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, the cult that worships the Elder Brain, and rejecting offers of power from other factions, such as the Githyanki or the followers of the Absolute.
As you progress through the game, you will encounter several key moments where your trust in the Emperor is tested. For example, when you reach the Astral Prism, you will have the opportunity to either side with the Emperor or with Orpheus, a Githyanki prince who is imprisoned within the Prism. Choosing to side with the Emperor here is crucial if you want to allow him to control the Elder Brain later. If you side with Orpheus, the Emperor will abandon you, and you will lose the chance to let him dominate the Elder Brain.
Once you reach the final stages of the game, you will confront the Elder Brain in the heart of Baldur's Gate. At this point, the Emperor will offer you the choice to use the Netherstones, powerful artifacts that can control the Elder Brain, to either destroy it or allow him to dominate it. If you choose to let the Emperor control the Elder Brain, he will use the Netherstones to take control of the entity, effectively becoming the new ruler of the Mind Flayer hive mind. This decision will have significant consequences for the world of Baldur's Gate, as the Emperor's control over the Elder Brain will reshape the balance of power in the region.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind when making this choice. First, you should ensure that your character has a high enough Charisma score to persuade the Emperor to trust you and follow your lead. This will make it easier to convince him to take control of the Elder Brain rather than destroying it. Additionally, you should be prepared for the moral implications of this decision. Allowing the Emperor to control the Elder Brain means giving immense power to a being who has shown a willingness to manipulate and deceive others for his own gain. This could lead to unforeseen consequences down the line.
Common mistakes to avoid include siding with Orpheus or other factions that oppose the Emperor. If you do this, you will lose the opportunity to let the Emperor control the Elder Brain. Additionally, you should avoid making choices that undermine the Emperor's trust in you, such as questioning his motives or refusing to follow his advice. These actions could lead to him abandoning you at a critical moment, making it impossible to achieve the desired outcome.
Advanced techniques and optimizations for this path include building a character with high Charisma and proficiency in Persuasion and Deception. This will make it easier to navigate the complex dialogue options and convince the Emperor to follow your lead. Additionally, you should focus on building a strong relationship with your companions, as their support can be crucial in the final battle against the Elder Brain.
In terms of related D&D rules and mechanics, the concept of controlling a powerful entity like the Elder Brain is rooted in the idea of domination and mind control, which are common themes in the Mind Flayer lore. The Netherstones function as powerful artifacts that can be used to manipulate the Elder Brain, similar to how certain spells and abilities in D&D can be used to control or influence other creatures.
Specific examples and scenarios include the final confrontation with the Elder Brain, where you must use the Netherstones to either destroy it or allow the Emperor to control it. This moment is a culmination of all the choices you have made throughout the game, and the outcome will depend on your ability to navigate the complex web of alliances and betrayals that have led you to this point.
In conclusion, allowing the Emperor to control the Elder Brain is a complex and morally ambiguous decision that requires careful planning and strategic thinking. By aligning yourself with the Emperor, building a strong relationship with your companions, and making choices that prioritize his trust, you can achieve this outcome and shape the future of Baldur's Gate in a way that reflects your character's values and goals.
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, the cult that worships the Elder Brain, and rejecting offers of power from other factions, such as the Githyanki or the followers of the Absolute.
As you progress through the game, you will encounter several key moments where your trust in the Emperor is tested. For example, when you reach the Astral Prism, you will have the opportunity to either side with the Emperor or with Orpheus, a Githyanki prince who is imprisoned within the Prism. Choosing to side with the Emperor here is crucial if you want to allow him to control the Elder Brain later. If you side with Orpheus, the Emperor will abandon you, and you will lose the chance to let him dominate the Elder Brain.
Once you reach the final stages of the game, you will confront the Elder Brain in the heart of Baldur's Gate. At this point, the Emperor will offer you the choice to use the Netherstones, powerful artifacts that can control the Elder Brain, to either destroy it or allow him to dominate it. If you choose to let the Emperor control the Elder Brain, he will use the Netherstones to take control of the entity, effectively becoming the new ruler of the Mind Flayer hive mind. This decision will have significant consequences for the world of Baldur's Gate, as the Emperor's control over the Elder Brain will reshape the balance of power in the region.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind when making this choice. First, you should ensure that your character has a high enough Charisma score to persuade the Emperor to trust you and follow your lead. This will make it easier to convince him to take control of the Elder Brain rather than destroying it. Additionally, you should be prepared for the moral implications of this decision. Allowing the Emperor to control the Elder Brain means giving immense power to a being who has shown a willingness to manipulate and deceive others for his own gain. This could lead to unforeseen consequences down the line.
Common mistakes to avoid include siding with Orpheus or other factions that oppose the Emperor. If you do this, you will lose the opportunity to let the Emperor control the Elder Brain. Additionally, you should avoid making choices that undermine the Emperor's trust in you, such as questioning his motives or refusing to follow his advice. These actions could lead to him abandoning you at a critical moment, making it impossible to achieve the desired outcome.
Advanced techniques and optimizations for this path include building a character with high Charisma and proficiency in Persuasion and Deception. This will make it easier to navigate the complex dialogue options and convince the Emperor to follow your lead. Additionally, you should focus on building a strong relationship with your companions, as their support can be crucial in the final battle against the Elder Brain.
In terms of related D&D rules and mechanics, the concept of controlling a powerful entity like the Elder Brain is rooted in the idea of domination and mind control, which are common themes in the Mind Flayer lore. The Netherstones function as powerful artifacts that can be used to manipulate the Elder Brain, similar to how certain spells and abilities in D&D can be used to control or influence other creatures.
Specific examples and scenarios include the final confrontation with the Elder Brain, where you must use the Netherstones to either destroy it or allow the Emperor to control it. This moment is a culmination of all the choices you have made throughout the game, and the outcome will depend on your ability to navigate the complex web of alliances and betrayals that have led you to this point.
In conclusion, allowing the Emperor to control the Elder Brain is a complex and morally ambiguous decision that requires careful planning and strategic thinking. By aligning yourself with the Emperor, building a strong relationship with your companions, and making choices that prioritize his trust, you can achieve this outcome and shape the future of Baldur's Gate in a way that reflects your character's values and goals.