What happens if I let the Githyanki take the artifact in Baldur's Gate 3?
In Baldur's Gate 3, the artifact you carry is a central element of the story, and the Githyanki are deeply interested in it due to its connection to the Mind Flayers and their own goals. If you choose to let the Githyanki take the artifact, the consequences are significant and will drastically alter the course of your playthrough. HereÔÇÖs a detailed breakdown of what happens, how to achieve this outcome, and the implications of this choice.
To let the Githyanki take the artifact, you must first reach the point in the story where you encounter the Githyanki patrol in Act 1. This occurs after you have dealt with the Goblin Camp and are traveling towards the Mountain Pass. The Githyanki, led by Kith'rak Voss, will confront you and demand the artifact. At this point, you have the option to hand it over willingly. The mechanics of this choice are straightforward: during the dialogue with Voss, you will be presented with options to either resist or comply with their demands. Choosing to comply will result in the Githyanki taking the artifact from you.
Once the artifact is in their possession, the story takes a dramatic turn. The artifact is a key tool in resisting the Mind Flayer tadpole in your brain, and without it, you lose a significant advantage. This means that the protective effects of the artifact, such as shielding you from the Mind Flayers' influence, are no longer available. The Githyanki will use the artifact for their own purposes, which are tied to their war against the Mind Flayers and their desire to control the Astral Plane. This decision will also affect your relationship with Lae'zel, the Githyanki companion in your party. If you hand over the artifact, Lae'zel will likely approve, as it aligns with her people's goals. However, other companions, such as Shadowheart, who has her own connection to the artifact, may disapprove or even leave the party if they feel betrayed by your decision.
From a gameplay perspective, letting the Githyanki take the artifact removes a major source of power and protection. The artifact provides abilities that are crucial in certain encounters, particularly those involving Mind Flayers and their minions. Without it, you will need to rely more heavily on other strategies, such as using spells, potions, and equipment to mitigate the effects of the tadpole. This can make certain parts of the game more challenging, especially in later acts where the influence of the Mind Flayers becomes more pronounced.
One important tip to consider is that this choice is irreversible. Once the artifact is handed over, you cannot retrieve it, and the story will progress accordingly. This means you should be absolutely certain about your decision before proceeding. If you are unsure, it may be worth saving your game before the encounter so you can explore both outcomes. Additionally, if you are playing on a higher difficulty setting, losing the artifact can make combat encounters more difficult, so you may need to adjust your tactics accordingly.
In terms of advanced techniques, if you are planning to let the Githyanki take the artifact, you should prepare your party for the increased difficulty. This might involve optimizing your character builds to compensate for the loss of the artifact's abilities. For example, focusing on classes or subclasses that have strong defensive capabilities, such as the Paladin or Cleric, can help mitigate the increased risk. Additionally, stocking up on potions and scrolls that provide protection against psychic damage or mind-affecting spells can be beneficial.
From a D&D rules perspective, the artifact functions similarly to a powerful magical item that provides specific benefits, such as resistance to certain types of damage or immunity to certain conditions. In the context of Baldur's Gate 3, the artifact's loss means you no longer have access to these benefits, which can be a significant disadvantage in encounters where these effects are crucial. Understanding the mechanics of how the artifact works and how its absence affects your party is key to adapting your strategy.
In summary, letting the Githyanki take the artifact in Baldur's Gate 3 is a major story decision with far-reaching consequences. It affects your relationship with companions, alters the difficulty of certain encounters, and changes the trajectory of the narrative. If you choose to go down this path, be prepared for the challenges that come with it and consider how you will adapt your party and strategy to compensate for the loss of the artifact's power.
To let the Githyanki take the artifact, you must first reach the point in the story where you encounter the Githyanki patrol in Act 1. This occurs after you have dealt with the Goblin Camp and are traveling towards the Mountain Pass. The Githyanki, led by Kith'rak Voss, will confront you and demand the artifact. At this point, you have the option to hand it over willingly. The mechanics of this choice are straightforward: during the dialogue with Voss, you will be presented with options to either resist or comply with their demands. Choosing to comply will result in the Githyanki taking the artifact from you.
Once the artifact is in their possession, the story takes a dramatic turn. The artifact is a key tool in resisting the Mind Flayer tadpole in your brain, and without it, you lose a significant advantage. This means that the protective effects of the artifact, such as shielding you from the Mind Flayers' influence, are no longer available. The Githyanki will use the artifact for their own purposes, which are tied to their war against the Mind Flayers and their desire to control the Astral Plane. This decision will also affect your relationship with Lae'zel, the Githyanki companion in your party. If you hand over the artifact, Lae'zel will likely approve, as it aligns with her people's goals. However, other companions, such as Shadowheart, who has her own connection to the artifact, may disapprove or even leave the party if they feel betrayed by your decision.
From a gameplay perspective, letting the Githyanki take the artifact removes a major source of power and protection. The artifact provides abilities that are crucial in certain encounters, particularly those involving Mind Flayers and their minions. Without it, you will need to rely more heavily on other strategies, such as using spells, potions, and equipment to mitigate the effects of the tadpole. This can make certain parts of the game more challenging, especially in later acts where the influence of the Mind Flayers becomes more pronounced.
One important tip to consider is that this choice is irreversible. Once the artifact is handed over, you cannot retrieve it, and the story will progress accordingly. This means you should be absolutely certain about your decision before proceeding. If you are unsure, it may be worth saving your game before the encounter so you can explore both outcomes. Additionally, if you are playing on a higher difficulty setting, losing the artifact can make combat encounters more difficult, so you may need to adjust your tactics accordingly.
In terms of advanced techniques, if you are planning to let the Githyanki take the artifact, you should prepare your party for the increased difficulty. This might involve optimizing your character builds to compensate for the loss of the artifact's abilities. For example, focusing on classes or subclasses that have strong defensive capabilities, such as the Paladin or Cleric, can help mitigate the increased risk. Additionally, stocking up on potions and scrolls that provide protection against psychic damage or mind-affecting spells can be beneficial.
From a D&D rules perspective, the artifact functions similarly to a powerful magical item that provides specific benefits, such as resistance to certain types of damage or immunity to certain conditions. In the context of Baldur's Gate 3, the artifact's loss means you no longer have access to these benefits, which can be a significant disadvantage in encounters where these effects are crucial. Understanding the mechanics of how the artifact works and how its absence affects your party is key to adapting your strategy.
In summary, letting the Githyanki take the artifact in Baldur's Gate 3 is a major story decision with far-reaching consequences. It affects your relationship with companions, alters the difficulty of certain encounters, and changes the trajectory of the narrative. If you choose to go down this path, be prepared for the challenges that come with it and consider how you will adapt your party and strategy to compensate for the loss of the artifact's power.