Can anybody explain how co-op works?

[E_FREEZE]

Thinking about picking up the game next month, since i am broke for rest of this month *cough sekiro. But i was wondering how co-op works in this game. I heard somebody says it's like far cry 5's co-op, only one can progress in the story but both gets item, money, rewards etc.

[Goodzilla]

This info is elsewhere I'm sure (especially in the discord) but I will edit this post with a full explanation.
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So what happens is you make a character (only referring to steam version) and your friend does too. I'm not sure if there is a menu option or what yet, but since it's drop in/out, I imagine you can just invite them to game once they are on your friends list.

You can start playing co-op from the very beginning and you both have (dev quote) "full agency in the host's world". This means you (not the host) can gather resources, kill things, take the loot, take unique loot that is in the game (if you grab it first), and even pick up the hosts backpack if they set it down, and then log off to keep it for your very own. (some friend huh?)

Also the guest has the ability to make story choices that will affect the host. So while it is the hosts game, and I believe they have to choose a faction, the guest can make very game altering choices for the host after that. Assuming the host allows such tomfoolery.

The ONLY things a guest does NOT GET are as follows:
- progress on their own story while in the hosts world
- get any story mission rewards (but these can be dropped on the ground by the host)
- obtain certain specific (but not revealed) skills
That's it.

Since there are three factions, and only one can be chosen per character, my recommendation is that the host and guest pick different factions and take turns being host so that they can both see two factions in one character.

And oh yeah

Choose your friends very carefully.

[Pig Mac]

Damn! and since there is no 'level up' the only reason to join a co-op, is if your friend will do the same for your progress? .. or simply steal his backpack 'til they change the progression to both players!

This type of co-op is so wrong in a game were progress is only achieved by doing the certain quests on your own 'world' to even get the basics skills to keep playing. as I guess the mana-quest is a host only, since it's quite a bit of 'specific skill'

Guess I saved 40€ from reading this. Thanks a lot for the clarification at least.

They promote it to be a true co-op, for 'real friends' fighting together.. and even announce it as a viable valentines event.. until your wife steal your backpack and run off with your goat!

Well played! I guess they have a side company that works as divorce attorneys.

[Pig Mac]

From the FAQ:
"You don't need to be in the same faction as your coop partner since only the host's story advances. Gear and skills do progress for the joining player however."

So it seems there is some reason in joining co-op host after all?!

As I don't really care about story progressions anyway, and just thought the game sounds like a nice overall concept, it actually sound more fun to just join in, and no real reason to insist on being the host
(and try to avoid the urge to steal their backpack).

[Goodzilla]

Thats what I was trying to say with the "does NOT Get" section. I think the devs described the number of skills locked out as "a couple".

But like... ALL other character progress (skills and gear and stuff) us unlocked.