How to Play Baldur's Gate 3 Multiplayer: A Guide to Chaos and Collaboration

blog 2025-01-26 0Browse 0

Baldur’s Gate 3, the highly anticipated RPG from Larian Studios, offers an immersive single-player experience, but its multiplayer mode is where the true chaos and camaraderie shine. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a newcomer to the Forgotten Realms, diving into multiplayer can be both thrilling and overwhelming. This guide will walk you through the essentials of playing Baldur’s Gate 3 multiplayer, while also exploring the bizarre and unexpected ways your party might end up arguing over who gets to pet the owlbear.

Getting Started: Setting Up Your Multiplayer Session

Before you can embark on your journey with friends, you’ll need to set up your multiplayer session. Baldur’s Gate 3 supports both online and local co-op, allowing you to team up with friends regardless of their location. Here’s how to get started:

Create or Join a Lobby: From the main menu, select “Multiplayer” and choose to either host a new game or join an existing one. If you’re hosting, you can customize the game settings, such as difficulty level and whether to allow save scumming (a controversial topic among purists).
Invite Your Friends: Once your lobby is set up, invite your friends via Steam, GOG, or any other platform you’re using. You can also set your game to public if you’re feeling adventurous and want to welcome strangers into your party.
Character Creation: Each player will need to create their own character. This is where the first potential for chaos arises. Will your party consist of a balanced group of warriors, mages, and rogues, or will you all decide to play as bards and attempt to seduce your way through the game?

The Art of Collaboration (and Betrayal)

Once your party is assembled, the real fun begins. Baldur’s Gate 3’s multiplayer mode is designed to encourage both collaboration and, occasionally, betrayal. Here are some key aspects to keep in mind:

Shared Decision-Making: Many of the game’s pivotal moments require the party to make decisions together. Will you spare the goblin children, or will your rogue insist on a more… permanent solution? These decisions can lead to heated debates, but they also make for memorable storytelling.
Combat Coordination: Combat in Baldur’s Gate 3 is turn-based, which means you’ll need to strategize with your party. Communication is key, especially when dealing with tough enemies. However, don’t be surprised if your barbarian decides to charge in without a plan, leaving the rest of you to clean up the mess.
Inventory Management: Loot is shared among the party, but that doesn’t mean everyone will agree on who gets what. Expect arguments over who should wield the legendary sword or who gets to keep the shiny new helmet. And then there’s the eternal question: who gets to carry the camp supplies?

The Unexpected: When Multiplayer Goes Off the Rails

One of the joys of Baldur’s Gate 3 multiplayer is the unpredictability. Here are some scenarios you might encounter:

The Owlbear Incident: At some point, your party will encounter an owlbear. Someone will inevitably suggest trying to tame it, leading to a series of failed animal handling checks and, possibly, a TPK (Total Party Kill). But hey, at least you tried.
The Romance Subplot: Baldur’s Gate 3 features deep romance options, and in multiplayer, things can get… complicated. What happens when two players try to romance the same NPC? Will your friendship survive the ensuing love triangle?
The Betrayal: Sometimes, a player might decide to go rogue, stealing from the party or siding with the enemy. While this can be frustrating, it also adds an extra layer of drama to the game. Just remember: revenge is a dish best served cold.

Tips for a Smooth Multiplayer Experience

To ensure your multiplayer session is as enjoyable as possible, here are some tips:

Set Ground Rules: Before starting, discuss how you want to handle certain aspects of the game, such as loot distribution and decision-making. This can help prevent conflicts down the line.
Communicate: Whether you’re in combat or exploring the world, communication is crucial. Use voice chat or text chat to coordinate your actions and share information.
Embrace the Chaos: Multiplayer in Baldur’s Gate 3 is inherently chaotic, and that’s part of the fun. Don’t take things too seriously, and be prepared for the unexpected.

Q: Can I play Baldur’s Gate 3 multiplayer with strangers? A: Yes, you can set your game to public and allow strangers to join. However, be cautious, as this can lead to unpredictable behavior.

Q: How many players can join a multiplayer session? A: Baldur’s Gate 3 supports up to four players in a single multiplayer session.

Q: Can I switch between single-player and multiplayer? A: Yes, you can switch between single-player and multiplayer modes, but your progress in one mode won’t carry over to the other.

Q: What happens if a player disconnects during a multiplayer session? A: If a player disconnects, they can rejoin the session as long as the host doesn’t close the game. Their character will be controlled by the AI until they return.

Q: Can I romance another player’s character? A: No, romance options in Baldur’s Gate 3 are limited to NPCs. However, you can role-play romantic interactions with other players if you’re so inclined.