The newest update for Baldur’s Gate 3 adds functionality to the Magic Mirror, with Hotfix #9 allowing players to change their character’s name. Plus, you can now use the Magic Mirror on your NPC hirelings to customize their appearance.
With each new update from Larian Studios, Baldur’s Gate 3 just gets better and better. Although BG3 has had its fair share of technical issues (and rumors of cut content), the hotfixes and bigger patches have kept fans of the hit CRPG happy. And unlike Bethesda’s Starfield whose concurrent players have progressively dropped, Baldur’s Gate 3 continues to enjoy 200K to 300K concurrent players on Steam alone.
Hotfix #9 was released on October 6, with Larian Studios posting the announcement on the official Baldur’s Gate 3 website and the Steam Community Page, which was then shared on social media.
Hotfix #9 is now live for Baldur's Gate 3. In addition to this update fixing several bugs, issues and crashes, you can now change your name through the Magic Mirror, as well as changing the appearance of Hirelings!
Read more: https://t.co/O3YquttWOo pic.twitter.com/eEp0jkSZWG
— Larian Studios (@larianstudios) October 6, 2023
Hirelings are a staple of the Dungeons & Dragons games, whether on the original tabletop RPG or the video games. Even before Wizards of the Coast acquired TSR, D&D has had options for player characters to hire NPCs to fulfill certain tasks that other player characters in the party might not be able to perform.
Players can choose to add a thief to deal with lockpicking and disarming traps, or to bring a cleric for healing and support, or just another piece of meat to throw in front of angry goblins, hirelings play a part in the adventure (in exchange for a fee of gold and share of the loot, of course).
In Baldur’s Gate 3, there are 12 NPC hirelings that players can temporarily recruit beginning at Level 3. While you can finish the game with just the Origins and Companions characters filling your party, hirelings allow you more freedom to customize your group based on the D&D character classes that they represent. For instance, if you want an entire party of just melee warriors, you can bring Eldra (Gold Dwarf Barbarian), Varanna Sunblossom (Wood Half-Elf Fighter), and Sina’Zith (Githyanki Monk).
The downside to NPC hirelings is that they do not have as rich a backstory as Origin and Companion characters. However, you can replace permanently lost Origins and Companions (due to death) with NPC hirelings. Plus, with the update from Hotfix #9, BG3 NPC hirelings can now be customized to change their appearance with the Magic Mirror.
The options to modify the main character’s looks, sex, and other cosmetic details from the earlier Patch #3 can now be done to hirelings in the party. Alas, the limitations of the Magic Mirror still apply to Origins and Companions. So, no, you cannot alter Astarion’s dashing good looks.
The other big quality of life update that comes with Baldur’s Gate 3 Hotfix #9 is the ability to change the main character’s name. While most players will not find that to be a big deal, some Baldur’s Gate 3 players have been asking for this option. So if you made the mistake of naming your character “Sex Machine XxX 97”, you can now change it to a more appropriate fantasy-themed moniker.
As Larian Studios states regarding BG3 Hotfix #9:
“Wish your hirelings looked a little more… glamorous? Worry no longer! We’ve given it a kick, and the Magic Mirror will now allow your hirelings to change their appearance! The same restrictions apply as when you edit your Tav, but we hope this enables you to create the party of your dreams. Or, someone else’s nightmares. We can’t wait to see it.
In addition, you can now change your name through the Magic Mirror. We’ll be using this to add Cool in front of every one of our characters, but you do you.”
Aside from the big changes to the Magic Mirror, the update also fixed issues with GPU crashes on PS5 Vulkan, previews not working on the UI, and other minor glitches affecting the gameplay experience. You can find the full list of changes to Baldur’s Gate 3 after Hotfix #9 at this link.
What do you think about the options added to Baldur’s Gate 3’s Magic Mirror? Do you agree BG3 is a shoe-in for Game of the Year for 2023’s Game Awards?
Baldur’s Gate 3 is available for Windows PC, Sony Playstation 5, and macOS. The Microsoft Xbox Series X and Series S release of Baldur’s Gate 3 remains TBD.
