What are the consequences of letting the Emperor control the Netherbrain in Baldur's Gate 3?
Letting the Emperor 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 near the end of the story, during the climax of the main questline, and it has far-reaching consequences for the world, your companions, and the fate of Baldur's Gate itself. To understand the mechanics and implications of this decision, it's important to first grasp the context and the steps required to reach this point.
The Emperor is a powerful mind flayer who plays a pivotal role in the story. Throughout the game, you interact with the Emperor in the Astral Plane, where they reveal their true nature and their connection to the Netherbrain, a massive, sentient entity that controls the illithid threat. The Emperor seeks to dominate the Netherbrain to end the crisis, but this requires you to make a critical choice: either trust the Emperor to take control or pursue an alternative path, such as destroying the Netherbrain or seeking another ally to dominate it.
To reach the point where you can let the Emperor control the Netherbrain, you must first progress through the main questline, which involves gathering allies, uncovering the truth about the Absolute, and confronting the forces of the illithid. Along the way, you will need to make decisions that align with the Emperor's goals, such as using the tadpole powers they offer and resisting the temptation to side with other factions that oppose the Emperor, like the Githyanki or the Absolute's cultists. Building trust with the Emperor is crucial, as they will only reveal their full plan if they believe you are committed to their cause.
When you finally confront the Netherbrain in the game's final act, you will be presented with the choice to let the Emperor take control. This decision is not made lightly, as it involves surrendering a significant amount of power to a being whose motives are not entirely clear. The Emperor claims that controlling the Netherbrain will bring peace and stability, but there are risks involved, such as the potential for the Emperor to become corrupted by the immense power they wield.
If you choose to let the Emperor control the Netherbrain, the immediate consequence is that the illithid threat is neutralized, and the city of Baldur's Gate is saved from destruction. However, the long-term consequences are more ambiguous. The Emperor becomes the dominant force in the region, and while they may initially act as a benevolent ruler, there is always the possibility that they could become tyrannical or use their power for personal gain. This outcome also affects your companions, as some may view your decision as a betrayal, especially if they have personal reasons to distrust the Emperor or mind flayers in general.
One important tip to consider is that your relationship with the Emperor is influenced by your choices throughout the game. If you consistently support the Emperor and use the tadpole powers they provide, they will be more likely to trust you and reveal their true intentions. Conversely, if you resist their influence or side with their enemies, they may become more secretive or even hostile, making it harder to achieve this outcome. It's also worth noting that some companions, like Lae'zel and Shadowheart, have personal stakes in the conflict with the illithid and may react negatively to your decision to let the Emperor take control.
A common mistake to avoid is underestimating the complexity of the Emperor's character. While they may appear to be a straightforward ally, their motivations are layered, and their actions are not always in your best interest. It's important to carefully consider the implications of letting them control the Netherbrain, as this decision will shape the future of the world and your relationships with your companions. Additionally, failing to build trust with the Emperor can lead to a situation where they refuse to cooperate, forcing you to pursue a different path.
Advanced techniques for this scenario involve optimizing your character build and party composition to handle the final confrontation with the Netherbrain. Since this is a high-stakes battle, having a well-rounded party with strong offensive and defensive capabilities is essential. Characters with high Wisdom and Charisma scores are particularly useful for resisting the Netherbrain's psychic attacks and making persuasive arguments during key dialogue moments. Additionally, having access to powerful spells and abilities that can disrupt the Netherbrain's control over its minions can give you an edge in the fight.
From a D&D rules perspective, the mechanics of controlling the Netherbrain involve the use of the Dominate Monster spell, which allows a creature to take control of another creature's actions. In the context of the game, this is represented by the Emperor using their psychic abilities to dominate the Netherbrain. However, the rules also emphasize the risks of such a powerful spell, as the dominated creature may resist or break free from control, leading to unpredictable consequences.
