What happens if I side with the Absolute in Act 3 of Baldur's Gate 3?
Siding with the Absolute in Act 3 of Baldur's Gate 3 is a significant narrative choice that drastically alters the course of the story and your relationships with key characters. This decision is tied to the main questline and involves aligning yourself with the forces of the Absolute, a powerful entity that seeks to dominate the world. To achieve this, you must navigate a series of critical story moments and make choices that reflect your allegiance to the Absolute. Here is a detailed explanation of how to side with the Absolute, including mechanics, strategies, and considerations.
To begin, siding with the Absolute requires you to embrace the tadpole powers granted by the Mind Flayer parasite. Throughout the game, you will encounter opportunities to use these powers, and doing so will strengthen your connection to the Absolute. In Act 3, this connection becomes pivotal. You will face a crucial decision when you confront the Elder Brain, the central intelligence behind the Absolute. At this point, you can choose to submit to the Absolute's will, effectively becoming its servant. This choice is irreversible and will lock you into a specific story path.
The mechanics of this choice involve dialogue options and narrative triggers. When you reach the Elder Brain, you will be presented with a series of dialogue choices that allow you to express your loyalty to the Absolute. Selecting these options will lead to a cutscene where your character fully embraces the Absolute's influence. This decision will also affect your companions, as they will react strongly to your choice. Some may leave your party, while others may attempt to stop you. It is important to consider the impact on your relationships with these characters, as their reactions can influence the outcome of the story.
Strategically, siding with the Absolute requires careful planning. You should ensure that your character is strong enough to handle the challenges that come with this choice. This includes optimizing your character build, equipping powerful gear, and preparing for combat encounters. The Absolute's path is not an easy one, and you will face resistance from former allies and other factions. It is advisable to focus on building a character with high Charisma and Wisdom, as these attributes will help you navigate the dialogue and persuasion checks that are integral to this path.
Important tips and considerations include understanding the consequences of your actions. Siding with the Absolute will lead to a darker, more oppressive ending, where the world falls under the control of the Absolute. This choice will also lock you out of other story paths, such as siding with the Githyanki or pursuing a more heroic route. Additionally, you should be prepared for the loss of certain companions, as they may not support your decision. It is crucial to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of this choice before committing to it.
Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting your character's development and failing to prepare for the challenges ahead. Siding with the Absolute is a high-risk, high-reward choice, and you must be ready to face the consequences. Another mistake is underestimating the impact on your companions. Their reactions can significantly affect your gameplay experience, so it is important to consider their perspectives and motivations.
Advanced techniques and optimizations involve leveraging the tadpole powers to their fullest potential. These powers grant unique abilities that can give you an edge in combat and dialogue. For example, the ability to manipulate minds can help you bypass certain obstacles or persuade NPCs to your side. Additionally, you should focus on building a party that complements your character's strengths and weaknesses. This includes selecting companions who are more likely to support your decision or who can provide the necessary skills and abilities to overcome challenges.
Related D&D rules and mechanics include the use of Charisma-based skills, such as Persuasion and Intimidation, which are crucial for navigating the dialogue-heavy moments of this path. The tadpole powers also introduce unique mechanics that are not part of the standard D&D 5E ruleset, such as the ability to dominate minds and control others. These powers add a layer of complexity to the gameplay and require careful management.
Specific examples and scenarios include the confrontation with the Elder Brain, where you must make the final decision to side with the Absolute. This moment is a culmination of your choices throughout the game and will determine the fate of your character and the world. Another example is the reaction of your companions, such as Lae'zel or Shadowheart, who may leave your party or attempt to stop you if they disagree with your decision. These moments highlight the importance of considering the impact of your choices on the story and your relationships.
In conclusion, siding with the Absolute in Act 3 of Baldur's Gate 3 is a complex and impactful decision that requires careful consideration and preparation. By understanding the mechanics, strategies, and consequences involved, you can navigate this path and experience a unique and compelling story. Whether you choose to embrace the Absolute or pursue a different route, the choices you make will shape the world and determine the fate of your character and companions.
To begin, siding with the Absolute requires you to embrace the tadpole powers granted by the Mind Flayer parasite. Throughout the game, you will encounter opportunities to use these powers, and doing so will strengthen your connection to the Absolute. In Act 3, this connection becomes pivotal. You will face a crucial decision when you confront the Elder Brain, the central intelligence behind the Absolute. At this point, you can choose to submit to the Absolute's will, effectively becoming its servant. This choice is irreversible and will lock you into a specific story path.
The mechanics of this choice involve dialogue options and narrative triggers. When you reach the Elder Brain, you will be presented with a series of dialogue choices that allow you to express your loyalty to the Absolute. Selecting these options will lead to a cutscene where your character fully embraces the Absolute's influence. This decision will also affect your companions, as they will react strongly to your choice. Some may leave your party, while others may attempt to stop you. It is important to consider the impact on your relationships with these characters, as their reactions can influence the outcome of the story.
Strategically, siding with the Absolute requires careful planning. You should ensure that your character is strong enough to handle the challenges that come with this choice. This includes optimizing your character build, equipping powerful gear, and preparing for combat encounters. The Absolute's path is not an easy one, and you will face resistance from former allies and other factions. It is advisable to focus on building a character with high Charisma and Wisdom, as these attributes will help you navigate the dialogue and persuasion checks that are integral to this path.
Important tips and considerations include understanding the consequences of your actions. Siding with the Absolute will lead to a darker, more oppressive ending, where the world falls under the control of the Absolute. This choice will also lock you out of other story paths, such as siding with the Githyanki or pursuing a more heroic route. Additionally, you should be prepared for the loss of certain companions, as they may not support your decision. It is crucial to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of this choice before committing to it.
Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting your character's development and failing to prepare for the challenges ahead. Siding with the Absolute is a high-risk, high-reward choice, and you must be ready to face the consequences. Another mistake is underestimating the impact on your companions. Their reactions can significantly affect your gameplay experience, so it is important to consider their perspectives and motivations.
Advanced techniques and optimizations involve leveraging the tadpole powers to their fullest potential. These powers grant unique abilities that can give you an edge in combat and dialogue. For example, the ability to manipulate minds can help you bypass certain obstacles or persuade NPCs to your side. Additionally, you should focus on building a party that complements your character's strengths and weaknesses. This includes selecting companions who are more likely to support your decision or who can provide the necessary skills and abilities to overcome challenges.
Related D&D rules and mechanics include the use of Charisma-based skills, such as Persuasion and Intimidation, which are crucial for navigating the dialogue-heavy moments of this path. The tadpole powers also introduce unique mechanics that are not part of the standard D&D 5E ruleset, such as the ability to dominate minds and control others. These powers add a layer of complexity to the gameplay and require careful management.
Specific examples and scenarios include the confrontation with the Elder Brain, where you must make the final decision to side with the Absolute. This moment is a culmination of your choices throughout the game and will determine the fate of your character and the world. Another example is the reaction of your companions, such as Lae'zel or Shadowheart, who may leave your party or attempt to stop you if they disagree with your decision. These moments highlight the importance of considering the impact of your choices on the story and your relationships.
In conclusion, siding with the Absolute in Act 3 of Baldur's Gate 3 is a complex and impactful decision that requires careful consideration and preparation. By understanding the mechanics, strategies, and consequences involved, you can navigate this path and experience a unique and compelling story. Whether you choose to embrace the Absolute or pursue a different route, the choices you make will shape the world and determine the fate of your character and companions.