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 is one of the most significant story choices in the game, as it drastically alters the ending and the fate of the world. The Absolute is a powerful entity that seeks to dominate the minds of all living beings, and by allowing it to control the Elder Brain, you are enabling its ultimate goal of total domination. This choice is not made lightly, as it has far-reaching consequences for your character, your companions, and the world at large.
To achieve this outcome, you must first progress through the main story until you reach the final act of the game. This involves completing key quests, such as infiltrating Moonrise Towers, dealing with the Githyanki Creche, and confronting the Absolute's forces in Baldur's Gate. Along the way, you will encounter various factions and characters who will try to influence your decisions, including the Absolute's followers, the Githyanki, and the Harpers. Your choices in these interactions will shape your path and determine whether you are able to align yourself with the Absolute.
Once you reach the final act, you will face a critical decision point where you must choose whether to resist the Absolute or submit to its will. If you choose to submit, you will need to follow a series of steps to ensure that the Absolute gains control of the Elder Brain. This involves completing specific quests and making certain dialogue choices that align with the Absolute's goals. For example, you may need to side with the Absolute's followers in key battles, or you may need to make deals with powerful entities like the Mind Flayers or the Githyanki. These choices will gradually lead you down the path of allowing the Absolute to control the Elder Brain.
One important tip to consider is that your companions' reactions to your choices will play a significant role in this outcome. Some companions, like Lae'zel and Shadowheart, may be more willing to align with the Absolute, while others, like Wyll and Karlach, will strongly oppose it. It is crucial to manage your relationships with your companions carefully, as their loyalty and support can make or break your ability to achieve this ending. You may need to persuade or manipulate certain companions to go along with your plans, or you may need to make difficult decisions about who to keep in your party.
A common mistake to avoid is underestimating the complexity of the final act. The battles and challenges you face in the endgame are some of the most difficult in the game, and you will need to be well-prepared to succeed. This means having a strong party composition, with a mix of melee, ranged, and spellcasting abilities. It also means having the right equipment and consumables, such as healing potions, scrolls, and magical items. Additionally, you should be aware of the D&D 5E rules that govern combat and spellcasting, as these will be crucial in the final battles. For example, understanding how to use concentration spells, manage spell slots, and position your characters effectively can make a significant difference in your success.
Advanced techniques and optimizations can also help you achieve this ending more easily. For example, you can use stealth and deception to avoid unnecessary battles and conserve resources. You can also use environmental hazards and terrain to your advantage, such as luring enemies into traps or using high ground for ranged attacks. Additionally, you can optimize your character builds by focusing on abilities and feats that enhance your combat effectiveness, such as the Great Weapon Master feat for melee characters or the War Caster feat for spellcasters.
In terms of related D&D rules and mechanics, the concept of mind control and domination is central to this ending. The Absolute's ability to control the Elder Brain is based on the D&D 5E rules for mind-affecting spells and abilities, such as Dominate Person and Dominate Monster. These spells allow a caster to take control of a creature's actions, forcing it to obey their commands. In the context of Baldur's Gate 3, the Absolute's control over the Elder Brain represents the ultimate expression of this power, as it allows the Absolute to dominate not just individual creatures, but entire populations.
Specific examples and scenarios in the game illustrate the consequences of this choice. For instance, if you allow the Absolute to control the Elder Brain, you will see the world transformed into a dystopian nightmare, with the Absolute's followers ruling over the land and the minds of the people enslaved. Your companions may either join you in this new order or turn against you, depending on their individual beliefs and your relationship with them. The ending cutscenes will reflect the new reality you have created, showing the world under the Absolute's control and the impact of your choices on the characters and factions you have encountered throughout the game.
In conclusion, allowing the Absolute to control the Elder Brain is a major story choice in Baldur's Gate 3 that leads to a dark and oppressive ending. Achieving this outcome requires careful planning, strategic decision-making, and a willingness to embrace the Absolute's goals. By understanding the mechanics involved, managing your companions' reactions, and optimizing your character builds and combat tactics, you can successfully navigate the final act and bring about this ending. However, it is important to consider the moral and ethical implications of this choice, as it represents a significant departure from the more heroic paths available in the game.
