My Baldur's Gate 3 Subclass Wishlist for 2026: What I Still Want After Patch 8

As an ordinary player who has lost far too many evenings to Baldur's Gate 3, I still catch myself staring at the character creator and asking, why is this not an option yet? Patch 7 proved that Larian was not done with updates, and after Patch 8 finally delivered some of my longtime favorites, I started dreaming all over again. I love that the game pulls from more than just the Player's Handbook, because subclasses from Xanathar's Guide to Everything, Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, and even the 2024 Player's Handbook open up so many roleplay possibilities. In 2026, my personal wishlist has shifted, but it has not shrunk.

Subclass	Original Source	My 2026 Feeling
Oath of Redemption Paladin	Xanathar's Guide to Everything	Still waiting
Grave Domain Cleric	Xanathar's Guide to Everything	Still waiting
Swashbuckler Rogue	Xanathar's Guide to Everything	Finally added in Patch 8
Soulknife Rogue	Tasha's Cauldron of Everything	Still waiting
Hexblade Warlock	Xanathar's Guide to Everything	Finally added in Patch 8
College of Dance Bard	2024 Player's Handbook	Still waiting
College of Glamour Bard	Xanathar's Guide to Everything	Finally added in Patch 8
Circle of the Shepherd Druid	Xanathar's Guide to Everything	Still waiting
Fey Wanderer Ranger	Tasha's Cauldron of Everything	Still waiting
Shadow Magic Sorcerer	Xanathar's Guide to Everything	Still waiting

🛡️ Oath of Redemption Paladin

A paladin with an Oath of Redemption would be a remarkable support substitute for a bard or cleric. The spells alone would change how I approach combat, with sanctuary and hold person giving me ways to control the battlefield without always charging to the front line. What really excites me, though, is the roleplay potential. This subclass is built on the belief that anyone can be redeemed, which would make conversations with Astarion or Minthara feel far more complicated and personal. Can you imagine how different a Dark Urge run would feel with this oath? Resisting the urge would feel heroic, while embracing it would create a heartbreaking fall into oathbreaking.

💀 Grave Domain Cleric

I have always wanted a cleric who feels less like a generic healer and more like a guardian of fate. The Grave Domain would make Act 2 completely different for me. Exploring the Shadow-Cursed Lands as someone who opposes necromancy would give me a personal reason to hunt down Balthazar and Ketheric Thorm. The toolkit is also interesting: spare the dying as a cantrip, plus an early ability to curse enemies and make them vulnerable for a turn. That sounds perfect for someone who wants to play a cleric with real offensive bite without abandoning the class fantasy.

🗡️ Swashbuckler Rogue

I am thrilled that Patch 8 finally added the Swashbuckler, because I spent a long time wishing I could play a proper pirate. The subclass opens up the Sneak Attack feature by letting me use it when I am alone with a creature within five feet, which feels much more aggressive and confident. It also leans into the charismatic side of rogues, giving me a way to charm enemies after a persuasion check. Now that it is here, I find myself constantly respeccing characters just to see how it changes combat.

🔮 Soulknife Rogue

The Soulknife is still missing, and that feels like a missed opportunity. This rogue focuses on psionic damage, which would be a wonderful fit for a Githyanki character. It is also a strong alternative to the Arcane Trickster for players who want a rogue that is not entirely martial. Psionic Energy Dice would fuel abilities like Psychic Whispers, which establishes a telepathic bond with a target. Most companions already have tadpole telepathy, but being able to use psychic whispers on non-infected characters or even enemies could create some wild non-combat options.

⚔️ Hexblade Warlock

The Hexblade was one of my most requested subclasses before Patch 8, and I am glad it is finally playable. Tied to the Shadowfell, it fits naturally with the brief Shadowfell visit in Act 2. The combination of melee and ranged power is exactly what I wanted from a warlock, and medium armor, shields, and martial weapons make it feel sturdy. Using Charisma for one-handed weapon attacks is a fantastic touch. Even in moments where magic is not the answer, the Hexblade can hold the front line with spells like wrathful smite and branding smite.

💃 College of Dance Bard

The College of Dance from the 2024 Player's Handbook has not arrived yet, but I would love to see it. Dance meets combat in this subclass, and that could lead to some deeply funny moments, especially if I respec companions into it. Unlike other bards, the College of Dance does not necessarily require an instrument, which adds flavor. It also gives a boost to unarmored defense and unarmed strikes, so multiclassing into monk could be surprisingly effective. Wouldn't that make for a memorable Tav?

✨ College of Glamour Bard

Patch 8 finally added the College of Glamour, and it is everything I hoped for from a manipulative bard. This subclass lets me charge my performances with fey magic, forcing nearby creatures to make a wisdom saving throw or be charmed. Gaining Command at sixth level makes it perfect for a silver-tongued character. For players who enjoy evil or chaotic runs, this feels like a rival to the harpies near the Emerald Grove. The backstory potential is also huge because I can decide how my character first encountered the fey.

🌿 Circle of the Shepherd Druid

The Circle of the Shepherd is still absent, and I find that surprising because it feels like the most classic druid fantasy. Starting at level two, I could call upon nature spirits in battle by choosing among the Bear Spirit, Hawk Spirit, or Unicorn Spirit. Each totem would offer different support options. This subclass is all about protecting animals and the natural world from unnatural forces, which is exactly what comes to mind when I envision a standard druid. I would love to build a character who is a true friend of nature and can summon that nature to help the party.

🏹 Fey Wanderer Ranger

The ranger remains one of the least chosen classes, and I think the Fey Wanderer could change that. A character with one foot in the fey realm and one in the mortal world would give the class the personality it sometimes lacks. At third level, I would gain a supernatural charm and proficiency in a charisma skill of my choice. At seventh level, advantage against being charmed or frightened would give me the upper hand against Ketheric in Act 2 or Haarlep in Act 3. By level eleven, Summon Fey would let a late-game ranger feel as flexible as a warlock or druid.

🌑 Shadow Magic Sorcerer

The Shadow Magic Sorcerer remains at the top of my list. A sorcerer whose power comes from the Shadowfell would have built-in visual drama, perhaps with dark markings or passive shadowy effects similar to Draconic Bloodline cosmetics. This subclass feels perfect for a multiclass with a rogue like Astarion, especially with the vampirism theme. In Act 2, I would feel deeply connected to the Shadow-Cursed Lands, even if my character did not know the source of their magic. On an evil playthrough, I could easily imagine ignoring Halsin's quest and letting the shadow curse continue just because the chaos feels like home.

Even in 2026, Baldur's Gate 3 still feels like a game that could grow in surprising ways. Some of my old dreams became real, but plenty of subclasses remain just out of reach. As long as Larian keeps giving us reasons to return, I will keep hoping for more ways to express a new character.