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 has significant consequences for the story, your companions, and the world of Baldur's Gate. Here is a detailed explanation of how this choice unfolds, the mechanics involved, and what you need to consider when making this decision.
To achieve this outcome, you must first progress through the main story until you reach the climax in Act 3. The Elder Brain is the central threat in the game, and the Absolute is a powerful entity seeking to dominate it. Throughout the game, you will encounter various factions and characters who either oppose or serve the Absolute. Your choices in dealing with these factions will influence your ability to align with the Absolute and control the Elder Brain.
The first step is to ensure that you do not destroy or weaken the Absolute's influence. This means avoiding actions that directly oppose the Absolute, such as siding with the Harpers, the Druids, or other resistance groups. Instead, you should cooperate with characters like Minthara, a drow paladin who serves the Absolute, and make choices that align with her goals. For example, in Act 1, you can side with the goblins and raid the Druid Grove, which strengthens the Absolute's position.
As you progress through the game, you will encounter the Cult of the Absolute, which worships the Elder Brain. You should avoid killing key members of the cult, such as Ketheric Thorm, and instead find ways to manipulate or control them. In Act 2, you will face Ketheric Thorm, a major antagonist who serves the Absolute. Instead of defeating him outright, you can choose to ally with him or manipulate him into serving your purposes. This requires careful dialogue choices and sometimes passing skill checks, such as Persuasion or Intimidation.
In Act 3, you will confront the Elder Brain directly. At this point, you must decide whether to destroy it or allow the Absolute to control it. To let the Absolute control the Elder Brain, you must have built a strong alliance with the Absolute's followers and avoided actions that would weaken their influence. This includes ensuring that key characters like Minthara and Ketheric Thorm are still alive and aligned with you.
One important tip is to carefully manage your relationships with your companions. Some companions, such as Shadowheart and Lae'zel, may have personal goals that conflict with the Absolute's agenda. For example, Shadowheart's quest involves freeing her from the influence of Shar, a goddess who opposes the Absolute. If you want to align with the Absolute, you may need to persuade or manipulate these companions into supporting your decision. This often involves passing high-difficulty skill checks or making choices that align with their personal beliefs.
A common mistake to avoid is making choices that inadvertently weaken the Absolute's influence. For example, if you destroy the goblin camp in Act 1 or kill Ketheric Thorm in Act 2, you may lose the opportunity to align with the Absolute later in the game. It is also important to avoid actions that anger key allies, such as Minthara, as this can lead to them turning against you.
Advanced techniques involve using your character's abilities and class features to manipulate situations in your favor. For example, a character with high Charisma and proficiency in Persuasion or Deception can more easily convince others to support your goals. Additionally, certain spells, such as Dominate Person or Charm Person, can be used to control key NPCs and ensure their loyalty to the Absolute.
From a D&D rules perspective, the concept of controlling a powerful entity like the Elder Brain aligns with the idea of using domination magic or manipulation to achieve your goals. In the tabletop version of D&D, spells like Dominate Monster or Geas could theoretically be used to control a creature like the Elder Brain, though this would require an extremely high level of power and skill. In Baldur's Gate 3, the mechanics are simplified, but the idea remains the same: you must use your character's abilities and strategic choices to align with the Absolute and control the Elder Brain.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is a complex and morally ambiguous choice that requires careful planning and strategic decision-making. By aligning with the Absolute's followers, managing your relationships with companions, and avoiding actions that weaken the Absolute's influence, you can achieve this outcome and shape the story of Baldur's Gate 3 in a unique and impactful way.
To achieve this outcome, you must first progress through the main story until you reach the climax in Act 3. The Elder Brain is the central threat in the game, and the Absolute is a powerful entity seeking to dominate it. Throughout the game, you will encounter various factions and characters who either oppose or serve the Absolute. Your choices in dealing with these factions will influence your ability to align with the Absolute and control the Elder Brain.
The first step is to ensure that you do not destroy or weaken the Absolute's influence. This means avoiding actions that directly oppose the Absolute, such as siding with the Harpers, the Druids, or other resistance groups. Instead, you should cooperate with characters like Minthara, a drow paladin who serves the Absolute, and make choices that align with her goals. For example, in Act 1, you can side with the goblins and raid the Druid Grove, which strengthens the Absolute's position.
As you progress through the game, you will encounter the Cult of the Absolute, which worships the Elder Brain. You should avoid killing key members of the cult, such as Ketheric Thorm, and instead find ways to manipulate or control them. In Act 2, you will face Ketheric Thorm, a major antagonist who serves the Absolute. Instead of defeating him outright, you can choose to ally with him or manipulate him into serving your purposes. This requires careful dialogue choices and sometimes passing skill checks, such as Persuasion or Intimidation.
In Act 3, you will confront the Elder Brain directly. At this point, you must decide whether to destroy it or allow the Absolute to control it. To let the Absolute control the Elder Brain, you must have built a strong alliance with the Absolute's followers and avoided actions that would weaken their influence. This includes ensuring that key characters like Minthara and Ketheric Thorm are still alive and aligned with you.
One important tip is to carefully manage your relationships with your companions. Some companions, such as Shadowheart and Lae'zel, may have personal goals that conflict with the Absolute's agenda. For example, Shadowheart's quest involves freeing her from the influence of Shar, a goddess who opposes the Absolute. If you want to align with the Absolute, you may need to persuade or manipulate these companions into supporting your decision. This often involves passing high-difficulty skill checks or making choices that align with their personal beliefs.
A common mistake to avoid is making choices that inadvertently weaken the Absolute's influence. For example, if you destroy the goblin camp in Act 1 or kill Ketheric Thorm in Act 2, you may lose the opportunity to align with the Absolute later in the game. It is also important to avoid actions that anger key allies, such as Minthara, as this can lead to them turning against you.
Advanced techniques involve using your character's abilities and class features to manipulate situations in your favor. For example, a character with high Charisma and proficiency in Persuasion or Deception can more easily convince others to support your goals. Additionally, certain spells, such as Dominate Person or Charm Person, can be used to control key NPCs and ensure their loyalty to the Absolute.
From a D&D rules perspective, the concept of controlling a powerful entity like the Elder Brain aligns with the idea of using domination magic or manipulation to achieve your goals. In the tabletop version of D&D, spells like Dominate Monster or Geas could theoretically be used to control a creature like the Elder Brain, though this would require an extremely high level of power and skill. In Baldur's Gate 3, the mechanics are simplified, but the idea remains the same: you must use your character's abilities and strategic choices to align with the Absolute and control the Elder Brain.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is a complex and morally ambiguous choice that requires careful planning and strategic decision-making. By aligning with the Absolute's followers, managing your relationships with companions, and avoiding actions that weaken the Absolute's influence, you can achieve this outcome and shape the story of Baldur's Gate 3 in a unique and impactful way.