In conclusion, letting the Emperor control the Netherbrain is a decision that requires careful consideration of the story, your relationships with your companions, and the potential consequences for the world. By understanding the mechanics involved, building trust with the Emperor, and preparing for the final battle, you can navigate this complex choice and shape the outcome of Baldur's Gate 3 in a way that aligns with your character's values and goals.
The Emperor is a powerful mind flayer who plays a pivotal role in the story. Throughout the game, you interact with the Emperor in the Astral Plane, where they reveal their true nature and their connection to the Netherbrain, a massive, sentient entity that controls the illithid threat. The Emperor seeks to dominate the Netherbrain to end the crisis, but this requires you to make a critical choice: either trust the Emperor to take control or pursue an alternative path, such as destroying the Netherbrain or seeking another ally to dominate it.
To reach the point where you can let the Emperor control the Netherbrain, you must first progress through the main questline, which involves gathering allies, uncovering the truth about the Absolute, and confronting the forces of the illithid. Along the way, you will need to make decisions that align with the Emperor's goals, such as using the tadpole powers they offer and resisting the temptation to side with other factions that oppose the Emperor, like the Githyanki or the Absolute's cultists. Building trust with the Emperor is crucial, as they will only reveal their full plan if they believe you are committed to their cause.
When you finally confront the Netherbrain in the game's final act, you will be presented with the choice to let the Emperor take control. This decision is not made lightly, as it involves surrendering a significant amount of power to a being whose motives are not entirely clear. The Emperor claims that controlling the Netherbrain will bring peace and stability, but there are risks involved, such as the potential for the Emperor to become corrupted by the immense power they wield.
If you choose to let the Emperor control the Netherbrain, the immediate consequence is that the illithid threat is neutralized, and the city of Baldur's Gate is saved from destruction. However, the long-term consequences are more ambiguous. The Emperor becomes the dominant force in the region, and while they may initially act as a benevolent ruler, there is always the possibility that they could become tyrannical or use their power for personal gain. This outcome also affects your companions, as some may view your decision as a betrayal, especially if they have personal reasons to distrust the Emperor or mind flayers in general.
One important tip to consider is that your relationship with the Emperor is influenced by your choices throughout the game. If you consistently support the Emperor and use the tadpole powers they provide, they will be more likely to trust you and reveal their true intentions. Conversely, if you resist their influence or side with their enemies, they may become more secretive or even hostile, making it harder to achieve this outcome. It's also worth noting that some companions, like Lae'zel and Shadowheart, have personal stakes in the conflict with the illithid and may react negatively to your decision to let the Emperor take control.
A common mistake to avoid is underestimating the complexity of the Emperor's character. While they may appear to be a straightforward ally, their motivations are layered, and their actions are not always in your best interest. It's important to carefully consider the implications of letting them control the Netherbrain, as this decision will shape the future of the world and your relationships with your companions. Additionally, failing to build trust with the Emperor can lead to a situation where they refuse to cooperate, forcing you to pursue a different path.
Advanced techniques for this scenario involve optimizing your character build and party composition to handle the final confrontation with the Netherbrain. Since this is a high-stakes battle, having a well-rounded party with strong offensive and defensive capabilities is essential. Characters with high Wisdom and Charisma scores are particularly useful for resisting the Netherbrain's psychic attacks and making persuasive arguments during key dialogue moments. Additionally, having access to powerful spells and abilities that can disrupt the Netherbrain's control over its minions can give you an edge in the fight.
From a D&D rules perspective, the mechanics of controlling the Netherbrain involve the use of the Dominate Monster spell, which allows a creature to take control of another creature's actions. In the context of the game, this is represented by the Emperor using their psychic abilities to dominate the Netherbrain. However, the rules also emphasize the risks of such a powerful spell, as the dominated creature may resist or break free from control, leading to unpredictable consequences.
In conclusion, letting the Emperor control the Netherbrain is a decision that requires careful consideration of the story, your relationships with your companions, and the potential consequences for the world. By understanding the mechanics involved, building trust with the Emperor, and preparing for the final battle, you can navigate this complex choice and shape the outcome of Baldur's Gate 3 in a way that aligns with your character's values and goals.