What are the consequences of letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain in Baldur's Gate 3?
Letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain 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 and has far-reaching consequences for the world, your companions, and the overall narrative. To understand the mechanics and implications of this decision, itÔÇÖs important to first grasp the context of the Elder Brain and the Absolute.
The Elder Brain is a powerful entity that serves as the central intelligence of the Mind Flayer colony. It is the source of the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence, a force that has been manipulating events throughout the game. The Absolute is a collective consciousness created by the Mind Flayers, using the Elder Brain as its core. By allowing the Absolute to control the Elder Brain, you are essentially giving the Mind Flayers ultimate power over the world, leading to a dystopian future where free will is eradicated.
To reach this decision, you must progress through the main story until you confront the Elder Brain in the final act. This involves completing key quests such as infiltrating Moonrise Towers, dealing with the Githyanki Creche, and uncovering the truth about the Absolute. Along the way, you will encounter characters like the Dream Visitor, who will attempt to guide your choices. However, the ultimate decision to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain is yours.
The mechanics of this choice are tied to your interactions with key NPCs and your ability to resist or embrace the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence. Throughout the game, you will face moments where you can either resist the AbsoluteÔÇÖs control or succumb to it. These choices are often presented through dialogue options or narrative events. For example, when interacting with the Dream Visitor, you can choose to trust their guidance or reject it. Similarly, during the final confrontation with the Elder Brain, you will have the option to either destroy it or allow the Absolute to take control.
If you choose to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain, the consequences are dire. The world will fall under the dominion of the Mind Flayers, and all free will will be extinguished. Your companions will either be enslaved or destroyed, depending on their loyalty to you. The ending cinematic will depict a bleak future where the Absolute reigns supreme, and the world is consumed by darkness. This ending is considered the ÔÇ£badÔÇØ ending, as it results in the complete loss of freedom and individuality.
To achieve this outcome, you must consistently make choices that align with the AbsoluteÔÇÖs goals. This includes siding with the Mind Flayers during key moments, such as when you encounter the Githyanki or when you are given the opportunity to resist the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence. You must also ensure that your companions are either loyal to you or willing to follow your lead, as their actions can influence the final outcome.
One important tip is to carefully manage your relationships with your companions. If they are too opposed to your choices, they may turn against you during the final confrontation. For example, if you have been consistently siding with the Absolute, companions like LaeÔÇÖzel or Shadowheart may resist your decisions, leading to conflict. To avoid this, you should focus on building trust with your companions and ensuring that they are aligned with your goals.
A common mistake to avoid is making inconsistent choices throughout the game. If you alternate between resisting and embracing the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence, you may find yourself in a position where the final decision is unclear or where your companions are divided. To achieve the ending where the Absolute controls the Elder Brain, you must be consistent in your choices and fully commit to the path of domination.
Advanced techniques involve optimizing your character build and combat tactics to ensure that you are strong enough to face the challenges of the final act. This includes selecting abilities and spells that allow you to control the battlefield and manipulate your enemies. For example, spells like Dominate Person or Hold Monster can be particularly useful when dealing with powerful foes. Additionally, you should focus on building a party that complements your playstyle and can handle the high-stakes combat encounters of the final act.
In terms of D&D rules, the concept of the Elder Brain and the Absolute is rooted in the lore of Mind Flayers and their psionic abilities. The Elder Brain is a CR 14 creature in D&D 5E, with powerful psionic abilities that allow it to control other creatures. The AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence is a manifestation of the Mind FlayersÔÇÖ ability to dominate and manipulate minds, a key aspect of their role in the game.
Specific examples of scenarios where your choices matter include the confrontation with Ketheric Thorm at Moonrise Towers, the encounter with the Githyanki Creche, and the final battle with the Elder Brain. In each of these moments, you will have the opportunity to either resist or embrace the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence. Your decisions in these scenarios will shape the final outcome and determine whether the Absolute gains control of the Elder Brain.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is a choice that leads to a dark and oppressive ending. To achieve this outcome, you must consistently make choices that align with the AbsoluteÔÇÖs goals, manage your relationships with your companions, and optimize your character build and combat tactics. By understanding the mechanics and consequences of this decision, you can navigate the complex narrative of BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 and shape the fate of the world.
