Critical Role’s Matt Mercer joins Baldur’s Gate 3 cast as Minsc

Larian Studios brought a new update to Baldur’s Gate 3 on Wednesday, letting players of the early access role-playing game try on a new class: the Paladin. During a “Panel from Hell” livestream on Wednesday, Larian also confirmed some extra star power for the game, with Critical Role DM and veteran voice actor Matthew Mercer joining the cast.

Mercer, who gaming fans will recognize from his prominent roles in Overwatch, League of Legends, Fortnite, Death Stranding, and (of course) actual play series Critical Role, will play Minsc in Baldur’s Gate 3. (Voice actor Jim Cummings portrayed Minsc in previous Baldur’s Gate games.)

Larian and Mercer announced the actor’s involvement — with a taste of his Minsc — in a video published to Twitter on Wednesday.

In other places Baldur’s Gate 3 news, Patch 9 for the game brings the aforementioned Paladin class, the holy warrior archetype that includes two subclasses (Oath of Devotion and Oath of the Ancients), and an off-menu “hidden subclass” called the Oathbreaker.

“Paladins who stray from their sacred oaths become Oathbreakers, which comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages,” Larian said in a news release. “Embrace your newfound powers for good or ill, or start down the path of redemption.”

Artwork by the Oathbreaker Paladin confirms that this hidden class has not been attending Sunday Mass lately.

Image: Larian Studios

Patch 9 allows players to reach level 5. This is a major power boost that all classes receive and unlocks new spellcasting capabilities, such as Fireball, Counterspell, Animate Dead, and Counterspell. A revamped reaction system is now available for combat encounters. The update also gives players the opportunity to fly. Fly spells are available, as well.

Baldur’s Gate 3Windows PC release is planned for August 2023. Since October 2020, the role-playing game is available as an early access release.