What are the consequences of letting the Emperor control the Elder Brain in Baldur's Gate 3?
Letting the Emperor control the Elder Brain in Baldur's Gate 3 is a significant story choice that has far-reaching consequences for the game's narrative and ending. This decision occurs during the final act of the game, where the player must decide whether to side with the Emperor, a powerful Mind Flayer, or pursue other paths to defeat the Absolute. The Emperor offers a solution to the crisis by using the Netherstones to dominate the Elder Brain, effectively taking control of the Absolute's power. However, this choice comes with moral and practical implications that shape the game's conclusion.
To achieve this outcome, the player must first progress through the main story until they reach the final act in Baldur's Gate. Along the way, they will encounter the Emperor, who reveals himself as a key figure in the fight against the Absolute. The Emperor is a Mind Flayer who has retained his individuality and opposes the Elder Brain's control. Throughout the game, the player can build a relationship with the Emperor, either trusting him or questioning his motives. This relationship is crucial, as it influences whether the Emperor will offer the option to control the Elder Brain.
When the player reaches the final confrontation with the Elder Brain, the Emperor will propose using the Netherstones to dominate it. This requires the player to have all three Netherstones, which are obtained by defeating the Chosen of the Dead Three: Ketheric Thorm, Orin the Red, and Gortash. Each of these bosses is tied to major storylines, and defeating them is essential to progressing the main quest. Once the player has all three Netherstones, they can choose to follow the Emperor's plan.
The mechanics of this choice involve a series of dialogue options and skill checks. The player must convince their companions to trust the Emperor, which can be challenging if they have not built a strong relationship with him. Some companions, like Lae'zel and Shadowheart, may resist the idea of working with a Mind Flayer, while others, like Astarion, may be more open to it. The player's choices in earlier interactions with the Emperor will also play a role. If the player has consistently supported the Emperor and shown trust, the companions are more likely to agree with the plan.
Once the decision is made, the Emperor will use the Netherstones to dominate the Elder Brain. This leads to a new ending where the Emperor takes control of the Absolute's power, effectively becoming the new ruler of the Mind Flayer hive mind. The player and their companions are spared, but the world is left under the Emperor's control. This ending has significant moral implications, as the player has essentially replaced one tyrant with another. The Emperor's intentions are ambiguous, and it is unclear whether he will use his power for good or evil.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind when pursuing this path. First, the player should carefully consider their relationship with the Emperor throughout the game. Building trust with him is essential, as it makes the final decision easier to achieve. Second, the player should be prepared for resistance from their companions. Some may require persuasion checks or specific dialogue choices to convince them to go along with the plan. Third, the player should weigh the moral implications of their choice. While controlling the Elder Brain may seem like a pragmatic solution, it comes at the cost of allowing the Emperor to wield immense power.
Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting to build a relationship with the Emperor, which can make it difficult to convince companions to support the plan. Additionally, players should avoid rushing through the final act without fully understanding the consequences of their choices. The ending where the Emperor controls the Elder Brain is one of several possible outcomes, and players should take the time to explore all their options before making a decision.
Advanced techniques involve optimizing character builds and party composition to handle the final battles more effectively. For example, having a character with high Charisma and proficiency in Persuasion can make it easier to convince companions to support the Emperor's plan. Additionally, players should ensure their party is well-equipped and prepared for the challenging fights against the Chosen of the Dead Three.
In terms of D&D rules and mechanics, the concept of dominating a powerful entity like the Elder Brain aligns with the game's use of the Dominate Monster spell. This spell allows a caster to take control of a creature, and the Emperor's use of the Netherstones can be seen as a more powerful version of this effect. The game's implementation of these mechanics is consistent with the D&D 5E rules, where high-level spells and artifacts can have world-altering effects.
Specific examples and scenarios include the final confrontation with the Elder Brain, where the player must navigate a series of skill checks and dialogue options to achieve the desired outcome. For instance, if the player has built a strong relationship with the Emperor, they may have an easier time convincing Lae'zel to support the plan, despite her initial resistance. Conversely, if the player has been distrustful of the Emperor throughout the game, they may face significant challenges in persuading their companions to go along with the plan.
