What happens if I let the Emperor control the Elder Brain in Baldur's Gate 3?
In Baldur's Gate 3, the decision to let the Emperor control the Elder Brain 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 Emperor, a powerful Mind Flayer who has been guiding you throughout the game, offers you the chance to dominate the Elder Brain, a massive, sentient entity that controls the Mind Flayer hive mind. 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 align yourself with the Emperor throughout the game. This means trusting his guidance and following his advice, even when it seems questionable. The Emperor will reveal his true nature as a Mind Flayer early in the story, and from that point on, you must choose to work with him rather than against him. This involves making choices that prioritize the destruction of the Absolute and the Elder Brain, even if it means making morally ambiguous decisions.
As you progress through the game, you will encounter several key moments where your relationship with the Emperor is tested. For example, when you reach the Astral Plane, the Emperor will ask you to consume a tadpole to gain more power. Consuming the tadpole will strengthen your connection to the Emperor and increase your chances of successfully controlling the Elder Brain later on. Refusing to consume the tadpole or openly opposing the Emperor's plans will weaken your alliance and make it more difficult to achieve this ending.
When you finally confront the Elder Brain in the game's final act, the Emperor will present you with the option to dominate it. To do this, you must have a strong enough connection to the Emperor and the Mind Flayer powers. This means having consumed multiple tadpoles throughout the game and having a high level of trust with the Emperor. If you meet these conditions, the Emperor will guide you through the process of using the Netherstones to take control of the Elder Brain.
The mechanics of this choice involve a series of skill checks and dialogue options. You will need to pass several Persuasion, Intimidation, or Arcana checks to successfully dominate the Elder Brain. These checks are influenced by your character's abilities and the choices you've made throughout the game. For example, a character with high Charisma and proficiency in Persuasion will have an easier time convincing the Emperor to trust them with this task. Similarly, a character with high Intelligence and Arcana knowledge will better understand the process of controlling the Elder Brain.
Once you successfully dominate the Elder Brain, the Emperor will take control of it, effectively becoming the new ruler of the Mind Flayer hive mind. This leads to an ending where the Emperor uses the Elder Brain to reshape the world according to his vision. While this may seem like a victory, it comes at a cost. The Emperor's control over the Elder Brain means that he now has immense power, and his intentions may not align with your own. This ending leaves the fate of Baldur's Gate and its inhabitants uncertain, as the Emperor's rule could lead to a new era of tyranny.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind when pursuing this ending. First, it's crucial to maintain a strong relationship with the Emperor throughout the game. This means making choices that align with his goals and avoiding actions that could undermine his trust. Second, you should focus on building a character with high Charisma, Intelligence, or both, as these abilities will be essential for passing the skill checks required to dominate the Elder Brain. Finally, be prepared for the moral implications of this choice. Dominating the Elder Brain may seem like a way to end the threat of the Absolute, but it also means giving the Emperor immense power, which could have unforeseen consequences.
Common mistakes to avoid include refusing to consume tadpoles or openly opposing the Emperor's plans. These actions will weaken your alliance with the Emperor and make it more difficult to achieve this ending. Additionally, failing to pass the necessary skill checks during the final confrontation with the Elder Brain will result in a different outcome, such as the Elder Brain breaking free from your control or the Emperor being forced to destroy it.
Advanced techniques for optimizing this ending include carefully planning your character build to maximize your chances of success. For example, choosing a class with high Charisma, such as a Bard or Sorcerer, can make it easier to pass Persuasion checks. Similarly, investing in the Arcana skill and choosing feats that boost your Intelligence can improve your chances of passing Arcana checks. Additionally, using items and abilities that enhance your skill checks, such as the Guidance spell or the Enhance Ability spell, can give you an edge during the final confrontation.
In terms of D&D 5E rules, the mechanics of dominating the Elder Brain are based on the concept of skill checks and ability scores. The Persuasion, Intimidation, and Arcana checks required to dominate the Elder Brain are influenced by your character's Charisma and Intelligence scores, as well as any proficiency bonuses you may have in those skills. The difficulty of these checks is determined by the game's narrative and the choices you've made throughout the story.
Specific examples and scenarios include the moment when the Emperor asks you to consume a tadpole in the Astral Plane. This is a critical decision that will significantly impact your ability to dominate the Elder Brain later on. Another key moment is the final confrontation with the Elder Brain, where you must pass a series of skill checks to successfully take control of it. Failing these checks can lead to different outcomes, such as the Elder Brain breaking free or the Emperor being forced to destroy it.
In conclusion, letting the Emperor control the Elder Brain is a complex and morally ambiguous choice that requires careful planning and strategic decision-making. By aligning yourself with the Emperor, consuming tadpoles, and building a character with high Charisma and Intelligence, you can increase your chances of achieving this ending. However, it's important to consider the consequences of this choice, as it could lead to a new era of tyranny under the Emperor's rule.
