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 character's decisions can either resist or embrace its influence. Letting the Absolute take over is not a straightforward path but rather a series of choices that align with the Absolute's goals, leading to a specific ending where its power prevails. HereÔÇÖs a detailed breakdown of how this can be achieved, along with the mechanics, strategies, and considerations involved.
To let the Absolute take over, you must align yourself with the forces that serve it, primarily the Cult of the Absolute. This involves making decisions that favor the cult and its leaders, such as Ketheric Thorm, Orin the Red, and Gortash. These characters are key figures in the Absolute's plan, and your interactions with them will determine whether you support or oppose their goals. Early in the game, you will encounter the cult and its followers, and your choices in these encounters will set the tone for your alignment with the Absolute. For example, siding with the goblins in the Druid Grove conflict is an early indicator of your willingness to support the cult.
As you progress through the story, you will face pivotal moments where you must decide whether to resist or embrace the Absolute's influence. One such moment occurs in Act 2, where you confront Ketheric Thorm in Moonrise Towers. If you choose to side with him and support his plans, you are taking a significant step toward letting the Absolute take over. This decision will have lasting consequences, as it solidifies your alliance with the cult and its leaders. Similarly, in Act 3, your interactions with Gortash and Orin will further determine your path. If you choose to work with them rather than oppose them, you are reinforcing the Absolute's dominance.
Combat tactics and character builds can also play a role in this path. If you plan to align with the Absolute, it may be beneficial to focus on builds that emphasize control and domination, such as a Warlock with the Great Old One patron or a Sorcerer with enchantment spells. These classes and abilities align thematically with the Absolute's goals and can give you an edge in battles where you face resistance from those who oppose the cult. Additionally, having high Charisma and Persuasion skills can help you navigate dialogue options that favor the Absolute, allowing you to manipulate others into supporting your cause.
One important tip is to carefully consider the consequences of your actions. Letting the Absolute take over will lead to a darker ending where the world is under its control, and many of your companions may turn against you if they do not share your vision. For example, characters like Shadowheart, who has her own struggles with faith and power, may resist your choices if they conflict with her personal beliefs. Similarly, Lae'zel, who is deeply tied to the Githyanki conflict, may oppose you if your actions undermine her people's goals. Managing these relationships is crucial, as losing key allies can make your journey more challenging.
A common mistake to avoid is making inconsistent choices that confuse your alignment. If you sometimes resist the Absolute and other times support it, you may find yourself in a position where neither side fully trusts you, leading to a less satisfying narrative outcome. To avoid this, commit to your path early and make decisions that consistently align with the Absolute's goals. This will ensure a cohesive story and a clear progression toward the desired ending.
Advanced techniques involve leveraging the game's mechanics to maximize your influence over key characters. For instance, using the Tadpole powers granted by the Mind Flayer parasite can give you an edge in both combat and dialogue. These powers allow you to manipulate others and assert dominance, which aligns with the Absolute's philosophy. Additionally, exploring hidden areas and completing side quests that benefit the cult can provide you with resources and allies that strengthen your position.
In terms of D&D rules, the Absolute's influence can be seen as a form of domination magic, similar to spells like Dominate Person or Geas. These spells allow a caster to control another creature's actions, reflecting the Absolute's ability to bend others to its will. Understanding these mechanics can help you role-play your character's alignment with the Absolute, as you can use similar tactics to assert control over NPCs and enemies.
Specific examples of scenarios where you can support the Absolute include the Goblin Camp in Act 1, where you can choose to side with the goblins and their leaders, Minthara and Priestess Gut. By helping them destroy the Druid Grove, you are actively supporting the cult's expansion. In Act 2, sparing Ketheric Thorm and aiding his plans in Moonrise Towers further cements your alliance. Finally, in Act 3, working with Gortash to control Baldur's Gate and defeat Orin without undermining the Absolute's authority will lead you toward the ending where the Absolute takes over.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute take over in Baldur's Gate 3 requires a deliberate and consistent approach to decision-making, combat, and character development. By aligning yourself with the cult and its leaders, leveraging your abilities to dominate others, and managing your relationships with companions, you can achieve an ending where the Absolute's power prevails. This path offers a unique and darker narrative experience, showcasing the consequences of embracing a force that seeks to control the world.
