Despite already adding so much to the game, Patch 8 looks to be another massive update for Baldur's Gate 3, even after everything that was included in Patch 7. Crossplay will finally be added to the game after more than a year of waiting, as well as a Photo Mode to show off the title's amazing visuals. It feels like every game has a Photo Mode now, so it makes sense that BG3 with its stunning visuals would get one too, but the most exciting change, especially for single-player campaigns, are the new subclasses.

There will be twelve new subclasses added when Patch 8 drops, although it isn't known when exactly the new patch drops. What is known is that it will come out at some point in 2025 and that every class will get a new subclass. Some of these make a lot of sense, especially for some party . For instance, Wyll feels like he should have always been a Hexblade, considering that he is the Blade of the Frontiers, but not all the new subclasses feel like the right choice for BG3 and its cast.

Baldur's Gate 3 Should Have The Oath of Conquest

The Oath of the Crown Doesn't Add As Much To BG3

The paladin subclass chosen for Patch 8 is the Oath of the Crown, which was added in Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide, and while it offers some decent crowd control options with its Champion Challenge Channel Divinity, it does a similar thing to the Oath of Conquest subclass by making surrounding enemies around the paladin less able to move around the battlefield. Both subclasses fit a crowd-controlled tank, but the Oath of Conquest offers a playstyle around fear and frightening foes, something vastly different to other paladin subclasses.

Mechanically, the two subclasses aren't too different, with both helping the rest of the party by crowd controlling foes and being the first line of defense, but the Oath of the Crown can be a little cleric-like with its options. The Oath of Conquest is all about conquering foes, and while the Oath of the Crown is very reminiscent of the stereotypical, chivalrous knight of old, the Conquest Oath is more akin to a Space Marine from Warhammer 40k. It's all about being the most terrifying person in a battle.

Although they have become their own thing, paladins used to refer to the Twelve Peers, knights in the 8th century who were a part of Charlemange's court, similar to King Arthur's Knight of the Round Table.

Thematically, the Oath of the Crown is quite similar to the Oath of Devotion, which is already in Baldur's Gate 3 at launch. Its addition won't offer too much more from a roleplaying perspective, since both suit good-aligned characters. The Oath of the Crown might be closer to Lawful Good than True Good, as is the case with the Oath of Devotion, but both stand for order, justice, and knighthood. The oath of the Crown revolves around service to a nation, ruler, or deity of law, but both are meant to be holy knights standing for good.

Paladins Can Be Evil Without Oathbreaking

An Evil Oath Could Add So Much More

The Oath of Conquest paladin is usually more associated with being on the evil side, and an evil oath isn't currently in Baldur's Gate 3, other than Oathbreaking. The closest subclass to being evil is the Oath of Vengeance, but this oath comes across as quite Batman-like with its need to punish evil. It still puts the paladin solidly against the forces of evil, but an Oath of Conquest paladin is all about dominating and subjugating others, so much so that these paladins can be known as knight-tyrants.

Some Oath of Devotion paladins are known to consort with the Nine Hells for their powers, called Hell Knights.

Of course, Oath of Conquest paladins don't have to be evil. They could just be a little war-hungry and bloodthirsty, but that doesn't mean they are evil if they choose to pit themselves against the forces of hell or The Absolute, in Baldur's Gate 3's case. Still, the option is there to be the villain of the story, and an Oath of Conquest paladin could easily subjugate everyone by taking over the Netherbrain at the end of the game without being out of character. Nothing screams conquest and glory more than ruling a city with squid people.

The Tenants of Conquest illustrate how players can be evil without breaking their oath well, since they are: Douse the flame of hope, Rule with an iron fist, and strength above all. These tenants almost stand in opposition to most of the tenants of other oaths, especially the Oath of Devotion, which revolves around honesty, courage, comion, honor, and duty. Its addition will offer so much to roleplaying, and the crowd controlling elements of the Conquering Presence Channel Divinity would make the perfect, terrifying tank character.

The Oath Of Conquest Is Perfect For Minthara & Durge

Minthara And The Drow Are All About Conquering

Minthara is somewhat a typical example of her race, with drow being terrifying even by gith standards. Although intended as a companion for an evil campaign, Minthara lacked an evil option for her paladin oath, and was given the Oath of Vengeance as the closest option available. With her personality and wanting to subjugate the weak to gain power, the Oath of Conquest would be perfect for her, similar to how a Hexblade warlock would retroactively fit Wyll, and would be the perfect addition to Patch 8.

Those looking to give in to the Dark Urge and conquer the world in Bhaal's name might find that the Oath of Conquest could be perfect for their next playthrough too. This Oath works particularly well if Durge wants Bhaal to be one that grants their terrible power, and the fear induced by the subclass would be ideal in making a terrifying, unholy knight-tyrant. It certainly sounds like the type of character that would pave their path with corpses and build their castle with bones, as Durge themselves would say.

Ultimately, it doesn't matter too much what Larian chooses to add from a content standpoint, since Baldur's Gate 3 has full mod and other subclasses will come in from the community. Still, it is nice to have officially made subclasses added, especially since no more have been made since the game's release. There are already Oath Of Conquest mods out there, and the talented modding community will always be available to add more of D&D 5e to Larian's golden goose to make it even better.