Guide to Playing Baldur’s Gate 3 in Couch Co-Op on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series

<p>Baldur’s Gate 3 is an incredible RPG experience to enjoy with friends. But is there a feature for local gameplay? Here’s everything you need to know about couch co-op for Baldur’s Gate 3 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Larian Studios’ Baldur’s Gate 3 has gained significant popularity among fans since its launch on PC, with its availability expanding to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. The game features lovable companions, engaging quests, and a vast world filled with enemies, making the gaming experience truly immersive. The world of Larian Studios‘ RPG is vast and inviting.

While it is an engaging experience with friends, you might wonder if couch co-op is an option that allows you to play side-by-side.

Does Baldur’s Gate 3 support couch co-op?

Split Screen BG3 character creation for couch co-op — Source: dexerto/Larian Studios

Co-op is your gateway to exciting adventures.

Indeed, Baldur’s Gate 3 supports couch co-op for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X, accommodating up to four players.

This functionality allows players to create unique characters, interact with companions, and pursue personalized story arcs in diverse manners. Here’s how you can enjoy the game with others:

Two players on a single device using split-screen mode.
Two players sharing one device with split-screen and one or two additional players on their own devices.
Two players on one device with split-screen combined with two more players doing the same.

However, local co-op is not available on Xbox Series S, likely due to its limited processing power.

How to play couch co-op on PC, PS5 & Xbox Series X

Create or join a multiplayer lobby.

Given that the game does not support mixed controls (controller and keyboard/mouse), PC players should possess two controllers to use this mode. This means you cannot play BG3 with one controller while using a keyboard and mouse.

How to start a new local co-op game

If you wish to create a co-op game with a friend or partner, follow these easy steps:

Launch the Game: Begin Baldur’s Gate 3 on your PC, PS5, or Xbox Series X.
Select New Game: Choose “New Game” from the main menu.
Choose difficulty: Pick a difficulty level from Explorer (easy), Balanced (medium), or Tactician (hard). You may even select Honor Mode for an extra challenge.
Add the second player: Once the character creation screen appears, activate split-screen mode by pressing any button on the PC controller, the X on the PS5 controller, or A on the Xbox controller.
Begin Your Journey: After both players complete their character selections, they can embark on the adventure together on the same split screen, functioning within the same game instance.

How to join an existing co-op game

If you want to enter an already ongoing game, follow these instructions:

Launch the Game: Begin Baldur’s Gate 3
Load your game: Click “Continue” to load into your saved game.
Add the second player: After the game loads, press X or A on the second controller to activate split-screen mode.
Continue your quest: Player two can either create a new character or select an existing one from the party.

Couch co-op tips for PC & consoles

One of the two characters interacting with the cutscene BG3 — Source: dexerto/Larian Studios

Here are some tips to enhance your co-op experience.

Baldur’s Gate 3 is an expansive game, and teaming up with a friend amplifies the fun with numerous possibilities. Here are some tips for an enhanced experience:

Performance: Playing in split-screen mode may limit the game to 30 FPS to maintain smooth gameplay for both players.
Split-Screen Merging: When characters are close enough in split-screen mode, the display will merge, offering a better view of the action.
Co-op Cutscenes: One player can continue exploring during cutscenes or conversations while the other is engaged, or they can move close to merge the screens.
Player Limit: Currently, the split-screen mode allows for a two-player limit. Although a four-player local co-op sounds exciting, hardware limitations on consoles create challenges.
Experience: Couch co-op brings a unique way to role-play different characters, tackle individual story arcs, and engage distinct party members.

That’s everything you need to know about local play in Baldur’s Gate 3 with split-screen functionality. To deepen your skills further, check out the Best Baldur’s Gate 3 classes tier list and the fastest ways to gain XP and level up.

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