What happens if I let the Absolute take over Baldur's Gate in Baldur's Gate 3?
Letting the Absolute take over Baldur's Gate in Baldur's Gate 3 is one of the darker and more morally complex endings you can achieve. This outcome is tied to the game's main storyline and involves making specific choices that align with the Absolute's goals. The Absolute is a powerful entity that seeks to dominate the world, and by allowing it to take over, you essentially side with the forces of darkness, leading to a grim conclusion for the city and its inhabitants. HereÔÇÖs a detailed breakdown of how to achieve this ending, the mechanics involved, and what to consider along the way.
To let the Absolute take over Baldur's Gate, you must first understand the key narrative beats and decisions that lead to this outcome. The Absolute is a central antagonist in the game, and its influence is tied to the Mind Flayer tadpoles that infect you and your companions. Throughout the game, you will encounter opportunities to either resist the Absolute or embrace its power. To achieve the Absolute's victory, you must consistently make choices that align with its agenda, such as using the tadpole powers, siding with its followers, and ultimately refusing to destroy it.
The first step is to embrace the tadpole powers early in the game. When you encounter the Dream Visitor, who offers you the ability to use the tadpole's powers, you should accept these powers without hesitation. This decision will unlock new abilities for your character, but it also strengthens your connection to the Absolute. As you progress, you will encounter more opportunities to use these powers, and each time you do, you will further align yourself with the Absolute's influence. Be cautious, as using these powers can alienate some of your companions, particularly those who are wary of the tadpoles, such as Lae'zel and Shadowheart.
Next, you must align yourself with the Absolute's followers. This includes groups like the Cult of the Absolute and the True Souls. When interacting with these factions, choose dialogue options that show your loyalty to the Absolute. For example, when you meet Minthara, a True Soul and leader of the goblins, you can choose to side with her and help her attack the Druid Grove. This decision will further cement your allegiance to the Absolute and set you on a path toward its ultimate victory.
As you progress through the game, you will encounter key moments where you must decide whether to resist or embrace the Absolute. One such moment occurs in Act 2, when you reach the Moonrise Towers. Here, you will face Ketheric Thorm, a powerful servant of the Absolute. To align with the Absolute, you should avoid confronting Ketheric directly and instead work with him to further the Absolute's goals. This may involve completing quests for him and avoiding actions that would weaken his position.
In Act 3, the final act of the game, you will face the ultimate decision that determines the fate of Baldur's Gate. At this point, you will have the opportunity to confront the Absolute directly. To let the Absolute take over, you must choose to side with it during the final confrontation. This may involve refusing to destroy the Elder Brain, the source of the Absolute's power, and instead allowing it to continue its domination. This decision will lead to the Absolute's victory, resulting in the enslavement of Baldur's Gate and the surrounding regions.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind when pursuing this ending. First, be aware that siding with the Absolute will alienate many of your companions, particularly those who value freedom and justice, such as Wyll and Karlach. You may need to manage your relationships carefully to avoid losing their support entirely. Additionally, using the tadpole powers can have long-term consequences for your character, so be prepared for the potential loss of certain abilities or storylines if you choose to resist later.
Common mistakes to avoid include making choices that inadvertently weaken the Absolute's position, such as helping the Harpers or other resistance groups. These actions can make it more difficult to achieve the Absolute's victory in the endgame. It's also important to avoid destroying key artifacts or allies of the Absolute, as this can limit your options in the final confrontation.
Advanced techniques for optimizing this path include maximizing your use of the tadpole powers to gain an edge in combat and dialogue. By fully embracing these powers, you can unlock powerful abilities that will make it easier to achieve the Absolute's goals. Additionally, consider building your character around abilities that complement the Absolute's influence, such as high Charisma for persuasion and deception, or high Intelligence for manipulating the tadpole's powers.
In terms of D&D rules and mechanics, the Absolute's influence is represented by the Mind Flayer tadpole, which functions similarly to a curse or affliction. The tadpole grants you access to psionic powers, but it also ties you to the Absolute's will. The game's mechanics reflect this by giving you unique dialogue options and abilities that are tied to the tadpole. These mechanics are rooted in the D&D 5E rules, particularly the rules for psionics and mind-affecting magic.
