What happens if I let the Absolute control the Elder Brain in Baldur's Gate 3?
If you choose to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain in Baldur's Gate 3, you are essentially aligning yourself with the game's primary antagonistic force, the Absolute, and its followers. This decision is one of the most significant story choices in the game, as it drastically alters the ending and the fate of the world. The Absolute is a powerful entity that seeks to dominate all life, and by allowing it to control the Elder Brain, you are enabling its ultimate goal of total domination. This choice is not made lightly, as it has far-reaching consequences for your character, your companions, and the world at large.
To achieve this outcome, you must first progress through the main story until you reach the final act of the game. This involves completing key quests, such as infiltrating Moonrise Towers, dealing with the Githyanki Creche, and confronting the Absolute's forces in Baldur's Gate. Along the way, you will encounter various characters and factions that will influence your decisions, including the Mind Flayers, the Githyanki, and the followers of the Absolute. Your choices in these interactions will shape your path and determine whether you are able to reach the point where you can make this critical decision.
Once you reach the final act, you will face the Elder Brain, a massive and powerful entity that serves as the central hub of the Mind Flayer hive mind. The Elder Brain is the key to the Absolute's plan, as it controls the Mind Flayers and their thralls. To let the Absolute control the Elder Brain, you must first defeat the Elder Brain in combat. This is no small feat, as the Elder Brain is one of the most challenging encounters in the game. You will need a well-prepared party, with strong characters, powerful spells, and effective combat tactics.
During the battle with the Elder Brain, you will need to focus on dealing as much damage as possible while also managing the various threats it poses. The Elder Brain has powerful psychic abilities that can incapacitate your party members, so it is important to have characters with high Wisdom saves or abilities that can protect against psychic damage. Additionally, the Elder Brain will summon Mind Flayers and other creatures to aid it in battle, so you will need to deal with these threats while also focusing on the main target.
Once you have defeated the Elder Brain, you will be presented with a choice. You can either destroy the Elder Brain, ending the threat of the Absolute and freeing the world from its influence, or you can allow the Absolute to take control of the Elder Brain. If you choose the latter, the Absolute will use the Elder Brain to expand its power and dominate all life. This will result in a dark ending where the world is plunged into chaos and despair, with your character and your companions either becoming thralls of the Absolute or being destroyed in the process.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind if you are considering this path. First, this choice is irreversible, so you should be certain that this is the ending you want before making the decision. Second, this choice will have a significant impact on your companions, as they may not agree with your decision and could turn against you. It is important to consider their reactions and how this will affect your relationships with them. Third, this choice will lock you into a specific ending, so if you are interested in exploring other outcomes, you may want to save this path for a later playthrough.
Common mistakes to avoid include not being prepared for the final battle, as the Elder Brain is a formidable opponent that requires careful planning and strategy. Additionally, some players may not fully understand the consequences of their choice, so it is important to pay attention to the story and dialogue to ensure that you are making an informed decision. Finally, some players may overlook the impact this choice will have on their companions, so it is important to consider their perspectives and how they will react.
Advanced techniques and optimizations for this path include building a party that is well-suited for the final battle, with characters that have high damage output, strong defenses, and abilities that can counter the Elder Brain's psychic attacks. Additionally, you may want to consider using consumables and buffs to enhance your party's performance in the battle. Finally, you should carefully manage your resources, as the final battle is a long and grueling encounter that will test your party's endurance.
In terms of related D&D rules and mechanics, the Elder Brain is a powerful creature with a high challenge rating, making it a formidable opponent even for high-level characters. Its psychic abilities are based on the Mind Flayer's psionic powers, which are a key part of the D&D lore. The Absolute's control over the Elder Brain is an example of how powerful entities can manipulate and dominate other creatures, a common theme in D&D campaigns.
Specific examples and scenarios include the final battle with the Elder Brain, where you will need to use all of your party's abilities and resources to emerge victorious. Additionally, the interactions with your companions leading up to this choice will shape their reactions and the overall outcome of the story. For example, if you have built a strong relationship with a companion who opposes the Absolute, they may turn against you if you choose to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is a major story choice in Baldur's Gate 3 that will have a significant impact on the game's ending. This path requires careful planning, strong combat tactics, and a deep understanding of the story and its consequences. By following the steps and tips outlined above, you can achieve this outcome and experience one of the game's most dramatic and impactful endings.
