What happens if I let the Emperor control the Netherbrain in Baldur's Gate 3?
In Baldur's Gate 3, the Emperor is a key character tied to the Mind Flayer storyline, and the decision to let him control the Netherbrain is one of the most significant choices you can make in the game. This choice occurs during the final stages of the main quest, where you must decide the fate of the Netherbrain, a powerful entity that threatens the world. Letting the Emperor control the Netherbrain is a morally complex decision with far-reaching consequences, and it requires careful consideration of the game's mechanics, story implications, and your character's alignment.
To achieve this outcome, you must first progress through the main story until you reach the point where the Emperor reveals his true nature and intentions. The Emperor is a Mind Flayer who has been guiding you throughout the game, and he offers you the chance to dominate the Netherbrain together. This choice is presented during the final confrontation, where you must decide whether to trust the Emperor or pursue other options, such as destroying the Netherbrain or seeking help from other allies.
The mechanics involved in this decision revolve around dialogue choices and your character's relationship with the Emperor. Throughout the game, your interactions with the Emperor will influence his trust in you and your willingness to follow his lead. If you have consistently supported the Emperor and aligned with his goals, he will be more likely to offer you the option to control the Netherbrain together. Conversely, if you have distrusted or opposed him, this option may not be available, or he may betray you.
To ensure that the Emperor offers you this choice, you should prioritize building a positive relationship with him. This involves agreeing with his plans, supporting his decisions, and avoiding actions that undermine his authority. For example, during key moments in the story, such as when you encounter other Mind Flayers or when the Emperor reveals his true form, you should choose dialogue options that express trust and cooperation. Additionally, you should avoid siding with characters like Orpheus, who oppose the Emperor, as this will damage your relationship with him.
When the final confrontation with the Netherbrain occurs, the Emperor will present you with the option to dominate it together. If you agree, you will enter a sequence where you and the Emperor work in tandem to control the Netherbrain. This involves a series of skill checks and combat encounters, where you must protect the Emperor while he focuses on dominating the Netherbrain. Success in these challenges will lead to the Emperor gaining control of the Netherbrain, effectively ending the threat it poses.
However, this outcome comes with significant consequences. By allowing the Emperor to control the Netherbrain, you are essentially giving him immense power over the world. While this may seem like a pragmatic solution to the immediate threat, it raises ethical questions about the Emperor's intentions and the long-term implications of his rule. Some companions may disapprove of this choice, particularly those who distrust Mind Flayers or value freedom over control. Additionally, this decision may lock you into a specific ending, where the Emperor becomes a dominant force in the world, potentially leading to further conflicts down the line.
To optimize your chances of success, you should prepare for the final confrontation by ensuring your party is well-equipped and leveled. Focus on characters with high damage output and crowd control abilities, as you will need to fend off waves of enemies while the Emperor works on dominating the Netherbrain. Spells like Counterspell and abilities that protect your party from mental attacks are particularly useful in this scenario. Additionally, make sure to have plenty of healing items and scrolls on hand, as the final battle can be grueling.
Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting your relationship with the Emperor or failing to prepare adequately for the final battle. If you have not built trust with the Emperor, he may not offer you the option to control the Netherbrain, or he may betray you at a critical moment. Similarly, if your party is underleveled or poorly equipped, you may struggle to survive the final confrontation, making it difficult to achieve this outcome.
In terms of D&D rules, the mechanics of dominating the Netherbrain align with the concept of mind control and domination spells, such as Dominate Monster. The Emperor's ability to control the Netherbrain reflects his mastery of psionic powers, which are a hallmark of Mind Flayers in D&D lore. Understanding these rules can help you appreciate the narrative and mechanical depth of this choice, as well as the potential risks and rewards involved.
In conclusion, letting the Emperor control the Netherbrain is a complex and morally ambiguous decision that requires careful planning and consideration. By building a strong relationship with the Emperor, preparing your party for the final battle, and understanding the implications of this choice, you can achieve this outcome and shape the fate of the world in Baldur's Gate 3. However, be prepared for the consequences, as this decision will have a lasting impact on the story and your companions.
To achieve this outcome, you must first progress through the main story until you reach the point where the Emperor reveals his true nature and intentions. The Emperor is a Mind Flayer who has been guiding you throughout the game, and he offers you the chance to dominate the Netherbrain together. This choice is presented during the final confrontation, where you must decide whether to trust the Emperor or pursue other options, such as destroying the Netherbrain or seeking help from other allies.
The mechanics involved in this decision revolve around dialogue choices and your character's relationship with the Emperor. Throughout the game, your interactions with the Emperor will influence his trust in you and your willingness to follow his lead. If you have consistently supported the Emperor and aligned with his goals, he will be more likely to offer you the option to control the Netherbrain together. Conversely, if you have distrusted or opposed him, this option may not be available, or he may betray you.
To ensure that the Emperor offers you this choice, you should prioritize building a positive relationship with him. This involves agreeing with his plans, supporting his decisions, and avoiding actions that undermine his authority. For example, during key moments in the story, such as when you encounter other Mind Flayers or when the Emperor reveals his true form, you should choose dialogue options that express trust and cooperation. Additionally, you should avoid siding with characters like Orpheus, who oppose the Emperor, as this will damage your relationship with him.
When the final confrontation with the Netherbrain occurs, the Emperor will present you with the option to dominate it together. If you agree, you will enter a sequence where you and the Emperor work in tandem to control the Netherbrain. This involves a series of skill checks and combat encounters, where you must protect the Emperor while he focuses on dominating the Netherbrain. Success in these challenges will lead to the Emperor gaining control of the Netherbrain, effectively ending the threat it poses.
However, this outcome comes with significant consequences. By allowing the Emperor to control the Netherbrain, you are essentially giving him immense power over the world. While this may seem like a pragmatic solution to the immediate threat, it raises ethical questions about the Emperor's intentions and the long-term implications of his rule. Some companions may disapprove of this choice, particularly those who distrust Mind Flayers or value freedom over control. Additionally, this decision may lock you into a specific ending, where the Emperor becomes a dominant force in the world, potentially leading to further conflicts down the line.
To optimize your chances of success, you should prepare for the final confrontation by ensuring your party is well-equipped and leveled. Focus on characters with high damage output and crowd control abilities, as you will need to fend off waves of enemies while the Emperor works on dominating the Netherbrain. Spells like Counterspell and abilities that protect your party from mental attacks are particularly useful in this scenario. Additionally, make sure to have plenty of healing items and scrolls on hand, as the final battle can be grueling.
Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting your relationship with the Emperor or failing to prepare adequately for the final battle. If you have not built trust with the Emperor, he may not offer you the option to control the Netherbrain, or he may betray you at a critical moment. Similarly, if your party is underleveled or poorly equipped, you may struggle to survive the final confrontation, making it difficult to achieve this outcome.
In terms of D&D rules, the mechanics of dominating the Netherbrain align with the concept of mind control and domination spells, such as Dominate Monster. The Emperor's ability to control the Netherbrain reflects his mastery of psionic powers, which are a hallmark of Mind Flayers in D&D lore. Understanding these rules can help you appreciate the narrative and mechanical depth of this choice, as well as the potential risks and rewards involved.
In conclusion, letting the Emperor control the Netherbrain is a complex and morally ambiguous decision that requires careful planning and consideration. By building a strong relationship with the Emperor, preparing your party for the final battle, and understanding the implications of this choice, you can achieve this outcome and shape the fate of the world in Baldur's Gate 3. However, be prepared for the consequences, as this decision will have a lasting impact on the story and your companions.