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 how this decision plays out, itÔÇÖs important to first grasp the mechanics and context behind it.
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. The Absolute is revealed to be a collective of powerful beings, including the Dead Three (Bhaal, Myrkul, and Bane), who are manipulating events from behind the scenes. Your character and your party are caught in the middle of this conflict, and your choices determine whether the Absolute succeeds in its goal.
To let the Absolute control the Elder Brain, you must align yourself with the forces of the Absolute. This typically involves siding with characters like Ketheric Thorm, Orin the Red, and Gortash, who are the chosen representatives of the Dead Three. These characters are central to the AbsoluteÔÇÖs plans, and by supporting them, you enable the Absolute to consolidate its power over the Elder Brain. This path requires you to make several key decisions throughout the game that favor the AbsoluteÔÇÖs agenda, such as sparing Ketheric Thorm during your confrontation with him, cooperating with Gortash in Act 3, and avoiding actions that would undermine the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence.
One of the most critical moments in this path occurs during the final act of the game. After confronting the Netherbrain, you are given the choice to either destroy it or allow the Absolute to take control. If you choose the latter, the Absolute seizes the Elder Brain and uses it to dominate the world. This leads to a dark ending where the AbsoluteÔÇÖs rule is absolute, and freedom is extinguished. Your companionsÔÇÖ fates vary depending on their personal storylines and how youÔÇÖve influenced them. Some may resist and be destroyed, while others may submit to the AbsoluteÔÇÖs will.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind if you want to pursue this path. First, you need to carefully manage your relationships with your companions. Some companions, like Shadowheart and LaeÔÇÖzel, have strong moral convictions that may conflict with the AbsoluteÔÇÖs goals. If you want to keep them in your party, youÔÇÖll need to persuade or manipulate them into accepting your decisions. This often involves passing difficult dialogue checks or making compromises in their personal quests.
Second, you should be prepared for the moral and ethical implications of your choices. Letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is a deeply evil act, and it will alienate many of your allies. You may lose access to certain quests, items, and support systems if you choose this path. Additionally, the gameÔÇÖs ending will reflect the darkness of your decisions, with a bleak and oppressive tone that contrasts sharply with more heroic outcomes.
Common mistakes to avoid include failing to fully commit to the AbsoluteÔÇÖs agenda. If you waver in your support or make choices that undermine the AbsoluteÔÇÖs plans, you may find yourself locked out of this ending. ItÔÇÖs also important to avoid antagonizing key figures like Gortash and Orin, as they are essential to the AbsoluteÔÇÖs success. Finally, be mindful of your party composition and ensure that your companions are aligned with your goals, as internal conflict can derail your plans.
Advanced techniques for this path involve optimizing your character build and combat tactics to handle the challenges that come with siding with the Absolute. For example, a character with high Charisma and proficiency in Persuasion and Deception will have an easier time convincing others to follow your lead. Additionally, focusing on crowd control and area-of-effect spells can help you manage the increased difficulty of certain encounters, as you may face resistance from those who oppose the Absolute.
From a D&D rules perspective, the AbsoluteÔÇÖs control over the Elder Brain represents the ultimate expression of domination magic. In Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, domination spells like Dominate Person and Dominate Monster allow a caster to take control of another creatureÔÇÖs actions. The AbsoluteÔÇÖs control over the Elder Brain is a scaled-up version of this concept, reflecting the immense power of the Dead Three and their ability to manipulate even the most powerful entities.
Specific examples of this path in action include the final confrontation with the Netherbrain. If youÔÇÖve aligned with the Absolute, youÔÇÖll have the option to use the Netherstones to empower the Elder Brain instead of destroying it. This choice leads to a cinematic sequence where the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence spreads across the world, and your character is either consumed by its power or becomes a willing servant of its will. The ending scenes depict a world under the AbsoluteÔÇÖs control, with your companions either broken or complicit in its rule.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is a path that requires careful planning, moral compromise, and strategic decision-making. It offers a unique and darkly compelling narrative experience, but it comes with significant consequences for your character, your companions, and the world of BaldurÔÇÖs Gate. By understanding the mechanics, managing your relationships, and optimizing your gameplay, you can successfully navigate this path and explore one of the gameÔÇÖs most dramatic endings.
