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 profound 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 and the steps required to reach this point.
The Elder Brain is a powerful entity that serves as the central intelligence of the Mind Flayer colony. Throughout the game, you learn that the Absolute, a mysterious force, is attempting to dominate the Elder Brain and use it to control the world. As you progress through the main story, you will encounter key moments where you must decide whether to resist the Absolute or align with it. Letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is essentially choosing to embrace the AbsoluteÔÇÖs power and allow it to achieve its ultimate goal of domination.
To reach this decision, you must first navigate the gameÔÇÖs main questline, which involves uncovering the truth about the Absolute, the Mind Flayers, and the Elder Brain. This includes completing major quests such as infiltrating Moonrise Towers, confronting Ketheric Thorm, and exploring the Mind Flayer colony beneath the Shadow-Cursed Lands. Along the way, you will encounter characters like the Dream Visitor, who may influence your choices regarding the Absolute. Your decisions in these quests will shape your path toward the final confrontation with the Elder Brain.
When you finally reach the Elder Brain, you will have the option to either destroy it or allow the Absolute to take control. If you choose the latter, the gameÔÇÖs ending will reflect this decision. The AbsoluteÔÇÖs control over the Elder Brain leads to a world dominated by its will, with all free thought and individuality suppressed. Your companionsÔÇÖ fates will vary depending on their personal storylines and your relationship with them. Some may resist and be destroyed, while others may succumb to the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence. The ending cinematic will depict a bleak, dystopian future where the Absolute reigns supreme.
One important tip to consider is that this choice is heavily influenced by your interactions with the Dream Visitor and your willingness to embrace the AbsoluteÔÇÖs power. If you have been consistently siding with the Absolute and using its powers, such as the Illithid abilities granted by the tadpole, you will find it easier to justify this decision. However, if you have resisted the Absolute at every turn, this choice may feel out of character and lead to a less satisfying narrative conclusion.
A common mistake to avoid is making this decision without fully understanding its implications. The game does not explicitly spell out the consequences of letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain, so itÔÇÖs important to pay attention to the story and dialogue leading up to this moment. Additionally, some players may mistakenly believe that this choice will allow them to retain some level of control or power, but in reality, it results in the complete loss of free will for everyone, including your character.
Advanced techniques for role-playing this decision involve aligning your characterÔÇÖs motivations and actions with the AbsoluteÔÇÖs goals throughout the game. For example, if you are playing a character who values power above all else, you might choose to embrace the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence early on and use it to dominate your enemies. This creates a more cohesive narrative arc that makes the final decision feel like a natural progression of your characterÔÇÖs journey.
From a D&D rules perspective, the Elder Brain is a CR 14 creature with powerful psionic abilities, including mind control and telepathy. The AbsoluteÔÇÖs control over the Elder Brain amplifies these abilities, allowing it to dominate entire populations. This aligns with the D&D lore, where Elder Brains are known for their ability to control Mind Flayers and other creatures within their hive mind. The gameÔÇÖs implementation of these mechanics is faithful to the source material, making the decision to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain feel grounded in the rules of the D&D universe.
In summary, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is a pivotal decision that shapes the ending of BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3. It requires careful consideration of the story, your characterÔÇÖs motivations, and the consequences for your companions. By understanding the mechanics and role-playing your characterÔÇÖs alignment with the Absolute, you can create a compelling narrative that leads to this dramatic conclusion. However, be prepared for the bleak and oppressive future that this choice brings to the world of BaldurÔÇÖs Gate.
The Elder Brain is a powerful entity that serves as the central intelligence of the Mind Flayer colony. Throughout the game, you learn that the Absolute, a mysterious force, is attempting to dominate the Elder Brain and use it to control the world. As you progress through the main story, you will encounter key moments where you must decide whether to resist the Absolute or align with it. Letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is essentially choosing to embrace the AbsoluteÔÇÖs power and allow it to achieve its ultimate goal of domination.
To reach this decision, you must first navigate the gameÔÇÖs main questline, which involves uncovering the truth about the Absolute, the Mind Flayers, and the Elder Brain. This includes completing major quests such as infiltrating Moonrise Towers, confronting Ketheric Thorm, and exploring the Mind Flayer colony beneath the Shadow-Cursed Lands. Along the way, you will encounter characters like the Dream Visitor, who may influence your choices regarding the Absolute. Your decisions in these quests will shape your path toward the final confrontation with the Elder Brain.
When you finally reach the Elder Brain, you will have the option to either destroy it or allow the Absolute to take control. If you choose the latter, the gameÔÇÖs ending will reflect this decision. The AbsoluteÔÇÖs control over the Elder Brain leads to a world dominated by its will, with all free thought and individuality suppressed. Your companionsÔÇÖ fates will vary depending on their personal storylines and your relationship with them. Some may resist and be destroyed, while others may succumb to the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence. The ending cinematic will depict a bleak, dystopian future where the Absolute reigns supreme.
One important tip to consider is that this choice is heavily influenced by your interactions with the Dream Visitor and your willingness to embrace the AbsoluteÔÇÖs power. If you have been consistently siding with the Absolute and using its powers, such as the Illithid abilities granted by the tadpole, you will find it easier to justify this decision. However, if you have resisted the Absolute at every turn, this choice may feel out of character and lead to a less satisfying narrative conclusion.
A common mistake to avoid is making this decision without fully understanding its implications. The game does not explicitly spell out the consequences of letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain, so itÔÇÖs important to pay attention to the story and dialogue leading up to this moment. Additionally, some players may mistakenly believe that this choice will allow them to retain some level of control or power, but in reality, it results in the complete loss of free will for everyone, including your character.
Advanced techniques for role-playing this decision involve aligning your characterÔÇÖs motivations and actions with the AbsoluteÔÇÖs goals throughout the game. For example, if you are playing a character who values power above all else, you might choose to embrace the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence early on and use it to dominate your enemies. This creates a more cohesive narrative arc that makes the final decision feel like a natural progression of your characterÔÇÖs journey.
From a D&D rules perspective, the Elder Brain is a CR 14 creature with powerful psionic abilities, including mind control and telepathy. The AbsoluteÔÇÖs control over the Elder Brain amplifies these abilities, allowing it to dominate entire populations. This aligns with the D&D lore, where Elder Brains are known for their ability to control Mind Flayers and other creatures within their hive mind. The gameÔÇÖs implementation of these mechanics is faithful to the source material, making the decision to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain feel grounded in the rules of the D&D universe.
In summary, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is a pivotal decision that shapes the ending of BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3. It requires careful consideration of the story, your characterÔÇÖs motivations, and the consequences for your companions. By understanding the mechanics and role-playing your characterÔÇÖs alignment with the Absolute, you can create a compelling narrative that leads to this dramatic conclusion. However, be prepared for the bleak and oppressive future that this choice brings to the world of BaldurÔÇÖs Gate.