To achieve this outcome, you must first progress through the main story until you reach the final act of the game. This involves completing key quests, such as infiltrating Moonrise Towers, dealing with the Githyanki Creche, and confronting the Absolute's forces in Baldur's Gate. Along the way, you will encounter various factions and characters who will try to influence your decisions, including the Absolute's followers, the Githyanki, and the Harpers. Your choices in these interactions will shape your path and determine whether you are able to align yourself with the Absolute.
Once you reach the final act, you will face a critical decision point where you must choose whether to resist the Absolute or submit to its will. If you choose to submit, you will need to follow a series of steps to ensure that the Absolute gains control of the Elder Brain. This involves completing specific quests and making certain dialogue choices that align with the Absolute's goals. For example, you may need to side with the Absolute's followers in key battles, or you may need to make deals with powerful entities like the Mind Flayers or the Githyanki. These choices will gradually lead you down the path of allowing the Absolute to control the Elder Brain.
One important tip to consider is that your companions' reactions to your choices will play a significant role in this outcome. Some companions, like Lae'zel and Shadowheart, may be more willing to align with the Absolute, while others, like Wyll and Karlach, will strongly oppose it. It is crucial to manage your relationships with your companions carefully, as their loyalty and support can make or break your ability to achieve this ending. You may need to persuade or manipulate certain companions to go along with your plans, or you may need to make difficult decisions about who to keep in your party.
A common mistake to avoid is underestimating the complexity of the final act. The battles and challenges you face in the endgame are some of the most difficult in the game, and you will need to be well-prepared to succeed. This means having a strong party composition, with a mix of melee, ranged, and spellcasting abilities. It also means having the right equipment and consumables, such as healing potions, scrolls, and magical items. Additionally, you should be aware of the D&D 5E rules that govern combat and spellcasting, as these will be crucial in the final battles. For example, understanding how to use concentration spells, manage spell slots, and position your characters effectively can make a significant difference in your success.
Advanced techniques and optimizations can also help you achieve this ending more easily. For example, you can use stealth and deception to avoid unnecessary battles and conserve resources. You can also use environmental hazards and terrain to your advantage, such as luring enemies into traps or using high ground for ranged attacks. Additionally, you can optimize your character builds by focusing on abilities and feats that enhance your combat effectiveness, such as the Great Weapon Master feat for melee characters or the War Caster feat for spellcasters.
In terms of related D&D rules and mechanics, the concept of mind control and domination is central to this ending. The Absolute's ability to control the Elder Brain is based on the D&D 5E rules for mind-affecting spells and abilities, such as Dominate Person and Dominate Monster. These spells allow a caster to take control of a creature's actions, forcing it to obey their commands. In the context of Baldur's Gate 3, the Absolute's control over the Elder Brain represents the ultimate expression of this power, as it allows the Absolute to dominate not just individual creatures, but entire populations.
Specific examples and scenarios in the game illustrate the consequences of this choice. For instance, if you allow the Absolute to control the Elder Brain, you will see the world transformed into a dystopian nightmare, with the Absolute's followers ruling over the land and the minds of the people enslaved. Your companions may either join you in this new order or turn against you, depending on their individual beliefs and your relationship with them. The ending cutscenes will reflect the new reality you have created, showing the world under the Absolute's control and the impact of your choices on the characters and factions you have encountered throughout the game.
In conclusion, allowing the Absolute to control the Elder Brain is a major story choice in Baldur's Gate 3 that leads to a dark and oppressive ending. Achieving this outcome requires careful planning, strategic decision-making, and a willingness to embrace the Absolute's goals. By understanding the mechanics involved, managing your companions' reactions, and optimizing your character builds and combat tactics, you can successfully navigate the final act and bring about this ending. However, it is important to consider the moral and ethical implications of this choice, as it represents a significant departure from the more heroic paths available in the game.