To achieve this outcome, you must first progress through the main story until you reach the final act of the game. This involves completing key quests, such as infiltrating Moonrise Towers, dealing with the Githyanki Creche, and confronting the Absolute's forces in Baldur's Gate. Along the way, you will encounter various characters and factions that will influence your decisions, including the Mind Flayers, the Githyanki, and the followers of the Absolute. Your choices in these interactions will shape your path and determine whether you are able to reach the point where you can make this critical decision.
Once you reach the final act, you will face the Elder Brain, a massive and powerful entity that serves as the central hub of the Mind Flayer hive mind. The Elder Brain is the key to the Absolute's plan, as it controls the Mind Flayers and their thralls. To let the Absolute control the Elder Brain, you must first defeat the Elder Brain in combat. This is no small feat, as the Elder Brain is one of the most challenging encounters in the game. You will need a well-prepared party, with strong characters, powerful spells, and effective combat tactics.
During the battle with the Elder Brain, you will need to focus on dealing as much damage as possible while also managing the various threats it poses. The Elder Brain has powerful psychic abilities that can incapacitate your party members, so it is important to have characters with high Wisdom saves or abilities that can protect against psychic damage. Additionally, the Elder Brain will summon Mind Flayers and other creatures to aid it in battle, so you will need to deal with these threats while also focusing on the main target.
Once you have defeated the Elder Brain, you will be presented with a choice. You can either destroy the Elder Brain, ending the threat of the Absolute and freeing the world from its influence, or you can allow the Absolute to take control of the Elder Brain. If you choose the latter, the Absolute will use the Elder Brain to expand its power and dominate all life. This will result in a dark ending where the world is plunged into chaos and despair, with your character and your companions either becoming thralls of the Absolute or being destroyed in the process.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind if you are considering this path. First, this choice is irreversible, so you should be certain that this is the ending you want before making the decision. Second, this choice will have a significant impact on your companions, as they may not agree with your decision and could turn against you. It is important to consider their reactions and how this will affect your relationships with them. Third, this choice will lock you into a specific ending, so if you are interested in exploring other outcomes, you may want to save this path for a later playthrough.
Common mistakes to avoid include not being prepared for the final battle, as the Elder Brain is a formidable opponent that requires careful planning and strategy. Additionally, some players may not fully understand the consequences of their choice, so it is important to pay attention to the story and dialogue to ensure that you are making an informed decision. Finally, some players may overlook the impact this choice will have on their companions, so it is important to consider their perspectives and how they will react.
Advanced techniques and optimizations for this path include building a party that is well-suited for the final battle, with characters that have high damage output, strong defenses, and abilities that can counter the Elder Brain's psychic attacks. Additionally, you may want to consider using consumables and buffs to enhance your party's performance in the battle. Finally, you should carefully manage your resources, as the final battle is a long and grueling encounter that will test your party's endurance.
In terms of related D&D rules and mechanics, the Elder Brain is a powerful creature with a high challenge rating, making it a formidable opponent even for high-level characters. Its psychic abilities are based on the Mind Flayer's psionic powers, which are a key part of the D&D lore. The Absolute's control over the Elder Brain is an example of how powerful entities can manipulate and dominate other creatures, a common theme in D&D campaigns.
Specific examples and scenarios include the final battle with the Elder Brain, where you will need to use all of your party's abilities and resources to emerge victorious. Additionally, the interactions with your companions leading up to this choice will shape their reactions and the overall outcome of the story. For example, if you have built a strong relationship with a companion who opposes the Absolute, they may turn against you if you choose to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is a major story choice in Baldur's Gate 3 that will have a significant impact on the game's ending. This path requires careful planning, strong combat tactics, and a deep understanding of the story and its consequences. By following the steps and tips outlined above, you can achieve this outcome and experience one of the game's most dramatic and impactful endings.