Co-op: Start a Campaign and Resume with Friends · Campaign rules and dated source guidance
BG3 Co-op: Start a Campaign and Resume with Friends
Quick Answer
For a new BG3 co-op campaign, choose a host, create a Multiplayer lobby, invite the group and start together. Normal co-op supports up to four players. The host’s campaign save is the one you return to for later sessions.
- Reading time
- 1 minutes
- Difficulty
- Focused guide
- Checked
- 2026-09-09
On this page
Guide details
Before you begin
Start a BG3 co-op lobby, choose the campaign host, join character creation, resume the same save, and manage dialogue or a missing player with friends.
Focused campaign guidance; unrelated story, romance and complete-build routes are not covered.
- Status
- Sources checked
- Edition
- Campaign rules and dated source guidance
- Platform
- PC · Steam
- Checked
- 2026-09-09
- Check note
- Source dates and version limits are stated where relevant; no in-game playtest claimed.
Before you set out
Prerequisites#
- Focused campaign guidance; unrelated story, romance and complete-build routes are not covered.
Route 01
Agree on the host and party before you begin#
Choose whose campaign you will play#
Decide whether everyone is starting a new story or joining an existing campaign. Player characters occupy party slots that could otherwise hold companions. A full group of four player characters therefore changes how you experience regular companion participation. Agree on that expectation before character creation.
Route 02
Create the lobby and join initial character creation#
Invite everyone before character creation#
Open Multiplayer, create a lobby and set its visibility and available slots. Invite your friends and launch when everyone is present. Joining at initial character creation is the opportunity to choose an Origin character; someone joining later cannot select a new Origin character that way. If playing an Origin is important to a friend, arrange the first session together.
Route 03
Have the host load the same campaign#
Load the host’s campaign#
For the next session, the host loads the existing campaign save and invites the group again. Characters belong to that campaign; they are not portable account characters that move freely into another friend’s story. Use Session to review character control and companion assignments when the group returns.
Route 04
Coordinate conversations as well as combat#
Agree on party and dialogue choices#
Other players can follow a conversation and suggest dialogue choices, but the player who starts it makes the choice. Decide how you want to handle important conversations rather than assuming every vote is binding. A full player party also leaves no regular companion slots, which is another reason to discuss story priorities before starting.