What happens if I let the Absolute control the Netherbrain in Baldur's Gate 3?
Letting the Absolute control the Netherbrain in Baldur's Gate 3 is one of the most significant and morally complex decisions you can make in the game. This choice occurs near the end of the story, during the climactic moments of the final act. It represents a path where you essentially surrender to the Absolute, allowing it to dominate the Netherbrain and, by extension, the world. This decision has far-reaching consequences for the story, your companions, and the world of Baldur's Gate. HereÔÇÖs a detailed breakdown of how this choice unfolds, the mechanics involved, and what you need to consider.
To achieve this outcome, you must first progress through the main story until you reach the final confrontation with the Netherbrain. This involves completing key quests such as infiltrating Moonrise Towers, dealing with the Githyanki Creche, and navigating the Shadow-Cursed Lands. Along the way, you will encounter the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence repeatedly, and your choices will shape your relationship with this entity. By the time you reach the final act, you will have the opportunity to either destroy the Netherbrain or allow the Absolute to take control.
The mechanics of this choice are tied to the dialogue and decision-making during the final confrontation. When you face the Netherbrain, you will be presented with several options, including using the power of the Netherstones to destroy it or to let the Absolute dominate it. If you choose the latter, you will need to convince your companions to go along with this plan, as they may resist such a morally dubious decision. This requires high Persuasion or Intimidation checks, depending on your characterÔÇÖs build and the relationships youÔÇÖve cultivated with your party members.
One important tip is to ensure that your character has high Charisma and proficiency in Persuasion or Intimidation. This will make it easier to sway your companions and other key characters to support your decision. Additionally, building strong relationships with your companions throughout the game can make them more likely to trust your judgment, even in such a dire situation. For example, if youÔÇÖve consistently sided with Shadowheart in her personal quest and supported her decisions, she may be more inclined to follow your lead.
A common mistake to avoid is underestimating the resistance you may face from your companions. Even if youÔÇÖve built strong relationships, some characters, like Wyll or Karlach, may strongly oppose this choice due to their moral compasses. Be prepared to engage in difficult conversations and make compelling arguments to win them over. If you fail these checks, you may find yourself isolated or even betrayed by your party members.
Advanced techniques involve leveraging your characterÔÇÖs backstory and the choices youÔÇÖve made throughout the game. For instance, if youÔÇÖve embraced the Dark Urge or made deals with powerful entities like Raphael, these choices can influence the narrative and make it easier to justify letting the Absolute take control. Additionally, understanding the lore of the Absolute and the Netherbrain can provide you with the necessary context to make a convincing case to your companions.
From a D&D rules perspective, this choice reflects the alignment system and the concept of moral dilemmas. Letting the Absolute control the Netherbrain is a decidedly evil act, as it involves sacrificing the freedom of countless beings for the sake of power or survival. This decision will likely shift your characterÔÇÖs alignment toward evil, which can have implications for how NPCs and companions perceive you. It also ties into the gameÔÇÖs implementation of the 5E rules, where persuasion and intimidation checks play a crucial role in resolving conflicts and influencing outcomes.
Specific examples of this choice in action include the reactions of key characters like Gale, who may see this as a betrayal of his ideals, or LaeÔÇÖzel, who might view it as a pragmatic solution to end the conflict. The ending you receive will reflect the consequences of this decision, showing a world dominated by the Absolute and the loss of free will for its inhabitants. This ending is one of the darker outcomes in the game, emphasizing the high stakes and moral complexity of your choices.
In summary, letting the Absolute control the Netherbrain is a path that requires careful planning, strong persuasion skills, and a willingness to embrace morally ambiguous decisions. ItÔÇÖs a choice that will test your relationships with your companions and shape the fate of the world in profound ways. By understanding the mechanics, preparing your character, and considering the consequences, you can navigate this challenging decision and experience one of the gameÔÇÖs most impactful endings.
To achieve this outcome, you must first progress through the main story until you reach the final confrontation with the Netherbrain. This involves completing key quests such as infiltrating Moonrise Towers, dealing with the Githyanki Creche, and navigating the Shadow-Cursed Lands. Along the way, you will encounter the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence repeatedly, and your choices will shape your relationship with this entity. By the time you reach the final act, you will have the opportunity to either destroy the Netherbrain or allow the Absolute to take control.
The mechanics of this choice are tied to the dialogue and decision-making during the final confrontation. When you face the Netherbrain, you will be presented with several options, including using the power of the Netherstones to destroy it or to let the Absolute dominate it. If you choose the latter, you will need to convince your companions to go along with this plan, as they may resist such a morally dubious decision. This requires high Persuasion or Intimidation checks, depending on your characterÔÇÖs build and the relationships youÔÇÖve cultivated with your party members.
One important tip is to ensure that your character has high Charisma and proficiency in Persuasion or Intimidation. This will make it easier to sway your companions and other key characters to support your decision. Additionally, building strong relationships with your companions throughout the game can make them more likely to trust your judgment, even in such a dire situation. For example, if youÔÇÖve consistently sided with Shadowheart in her personal quest and supported her decisions, she may be more inclined to follow your lead.
A common mistake to avoid is underestimating the resistance you may face from your companions. Even if youÔÇÖve built strong relationships, some characters, like Wyll or Karlach, may strongly oppose this choice due to their moral compasses. Be prepared to engage in difficult conversations and make compelling arguments to win them over. If you fail these checks, you may find yourself isolated or even betrayed by your party members.
Advanced techniques involve leveraging your characterÔÇÖs backstory and the choices youÔÇÖve made throughout the game. For instance, if youÔÇÖve embraced the Dark Urge or made deals with powerful entities like Raphael, these choices can influence the narrative and make it easier to justify letting the Absolute take control. Additionally, understanding the lore of the Absolute and the Netherbrain can provide you with the necessary context to make a convincing case to your companions.
From a D&D rules perspective, this choice reflects the alignment system and the concept of moral dilemmas. Letting the Absolute control the Netherbrain is a decidedly evil act, as it involves sacrificing the freedom of countless beings for the sake of power or survival. This decision will likely shift your characterÔÇÖs alignment toward evil, which can have implications for how NPCs and companions perceive you. It also ties into the gameÔÇÖs implementation of the 5E rules, where persuasion and intimidation checks play a crucial role in resolving conflicts and influencing outcomes.
Specific examples of this choice in action include the reactions of key characters like Gale, who may see this as a betrayal of his ideals, or LaeÔÇÖzel, who might view it as a pragmatic solution to end the conflict. The ending you receive will reflect the consequences of this decision, showing a world dominated by the Absolute and the loss of free will for its inhabitants. This ending is one of the darker outcomes in the game, emphasizing the high stakes and moral complexity of your choices.
In summary, letting the Absolute control the Netherbrain is a path that requires careful planning, strong persuasion skills, and a willingness to embrace morally ambiguous decisions. ItÔÇÖs a choice that will test your relationships with your companions and shape the fate of the world in profound ways. By understanding the mechanics, preparing your character, and considering the consequences, you can navigate this challenging decision and experience one of the gameÔÇÖs most impactful endings.