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 has significant consequences for the story, your companions, and the world of Baldur's Gate. Here is a detailed explanation of how this choice unfolds, the mechanics involved, and what you need to consider when making this decision.
To achieve this outcome, you must first progress through the main story until you reach the climax, where you confront the Elder Brain. This is the final act of the game, and your choices here will determine the ending. Throughout the game, you will have encountered the Absolute's influence in various forms, including the Mind Flayers, the Cult of the Absolute, and the tadpole in your head. These elements are all connected to the Elder Brain, which serves as the central hub for the Absolute's control over its followers.
When you reach the final confrontation, you will have the option to either destroy the Elder Brain or allow the Absolute to take control of it. If you choose the latter, you will need to ensure that you have aligned yourself with the Absolute's goals throughout the game. This means making choices that favor the Absolute and its followers, such as siding with the Cult of the Absolute in key moments, using the tadpole's powers to your advantage, and avoiding actions that would undermine the Absolute's authority.
One important mechanic to consider is the influence of the tadpole in your head. Throughout the game, you will have opportunities to use the tadpole's powers to gain advantages in combat and dialogue. However, using these powers too often can lead to negative consequences, such as losing control of your character or becoming more susceptible to the Absolute's influence. If you want to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain, you should embrace the tadpole's powers and use them frequently. This will increase your connection to the Absolute and make it easier to align yourself with its goals when the time comes.
Another key factor is your relationship with your companions. Some companions, such as Shadowheart and Lae'zel, have personal quests that are tied to the Absolute and its followers. If you want to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain, you should support these companions in their quests and encourage them to embrace the Absolute's influence. This will strengthen your alliance with the Absolute and make it easier to convince your companions to follow your lead in the final confrontation.
When you reach the final battle, you will need to make a series of choices that determine the outcome. If you have aligned yourself with the Absolute, you will have the option to let it take control of the Elder Brain. This will result in the Absolute gaining ultimate power over the world, and you and your companions will become its loyal servants. The game will end with the Absolute's victory, and you will see the consequences of your choices play out in the ending cutscenes.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind when pursuing this path. First, you should be aware that letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is considered the "evil" ending of the game. This means that you will lose the opportunity to achieve a more positive outcome, and many of your companions may turn against you if they do not agree with your decision. Additionally, this path requires you to make choices that may conflict with your character's moral alignment, so you should be prepared to role-play as a character who is willing to embrace darkness and power.
Common mistakes to avoid include failing to align yourself with the Absolute's goals early in the game, neglecting to use the tadpole's powers, and not supporting your companions in their quests. These mistakes can make it difficult to achieve the desired outcome in the final confrontation. To optimize your chances of success, you should focus on building a character who is willing to embrace the Absolute's influence, make choices that favor the Absolute, and strengthen your relationships with companions who share your goals.
In terms of D&D rules and mechanics, the concept of letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is closely tied to the idea of alignment and moral choices. In Dungeons and Dragons, alignment represents a character's ethical and moral perspective, and it can influence their actions and decisions. By choosing to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain, you are essentially embracing an evil alignment and making choices that reflect a desire for power and control at any cost.
Specific examples and scenarios include moments where you must decide whether to side with the Cult of the Absolute or oppose them. For instance, in the Goblin Camp, you can choose to ally with the goblins and their leaders, who are followers of the Absolute. This decision will set you on a path that aligns you with the Absolute's goals and makes it easier to achieve the desired outcome in the final confrontation. Another example is the choice to use the tadpole's powers in key moments, such as during combat or dialogue. These choices will increase your connection to the Absolute and make it easier to align yourself with its goals.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is a complex and morally challenging path that requires careful planning and role-playing. By aligning yourself with the Absolute's goals, using the tadpole's powers, and supporting your companions, you can achieve this outcome and experience the consequences of your choices in the game's ending. However, you should be prepared for the moral and ethical implications of this decision, as it will have a significant impact on the story and your character's legacy.
To achieve this outcome, you must first progress through the main story until you reach the climax, where you confront the Elder Brain. This is the final act of the game, and your choices here will determine the ending. Throughout the game, you will have encountered the Absolute's influence in various forms, including the Mind Flayers, the Cult of the Absolute, and the tadpole in your head. These elements are all connected to the Elder Brain, which serves as the central hub for the Absolute's control over its followers.
When you reach the final confrontation, you will have the option to either destroy the Elder Brain or allow the Absolute to take control of it. If you choose the latter, you will need to ensure that you have aligned yourself with the Absolute's goals throughout the game. This means making choices that favor the Absolute and its followers, such as siding with the Cult of the Absolute in key moments, using the tadpole's powers to your advantage, and avoiding actions that would undermine the Absolute's authority.
One important mechanic to consider is the influence of the tadpole in your head. Throughout the game, you will have opportunities to use the tadpole's powers to gain advantages in combat and dialogue. However, using these powers too often can lead to negative consequences, such as losing control of your character or becoming more susceptible to the Absolute's influence. If you want to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain, you should embrace the tadpole's powers and use them frequently. This will increase your connection to the Absolute and make it easier to align yourself with its goals when the time comes.
Another key factor is your relationship with your companions. Some companions, such as Shadowheart and Lae'zel, have personal quests that are tied to the Absolute and its followers. If you want to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain, you should support these companions in their quests and encourage them to embrace the Absolute's influence. This will strengthen your alliance with the Absolute and make it easier to convince your companions to follow your lead in the final confrontation.
When you reach the final battle, you will need to make a series of choices that determine the outcome. If you have aligned yourself with the Absolute, you will have the option to let it take control of the Elder Brain. This will result in the Absolute gaining ultimate power over the world, and you and your companions will become its loyal servants. The game will end with the Absolute's victory, and you will see the consequences of your choices play out in the ending cutscenes.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind when pursuing this path. First, you should be aware that letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is considered the "evil" ending of the game. This means that you will lose the opportunity to achieve a more positive outcome, and many of your companions may turn against you if they do not agree with your decision. Additionally, this path requires you to make choices that may conflict with your character's moral alignment, so you should be prepared to role-play as a character who is willing to embrace darkness and power.
Common mistakes to avoid include failing to align yourself with the Absolute's goals early in the game, neglecting to use the tadpole's powers, and not supporting your companions in their quests. These mistakes can make it difficult to achieve the desired outcome in the final confrontation. To optimize your chances of success, you should focus on building a character who is willing to embrace the Absolute's influence, make choices that favor the Absolute, and strengthen your relationships with companions who share your goals.
In terms of D&D rules and mechanics, the concept of letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is closely tied to the idea of alignment and moral choices. In Dungeons and Dragons, alignment represents a character's ethical and moral perspective, and it can influence their actions and decisions. By choosing to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain, you are essentially embracing an evil alignment and making choices that reflect a desire for power and control at any cost.
Specific examples and scenarios include moments where you must decide whether to side with the Cult of the Absolute or oppose them. For instance, in the Goblin Camp, you can choose to ally with the goblins and their leaders, who are followers of the Absolute. This decision will set you on a path that aligns you with the Absolute's goals and makes it easier to achieve the desired outcome in the final confrontation. Another example is the choice to use the tadpole's powers in key moments, such as during combat or dialogue. These choices will increase your connection to the Absolute and make it easier to align yourself with its goals.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is a complex and morally challenging path that requires careful planning and role-playing. By aligning yourself with the Absolute's goals, using the tadpole's powers, and supporting your companions, you can achieve this outcome and experience the consequences of your choices in the game's ending. However, you should be prepared for the moral and ethical implications of this decision, as it will have a significant impact on the story and your character's legacy.