What happens if I side with the Absolute in Act 2 of Baldur's Gate 3?
Siding with the Absolute in Act 2 of Baldur's Gate 3 is a significant story choice that can drastically alter the course of the game. This decision is tied to the main questline and involves aligning yourself with the forces of the Absolute, a powerful and malevolent entity that seeks to dominate the world. Choosing to side with the Absolute will have far-reaching consequences, affecting your relationships with companions, the progression of the story, and the overall outcome of the game. Here is a detailed explanation of how to achieve this, along with important considerations and strategies.
To side with the Absolute, you must first progress through the main questline in Act 2. This involves reaching the Shadow-Cursed Lands and interacting with key characters such as Ketheric Thorm, the leader of the Absolute's forces. Ketheric is a central figure in the story, and your interactions with him will determine whether you can align yourself with the Absolute. As you progress through the quests in the Shadow-Cursed Lands, you will encounter opportunities to demonstrate your loyalty to the Absolute. This can involve completing tasks that further the Absolute's goals, such as eliminating threats to its power or aiding its followers.
One of the key moments where you can choose to side with the Absolute occurs during the confrontation with Ketheric Thorm. At this point, you will have the option to either oppose him or join forces with him. Choosing to join Ketheric will require you to prove your loyalty, which may involve making difficult decisions that go against the interests of your companions or other factions. For example, you may need to betray allies or sacrifice innocent lives to gain Ketheric's trust. These choices will have significant consequences, as they will affect your relationships with your companions and the overall direction of the story.
When deciding to side with the Absolute, it is important to consider the impact on your companions. Many of your party members have strong moral convictions and may disapprove of your decision to align with the Absolute. This can lead to tension within the group and may even result in some companions leaving your party. To mitigate this, you can try to persuade your companions to see the benefits of siding with the Absolute, though this will require high persuasion skills and careful dialogue choices. Alternatively, you can choose to keep your decision a secret from your companions, though this may lead to further complications down the line.
In terms of gameplay mechanics, siding with the Absolute will unlock new quests and opportunities that are not available to players who oppose the Absolute. These quests will involve carrying out the Absolute's will, such as spreading its influence, eliminating its enemies, and securing its power. Completing these quests will reward you with unique items, abilities, and story developments that are exclusive to this path. However, it is important to note that these rewards come at a cost, as you will be committing to a darker and more morally ambiguous path.
One common mistake to avoid when siding with the Absolute is failing to fully commit to the decision. The game is designed to challenge your moral compass, and half-hearted attempts to align with the Absolute may result in negative consequences. For example, if you try to play both sides by secretly opposing the Absolute while pretending to support it, you may find yourself in a difficult position where neither side trusts you. To avoid this, it is important to fully embrace the role of an Absolute follower and make choices that consistently reflect your allegiance.
Advanced techniques for optimizing your experience when siding with the Absolute include carefully managing your relationships with your companions and making strategic use of your abilities. For example, if you have a high charisma score and proficiency in persuasion, you can use these skills to influence your companions and other characters to support your decision. Additionally, you can optimize your character build to excel in combat scenarios that are likely to arise when carrying out the Absolute's will. This may involve focusing on abilities that enhance your combat effectiveness, such as high damage output or crowd control spells.
In terms of D&D rules and mechanics, siding with the Absolute aligns with the concept of making morally ambiguous or evil choices within the game. This can be seen as a form of role-playing where you embrace a darker alignment, such as lawful evil or neutral evil. The game's mechanics reflect this by providing unique story branches and consequences that are tied to your alignment and choices. For example, certain dialogue options and quest outcomes will only be available if you have chosen to side with the Absolute, reflecting the game's commitment to allowing players to shape their own narrative.
Specific examples of scenarios where siding with the Absolute can have a significant impact include the confrontation with Ketheric Thorm and the subsequent quests that follow. For instance, if you choose to side with Ketheric, you may be tasked with infiltrating and sabotaging a resistance group that opposes the Absolute. This quest will require you to make difficult decisions, such as whether to spare or eliminate key members of the resistance. Each choice will have consequences that affect the story and your relationships with other characters.
In conclusion, siding with the Absolute in Act 2 of Baldur's Gate 3 is a complex and morally challenging decision that can lead to unique story developments and gameplay experiences. To successfully align with the Absolute, you must carefully navigate the game's narrative, manage your relationships with companions, and make strategic choices that reflect your allegiance. By fully committing to this path and optimizing your character build and abilities, you can unlock new quests, rewards, and story branches that are exclusive to this choice. However, it is important to be aware of the consequences and to avoid common mistakes that can undermine your efforts. Ultimately, siding with the Absolute offers a compelling and immersive experience for players who are willing to embrace a darker path in the world of Baldur's Gate 3.
