Baldur’s Gate III – How to play co-op, and whether or not you should

Baldur’s Gate III – How to play co-op, and whether or not you should

Hey, folks! Did you know Baldur’s Gate 3 packs a kickass co-op mode? Yeah, you heard that right! It’s a whole different ball game than your average multiplayer run. Sure, you can go solo, but where’s the fun in that? So, buckle up as we jump into the what’s what of Baldur’s Gate 3 co-op, let you in on how to kick-start a co-op campaign, and dish out the ups and downs of this multiplayer bonanza.

The Nuts and Bolts of Co-op in Baldur’s Gate 3

Baldur’s Gate 3 co-op is a whole new animal compared to other games out there. No more popping into each other’s worlds like you’re teleporting or something. Nope! It’s more like huddling around a virtual tabletop, your character sheets all set and ready from the last hangout. To keep the party going, the host loads up the game, gets everyone in, and there you are, ready to play your characters again.

The beauty of co-op is that you can do your own thing! Start a chit-chat with an NPC? Sure! Your buddies can watch and pitch in their two cents, but you’ve got the final say. You can even bring in or boot out NPC companions on a whim, no boss to tell you what to do. But remember, those NPC sidekicks will buddy up with the host.

Even better, you’re not stuck together like glue. Explore wherever your heart desires. Heck, one of you could be in the middle of a fight, while another buddy just chills and roams around the world.

Setting the Stage for Baldur’s Gate 3 Co-op

Alright, ready to dive in? Here’s your quick start guide to kicking off a co-op campaign:

1. Fire up the game and hit up the main menu.
2. Click the “Multiplayer” button.
3. On the multiplayer menu, click “Create” to whip up a lobby.
4. Call in your pals from your Steam friends list by hitting the empty player slots. Or, just swing open the doors and let anyone jump in. GOG users, you guys just share your Server ID, and your pals can Direct Connect from the Multiplayer screen.
5. When everyone’s in, it’s time to create those characters. Only the host gets dibs on Origin characters. If your buddies join midway, they gotta roll their own characters.

Picking Up Where You Left Off & Inviting Fresh Faces

So, to get back to your campaign, the host just needs to:

1. Load up the last save file.
2. Go to the “Session” menu (just hit Escape).
3. Round up the gang to rejoin.
4. Hand out characters to each player.

Bringing in fresh blood? Newbies will have to create custom characters (no Origin ones, sorry!). Once the new hero is ready, they join the crew. If the team’s full, they might bump off a current sidekick. Don’t worry, they’ll level up to match the host.

What If Someone Drops Out or You Need to Swap Hosts?

Hey, life happens! If a buddy drops out or can’t make it, the host can hand over their character through the Session menu. Switching hosts takes a bit more elbow grease. The host’s gotta save the campaign, then share that save file with the new host. They load it up, invite the gang, and off you go. Remember to reshuffle the characters in the Session menu to keep things smooth.

The Highs and Lows of Baldur’s Gate 3 Co-op

Before you jump into co-op, let’s talk pros and cons:

The Cool Bits About Baldur’s Gate 3 Co-op:

1. Teamwork makes the dream work: Juggling a full team solo can be a headache. Co-op lets you share the load and stay focused.
2. Freedom for all: Co-op’s your chance to bond and laugh your heads off, just like those late-night tabletop RPG sessions. The free-for-all style’s been a hit in games like Divinity: Original Sin.

The Not-So-Cool Bits About Baldur’s Gate 3 Co-op:

1. It’s a marathon, not a sprint: Co-op could take a bit more time, especially if buddies aren’t always around or get side-tracked.
2. Run, Forest, run: Nothing breaks immersion like your pal jogging in the background during a dramatic scene.
3. A whole new world: Your co-op partners can make choices that turn your campaign on its head. If you’re after a personal tale, consider going solo first.
4. Love is in the air: No romantic entanglements between co-op players. And the number of Origin characters depends on how many of you are playing and what you prefer.

So, to co-op or not to co-op? That’s totally your call. If you want a more relaxed play or to soak up the story, solo could be your jam. But co-op brings its own charm with shared laughs and team spirit. Definitely worth a shot after a solo run.

Can You Feel the Love Tonight in Co-op?

Sorry, guys, no romance between co-op players. But you can woo NPC companions in your party. Your pals can watch but not butt in. Any NPC at the camp, even those not in the active party, can be chatted up by anyone.

Want some privacy during your romantic rendezvous? Click a checkbox on the screen’s lower left to keep prying eyes out. But if you’re cool with sharing your private moments, tick the option in the gameplay menu. That way, everyone sees your scenes by default, but you can choose to keep certain moments just for you.

So, to sum it up, Baldur’s Gate 3’s co-op is a whole new level of fun. Once you’ve got the mechanics down, know how to start and continue your campaign, and weigh up the pros and cons, you’re all set to decide whether to take the plunge into this multiplayer extravaganza.