What happens if I let the Absolute control the Netherbrain in Baldur's Gate 3?
If you choose to let the Absolute control the Netherbrain in Baldur's Gate 3, you are essentially siding with the forces of evil and domination, leading to a dark and oppressive ending for the world. This choice is one of the major narrative branches in the game, and it has significant consequences for the story, your companions, and the world at large. Here is a detailed explanation of how to achieve this outcome, the mechanics involved, and what to consider when making this choice.
To let the Absolute control the Netherbrain, you must first progress through the main story until you reach the climactic moments of the game. This involves completing key quests such as infiltrating Moonrise Towers, dealing with the Nightsong, and confronting the Elder Brain in the final act. Throughout these quests, you will encounter opportunities to align yourself with the Absolute, either through direct actions or by making choices that favor its influence. For example, siding with Ketheric Thorm, Orin, and Gortash, the Chosen of the Absolute, will set you on the path to this ending.
When you reach the final confrontation with the Netherbrain, you will have the option to use the Crown of Karsus to dominate it. Instead of destroying the Netherbrain or freeing it from the Absolute's control, you can choose to let the Absolute take full command. This decision requires you to have the Crown of Karsus in your possession, which is obtained during the questline involving the Chosen of the Absolute. You must also have the Netherstones, which are key items collected from Ketheric, Orin, and Gortash.
The mechanics of this choice involve a series of dialogue and skill checks. You will need to persuade or deceive the Netherbrain into accepting the Absolute's control. This may require high Charisma and proficiency in skills like Persuasion or Deception. If your character is not well-suited for these checks, you may need to rely on companions who have high Charisma or use items and spells that boost your chances of success. For example, having a Bard or Sorcerer in your party can be advantageous due to their natural affinity for Charisma-based skills.
One important tip is to ensure that your party is well-prepared for the final battle. The fight against the Netherbrain is one of the most challenging encounters in the game, and you will need a strong team to survive. Make sure your characters are well-equipped with powerful weapons, armor, and consumables. Consider using spells and abilities that can control the battlefield, such as crowd control spells or area-of-effect damage. Additionally, having a balanced party composition with a mix of damage dealers, tanks, and support characters will increase your chances of success.
A common mistake to avoid is underestimating the difficulty of the final battle. The Netherbrain has powerful abilities and minions that can overwhelm your party if you are not careful. Make sure to focus on eliminating threats quickly and use your resources wisely. Another mistake is failing to secure the Crown of Karsus and the Netherstones before the final confrontation. Without these key items, you will not be able to make the choice to let the Absolute control the Netherbrain.
Advanced techniques for this ending include optimizing your character build for Charisma-based skills and ensuring that your party has strong synergy. For example, a Paladin with high Charisma and proficiency in Persuasion can be very effective in convincing the Netherbrain to accept the Absolute's control. Additionally, using spells like Enhance Ability to boost your Charisma checks can increase your chances of success. You can also use items like the Amulet of Greater Health to improve your overall survivability during the final battle.
In terms of D&D rules and mechanics, the choice to let the Absolute control the Netherbrain aligns with the concept of domination and control, which are common themes in Dungeons and Dragons. The use of the Crown of Karsus and the Netherstones to dominate a powerful entity like the Netherbrain is reminiscent of high-level magic and artifacts in D&D lore. The skill checks involved in this choice are based on the standard D&D rules for Persuasion and Deception, which are influenced by your character's Charisma score and proficiency bonuses.
Specific examples and scenarios include moments where you must decide whether to trust the Chosen of the Absolute or resist their influence. For instance, when dealing with Ketheric Thorm, you can choose to ally with him and gain his Netherstone, or you can oppose him and take it by force. Similarly, when confronting Orin and Gortash, your choices will determine whether you can secure their Netherstones and maintain your alliance with the Absolute. These decisions will ultimately shape your path to the ending where the Absolute controls the Netherbrain.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Netherbrain is a dark and morally complex choice that leads to a grim ending for the world of Baldur's Gate 3. To achieve this outcome, you must align yourself with the Chosen of the Absolute, secure the Crown of Karsus and the Netherstones, and successfully persuade or deceive the Netherbrain in the final confrontation. Preparation, strategic planning, and careful decision-making are key to navigating this path and achieving the desired ending.
