Can you play Baldur’s Gate 3 on Steam Deck?

baldur's gate 3 art with a steam deck in the backgroundLarian Studios/Valve

Want to play Baldur’s Gate 3 on Steam Deck? We’ve tested the game out for ourselves, so you can be sure what kind of performance to expect on Valve’s handheld. 

The wizards, warlocks, and sorcerers at Larian Studios have crafted an RPG magnum opus, Baldur’s Gate 3. It’s a roller coaster of adventure, from edge-of-your-seat magic duels to dice-driven destinies across treacherous terrains.

Now, for the moment you’ve all been waiting, Can you play Baldur’s Gate 3 on the Steam Deck? The answer is a resounding yes. Earning its golden ‘Steam Deck Verified’ badge, Baldur’s Gate 3 is ready to be played on this portable powerhouse of a handheld.

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Lock and load your Steam Deck and dive into the realm of Baldur’s Gate 3, but don’t forget to buy the game on Steam first.

Can you play Baldur’s Gate on the Steam Deck? 

Thanks to an update to Proton Experimental, you can easily play Baldur’s Gate 3 on Steam Deck by bypassing the Larian Launcher. The game can run anywhere between 30-40 FPS, meaning that setting your screen refresh rate slightly lower to 40Hz might be the best move. 

Steam Deck controller support for Baldur’s Gate 3

A screenshot from Baldur's Gate 3Larian Studios

The main sticking point appears to be the controller support. Larian Studios have confirmed that the game will support it at launch, but there are some queries that haven’t gotten properly answered.

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With Baldur’s Gate delayed on the PS5, controller support still feels a little “finicky”. It completely recognizes the Steam Deck’s embedded controller, and we were able to start playing almost immediately without any extra setup.

Baldur’s Gate 3 is available now and is on Steam or Good Old Games.

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Now that you know the status of Baldur’s Gate 3 on the Steam Deck, be sure to take a look at a bunch of other handy guides we’ve whipped up for you concerning other aspects of the game:

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