The Elder Brain is a powerful entity that serves as the central intelligence of the Mind Flayer colony. It is the source of the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence, a force that has been manipulating events throughout the game. The Absolute is a collective consciousness created by the Mind Flayers, using the Elder Brain as its core. By allowing the Absolute to control the Elder Brain, you are essentially giving the Mind Flayers ultimate power over the world, leading to a dystopian future where free will is eradicated.
To reach this decision, you must progress through the main story until you confront the Elder Brain in the final act. This involves completing key quests such as infiltrating Moonrise Towers, dealing with the Githyanki Creche, and uncovering the truth about the Absolute. Along the way, you will encounter characters like the Dream Visitor, who will attempt to guide your choices. However, the ultimate decision to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain is yours.
The mechanics of this choice are tied to your interactions with key NPCs and your ability to resist or embrace the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence. Throughout the game, you will face moments where you can either resist the AbsoluteÔÇÖs control or succumb to it. These choices are often presented through dialogue options or narrative events. For example, when interacting with the Dream Visitor, you can choose to trust their guidance or reject it. Similarly, during the final confrontation with the Elder Brain, you will have the option to either destroy it or allow the Absolute to take control.
If you choose to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain, the consequences are dire. The world will fall under the dominion of the Mind Flayers, and all free will will be extinguished. Your companions will either be enslaved or destroyed, depending on their loyalty to you. The ending cinematic will depict a bleak future where the Absolute reigns supreme, and the world is consumed by darkness. This ending is considered the ÔÇ£badÔÇØ ending, as it results in the complete loss of freedom and individuality.
To achieve this outcome, you must consistently make choices that align with the AbsoluteÔÇÖs goals. This includes siding with the Mind Flayers during key moments, such as when you encounter the Githyanki or when you are given the opportunity to resist the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence. You must also ensure that your companions are either loyal to you or willing to follow your lead, as their actions can influence the final outcome.
One important tip is to carefully manage your relationships with your companions. If they are too opposed to your choices, they may turn against you during the final confrontation. For example, if you have been consistently siding with the Absolute, companions like LaeÔÇÖzel or Shadowheart may resist your decisions, leading to conflict. To avoid this, you should focus on building trust with your companions and ensuring that they are aligned with your goals.
A common mistake to avoid is making inconsistent choices throughout the game. If you alternate between resisting and embracing the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence, you may find yourself in a position where the final decision is unclear or where your companions are divided. To achieve the ending where the Absolute controls the Elder Brain, you must be consistent in your choices and fully commit to the path of domination.
Advanced techniques involve optimizing your character build and combat tactics to ensure that you are strong enough to face the challenges of the final act. This includes selecting abilities and spells that allow you to control the battlefield and manipulate your enemies. For example, spells like Dominate Person or Hold Monster can be particularly useful when dealing with powerful foes. Additionally, you should focus on building a party that complements your playstyle and can handle the high-stakes combat encounters of the final act.
In terms of D&D rules, the concept of the Elder Brain and the Absolute is rooted in the lore of Mind Flayers and their psionic abilities. The Elder Brain is a CR 14 creature in D&D 5E, with powerful psionic abilities that allow it to control other creatures. The AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence is a manifestation of the Mind FlayersÔÇÖ ability to dominate and manipulate minds, a key aspect of their role in the game.
Specific examples of scenarios where your choices matter include the confrontation with Ketheric Thorm at Moonrise Towers, the encounter with the Githyanki Creche, and the final battle with the Elder Brain. In each of these moments, you will have the opportunity to either resist or embrace the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence. Your decisions in these scenarios will shape the final outcome and determine whether the Absolute gains control of the Elder Brain.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is a choice that leads to a dark and oppressive ending. To achieve this outcome, you must consistently make choices that align with the AbsoluteÔÇÖs goals, manage your relationships with your companions, and optimize your character build and combat tactics. By understanding the mechanics and consequences of this decision, you can navigate the complex narrative of BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 and shape the fate of the world.