In the sprawling, epic world of Baldur's Gate 3, adventurers expect to face down mind flayers, negotiate with devils, and maybe even save the world. What they might not expect is to be consistently confronted by the slightly unhinged, hilariously misaligned faces of their own companions staring back at them from the UI. Despite Larian Studios officially moving on to new horizons after the game's monumental success, the team promised to keep the lights on with maintenance updates. A patch dropped just a few days ago, with hopes high that it would finally, for real this time, squash one of the game's most endearing and persistent visual quirks. Spoiler alert: it didn't. The bug, which causes character portraits to become comically off-center, is still out there, doing its thing, much to the amusement of the player base.

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The "Fixed, ~~Probably~~" Patch

Larian's patch notes from the late July update read with a mix of hope and self-deprecating doubt: "Fixed, ~~probably this time really maybe~~, the weird character portraits." This wasn't their first rodeo with this particular glitch. They've taken swings at it before, but it's like trying to swat a fly with divine intervention—it just keeps coming back. The bug isn't game-breaking by any stretch; it doesn't crash your game or lock you out of quests. It's purely cosmetic, but it has a personality all its own. It transforms the solemn, pious Shadowheart into a meme-worthy icon of derangement and, as recent reports show, has now seemingly passed its curse onto other party members.

A Glitch That Just Won't Quit

Fast forward to 2026, and this bug has achieved a sort of legendary status. A player recently showcased that Lae'zel, the fierce githyanki warrior, is now the latest victim. Her normally stern and centered portrait now features her model awkwardly shifted to the side. It's the gaming equivalent of a photobomb that never ends. The community's reaction? Overwhelmingly positive. Most players find it a charming, funny quirk in an otherwise meticulously polished experience. As one fan put it, "At this point, it's a feature, not a bug." The fact that Larian, masters of the CRPG genre, can't seem to fully exorcise this particular demon from the Divinity Engine after all these years is part of the joke.

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Why This Bug is Low-Key Iconic

Let's break down why this minor visual hiccup has captured hearts:

  • It's Harmless Fun: In a game about world-ending stakes, a silly portrait is a welcome bit of levity.

  • It's Consistent: The bug's persistence has made it a familiar, almost comforting, presence.

  • Meme Gold: The internet has had a field day with screenshots of Shadowheart's "funny face."

  • Community In-Joke: It's a shared experience that bonds players. Everyone's been there, staring at that off-kilter portrait.

Honestly, at this juncture, trying to fix it might cause more of an uproar than leaving it in. The bug has main character energy all of its own.

The Future of Funny Faces

Given that Larian is now deep into their next project, the fate of the portrait glitch remains uncertain. Will a future update finally, actually, solve it? Or will it linger for the lifespan of the game? Some players have even suggested that Larian should lean into it. Their next title could include an intentionally misaligned portrait as a hilarious Easter egg and a nod to Baldur's Gate 3's most stubborn resident. Imagine starting a new Larian epic and seeing a slightly crooked face in the UI—it would be an instant, knowing smile for veterans.

In the grand scheme of things, a bug that makes people laugh and doesn't ruin gameplay is a pretty good problem to have. It's a testament to the game's overall quality that this is what players are talking about years later, rather than game-breaking crashes or progression blockers. The misaligned portraits have become part of Baldur's Gate 3's rich tapestry, a little piece of chaotic, unintended charm in a masterpiece of intentional design. So here's to the bug that refuses to be patched—long may it reign, off-center and glorious. 😄