What are the consequences of siding with the Absolute in Baldur's Gate 3?
Siding with the Absolute in Baldur's Gate 3 is a major story decision that significantly impacts the narrative, your relationships with companions, and the overall outcome of the game. The Absolute is a mysterious and powerful force that seeks to dominate the world, and aligning with it means embracing its dark influence. This choice is not made lightly, as it involves betraying many of your allies and embracing a path of tyranny and control. Below is a detailed explanation of the mechanics, strategies, and consequences involved in siding with the Absolute.
To side with the Absolute, you must first progress through the main story until you encounter key moments where you can choose to align with its forces. One of the earliest opportunities occurs when you meet the True Souls, who are agents of the Absolute. These characters, such as Minthara, will offer you the chance to join their cause. To do this, you must demonstrate your loyalty to the Absolute by completing tasks that further its goals. For example, in Act 1, you can side with the goblins and raid the Druid Grove, which is a clear indication of your allegiance to the Absolute. This decision will lead to the destruction of the grove and the death of many innocent lives, including potential companions like Wyll and Karlach, who will refuse to follow you down this dark path.
As you progress through the game, siding with the Absolute will require you to make increasingly difficult choices. In Act 2, you will encounter the cult of the Absolute in the Shadow-Cursed Lands. Here, you can further prove your loyalty by assisting the cult in their efforts to spread the Absolute's influence. This may involve betraying other factions, such as the Harpers or the Last Light Inn, and sacrificing more of your companions' trust. By this point, characters like Shadowheart and Lae'zel may begin to question your decisions, and their loyalty will be tested. If you continue to side with the Absolute, you risk alienating them entirely, leading to potential conflicts or even their departure from your party.
One of the most significant consequences of siding with the Absolute is the impact on your relationships with your companions. Most of your party members have strong moral convictions and will not support your decision to align with such a malevolent force. For example, Wyll and Karlach are deeply opposed to the Absolute and will leave your party if you choose to side with it. Similarly, Shadowheart and Lae'zel may turn against you if they feel you are betraying their own goals and beliefs. This can leave you with a much smaller and less diverse party, making combat and exploration more challenging.
In terms of gameplay mechanics, siding with the Absolute will grant you access to unique abilities and resources tied to the Absolute's power. For example, you may gain access to powerful spells and abilities that are otherwise unavailable. However, these benefits come at a cost. The Absolute's influence will begin to corrupt your character, leading to negative consequences such as reduced dialogue options with certain NPCs and a loss of trust from your companions. Additionally, the game's ending will be significantly altered, with the Absolute's victory leading to a darker and more oppressive world.
To optimize your experience when siding with the Absolute, it is important to carefully consider your character build and party composition. Since many companions will leave or turn against you, it is advisable to focus on building a character who can handle combat and exploration on their own or with a smaller party. Classes like the Paladin or Warlock, which have strong combat abilities and can benefit from the Absolute's power, are good choices. Additionally, you should prioritize acquiring powerful gear and items that can compensate for the loss of your companions' abilities.
One common mistake to avoid when siding with the Absolute is failing to anticipate the consequences of your actions. Many players may not realize how deeply their choices will affect the story and their relationships with companions. It is important to save your game frequently and be prepared for the possibility of losing key allies. Additionally, you should be mindful of the moral implications of your decisions, as siding with the Absolute will lead to the suffering and death of many innocent characters.
In terms of advanced techniques, you can explore the full extent of the Absolute's power by completing all related quests and making choices that further its goals. This may involve betraying even more factions and characters, but it will also unlock unique storylines and endings that are not available to players who oppose the Absolute. For example, you may gain the opportunity to become a True Soul yourself, wielding immense power and influence over the world.
From a D&D rules perspective, siding with the Absolute aligns your character with an evil alignment, which can have significant implications for your role-playing experience. In Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition, alignment affects how NPCs perceive and interact with your character, as well as your ability to use certain spells and abilities. In Baldur's Gate 3, this is reflected in the way your choices shape the story and your relationships with other characters.
