Master the Co-Op Experience: Unleash the Full Potential of Baldur's Gate 3 with These 5 Expert Tips

Highlights

Create a balanced party with specific roles to effectively progress through the game.

Coordinate and cooperate with fellow players to strategize and make combat easier.

Split the party and loot wisely,

Focus solely on the co-op experience, disregarding companions. In Baldur's Gate 3, players are immersed in the fantastical realm of Toril, embarking on a perilous quest entwined with a psionic parasite, otherworldly forces, and an ancient malevolence that puts everything at risk. Undertaking this daunting task alone is overwhelming, but with a myriad of non-player character companions to accompany players, the bond with their most reliable and unpredictable allies is unmatched, resulting in an unparalleled adventuring group.

5 Create A Balanced Party

In order to effectively progress through the game, players of Baldur's Gate 3 need to prioritize party balance, much like in Dungeons & Dragons. While there are no restrictions on the composition of a party, fulfilling specific roles is crucial. Therefore, a diverse group of companions is available in single-player mode. Although players have the ability to go beyond these companions, they too must ensure their party composition is balanced to maximize their capabilities. Whether joining an existing save or starting fresh, players should carefully plan their characters accordingly.

A balanced party comprises a range of roles, notably the Face who represents the party, the Tank who absorbs damage, the Damage Dealer who inflicts damage, the Support who heals and enhances, the Sneak who handles theft, trap disarmament, and lock-picking, and the Investigator who examines peculiar objects, creatures, phenomena, etc. Although a party consists of only four characters, numerous classes, subclasses, races, and backgrounds enable players to fulfill multiple roles — even a Paladin alone can fulfill several — they simply need to coordinate their characters.

4 Coordinate And Cooperate

Strategizing during or before combat is much simpler when playing Baldur's Gate 3 solo. In this case, a single individual takes charge of all the decisions and knows precisely how their tactics will unfold. However, when playing co-op, the dynamic completely changes. Having a complete party means that there are four individuals thinking independently and acting according to their own judgment, which can have both positive and negative consequences. If players fail to synchronize their moves and turns with one another, combat becomes significantly more challenging. In such situations, everyone ends up scrambling to tackle an encounter individually rather than working together in harmony.

Making the most of co-op requires collaborating with fellow players and strategically considering their actions. This approach allows for setting up teammates for success or strategically countering enemies to protect allies, greatly benefiting the entire party. By coordinating and cooperating with each other, players can streamline combat by focusing on one character and exploring how that character can support others rather than spreading their attention across multiple aspects. Furthermore, when four minds come together, they can devise both brilliant and unconventional strategies that may surprise their opponents.

3 Split The Party

In Dungeons & Dragons, splitting the party is a perilous move that often leads to tragic outcomes. However, in Baldur's Gate 3, players will discover that dividing and conquering is not as detrimental and can actually be advantageous when approached with caution and consideration for their fellow adventurers. The strength and diversity of the party still plays a crucial role in ensuring safety and adaptability, but splitting up can offer numerous benefits.

Scouring locations and completing quests can be time-consuming and challenging for players going through the game alone. However, if players form a co-op party and carefully divide their tasks, they can achieve much more in a shorter timeframe. It is advisable for players to travel in pairs instead of venturing alone, focusing on areas and objectives that do not require the full strength of the entire party. Exploring a treacherous witch's bog or embarking on a quest to slay a formidable dragon should only be undertaken when the party is fully assembled. Therefore, it is important to split the party when appropriate while remaining mindful of fellow players, as they may encounter difficulties if they take on more than they can handle.

2 Split The Loot

In Baldur's Gate 3, players are treated to a bountiful supply of loot, with a constant influx of gold and various valuable items obtainable through exploration and quests. Solo players have the luxury of keeping all the gold and deciding how to distribute loot at their own discretion. However, when playing cooperatively, earnings must be divided strategically to ensure the party's optimal efficiency. The concept of "finders keepers" has no place in multiplayer, particularly if the goal is to maximize the group's effectiveness. Therefore, those inclined to be hoarders will need to embrace the art of sharing.

Splitting gold is a simple task; however, the challenging part lies in deciding who should receive the magical artifacts, weapons, armor, and other items. While certain items are clearly suited for a specific class or role, there are others that could benefit any player. In order to allocate the loot properly, players must take into consideration their characters and their assigned roles within the party. Negotiations among the players are crucial in determining which items would be most beneficial for each individual. It is essential that no player selfishly hoards gold or keeps possession of items that are not meant for them. For instance, a Barbarian who is aware that the Bard requires a replacement should not keep a magical lute that they have no use for.

1 Ignore Companions

Baldur's Gate 3 is greatly enriched by its companions, who inject vibrant life into the game. Each companion possesses a distinct personality and engaging quests, many of which impact the main story. Additionally, players can cultivate meaningful bonds with these companions, developing friendships or potentially more. Nonetheless, to fully immerse oneself in the co-op experience, players should prioritize fellow players and refrain from overlooking these endearing characters.

While companions are a valuable addition to single-player playthroughs in Baldur's Gate 3, they have limited relevance in co-op mode when the party is already complete. Even on quests they are directly involved in and which cannot be completed without them, companions tend to take a backseat. Consequently, players miss out on numerous interactions with companions, and the few interactions that do happen can feel awkward or out of place, like Shadowheart reacting to something she wasn't present for. Therefore, while companions have a purpose, they are not suitable for multiplayer playthroughs.

Baldur's Gate 3 is currently available on PC, with a PS5 release scheduled for September 6, followed by an Xbox launch.