Paladin and Monk
2) All new reactions system
3) Level 5
4) New Location (Mountain Pass) and the full Act 1, all the way to its cliff-hanger conclusion which will involve a boss battle against super, mutated illithids (who are an illithid version of BG2’s slayer form) and a cameo from the Absolute – who is Bhaal reincarnated. You will be given the chance to ascend to this slayer-illithid form – and you will either be conquering Baldur’s Gate as an illithid-slayer throughout Act 2 or you’ll be fighting them. Companion choices will be permanent, and likewise you’ll either be fighting with them or against them depending on your decision to side with Bhaal/Absolute
5) Graphics returned to pre-patch 8 standards, or a toggle to do so at a min
6) Release date of February the 25th
It will be the last patch before release, and yes the release date will be EXACTLY February the 25th. At 00:00AM GMT.
