Baldur’s Gate 3: Multiplayer – How the co-op mode works

by Pramith August 10, 2023

written by Pramith August 10, 2023

Baldur’s Gate 3 multiplayer features an extensive co-op mode that offers space for up to four players

Baldur’s Gate 3: Start Multiplayer Session

The multiplayer co-op mode in Baldur’s Gate 3 allows your friends and you to explore Faerun together.

You start a multiplayer campaign directly from the Multiplayer tab in the main menu. You can start a new co-op multiplayer session with up to three other players.

You can invite your friends via the Steam ID or friends list. Alternatively, other players can join via Session ID if they use GOG. You can also invite other players via the Session ID.

Couch co-op for a maximum of two players is also supported. Baldur’s Gate 3 relies on a split screen for this, which means that players are not restricted in their movement.

Players can either create their own characters or take over Origin characters like Shadowheart or Gale. If players join later, they can only use characters they have created themselves.
The Origin characters are either assigned by the host by dragging and dropping the portraits in the game or beforehand via the session menu. This makes it possible to quickly adjust who plays which character, for example when a player leaves the session.

Important: Crossplay is not offered. Playstation 5 and PC players cannot play together for this reason. Larian Studios has not commented on a later crossplay integration.

When playing Baldur’s Gate 3’s multiplayer co-op mode, there are certain points to keep in mind that are different from the single player:

Only the host can save the current session. Any campaign progress is therefore dependent on the host. Host scores can be shared if another player wants to host.

Each player can move freely in the world, fight and interact with NPCs independently of the others. Dialogues started by one player cannot be interrupted, but the others can vote on which dialogue option they find more interesting. However, the decision is always made by the player who addressed the NPC.
Loot drops for the whole group, not separately for each player. You can freely exchange items with each other and thus optimise the equipment of a certain class, for example.
Romances with other players’ characters are not possible. Similarly, player characters cannot interact with each other. Controlled Origin characters are also not addressable until the player leaves the game and you address the NPC in the camp.