Before updating Baldur’s Gate 3, make a separate copy of any local saves you would hate to lose, then verify that the copy exists. Keep a different in-game profile for a new playthrough if you want to keep its progress separate from an older campaign. Larian’s Cross-Save is useful for syncing recent saves between linked platforms, but it is not a permanent archive.
Back up important saves before updating
Larian’s Windows patch guidance recommends copying the whole folder for the profile you want to protect to another location. That gives you a separate copy to fall back on; it does not guarantee that every save will survive every update. You can keep the copy on separate storage, such as an external drive, or another location you control. Larian does not require a particular device.
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- Find your profile folder. On Windows, open File Explorer and enter
%LocalAppData%Larian StudiosBaldur's Gate 3PlayerProfilesin the address bar. - Identify the profile you use. Copy its entire folder to a separate backup location. Larian’s historical Patch 9 instructions document this approach; exact paths and behavior may vary by platform or later game changes.
- Verify the copy. Open the destination and check that the copied profile folder and its contents are present before changing the game version.
Larian’s support page identifies the Windows Public profile’s Story saves at %LocalAppData%Larian StudiosBaldur's Gate 3PlayerProfilesPublicSavegamesStory. Individual saves use the .lsv extension. That location can help you find a Story save, but Larian’s patch guidance recommends copying the whole relevant profile folder for a profile backup. Larian’s save, load, and profiles support page and its Patch 9 guidance describe these locations and steps.
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Understand what Cross-Save does—and does not do
Larian says game saves are stored locally on the PC or console. Larian Account Cross-Save syncs a copy of the last 10 saves to its servers for up to six months; that limit does not affect the saves on your device. Treat the account sync as a way to move recent saves between linked platforms, not as your only long-term backup. For saves that matter most, confirm they remain on the device or keep another copy outside the account service. Larian Account Information
#1 Best Overall
- Online multiplayer for up to four players - allows you to combine your forces in combat, and split your party to follow your own quests and agendas. Concoct the perfect plan together… or introduce an element of chaos when your friends least expect it
- Origin Character - offer a hand-crafted experience, each with their own unique traits, agenda, and outlook on the world. Their stories intersect with the entire narrative, and your choices will determine whether those stories end in redemption, salvation, domination, or many other outcomes
- Evolved turn-based combat - based on the D&D 5e ruleset. Team-based initiative, advantage & disadvantage, and roll modifiers join combat cameras, expanded environmental interactions, and a new fluidity in combat that rewards strategy and foresight
- Define the future of the Forgotten Realms - through your choices, and the roll of the dice. No matter who you play, or what you roll, the world and its inhabitants will react to your story
- Player-initiated turn-based mode - allows you to pause the world around you at any time even outside of combat. Whether you see an opportunity for a tactical advantage before combat begins, want to pull off a heist with pin-point precision, or need to escape a fiendish trap. Split your party, prepare ambushes, sneak in the darkness -- create your own luck!
Keep a new playthrough separate from an old one
If you want to start a new campaign on a newer patch but retain an older campaign separately, create a new in-game profile before beginning the new playthrough. Larian’s Patch 9 guidance says this stores the new progress separately; it also recommends copying the old profile folder as an extra precaution. This is documented Windows guidance from 2022, not a guarantee about every platform’s current profile controls. Larian’s Patch 9 instructions
Update through the client for your platform
Use the update offered by the storefront or platform where you play, rather than relying on a version number from an older article. Larian’s August 3, 2026 announcement listed different versions for different platforms: PC and PS5 were 4.1.1.7398727, Steam Deck was 4.1.1.7451994, and Xbox was 4.1.1.7445165. Those figures describe that announcement, not a permanently current universal build. Larian’s August 2026 announcement
Rank #2
- Reactive Turn-based Combat: Craft unique builds for your Expeditioners that fit your playstyle via gear, stats, skills, and &character synergies
- Dodge, parry, and counter in real time, chain combos by mastering attack rhythms, and target enemy weak points using a free aim system
- With only one year left to live, join Gustave, Maelle, & fellow Expeditioners as they embark on a desperate quest to break Paintress’ cycle of death
- Explore an enchanting realm populated by adversaries; Wander through breathtaking landscapes, from Island of Visages to the Forgotten Battlefield
- Experience the debut game from Sandfall Interactive, fully realized in Unreal Engine 5 with stunning graphics and a heartbreaking soundtrack
Larian’s earlier Patch 9 post describes Steam automatic-update and beta-branch controls, and a GOG option to disable updates and roll back. Because those directions were for Patch 9 in 2022, check your current client’s own settings rather than treating that post as current menu instructions. Saves and game versions can be version-specific, so avoid switching branches or rolling back without first keeping a separate copy of important saves. Larian’s historical version-control guidance
If you use mods, check compatibility after the update
Larian warns that game updates can cause mod-related problems. For supported mods, check for updates in the in-game Mod Manager. In a multiplayer game, everyone needs the same mods on the same versions. Larian’s mod troubleshooting FAQ
Rank #3
- Exclusive Deluxe Edition Content: Includes a physical copy of Baldur's Gate 3 for PS5, along with bonus digital and physical items such as a soundtrack, art book, map, and exclusive in-game items like skins, weapons, or cosmetics.
- Big Box Packaging: Comes in a premium, collector's edition box with unique artwork, making it a standout addition to any gaming collection.
- Enhanced for PS5: Fully optimized for PlayStation 5, featuring faster load times, stunning 4K visuals, and immersive DualSense controller integration for haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.
- EU Region Version: Specifically designed for the European market, ensuring compatibility with PS5 consoles in the EU region. Includes multi-language support for a wider audience.
- Collector's Item: A must-have for fans of the Baldur's Gate series or RPG enthusiasts, offering both gameplay and collectible value with its high-quality physical and digital extras.
If a major update causes launch or in-game problems with third-party mods, Larian suggests removing existing mod files as a troubleshooting step. Its guidance identifies the installation’s DataMods and DataPublic folders and, where applicable, modsettings.lsx in the profile folder. These are conditional troubleshooting steps, not a requirement for every player before updating; follow the guidance for your setup and avoid deleting files without knowing what they contain.
Updates can include save-loading fixes
Larian’s Hotfix #36 announcement, dated March 26, 2026, listed version 4.1.1.7209685 and fixes for several issues, including a frame-rate drop and eventual crash when loading a save. Larian said the hotfix was rolling out for all platforms. This shows that updates can address save-loading problems, but that dated post does not establish which build is newest now. Check your platform client for the update currently available to you. Larian’s news index
Quick Recap
Best Value
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Rank #4
- Day 1 Edition includes the Base Game Disc, Steelbook, and World Map.
- Make The Story Your Own - Experience and shape the plot the way you want. Embark on the quest to save your family, or swear revenge on your sire and destroy everyone standing in your way. Discover ancient secrets lurking in the valley. Rush in head first or risk taking time to prepare. Go alone or search for friends and forge unlikely alliances.
- Day And Night - Experience two different gameplay loops, offering distinct abilities to choose from, mysteries to uncover, and varying ways to achieve your goals. Experiment with different approaches and discover how the world reacts to your actions.
- Every Action Matters - Every action - and inaction - shapes the world around you. Your family’s days are numbered, and every time you take on a quest, time moves forward, compelling you closer to the end. Choose carefully whom to help and whom to leave behind. You will not have time for everyone. The world waits for no one. And neither does the villain.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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