What are the consequences of siding with the Absolute in Baldur's Gate 3?
Siding with the Absolute in Baldur's Gate 3 is a major story decision that significantly impacts the narrative, your relationships with companions, and the overall outcome of the game. The Absolute is a mysterious and powerful force that seeks to dominate the world, and aligning with it means embracing its dark influence. This choice is not straightforward and comes with profound consequences, both immediate and long-term. HereÔÇÖs a detailed breakdown of what siding with the Absolute entails, how to achieve it, and what to expect.
To side with the Absolute, you must first progress through the main story until you encounter key moments where the game presents you with the option to align with this force. One of the earliest opportunities arises when you interact with the True Souls, who are agents of the Absolute. These characters, such as Minthara, will offer you the chance to join their cause. To proceed, you must make choices that favor the AbsoluteÔÇÖs goals, such as supporting their plans to conquer or dominate others. This often involves betraying other factions or characters who oppose the Absolute, such as the Druids of the Emerald Grove or the Tiefling refugees.
The mechanics of siding with the Absolute are tied to dialogue choices and story progression. When speaking with characters like Minthara or other True Souls, you will need to select dialogue options that express loyalty to the Absolute. For example, during the raid on the Emerald Grove, you can choose to assist Minthara in attacking the Druids and Tieflings. This decision locks you into a path that aligns with the AbsoluteÔÇÖs agenda. Additionally, you may need to complete specific quests that further the AbsoluteÔÇÖs goals, such as retrieving powerful artifacts or eliminating its enemies.
One important tip is to carefully consider your party composition and companion relationships before committing to this path. Siding with the Absolute often means alienating or even losing certain companions who oppose its ideology. For instance, characters like Wyll and Karlach are likely to leave your party if you choose to support the Absolute, as they have strong moral objections to its methods. On the other hand, characters like Minthara and Astarion may be more receptive to this path, as their personal goals align with the AbsoluteÔÇÖs ambitions. ItÔÇÖs crucial to weigh these dynamics and decide which companions you want to keep in your party.
A common mistake to avoid is making this decision impulsively without understanding the full scope of its consequences. Siding with the Absolute can lead to significant changes in the game world, such as the destruction of entire communities or the loss of key allies. ItÔÇÖs also worth noting that this path may limit your access to certain quests or rewards that are tied to opposing factions. For example, if you side with the Absolute and destroy the Emerald Grove, you will miss out on quests and interactions involving the Tieflings and Druids.
Advanced techniques for optimizing this path include leveraging the AbsoluteÔÇÖs resources to your advantage. For instance, you can use the influence of the True Souls to gain access to powerful items or information that would otherwise be difficult to obtain. Additionally, you can exploit the AbsoluteÔÇÖs enemies by infiltrating their ranks and sabotaging their efforts from within. This requires careful planning and strategic thinking, as you will need to balance your allegiance to the Absolute with your own survival and success.
From a D&D rules perspective, siding with the Absolute aligns your character with a lawful evil or neutral evil alignment, depending on your motivations and actions. This can influence how NPCs perceive and interact with you, as well as the types of abilities or spells that may be more effective in certain situations. For example, characters with high Charisma and Deception skills may find it easier to manipulate others into supporting the AbsoluteÔÇÖs cause, while characters with strong combat abilities can excel in the violent conflicts that often arise from this path.
Specific examples of siding with the Absolute include the raid on the Emerald Grove, where you can choose to assist Minthara in slaughtering the Druids and Tieflings. This decision not only cements your allegiance to the Absolute but also sets the tone for the rest of the game, as it demonstrates your willingness to embrace its ruthless methods. Another example is the confrontation with the Githyanki, where you can choose to side with the AbsoluteÔÇÖs forces against the Githyanki Creche, further solidifying your position within its hierarchy.
