Baldur's Gate 3 is being called an anomaly of an RPG for a number of reasons, including its fully-functional adaptation of the traditionally mouse-and-keyboard-dominated CRPG genre for controllers. Indeed, the game has full controller support, just like Larian Studios' previous title Divinity Original Sin 2 – in Baldur's Gate 3, playing from the comfort of the couch is even easier.
One might think that there are downsides to using a controller, but in truth, there are few. All the functionality of the mouse-and-keyboard gameplay is there, just with a bit more scrolling in menus. Some have found it's a better way to explore the world of Faerun because it allows reactions to things like traps, and allows for more immersion and RP. Here's how to set up and use a controller for Baldur's Gate 3 on PC.
The PS5 version of the game launching on September 6, 2023 (and eventually the Xbox release) will natively use controller inputs rather than m+kb.
Baldur's Gate 3 PC Supports Controller Inputs & Auto Switch
How To Enable Controller Support In BG3
The default settings for Baldur's Gate 3 have Inputs set to "Auto", which means that the game will automatically realize when either keyboard and mouse or a gamepad are being used, and instantly switch the on-screen controls and inputs accordingly.
As such, players who want to use a controller for Baldur's Gate 3 on PC simply need to connect their gamepad to their computer and launch the game – it's not too complex for BG3 players to enable, and works essentially as a plug-n-play system.
The other settings keep the game focused on one style of control over the other, without automatically changing over when it reads an input from a different source. So, if it's set to Controller-only, the game will not automatically switch over if players bump into their keyboard. On the other hand, players who set it to mouse and keyboard need not worry about bumping into their controller and changing their input device.
The Case for Mixed Controls
It's not a bad idea to use a mix of the two, under the Auto setting, for different purposes. Though both input styles cannot be used at the same time, players can use a mouse and keyboard to more effectively manage their inventory or more efficiently engage in combat. Then, once the nitty-gritty organizing and strategizing is done, players can switch back to controller inputs to make exploring the world a bit more immersive.
When a trap is found, it's easier to stop and not run into it with a controller, as players aren't just clicking a location and waiting – they're moving one step at a time. Though there's nothing wrong with using either input method exclusively (controller input is forced for local Co-Op, for example), it's a neat way to change up how one interacts with the world of BG3 on the fly.
Baldur's Gate 3 is available on PC and will release for PlayStation 5 on September 6, 2023.