In conclusion, siding with the Absolute in Baldur's Gate 3 is a complex and morally challenging decision that will have far-reaching consequences for your character and the world around you. By carefully considering your choices, optimizing your character build, and anticipating the impact on your companions, you can navigate this dark path and experience a unique and compelling storyline. However, it is important to be prepared for the sacrifices and challenges that come with aligning yourself with such a malevolent force.
To side with the Absolute, you must first progress through the main story until you encounter key moments where you can choose to align with its forces. One of the earliest opportunities occurs when you meet the True Souls, who are agents of the Absolute. These characters, such as Minthara, will offer you the chance to join their cause. To do this, you must demonstrate your loyalty to the Absolute by completing tasks that further its goals. For example, in Act 1, you can side with the goblins and raid the Druid Grove, which is a clear indication of your allegiance to the Absolute. This decision will lead to the destruction of the grove and the death of many innocent lives, including potential companions like Wyll and Karlach, who will refuse to follow you down this dark path.
As you progress through the game, siding with the Absolute will require you to make increasingly difficult choices. In Act 2, you will encounter the cult of the Absolute in the Shadow-Cursed Lands. Here, you can further prove your loyalty by assisting the cult in their efforts to spread the Absolute's influence. This may involve betraying other factions, such as the Harpers or the Last Light Inn, and sacrificing more of your companions' trust. By this point, characters like Shadowheart and Lae'zel may begin to question your decisions, and their loyalty will be tested. If you continue to side with the Absolute, you risk alienating them entirely, leading to potential conflicts or even their departure from your party.
One of the most significant consequences of siding with the Absolute is the impact on your relationships with your companions. Most of your party members have strong moral convictions and will not support your decision to align with such a malevolent force. For example, Wyll and Karlach are deeply opposed to the Absolute and will leave your party if you choose to side with it. Similarly, Shadowheart and Lae'zel may turn against you if they feel you are betraying their own goals and beliefs. This can leave you with a much smaller and less diverse party, making combat and exploration more challenging.
In terms of gameplay mechanics, siding with the Absolute will grant you access to unique abilities and resources tied to the Absolute's power. For example, you may gain access to powerful spells and abilities that are otherwise unavailable. However, these benefits come at a cost. The Absolute's influence will begin to corrupt your character, leading to negative consequences such as reduced dialogue options with certain NPCs and a loss of trust from your companions. Additionally, the game's ending will be significantly altered, with the Absolute's victory leading to a darker and more oppressive world.
To optimize your experience when siding with the Absolute, it is important to carefully consider your character build and party composition. Since many companions will leave or turn against you, it is advisable to focus on building a character who can handle combat and exploration on their own or with a smaller party. Classes like the Paladin or Warlock, which have strong combat abilities and can benefit from the Absolute's power, are good choices. Additionally, you should prioritize acquiring powerful gear and items that can compensate for the loss of your companions' abilities.
One common mistake to avoid when siding with the Absolute is failing to anticipate the consequences of your actions. Many players may not realize how deeply their choices will affect the story and their relationships with companions. It is important to save your game frequently and be prepared for the possibility of losing key allies. Additionally, you should be mindful of the moral implications of your decisions, as siding with the Absolute will lead to the suffering and death of many innocent characters.
In terms of advanced techniques, you can explore the full extent of the Absolute's power by completing all related quests and making choices that further its goals. This may involve betraying even more factions and characters, but it will also unlock unique storylines and endings that are not available to players who oppose the Absolute. For example, you may gain the opportunity to become a True Soul yourself, wielding immense power and influence over the world.
From a D&D rules perspective, siding with the Absolute aligns your character with an evil alignment, which can have significant implications for your role-playing experience. In Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition, alignment affects how NPCs perceive and interact with your character, as well as your ability to use certain spells and abilities. In Baldur's Gate 3, this is reflected in the way your choices shape the story and your relationships with other characters.
In conclusion, siding with the Absolute in Baldur's Gate 3 is a complex and morally challenging decision that will have far-reaching consequences for your character and the world around you. By carefully considering your choices, optimizing your character build, and anticipating the impact on your companions, you can navigate this dark path and experience a unique and compelling storyline. However, it is important to be prepared for the sacrifices and challenges that come with aligning yourself with such a malevolent force.