What happens if I let the Absolute control the Netherbrain in Baldur's Gate 3?
Letting the Absolute control the Netherbrain in Baldur's Gate 3 is one of the most significant and morally complex decisions you can make in the game. This choice occurs during the final stages of the main story, where you confront the Netherbrain, the ultimate antagonist that threatens to dominate all of Faer├╗n. The Absolute is a powerful entity tied to the mind flayers, and allowing it to control the Netherbrain leads to a dark and apocalyptic ending. HereÔÇÖs a detailed breakdown of how this choice unfolds, the mechanics involved, and what you need to consider.
To achieve this ending, you must first progress through the main story until you reach the final confrontation with the Netherbrain. This involves completing key quests such as infiltrating Moonrise Towers, defeating Ketheric Thorm, and navigating the Shadow-Cursed Lands. Along the way, you will encounter the Emperor, a mind flayer who plays a pivotal role in the story. The Emperor will guide you through the process of using the Netherstones to control the Netherbrain, but the choice of whether to let the Absolute take over is entirely yours.
When you reach the final battle, you will need to use the Netherstones to dominate the Netherbrain. However, instead of using the stones to destroy or control it yourself, you can choose to let the Absolute take control. This decision is presented during a critical dialogue moment, where you must explicitly choose to side with the Absolute. The game will warn you that this choice will have dire consequences, and it is not reversible. Once you confirm your decision, the Absolute will seize control of the Netherbrain, and the world will fall under its dominion.
One important mechanic to consider is the influence of your companions and their reactions to your choices. If you have built strong relationships with your party members, they may try to dissuade you from making this decision. For example, characters like Shadowheart, LaeÔÇÖzel, and Gale have personal stakes in the outcome and may oppose your choice to side with the Absolute. Their disapproval can lead to conflicts or even them leaving your party. Therefore, itÔÇÖs crucial to consider how your companions will react and whether you are willing to risk losing their support.
In terms of combat tactics, the final battle against the Netherbrain is challenging, and you will need to prepare your party for a high-stakes fight. Make sure your characters are well-equipped with powerful weapons, armor, and consumables. Spells like Counterspell, Globe of Invulnerability, and Haste can be invaluable in this fight. Additionally, positioning is key, as the Netherbrain will summon powerful allies and use devastating area-of-effect attacks. Keep your party spread out to minimize damage and focus on taking down the brainÔÇÖs minions before targeting it directly.
A common mistake to avoid is underestimating the difficulty of the final battle. The Netherbrain is a formidable opponent, and its control over the battlefield can quickly overwhelm unprepared parties. Make sure to save your game before the final confrontation so you can retry if things go wrong. Another mistake is ignoring the moral implications of your choice. Letting the Absolute control the Netherbrain leads to a dark ending where the world is enslaved, and your companions may suffer tragic fates. Be sure to weigh the consequences carefully before making this decision.
Advanced techniques for this ending involve optimizing your party composition and abilities. For example, having a character with high Charisma and Persuasion can help you navigate the final dialogue options more effectively. Additionally, using abilities like Dominate Person or Charm Monster can give you an edge in controlling the battlefield. If you have a character with the Illithid powers unlocked, these can also be used to manipulate the outcome in your favor.
From a D&D rules perspective, the Netherbrain and the Absolute represent the pinnacle of mind flayer power, drawing on the lore of the Illithid Empire and their psionic abilities. The mechanics of controlling the Netherbrain align with the concept of psionic domination, a key aspect of mind flayer abilities in Dungeons & Dragons. The gameÔÇÖs implementation of these mechanics stays true to the source material, emphasizing the danger and complexity of dealing with such powerful entities.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Netherbrain is a choice that drastically alters the ending of BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3. It requires careful consideration of the story, your companions, and the combat challenges involved. By understanding the mechanics, preparing your party, and weighing the consequences, you can navigate this pivotal moment and shape the fate of Faer├╗n in a way that reflects your characterÔÇÖs journey.
To achieve this ending, you must first progress through the main story until you reach the final confrontation with the Netherbrain. This involves completing key quests such as infiltrating Moonrise Towers, defeating Ketheric Thorm, and navigating the Shadow-Cursed Lands. Along the way, you will encounter the Emperor, a mind flayer who plays a pivotal role in the story. The Emperor will guide you through the process of using the Netherstones to control the Netherbrain, but the choice of whether to let the Absolute take over is entirely yours.
When you reach the final battle, you will need to use the Netherstones to dominate the Netherbrain. However, instead of using the stones to destroy or control it yourself, you can choose to let the Absolute take control. This decision is presented during a critical dialogue moment, where you must explicitly choose to side with the Absolute. The game will warn you that this choice will have dire consequences, and it is not reversible. Once you confirm your decision, the Absolute will seize control of the Netherbrain, and the world will fall under its dominion.
One important mechanic to consider is the influence of your companions and their reactions to your choices. If you have built strong relationships with your party members, they may try to dissuade you from making this decision. For example, characters like Shadowheart, LaeÔÇÖzel, and Gale have personal stakes in the outcome and may oppose your choice to side with the Absolute. Their disapproval can lead to conflicts or even them leaving your party. Therefore, itÔÇÖs crucial to consider how your companions will react and whether you are willing to risk losing their support.
In terms of combat tactics, the final battle against the Netherbrain is challenging, and you will need to prepare your party for a high-stakes fight. Make sure your characters are well-equipped with powerful weapons, armor, and consumables. Spells like Counterspell, Globe of Invulnerability, and Haste can be invaluable in this fight. Additionally, positioning is key, as the Netherbrain will summon powerful allies and use devastating area-of-effect attacks. Keep your party spread out to minimize damage and focus on taking down the brainÔÇÖs minions before targeting it directly.
A common mistake to avoid is underestimating the difficulty of the final battle. The Netherbrain is a formidable opponent, and its control over the battlefield can quickly overwhelm unprepared parties. Make sure to save your game before the final confrontation so you can retry if things go wrong. Another mistake is ignoring the moral implications of your choice. Letting the Absolute control the Netherbrain leads to a dark ending where the world is enslaved, and your companions may suffer tragic fates. Be sure to weigh the consequences carefully before making this decision.
Advanced techniques for this ending involve optimizing your party composition and abilities. For example, having a character with high Charisma and Persuasion can help you navigate the final dialogue options more effectively. Additionally, using abilities like Dominate Person or Charm Monster can give you an edge in controlling the battlefield. If you have a character with the Illithid powers unlocked, these can also be used to manipulate the outcome in your favor.
From a D&D rules perspective, the Netherbrain and the Absolute represent the pinnacle of mind flayer power, drawing on the lore of the Illithid Empire and their psionic abilities. The mechanics of controlling the Netherbrain align with the concept of psionic domination, a key aspect of mind flayer abilities in Dungeons & Dragons. The gameÔÇÖs implementation of these mechanics stays true to the source material, emphasizing the danger and complexity of dealing with such powerful entities.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Netherbrain is a choice that drastically alters the ending of BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3. It requires careful consideration of the story, your companions, and the combat challenges involved. By understanding the mechanics, preparing your party, and weighing the consequences, you can navigate this pivotal moment and shape the fate of Faer├╗n in a way that reflects your characterÔÇÖs journey.