To let the Absolute take over, you must align yourself with the forces that serve it, primarily the Cult of the Absolute. This involves making decisions that favor the cult and its leaders, such as Ketheric Thorm, Orin the Red, and Gortash. These characters are key figures in the Absolute's plan, and your interactions with them will determine whether you support or oppose their goals. Early in the game, you will encounter the cult and its followers, and your choices in these encounters will set the tone for your alignment with the Absolute. For example, siding with the goblins in the Druid Grove conflict is an early indicator of your willingness to support the cult.
As you progress through the story, you will face pivotal moments where you must decide whether to resist or embrace the Absolute's influence. One such moment occurs in Act 2, where you confront Ketheric Thorm in Moonrise Towers. If you choose to side with him and support his plans, you are taking a significant step toward letting the Absolute take over. This decision will have lasting consequences, as it solidifies your alliance with the cult and its leaders. Similarly, in Act 3, your interactions with Gortash and Orin will further determine your path. If you choose to work with them rather than oppose them, you are reinforcing the Absolute's dominance.
Combat tactics and character builds can also play a role in this path. If you plan to align with the Absolute, it may be beneficial to focus on builds that emphasize control and domination, such as a Warlock with the Great Old One patron or a Sorcerer with enchantment spells. These classes and abilities align thematically with the Absolute's goals and can give you an edge in battles where you face resistance from those who oppose the cult. Additionally, having high Charisma and Persuasion skills can help you navigate dialogue options that favor the Absolute, allowing you to manipulate others into supporting your cause.
One important tip is to carefully consider the consequences of your actions. Letting the Absolute take over will lead to a darker ending where the world is under its control, and many of your companions may turn against you if they do not share your vision. For example, characters like Shadowheart, who has her own struggles with faith and power, may resist your choices if they conflict with her personal beliefs. Similarly, Lae'zel, who is deeply tied to the Githyanki conflict, may oppose you if your actions undermine her people's goals. Managing these relationships is crucial, as losing key allies can make your journey more challenging.
A common mistake to avoid is making inconsistent choices that confuse your alignment. If you sometimes resist the Absolute and other times support it, you may find yourself in a position where neither side fully trusts you, leading to a less satisfying narrative outcome. To avoid this, commit to your path early and make decisions that consistently align with the Absolute's goals. This will ensure a cohesive story and a clear progression toward the desired ending.
Advanced techniques involve leveraging the game's mechanics to maximize your influence over key characters. For instance, using the Tadpole powers granted by the Mind Flayer parasite can give you an edge in both combat and dialogue. These powers allow you to manipulate others and assert dominance, which aligns with the Absolute's philosophy. Additionally, exploring hidden areas and completing side quests that benefit the cult can provide you with resources and allies that strengthen your position.
In terms of D&D rules, the Absolute's influence can be seen as a form of domination magic, similar to spells like Dominate Person or Geas. These spells allow a caster to control another creature's actions, reflecting the Absolute's ability to bend others to its will. Understanding these mechanics can help you role-play your character's alignment with the Absolute, as you can use similar tactics to assert control over NPCs and enemies.
Specific examples of scenarios where you can support the Absolute include the Goblin Camp in Act 1, where you can choose to side with the goblins and their leaders, Minthara and Priestess Gut. By helping them destroy the Druid Grove, you are actively supporting the cult's expansion. In Act 2, sparing Ketheric Thorm and aiding his plans in Moonrise Towers further cements your alliance. Finally, in Act 3, working with Gortash to control Baldur's Gate and defeat Orin without undermining the Absolute's authority will lead you toward the ending where the Absolute takes over.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute take over in Baldur's Gate 3 requires a deliberate and consistent approach to decision-making, combat, and character development. By aligning yourself with the cult and its leaders, leveraging your abilities to dominate others, and managing your relationships with companions, you can achieve an ending where the Absolute's power prevails. This path offers a unique and darker narrative experience, showcasing the consequences of embracing a force that seeks to control the world.