To achieve this outcome, you must first align yourself with the Emperor throughout the game. This means trusting his guidance and following his advice, even when it seems questionable. The Emperor will reveal his true nature as a Mind Flayer early in the story, and from that point on, you must choose to work with him rather than against him. This involves making choices that prioritize the destruction of the Absolute and the Elder Brain, even if it means making morally ambiguous decisions.
As you progress through the game, you will encounter several key moments where your relationship with the Emperor is tested. For example, when you reach the Astral Plane, the Emperor will ask you to consume a tadpole to gain more power. Consuming the tadpole will strengthen your connection to the Emperor and increase your chances of successfully controlling the Elder Brain later on. Refusing to consume the tadpole or openly opposing the Emperor's plans will weaken your alliance and make it more difficult to achieve this ending.
When you finally confront the Elder Brain in the game's final act, the Emperor will present you with the option to dominate it. To do this, you must have a strong enough connection to the Emperor and the Mind Flayer powers. This means having consumed multiple tadpoles throughout the game and having a high level of trust with the Emperor. If you meet these conditions, the Emperor will guide you through the process of using the Netherstones to take control of the Elder Brain.
The mechanics of this choice involve a series of skill checks and dialogue options. You will need to pass several Persuasion, Intimidation, or Arcana checks to successfully dominate the Elder Brain. These checks are influenced by your character's abilities and the choices you've made throughout the game. For example, a character with high Charisma and proficiency in Persuasion will have an easier time convincing the Emperor to trust them with this task. Similarly, a character with high Intelligence and Arcana knowledge will better understand the process of controlling the Elder Brain.
Once you successfully dominate the Elder Brain, the Emperor will take control of it, effectively becoming the new ruler of the Mind Flayer hive mind. This leads to an ending where the Emperor uses the Elder Brain to reshape the world according to his vision. While this may seem like a victory, it comes at a cost. The Emperor's control over the Elder Brain means that he now has immense power, and his intentions may not align with your own. This ending leaves the fate of Baldur's Gate and its inhabitants uncertain, as the Emperor's rule could lead to a new era of tyranny.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind when pursuing this ending. First, it's crucial to maintain a strong relationship with the Emperor throughout the game. This means making choices that align with his goals and avoiding actions that could undermine his trust. Second, you should focus on building a character with high Charisma, Intelligence, or both, as these abilities will be essential for passing the skill checks required to dominate the Elder Brain. Finally, be prepared for the moral implications of this choice. Dominating the Elder Brain may seem like a way to end the threat of the Absolute, but it also means giving the Emperor immense power, which could have unforeseen consequences.
Common mistakes to avoid include refusing to consume tadpoles or openly opposing the Emperor's plans. These actions will weaken your alliance with the Emperor and make it more difficult to achieve this ending. Additionally, failing to pass the necessary skill checks during the final confrontation with the Elder Brain will result in a different outcome, such as the Elder Brain breaking free from your control or the Emperor being forced to destroy it.
Advanced techniques for optimizing this ending include carefully planning your character build to maximize your chances of success. For example, choosing a class with high Charisma, such as a Bard or Sorcerer, can make it easier to pass Persuasion checks. Similarly, investing in the Arcana skill and choosing feats that boost your Intelligence can improve your chances of passing Arcana checks. Additionally, using items and abilities that enhance your skill checks, such as the Guidance spell or the Enhance Ability spell, can give you an edge during the final confrontation.
In terms of D&D 5E rules, the mechanics of dominating the Elder Brain are based on the concept of skill checks and ability scores. The Persuasion, Intimidation, and Arcana checks required to dominate the Elder Brain are influenced by your character's Charisma and Intelligence scores, as well as any proficiency bonuses you may have in those skills. The difficulty of these checks is determined by the game's narrative and the choices you've made throughout the story.
Specific examples and scenarios include the moment when the Emperor asks you to consume a tadpole in the Astral Plane. This is a critical decision that will significantly impact your ability to dominate the Elder Brain later on. Another key moment is the final confrontation with the Elder Brain, where you must pass a series of skill checks to successfully take control of it. Failing these checks can lead to different outcomes, such as the Elder Brain breaking free or the Emperor being forced to destroy it.
In conclusion, letting the Emperor control the Elder Brain is a complex and morally ambiguous choice that requires careful planning and strategic decision-making. By aligning yourself with the Emperor, consuming tadpoles, and building a character with high Charisma and Intelligence, you can increase your chances of achieving this ending. However, it's important to consider the consequences of this choice, as it could lead to a new era of tyranny under the Emperor's rule.