To side with the Absolute, you must first progress through the main questline in Act 2. This involves reaching the Shadow-Cursed Lands and interacting with key characters such as Ketheric Thorm, the leader of the Absolute's forces. Ketheric is a central figure in the story, and your interactions with him will determine whether you can align yourself with the Absolute. As you progress through the quests in the Shadow-Cursed Lands, you will encounter opportunities to demonstrate your loyalty to the Absolute. This can involve completing tasks that further the Absolute's goals, such as eliminating threats to its power or aiding its followers.
One of the key moments where you can choose to side with the Absolute occurs during the confrontation with Ketheric Thorm. At this point, you will have the option to either oppose him or join forces with him. Choosing to join Ketheric will require you to prove your loyalty, which may involve making difficult decisions that go against the interests of your companions or other factions. For example, you may need to betray allies or sacrifice innocent lives to gain Ketheric's trust. These choices will have significant consequences, as they will affect your relationships with your companions and the overall direction of the story.
When deciding to side with the Absolute, it is important to consider the impact on your companions. Many of your party members have strong moral convictions and may disapprove of your decision to align with the Absolute. This can lead to tension within the group and may even result in some companions leaving your party. To mitigate this, you can try to persuade your companions to see the benefits of siding with the Absolute, though this will require high persuasion skills and careful dialogue choices. Alternatively, you can choose to keep your decision a secret from your companions, though this may lead to further complications down the line.
In terms of gameplay mechanics, siding with the Absolute will unlock new quests and opportunities that are not available to players who oppose the Absolute. These quests will involve carrying out the Absolute's will, such as spreading its influence, eliminating its enemies, and securing its power. Completing these quests will reward you with unique items, abilities, and story developments that are exclusive to this path. However, it is important to note that these rewards come at a cost, as you will be committing to a darker and more morally ambiguous path.
One common mistake to avoid when siding with the Absolute is failing to fully commit to the decision. The game is designed to challenge your moral compass, and half-hearted attempts to align with the Absolute may result in negative consequences. For example, if you try to play both sides by secretly opposing the Absolute while pretending to support it, you may find yourself in a difficult position where neither side trusts you. To avoid this, it is important to fully embrace the role of an Absolute follower and make choices that consistently reflect your allegiance.
Advanced techniques for optimizing your experience when siding with the Absolute include carefully managing your relationships with your companions and making strategic use of your abilities. For example, if you have a high charisma score and proficiency in persuasion, you can use these skills to influence your companions and other characters to support your decision. Additionally, you can optimize your character build to excel in combat scenarios that are likely to arise when carrying out the Absolute's will. This may involve focusing on abilities that enhance your combat effectiveness, such as high damage output or crowd control spells.
In terms of D&D rules and mechanics, siding with the Absolute aligns with the concept of making morally ambiguous or evil choices within the game. This can be seen as a form of role-playing where you embrace a darker alignment, such as lawful evil or neutral evil. The game's mechanics reflect this by providing unique story branches and consequences that are tied to your alignment and choices. For example, certain dialogue options and quest outcomes will only be available if you have chosen to side with the Absolute, reflecting the game's commitment to allowing players to shape their own narrative.
Specific examples of scenarios where siding with the Absolute can have a significant impact include the confrontation with Ketheric Thorm and the subsequent quests that follow. For instance, if you choose to side with Ketheric, you may be tasked with infiltrating and sabotaging a resistance group that opposes the Absolute. This quest will require you to make difficult decisions, such as whether to spare or eliminate key members of the resistance. Each choice will have consequences that affect the story and your relationships with other characters.
In conclusion, siding with the Absolute in Act 2 of Baldur's Gate 3 is a complex and morally challenging decision that can lead to unique story developments and gameplay experiences. To successfully align with the Absolute, you must carefully navigate the game's narrative, manage your relationships with companions, and make strategic choices that reflect your allegiance. By fully committing to this path and optimizing your character build and abilities, you can unlock new quests, rewards, and story branches that are exclusive to this choice. However, it is important to be aware of the consequences and to avoid common mistakes that can undermine your efforts. Ultimately, siding with the Absolute offers a compelling and immersive experience for players who are willing to embrace a darker path in the world of Baldur's Gate 3.