To let the Absolute control the Netherbrain, you must first progress through the main story until you reach the climactic moments of the game. This involves completing key quests such as infiltrating Moonrise Towers, dealing with the Nightsong, and confronting the Elder Brain in the final act. Throughout these quests, you will encounter opportunities to align yourself with the Absolute, either through direct actions or by making choices that favor its influence. For example, siding with Ketheric Thorm, Orin, and Gortash, the Chosen of the Absolute, will set you on the path to this ending.
When you reach the final confrontation with the Netherbrain, you will have the option to use the Crown of Karsus to dominate it. Instead of destroying the Netherbrain or freeing it from the Absolute's control, you can choose to let the Absolute take full command. This decision requires you to have the Crown of Karsus in your possession, which is obtained during the questline involving the Chosen of the Absolute. You must also have the Netherstones, which are key items collected from Ketheric, Orin, and Gortash.
The mechanics of this choice involve a series of dialogue and skill checks. You will need to persuade or deceive the Netherbrain into accepting the Absolute's control. This may require high Charisma and proficiency in skills like Persuasion or Deception. If your character is not well-suited for these checks, you may need to rely on companions who have high Charisma or use items and spells that boost your chances of success. For example, having a Bard or Sorcerer in your party can be advantageous due to their natural affinity for Charisma-based skills.
One important tip is to ensure that your party is well-prepared for the final battle. The fight against the Netherbrain is one of the most challenging encounters in the game, and you will need a strong team to survive. Make sure your characters are well-equipped with powerful weapons, armor, and consumables. Consider using spells and abilities that can control the battlefield, such as crowd control spells or area-of-effect damage. Additionally, having a balanced party composition with a mix of damage dealers, tanks, and support characters will increase your chances of success.
A common mistake to avoid is underestimating the difficulty of the final battle. The Netherbrain has powerful abilities and minions that can overwhelm your party if you are not careful. Make sure to focus on eliminating threats quickly and use your resources wisely. Another mistake is failing to secure the Crown of Karsus and the Netherstones before the final confrontation. Without these key items, you will not be able to make the choice to let the Absolute control the Netherbrain.
Advanced techniques for this ending include optimizing your character build for Charisma-based skills and ensuring that your party has strong synergy. For example, a Paladin with high Charisma and proficiency in Persuasion can be very effective in convincing the Netherbrain to accept the Absolute's control. Additionally, using spells like Enhance Ability to boost your Charisma checks can increase your chances of success. You can also use items like the Amulet of Greater Health to improve your overall survivability during the final battle.
In terms of D&D rules and mechanics, the choice to let the Absolute control the Netherbrain aligns with the concept of domination and control, which are common themes in Dungeons and Dragons. The use of the Crown of Karsus and the Netherstones to dominate a powerful entity like the Netherbrain is reminiscent of high-level magic and artifacts in D&D lore. The skill checks involved in this choice are based on the standard D&D rules for Persuasion and Deception, which are influenced by your character's Charisma score and proficiency bonuses.
Specific examples and scenarios include moments where you must decide whether to trust the Chosen of the Absolute or resist their influence. For instance, when dealing with Ketheric Thorm, you can choose to ally with him and gain his Netherstone, or you can oppose him and take it by force. Similarly, when confronting Orin and Gortash, your choices will determine whether you can secure their Netherstones and maintain your alliance with the Absolute. These decisions will ultimately shape your path to the ending where the Absolute controls the Netherbrain.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Netherbrain is a dark and morally complex choice that leads to a grim ending for the world of Baldur's Gate 3. To achieve this outcome, you must align yourself with the Chosen of the Absolute, secure the Crown of Karsus and the Netherstones, and successfully persuade or deceive the Netherbrain in the final confrontation. Preparation, strategic planning, and careful decision-making are key to navigating this path and achieving the desired ending.