In conclusion, siding with the Absolute in Baldur's Gate 3 is a complex and morally challenging decision that reshapes the gameÔÇÖs narrative and your relationships with companions. It requires careful consideration of the consequences, strategic planning, and a willingness to embrace the darker aspects of the story. By understanding the mechanics, avoiding common mistakes, and leveraging advanced techniques, you can navigate this path effectively and experience a unique and compelling version of the gameÔÇÖs story.
To side with the Absolute, you must first progress through the main story until you encounter key moments where the game presents you with the option to align with this force. One of the earliest opportunities arises when you interact with the True Souls, who are agents of the Absolute. These characters, such as Minthara, will offer you the chance to join their cause. To proceed, you must make choices that favor the AbsoluteÔÇÖs goals, such as supporting their plans to conquer or dominate others. This often involves betraying other factions or characters who oppose the Absolute, such as the Druids of the Emerald Grove or the Tiefling refugees.
The mechanics of siding with the Absolute are tied to dialogue choices and story progression. When speaking with characters like Minthara or other True Souls, you will need to select dialogue options that express loyalty to the Absolute. For example, during the raid on the Emerald Grove, you can choose to assist Minthara in attacking the Druids and Tieflings. This decision locks you into a path that aligns with the AbsoluteÔÇÖs agenda. Additionally, you may need to complete specific quests that further the AbsoluteÔÇÖs goals, such as retrieving powerful artifacts or eliminating its enemies.
One important tip is to carefully consider your party composition and companion relationships before committing to this path. Siding with the Absolute often means alienating or even losing certain companions who oppose its ideology. For instance, characters like Wyll and Karlach are likely to leave your party if you choose to support the Absolute, as they have strong moral objections to its methods. On the other hand, characters like Minthara and Astarion may be more receptive to this path, as their personal goals align with the AbsoluteÔÇÖs ambitions. ItÔÇÖs crucial to weigh these dynamics and decide which companions you want to keep in your party.
A common mistake to avoid is making this decision impulsively without understanding the full scope of its consequences. Siding with the Absolute can lead to significant changes in the game world, such as the destruction of entire communities or the loss of key allies. ItÔÇÖs also worth noting that this path may limit your access to certain quests or rewards that are tied to opposing factions. For example, if you side with the Absolute and destroy the Emerald Grove, you will miss out on quests and interactions involving the Tieflings and Druids.
Advanced techniques for optimizing this path include leveraging the AbsoluteÔÇÖs resources to your advantage. For instance, you can use the influence of the True Souls to gain access to powerful items or information that would otherwise be difficult to obtain. Additionally, you can exploit the AbsoluteÔÇÖs enemies by infiltrating their ranks and sabotaging their efforts from within. This requires careful planning and strategic thinking, as you will need to balance your allegiance to the Absolute with your own survival and success.
From a D&D rules perspective, siding with the Absolute aligns your character with a lawful evil or neutral evil alignment, depending on your motivations and actions. This can influence how NPCs perceive and interact with you, as well as the types of abilities or spells that may be more effective in certain situations. For example, characters with high Charisma and Deception skills may find it easier to manipulate others into supporting the AbsoluteÔÇÖs cause, while characters with strong combat abilities can excel in the violent conflicts that often arise from this path.
Specific examples of siding with the Absolute include the raid on the Emerald Grove, where you can choose to assist Minthara in slaughtering the Druids and Tieflings. This decision not only cements your allegiance to the Absolute but also sets the tone for the rest of the game, as it demonstrates your willingness to embrace its ruthless methods. Another example is the confrontation with the Githyanki, where you can choose to side with the AbsoluteÔÇÖs forces against the Githyanki Creche, further solidifying your position within its hierarchy.
In conclusion, siding with the Absolute in Baldur's Gate 3 is a complex and morally challenging decision that reshapes the gameÔÇÖs narrative and your relationships with companions. It requires careful consideration of the consequences, strategic planning, and a willingness to embrace the darker aspects of the story. By understanding the mechanics, avoiding common mistakes, and leveraging advanced techniques, you can navigate this path effectively and experience a unique and compelling version of the gameÔÇÖs story.