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. The Absolute is revealed to be a collective of powerful beings, including the Dead Three (Bhaal, Myrkul, and Bane), who are manipulating events from behind the scenes. Your character and your party are caught in the middle of this conflict, and your choices determine whether the Absolute succeeds in its goal.
To let the Absolute control the Elder Brain, you must align yourself with the forces of the Absolute. This typically involves siding with characters like Ketheric Thorm, Orin the Red, and Gortash, who are the chosen representatives of the Dead Three. These characters are central to the AbsoluteÔÇÖs plans, and by supporting them, you enable the Absolute to consolidate its power over the Elder Brain. This path requires you to make several key decisions throughout the game that favor the AbsoluteÔÇÖs agenda, such as sparing Ketheric Thorm during your confrontation with him, cooperating with Gortash in Act 3, and avoiding actions that would undermine the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence.
One of the most critical moments in this path occurs during the final act of the game. After confronting the Netherbrain, you are given the choice to either destroy it or allow the Absolute to take control. If you choose the latter, the Absolute seizes the Elder Brain and uses it to dominate the world. This leads to a dark ending where the AbsoluteÔÇÖs rule is absolute, and freedom is extinguished. Your companionsÔÇÖ fates vary depending on their personal storylines and how youÔÇÖve influenced them. Some may resist and be destroyed, while others may submit to the AbsoluteÔÇÖs will.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind if you want to pursue this path. First, you need to carefully manage your relationships with your companions. Some companions, like Shadowheart and LaeÔÇÖzel, have strong moral convictions that may conflict with the AbsoluteÔÇÖs goals. If you want to keep them in your party, youÔÇÖll need to persuade or manipulate them into accepting your decisions. This often involves passing difficult dialogue checks or making compromises in their personal quests.
Second, you should be prepared for the moral and ethical implications of your choices. Letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is a deeply evil act, and it will alienate many of your allies. You may lose access to certain quests, items, and support systems if you choose this path. Additionally, the gameÔÇÖs ending will reflect the darkness of your decisions, with a bleak and oppressive tone that contrasts sharply with more heroic outcomes.
Common mistakes to avoid include failing to fully commit to the AbsoluteÔÇÖs agenda. If you waver in your support or make choices that undermine the AbsoluteÔÇÖs plans, you may find yourself locked out of this ending. ItÔÇÖs also important to avoid antagonizing key figures like Gortash and Orin, as they are essential to the AbsoluteÔÇÖs success. Finally, be mindful of your party composition and ensure that your companions are aligned with your goals, as internal conflict can derail your plans.
Advanced techniques for this path involve optimizing your character build and combat tactics to handle the challenges that come with siding with the Absolute. For example, a character with high Charisma and proficiency in Persuasion and Deception will have an easier time convincing others to follow your lead. Additionally, focusing on crowd control and area-of-effect spells can help you manage the increased difficulty of certain encounters, as you may face resistance from those who oppose the Absolute.
From a D&D rules perspective, the AbsoluteÔÇÖs control over the Elder Brain represents the ultimate expression of domination magic. In Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, domination spells like Dominate Person and Dominate Monster allow a caster to take control of another creatureÔÇÖs actions. The AbsoluteÔÇÖs control over the Elder Brain is a scaled-up version of this concept, reflecting the immense power of the Dead Three and their ability to manipulate even the most powerful entities.
Specific examples of this path in action include the final confrontation with the Netherbrain. If youÔÇÖve aligned with the Absolute, youÔÇÖll have the option to use the Netherstones to empower the Elder Brain instead of destroying it. This choice leads to a cinematic sequence where the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence spreads across the world, and your character is either consumed by its power or becomes a willing servant of its will. The ending scenes depict a world under the AbsoluteÔÇÖs control, with your companions either broken or complicit in its rule.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is a path that requires careful planning, moral compromise, and strategic decision-making. It offers a unique and darkly compelling narrative experience, but it comes with significant consequences for your character, your companions, and the world of BaldurÔÇÖs Gate. By understanding the mechanics, managing your relationships, and optimizing your gameplay, you can successfully navigate this path and explore one of the gameÔÇÖs most dramatic endings.