What happens if I let the Emperor control the Netherbrain in Baldur's Gate 3?
In Baldur's Gate 3, the decision to let the Emperor control the Netherbrain is one of the most significant choices you can make in the game. This choice occurs near the end of the story, during the climax of the main questline. The Netherbrain is a powerful entity that has been manipulating events throughout the game, and the Emperor, a mind flayer who has been both an ally and a source of tension, offers to take control of it to bring order to the chaos. However, this decision has far-reaching consequences for the story, your companions, and the world of Baldur's Gate.
To achieve this outcome, you must first progress through the main story until you reach the final act. This involves completing key quests such as infiltrating Moonrise Towers, dealing with the Absolute, and gathering allies for the final battle. Along the way, you will encounter the Emperor, who reveals himself as a mind flayer and offers to help you in your fight against the Netherbrain. The Emperor's true intentions are ambiguous, and your interactions with him will shape whether you trust him enough to let him take control of the Netherbrain.
When you reach the final confrontation with the Netherbrain, you will have several options for how to proceed. One of these options is to allow the Emperor to dominate the Netherbrain. To do this, you must have built a strong enough relationship with the Emperor throughout the game. This involves making choices that align with his goals and showing trust in his abilities. If you have consistently supported the Emperor and chosen dialogue options that indicate you believe in his plan, he will offer to take control of the Netherbrain when the time comes.
Once the Emperor takes control of the Netherbrain, the story takes a dramatic turn. The Emperor uses the Netherbrain's power to impose order on the world, effectively ending the threat of the Absolute and bringing stability to Baldur's Gate. However, this comes at a cost. The Emperor's control over the Netherbrain means that he now wields immense power, and his intentions may not be entirely benevolent. The game leaves it ambiguous whether the Emperor will use this power for good or if he will become a new tyrant in his own right.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind when pursuing this path. First, you must carefully manage your relationship with the Emperor throughout the game. This means choosing dialogue options that show trust and support for his plans, even when they seem morally questionable. Second, you should be aware that this choice will have significant consequences for your companions. Some companions may support the decision, while others may view it as a betrayal. For example, Lae'zel, who is deeply connected to the Githyanki struggle against mind flayers, may react negatively to the idea of the Emperor taking control of the Netherbrain.
Common mistakes to avoid include making choices that alienate the Emperor or failing to build a strong enough relationship with him. If you have been hostile or distrustful toward the Emperor throughout the game, he may not offer to take control of the Netherbrain, or he may even turn against you. Additionally, you should be cautious about how this choice affects your companions. If you value their loyalty and trust, you may need to consider their reactions before making this decision.
Advanced techniques for optimizing this path include carefully planning your character build and party composition to align with the Emperor's goals. For example, playing as a character with high Charisma and Persuasion can help you navigate dialogue options that build trust with the Emperor. Additionally, having companions who are more pragmatic or morally flexible, such as Astarion or Shadowheart, may make it easier to justify the decision to let the Emperor take control.
In terms of D&D rules and mechanics, the Emperor's ability to control the Netherbrain is rooted in the lore of mind flayers and their psionic powers. In Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition, mind flayers are known for their ability to dominate and control other creatures through their psionic abilities. The Netherbrain, as a powerful psionic entity, is particularly susceptible to this kind of control. The game's implementation of these mechanics is consistent with the rules, as the Emperor's success in dominating the Netherbrain is based on his strength and your support.
Specific examples and scenarios that illustrate this choice include the final battle sequence, where you must fight your way to the Netherbrain while making critical decisions about how to proceed. If you have built a strong relationship with the Emperor, he will offer to take control of the Netherbrain, and you will have the option to let him do so. The aftermath of this choice is shown in the game's ending, where the consequences of the Emperor's control are revealed.
In conclusion, letting the Emperor control the Netherbrain is a complex and morally ambiguous choice that has significant consequences for the story and your companions. To achieve this outcome, you must carefully manage your relationship with the Emperor, make choices that align with his goals, and consider the reactions of your companions. This path offers a unique and thought-provoking ending to the game, but it requires careful planning and consideration of the potential consequences.
To achieve this outcome, you must first progress through the main story until you reach the final act. This involves completing key quests such as infiltrating Moonrise Towers, dealing with the Absolute, and gathering allies for the final battle. Along the way, you will encounter the Emperor, who reveals himself as a mind flayer and offers to help you in your fight against the Netherbrain. The Emperor's true intentions are ambiguous, and your interactions with him will shape whether you trust him enough to let him take control of the Netherbrain.
When you reach the final confrontation with the Netherbrain, you will have several options for how to proceed. One of these options is to allow the Emperor to dominate the Netherbrain. To do this, you must have built a strong enough relationship with the Emperor throughout the game. This involves making choices that align with his goals and showing trust in his abilities. If you have consistently supported the Emperor and chosen dialogue options that indicate you believe in his plan, he will offer to take control of the Netherbrain when the time comes.
Once the Emperor takes control of the Netherbrain, the story takes a dramatic turn. The Emperor uses the Netherbrain's power to impose order on the world, effectively ending the threat of the Absolute and bringing stability to Baldur's Gate. However, this comes at a cost. The Emperor's control over the Netherbrain means that he now wields immense power, and his intentions may not be entirely benevolent. The game leaves it ambiguous whether the Emperor will use this power for good or if he will become a new tyrant in his own right.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind when pursuing this path. First, you must carefully manage your relationship with the Emperor throughout the game. This means choosing dialogue options that show trust and support for his plans, even when they seem morally questionable. Second, you should be aware that this choice will have significant consequences for your companions. Some companions may support the decision, while others may view it as a betrayal. For example, Lae'zel, who is deeply connected to the Githyanki struggle against mind flayers, may react negatively to the idea of the Emperor taking control of the Netherbrain.
Common mistakes to avoid include making choices that alienate the Emperor or failing to build a strong enough relationship with him. If you have been hostile or distrustful toward the Emperor throughout the game, he may not offer to take control of the Netherbrain, or he may even turn against you. Additionally, you should be cautious about how this choice affects your companions. If you value their loyalty and trust, you may need to consider their reactions before making this decision.
Advanced techniques for optimizing this path include carefully planning your character build and party composition to align with the Emperor's goals. For example, playing as a character with high Charisma and Persuasion can help you navigate dialogue options that build trust with the Emperor. Additionally, having companions who are more pragmatic or morally flexible, such as Astarion or Shadowheart, may make it easier to justify the decision to let the Emperor take control.
In terms of D&D rules and mechanics, the Emperor's ability to control the Netherbrain is rooted in the lore of mind flayers and their psionic powers. In Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition, mind flayers are known for their ability to dominate and control other creatures through their psionic abilities. The Netherbrain, as a powerful psionic entity, is particularly susceptible to this kind of control. The game's implementation of these mechanics is consistent with the rules, as the Emperor's success in dominating the Netherbrain is based on his strength and your support.
Specific examples and scenarios that illustrate this choice include the final battle sequence, where you must fight your way to the Netherbrain while making critical decisions about how to proceed. If you have built a strong relationship with the Emperor, he will offer to take control of the Netherbrain, and you will have the option to let him do so. The aftermath of this choice is shown in the game's ending, where the consequences of the Emperor's control are revealed.
In conclusion, letting the Emperor control the Netherbrain is a complex and morally ambiguous choice that has significant consequences for the story and your companions. To achieve this outcome, you must carefully manage your relationship with the Emperor, make choices that align with his goals, and consider the reactions of your companions. This path offers a unique and thought-provoking ending to the game, but it requires careful planning and consideration of the potential consequences.