How to Start Multiplayer BG3: A Journey Through Chaos and Camaraderie

Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3) is a game that thrives on the unpredictable, the chaotic, and the deeply personal. When you decide to venture into its multiplayer mode, you’re not just starting a game—you’re embarking on a journey that blends strategy, storytelling, and social dynamics in ways that few other games can match. But how do you start multiplayer BG3? And more importantly, how do you navigate the madness that ensues when you bring friends (or strangers) into the mix? Let’s dive into the intricacies of starting a multiplayer session in BG3, and explore the strange, wonderful, and occasionally frustrating world of cooperative play.

1. Setting Up the Game: The Technical Prelude

Before you can dive into the world of Faerûn with your friends, you need to ensure that the technical aspects are in order. BG3 offers both online and local multiplayer options, so your first decision is whether you’re playing with people in the same room or across the globe.

• Online Multiplayer: To start an online session, one player needs to host the game. This player will create a lobby, set the difficulty, and invite others via Steam or Larian Studios’ friends list. Ensure everyone has a stable internet connection—nothing kills the mood like lag during a critical dialogue choice.

• Local Multiplayer: If you’re playing locally, you’ll need to connect controllers and set up split-screen mode. This is a great option for couch co-op, but be prepared for some friendly elbow jostling as you both try to navigate the UI.

2. Character Creation: The First Test of Friendship

Character creation in BG3 is a deeply personal and often time-consuming process. In multiplayer, this becomes a group activity, and it’s here that you’ll first encounter the delicate balance of collaboration and compromise.

• Party Composition: Discuss your party’s composition before diving in. Do you need a tank, a healer, or a rogue? Or do you all want to play as bards and see how far you can get by charming your way through the game? The choice is yours, but remember: a balanced party can make or break your adventure.

• Appearance and Backstory: This is where things can get heated. Will your friend’s half-elf warlock have neon green hair? Will your tiefling cleric have a tragic backstory that they insist on narrating at every opportunity? These are the moments that define multiplayer BG3.

3. The First Session: Chaos Unleashed

Once you’ve created your characters and loaded into the game, the real fun begins. BG3’s multiplayer mode is designed to be as open-ended as possible, which means your party can split up, pursue different objectives, and generally cause mayhem.

• Splitting the Party: In single-player, splitting the party is a bad idea. In multiplayer, it’s practically a requirement. One player might be negotiating with a goblin chief while another is pickpocketing a vendor in a nearby town. The key is communication—make sure everyone knows what’s happening, even if it’s just to laugh at someone’s misfortune.

• Dialogue Choices: BG3’s dialogue system is one of its standout features, but in multiplayer, it becomes a source of both hilarity and frustration. Who gets to speak for the group? What happens if one player chooses a diplomatic approach while another starts a fight? These moments are where the game truly shines, as they force you to adapt and improvise.

4. Combat: A Symphony of Strategy and Screaming

Combat in BG3 is turn-based, which means it’s slower and more deliberate than in many other RPGs. In multiplayer, this can lead to some truly epic moments—or some truly disastrous ones.

• Coordination is Key: A well-coordinated party can take down even the toughest enemies with ease. A poorly coordinated one, on the other hand, might spend three turns arguing over whether to use a fireball or a healing spell.

• Friendly Fire: Yes, friendly fire is a thing in BG3. Yes, your friend’s rogue will absolutely set you on fire at least once. Embrace the chaos.

5. The Social Dynamics: The Real Game

At its core, multiplayer BG3 is as much about the social dynamics as it is about the game itself. The way your group interacts, makes decisions, and handles conflict will shape your experience in ways that no single-player game ever could.

• The Leader: Every group has one—the player who takes charge, makes the big decisions, and generally tries to keep everyone on track. Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing depends entirely on your group dynamic.

• The Wildcard: Then there’s the player who does the exact opposite of what the group wants, just to see what happens. This player is both a blessing and a curse, and they will inevitably cause at least one TPK (Total Party Kill).

6. The Long Game: Commitment and Consequences

BG3 is a long game, and multiplayer sessions can stretch over weeks or even months. This means you need to be prepared for the long haul.

• Scheduling: Finding a time that works for everyone can be a challenge, but it’s worth it. Regular sessions keep the momentum going and ensure that everyone stays invested in the story.

• Consequences: BG3 is a game of choices, and those choices have consequences. In multiplayer, these consequences are shared, which means you’ll need to live with your friends’ decisions—good or bad.

7. The Endgame: Triumph or Tragedy

Eventually, your journey will come to an end. Whether you triumph over the forces of evil or succumb to them, the experience will be one you’ll remember for years to come.

• The Final Battle: The final battle in BG3 is a true test of your party’s coordination and skill. It’s also a chance to showcase everything you’ve learned over the course of the game.

• The Aftermath: Once the credits roll, take some time to reflect on your journey. What did you learn about your friends? What did you learn about yourself? And most importantly, when are you starting your next campaign?

FAQs

Q: Can I join a multiplayer game if I’m new to BG3?
A: Absolutely! BG3’s multiplayer mode is beginner-friendly, and most players are happy to help newcomers learn the ropes.

Q: What happens if a player drops out mid-session?
A: If a player drops out, their character will be controlled by the AI until they return. Alternatively, the host can save and exit the game to wait for the missing player.

Q: Can I play multiplayer with strangers?
A: Yes, but be prepared for a mixed experience. Playing with strangers can be fun, but it’s often more rewarding to play with people you know and trust.

Q: Is there a limit to how many players can join a multiplayer session?
A: BG3 supports up to four players in a single session, whether online or local.

Q: Can I mod the game in multiplayer?
A: Yes, but all players need to have the same mods installed for the game to work properly.