What happens if I let the Absolute take over in Baldur's Gate 3?
In Baldur's Gate 3, the concept of letting the Absolute take over is tied to the game's central narrative and the choices you make throughout the story. The Absolute is a powerful entity that seeks to dominate the world, and your decisions can either resist or enable its influence. Letting the Absolute take over is not a straightforward path but rather a series of choices that align with its goals, leading to a specific ending where the Absolute's power grows unchecked. HereÔÇÖs a detailed breakdown of how this can happen, the mechanics involved, and what you need to consider.
To let the Absolute take over, you must align yourself with the forces that serve it, primarily the Cult of the Absolute. This cult is a central antagonist in the game, and its members are driven by the Absolute's will. Your journey toward enabling the Absolute begins early in the story when you encounter the cult and its leaders. Key moments include your interactions with the True Souls, such as Minthara, and the decisions you make during critical quests like the attack on the Druid Grove or the infiltration of Moonrise Towers.
The mechanics of this path involve making choices that prioritize the Absolute's agenda over other factions or moral considerations. For example, siding with Minthara and the goblins to destroy the Druid Grove is a major step toward aligning with the Absolute. This decision not only strengthens the cult's position but also alienates you from potential allies like the Tieflings and the Druids. Similarly, during the Moonrise Towers arc, you can choose to support Ketheric Thorm, a key servant of the Absolute, rather than opposing him. These choices are pivotal in shaping the narrative toward the Absolute's dominance.
One important tip is to carefully manage your relationships with companions. Some companions, like Shadowheart and Lae'zel, may be more open to the Absolute's influence due to their personal goals and backgrounds. Others, like Wyll and Karlach, will strongly oppose such actions, potentially leading to conflicts or even their departure from your party. To maintain cohesion, consider recruiting companions who are more aligned with the Absolute's ideology or who can be persuaded to support your decisions.
A common mistake to avoid is underestimating the consequences of your choices. Letting the Absolute take over often means sacrificing moral high ground and losing access to certain allies, quests, and resources. For example, destroying the Druid Grove cuts off access to Halsin, a powerful ally, and the Tieflings, who provide valuable support later in the game. Additionally, some companions may leave or turn against you if they disagree with your actions. ItÔÇÖs crucial to weigh these trade-offs and decide whether the AbsoluteÔÇÖs dominance aligns with your desired playthrough.
Advanced techniques involve leveraging the gameÔÇÖs dialogue and persuasion mechanics to manipulate others into supporting the Absolute. High Charisma and proficiency in skills like Deception and Persuasion can help you convince reluctant allies to follow your lead. For instance, you might persuade Shadowheart to embrace SharÔÇÖs teachings more fully, which indirectly supports the AbsoluteÔÇÖs goals. Similarly, you can use intimidation to bend weaker-willed characters to your will, ensuring their compliance with your plans.
From a D&D rules perspective, the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence can be seen as a form of domination or mind control, akin to spells like Dominate Person or Geas. These mechanics are reflected in the game through the tadpoles and the AbsoluteÔÇÖs ability to command its followers. By embracing the tadpoleÔÇÖs powers and using them to enhance your abilities, you can further align yourself with the AbsoluteÔÇÖs will. However, this comes with risks, as overuse of the tadpoleÔÇÖs powers can lead to unforeseen consequences, including loss of control or transformation into a Mind Flayer.
Specific examples of letting the Absolute take over include the final act of the game, where your choices culminate in a decisive confrontation. If you have consistently supported the Absolute, you may be given the option to either seize its power for yourself or allow it to fully dominate the world. The latter choice leads to an ending where the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence spreads unchecked, reshaping the world in its image. This outcome is a direct result of the cumulative decisions youÔÇÖve made throughout the game, emphasizing the importance of long-term planning and consistency in your actions.