Specific examples of scenarios where you can align with the Absolute include the attack on the Druid Grove, where you can choose to side with Minthara and the goblins, and the confrontation with Ketheric Thorm in Act 2, where you can choose to support his plans. Each of these decisions will bring you closer to the Absolute's victory and shape the final outcome of the game.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute take over Baldur's Gate is a complex and morally ambiguous path that requires careful decision-making and a willingness to embrace dark powers. By consistently aligning yourself with the Absolute and its followers, you can achieve this ending, but be prepared for the consequences, both for your character and the world around you.
To let the Absolute take over Baldur's Gate, you must first understand the key narrative beats and decisions that lead to this outcome. The Absolute is a central antagonist in the game, and its influence is tied to the Mind Flayer tadpoles that infect you and your companions. Throughout the game, you will encounter opportunities to either resist the Absolute or embrace its power. To achieve the Absolute's victory, you must consistently make choices that align with its agenda, such as using the tadpole powers, siding with its followers, and ultimately refusing to destroy it.
The first step is to embrace the tadpole powers early in the game. When you encounter the Dream Visitor, who offers you the ability to use the tadpole's powers, you should accept these powers without hesitation. This decision will unlock new abilities for your character, but it also strengthens your connection to the Absolute. As you progress, you will encounter more opportunities to use these powers, and each time you do, you will further align yourself with the Absolute's influence. Be cautious, as using these powers can alienate some of your companions, particularly those who are wary of the tadpoles, such as Lae'zel and Shadowheart.
Next, you must align yourself with the Absolute's followers. This includes groups like the Cult of the Absolute and the True Souls. When interacting with these factions, choose dialogue options that show your loyalty to the Absolute. For example, when you meet Minthara, a True Soul and leader of the goblins, you can choose to side with her and help her attack the Druid Grove. This decision will further cement your allegiance to the Absolute and set you on a path toward its ultimate victory.
As you progress through the game, you will encounter key moments where you must decide whether to resist or embrace the Absolute. One such moment occurs in Act 2, when you reach the Moonrise Towers. Here, you will face Ketheric Thorm, a powerful servant of the Absolute. To align with the Absolute, you should avoid confronting Ketheric directly and instead work with him to further the Absolute's goals. This may involve completing quests for him and avoiding actions that would weaken his position.
In Act 3, the final act of the game, you will face the ultimate decision that determines the fate of Baldur's Gate. At this point, you will have the opportunity to confront the Absolute directly. To let the Absolute take over, you must choose to side with it during the final confrontation. This may involve refusing to destroy the Elder Brain, the source of the Absolute's power, and instead allowing it to continue its domination. This decision will lead to the Absolute's victory, resulting in the enslavement of Baldur's Gate and the surrounding regions.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind when pursuing this ending. First, be aware that siding with the Absolute will alienate many of your companions, particularly those who value freedom and justice, such as Wyll and Karlach. You may need to manage your relationships carefully to avoid losing their support entirely. Additionally, using the tadpole powers can have long-term consequences for your character, so be prepared for the potential loss of certain abilities or storylines if you choose to resist later.
Common mistakes to avoid include making choices that inadvertently weaken the Absolute's position, such as helping the Harpers or other resistance groups. These actions can make it more difficult to achieve the Absolute's victory in the endgame. It's also important to avoid destroying key artifacts or allies of the Absolute, as this can limit your options in the final confrontation.
Advanced techniques for optimizing this path include maximizing your use of the tadpole powers to gain an edge in combat and dialogue. By fully embracing these powers, you can unlock powerful abilities that will make it easier to achieve the Absolute's goals. Additionally, consider building your character around abilities that complement the Absolute's influence, such as high Charisma for persuasion and deception, or high Intelligence for manipulating the tadpole's powers.
In terms of D&D rules and mechanics, the Absolute's influence is represented by the Mind Flayer tadpole, which functions similarly to a curse or affliction. The tadpole grants you access to psionic powers, but it also ties you to the Absolute's will. The game's mechanics reflect this by giving you unique dialogue options and abilities that are tied to the tadpole. These mechanics are rooted in the D&D 5E rules, particularly the rules for psionics and mind-affecting magic.
Specific examples of scenarios where you can align with the Absolute include the attack on the Druid Grove, where you can choose to side with Minthara and the goblins, and the confrontation with Ketheric Thorm in Act 2, where you can choose to support his plans. Each of these decisions will bring you closer to the Absolute's victory and shape the final outcome of the game.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute take over Baldur's Gate is a complex and morally ambiguous path that requires careful decision-making and a willingness to embrace dark powers. By consistently aligning yourself with the Absolute and its followers, you can achieve this ending, but be prepared for the consequences, both for your character and the world around you.