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 made lightly, as it involves betraying many of your allies and embracing a path of corruption and control. Here is a detailed explanation of the mechanics, strategies, and consequences involved in siding with the Absolute.
To side with the Absolute, you must first progress through the main story until you encounter key moments where you can choose to align with its forces. One of the earliest opportunities occurs when you meet the cultists of the Absolute and their leaders, such as Minthara, a drow paladin who serves the Absolute. To side with the Absolute, you must cooperate with these characters and make choices that further their goals. For example, during the raid on the Emerald Grove, you can choose to assist Minthara and the goblins in attacking the druids and tieflings. This decision locks you into a path of serving the Absolute and alienates companions like Wyll, Karlach, and Halsin, who oppose the Absolute's tyranny.
The mechanics of siding with the Absolute involve making dialogue choices that express loyalty to the Absolute and its leaders. You may also need to complete quests that further the Absolute's agenda, such as eliminating its enemies or spreading its influence. These choices often require you to use deception, intimidation, or persuasion to manipulate others into serving the Absolute. For example, you might convince NPCs to join the cult or betray their allies. These interactions are governed by the game's dialogue system and skill checks, so having a high Charisma score and proficiency in skills like Persuasion or Intimidation can be beneficial.
One important tip is to carefully consider the consequences of your actions. Siding with the Absolute means losing access to certain companions and questlines. Companions like Wyll and Karlach will leave your party if you attack the Emerald Grove, and Halsin will refuse to join you. Additionally, many NPCs in the world will react negatively to your allegiance with the Absolute, making it harder to gain their trust or assistance. However, you may gain new allies among the cultists and other followers of the Absolute, such as Minthara, who can become a powerful companion if you side with her.
A common mistake to avoid is underestimating the difficulty of the battles that come with siding with the Absolute. Attacking the Emerald Grove, for example, is a challenging fight that requires careful planning and strong combat tactics. Make sure your party is well-equipped and leveled before engaging in these conflicts. Additionally, be prepared for the moral and emotional weight of your decisions. Siding with the Absolute often involves committing acts of cruelty and betrayal, which can affect your character's alignment and relationships with other characters.
Advanced techniques for optimizing this path include leveraging the unique abilities and resources of the Absolute's followers. For example, Minthara is a powerful paladin who can provide strong melee support and divine magic. You can also use the Absolute's influence to manipulate NPCs and gain advantages in combat or diplomacy. Additionally, consider building your character around abilities that complement the Absolute's themes, such as necromancy, mind control, or dark magic. This can enhance your role-playing experience and make your character feel more integrated into the story.
From a D&D rules perspective, siding with the Absolute aligns your character with an evil or chaotic evil alignment, depending on your actions. This can affect how certain spells, abilities, and interactions function in the game. For example, spells like Detect Evil and Good may reveal your character's alignment, and NPCs with strong moral convictions may react negatively to you. Additionally, the Absolute's influence may grant you access to unique abilities or items tied to its power, such as cursed weapons or dark blessings.
Specific examples of siding with the Absolute include the raid on the Emerald Grove, where you must choose between defending the druids and tieflings or assisting Minthara and the goblins. Another key moment occurs later in the story when you confront the Absolute's leaders and must decide whether to fully embrace its power or resist its influence. These choices have far-reaching consequences, shaping the world and determining the fate of many characters.
In conclusion, siding with the Absolute in Baldur's Gate 3 is a complex and morally challenging path that offers a unique narrative experience. It requires careful planning, strong combat tactics, and a willingness to embrace dark choices. By understanding the mechanics, consequences, and strategies involved, you can navigate this path effectively and explore the darker side of the game's story.
To side with the Absolute, you must first progress through the main story until you encounter key moments where you can choose to align with its forces. One of the earliest opportunities occurs when you meet the cultists of the Absolute and their leaders, such as Minthara, a drow paladin who serves the Absolute. To side with the Absolute, you must cooperate with these characters and make choices that further their goals. For example, during the raid on the Emerald Grove, you can choose to assist Minthara and the goblins in attacking the druids and tieflings. This decision locks you into a path of serving the Absolute and alienates companions like Wyll, Karlach, and Halsin, who oppose the Absolute's tyranny.
The mechanics of siding with the Absolute involve making dialogue choices that express loyalty to the Absolute and its leaders. You may also need to complete quests that further the Absolute's agenda, such as eliminating its enemies or spreading its influence. These choices often require you to use deception, intimidation, or persuasion to manipulate others into serving the Absolute. For example, you might convince NPCs to join the cult or betray their allies. These interactions are governed by the game's dialogue system and skill checks, so having a high Charisma score and proficiency in skills like Persuasion or Intimidation can be beneficial.
One important tip is to carefully consider the consequences of your actions. Siding with the Absolute means losing access to certain companions and questlines. Companions like Wyll and Karlach will leave your party if you attack the Emerald Grove, and Halsin will refuse to join you. Additionally, many NPCs in the world will react negatively to your allegiance with the Absolute, making it harder to gain their trust or assistance. However, you may gain new allies among the cultists and other followers of the Absolute, such as Minthara, who can become a powerful companion if you side with her.
A common mistake to avoid is underestimating the difficulty of the battles that come with siding with the Absolute. Attacking the Emerald Grove, for example, is a challenging fight that requires careful planning and strong combat tactics. Make sure your party is well-equipped and leveled before engaging in these conflicts. Additionally, be prepared for the moral and emotional weight of your decisions. Siding with the Absolute often involves committing acts of cruelty and betrayal, which can affect your character's alignment and relationships with other characters.
Advanced techniques for optimizing this path include leveraging the unique abilities and resources of the Absolute's followers. For example, Minthara is a powerful paladin who can provide strong melee support and divine magic. You can also use the Absolute's influence to manipulate NPCs and gain advantages in combat or diplomacy. Additionally, consider building your character around abilities that complement the Absolute's themes, such as necromancy, mind control, or dark magic. This can enhance your role-playing experience and make your character feel more integrated into the story.
From a D&D rules perspective, siding with the Absolute aligns your character with an evil or chaotic evil alignment, depending on your actions. This can affect how certain spells, abilities, and interactions function in the game. For example, spells like Detect Evil and Good may reveal your character's alignment, and NPCs with strong moral convictions may react negatively to you. Additionally, the Absolute's influence may grant you access to unique abilities or items tied to its power, such as cursed weapons or dark blessings.
Specific examples of siding with the Absolute include the raid on the Emerald Grove, where you must choose between defending the druids and tieflings or assisting Minthara and the goblins. Another key moment occurs later in the story when you confront the Absolute's leaders and must decide whether to fully embrace its power or resist its influence. These choices have far-reaching consequences, shaping the world and determining the fate of many characters.
In conclusion, siding with the Absolute in Baldur's Gate 3 is a complex and morally challenging path that offers a unique narrative experience. It requires careful planning, strong combat tactics, and a willingness to embrace dark choices. By understanding the mechanics, consequences, and strategies involved, you can navigate this path effectively and explore the darker side of the game's story.