In summary, letting the Absolute take over in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 requires a deliberate and calculated approach. By aligning with the Cult of the Absolute, making morally questionable choices, and managing your relationships carefully, you can steer the narrative toward this outcome. Be mindful of the consequences, leverage your characterÔÇÖs strengths, and embrace the tadpoleÔÇÖs powers to fully realize the AbsoluteÔÇÖs dominance. This path offers a unique and morally complex experience, showcasing the depth and flexibility of BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3ÔÇÖs storytelling.
To let the Absolute take over, you must align yourself with the forces that serve it, primarily the Cult of the Absolute. This cult is a central antagonist in the game, and its members are driven by the Absolute's will. Your journey toward enabling the Absolute begins early in the story when you encounter the cult and its leaders. Key moments include your interactions with the True Souls, such as Minthara, and the decisions you make during critical quests like the attack on the Druid Grove or the infiltration of Moonrise Towers.
The mechanics of this path involve making choices that prioritize the Absolute's agenda over other factions or moral considerations. For example, siding with Minthara and the goblins to destroy the Druid Grove is a major step toward aligning with the Absolute. This decision not only strengthens the cult's position but also alienates you from potential allies like the Tieflings and the Druids. Similarly, during the Moonrise Towers arc, you can choose to support Ketheric Thorm, a key servant of the Absolute, rather than opposing him. These choices are pivotal in shaping the narrative toward the Absolute's dominance.
One important tip is to carefully manage your relationships with companions. Some companions, like Shadowheart and Lae'zel, may be more open to the Absolute's influence due to their personal goals and backgrounds. Others, like Wyll and Karlach, will strongly oppose such actions, potentially leading to conflicts or even their departure from your party. To maintain cohesion, consider recruiting companions who are more aligned with the Absolute's ideology or who can be persuaded to support your decisions.
A common mistake to avoid is underestimating the consequences of your choices. Letting the Absolute take over often means sacrificing moral high ground and losing access to certain allies, quests, and resources. For example, destroying the Druid Grove cuts off access to Halsin, a powerful ally, and the Tieflings, who provide valuable support later in the game. Additionally, some companions may leave or turn against you if they disagree with your actions. ItÔÇÖs crucial to weigh these trade-offs and decide whether the AbsoluteÔÇÖs dominance aligns with your desired playthrough.
Advanced techniques involve leveraging the gameÔÇÖs dialogue and persuasion mechanics to manipulate others into supporting the Absolute. High Charisma and proficiency in skills like Deception and Persuasion can help you convince reluctant allies to follow your lead. For instance, you might persuade Shadowheart to embrace SharÔÇÖs teachings more fully, which indirectly supports the AbsoluteÔÇÖs goals. Similarly, you can use intimidation to bend weaker-willed characters to your will, ensuring their compliance with your plans.
From a D&D rules perspective, the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence can be seen as a form of domination or mind control, akin to spells like Dominate Person or Geas. These mechanics are reflected in the game through the tadpoles and the AbsoluteÔÇÖs ability to command its followers. By embracing the tadpoleÔÇÖs powers and using them to enhance your abilities, you can further align yourself with the AbsoluteÔÇÖs will. However, this comes with risks, as overuse of the tadpoleÔÇÖs powers can lead to unforeseen consequences, including loss of control or transformation into a Mind Flayer.
Specific examples of letting the Absolute take over include the final act of the game, where your choices culminate in a decisive confrontation. If you have consistently supported the Absolute, you may be given the option to either seize its power for yourself or allow it to fully dominate the world. The latter choice leads to an ending where the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence spreads unchecked, reshaping the world in its image. This outcome is a direct result of the cumulative decisions youÔÇÖve made throughout the game, emphasizing the importance of long-term planning and consistency in your actions.
In summary, letting the Absolute take over in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 requires a deliberate and calculated approach. By aligning with the Cult of the Absolute, making morally questionable choices, and managing your relationships carefully, you can steer the narrative toward this outcome. Be mindful of the consequences, leverage your characterÔÇÖs strengths, and embrace the tadpoleÔÇÖs powers to fully realize the AbsoluteÔÇÖs dominance. This path offers a unique and morally complex experience, showcasing the depth and flexibility of BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3ÔÇÖs storytelling.