In conclusion, letting the Emperor control the Elder Brain is a complex and morally ambiguous choice that has significant consequences for the game's ending. Players must carefully consider their relationship with the Emperor, the reactions of their companions, and the broader implications of their decision. By following the steps outlined above and keeping these considerations in mind, players can achieve this outcome and explore one of the many possible endings in Baldur's Gate 3.
To achieve this outcome, the player must first progress through the main story until they reach the final act in Baldur's Gate. Along the way, they will encounter the Emperor, who reveals himself as a key figure in the fight against the Absolute. The Emperor is a Mind Flayer who has retained his individuality and opposes the Elder Brain's control. Throughout the game, the player can build a relationship with the Emperor, either trusting him or questioning his motives. This relationship is crucial, as it influences whether the Emperor will offer the option to control the Elder Brain.
When the player reaches the final confrontation with the Elder Brain, the Emperor will propose using the Netherstones to dominate it. This requires the player to have all three Netherstones, which are obtained by defeating the Chosen of the Dead Three: Ketheric Thorm, Orin the Red, and Gortash. Each of these bosses is tied to major storylines, and defeating them is essential to progressing the main quest. Once the player has all three Netherstones, they can choose to follow the Emperor's plan.
The mechanics of this choice involve a series of dialogue options and skill checks. The player must convince their companions to trust the Emperor, which can be challenging if they have not built a strong relationship with him. Some companions, like Lae'zel and Shadowheart, may resist the idea of working with a Mind Flayer, while others, like Astarion, may be more open to it. The player's choices in earlier interactions with the Emperor will also play a role. If the player has consistently supported the Emperor and shown trust, the companions are more likely to agree with the plan.
Once the decision is made, the Emperor will use the Netherstones to dominate the Elder Brain. This leads to a new ending where the Emperor takes control of the Absolute's power, effectively becoming the new ruler of the Mind Flayer hive mind. The player and their companions are spared, but the world is left under the Emperor's control. This ending has significant moral implications, as the player has essentially replaced one tyrant with another. The Emperor's intentions are ambiguous, and it is unclear whether he will use his power for good or evil.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind when pursuing this path. First, the player should carefully consider their relationship with the Emperor throughout the game. Building trust with him is essential, as it makes the final decision easier to achieve. Second, the player should be prepared for resistance from their companions. Some may require persuasion checks or specific dialogue choices to convince them to go along with the plan. Third, the player should weigh the moral implications of their choice. While controlling the Elder Brain may seem like a pragmatic solution, it comes at the cost of allowing the Emperor to wield immense power.
Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting to build a relationship with the Emperor, which can make it difficult to convince companions to support the plan. Additionally, players should avoid rushing through the final act without fully understanding the consequences of their choices. The ending where the Emperor controls the Elder Brain is one of several possible outcomes, and players should take the time to explore all their options before making a decision.
Advanced techniques involve optimizing character builds and party composition to handle the final battles more effectively. For example, having a character with high Charisma and proficiency in Persuasion can make it easier to convince companions to support the Emperor's plan. Additionally, players should ensure their party is well-equipped and prepared for the challenging fights against the Chosen of the Dead Three.
In terms of D&D rules and mechanics, the concept of dominating a powerful entity like the Elder Brain aligns with the game's use of the Dominate Monster spell. This spell allows a caster to take control of a creature, and the Emperor's use of the Netherstones can be seen as a more powerful version of this effect. The game's implementation of these mechanics is consistent with the D&D 5E rules, where high-level spells and artifacts can have world-altering effects.
Specific examples and scenarios include the final confrontation with the Elder Brain, where the player must navigate a series of skill checks and dialogue options to achieve the desired outcome. For instance, if the player has built a strong relationship with the Emperor, they may have an easier time convincing Lae'zel to support the plan, despite her initial resistance. Conversely, if the player has been distrustful of the Emperor throughout the game, they may face significant challenges in persuading their companions to go along with the plan.
In conclusion, letting the Emperor control the Elder Brain is a complex and morally ambiguous choice that has significant consequences for the game's ending. Players must carefully consider their relationship with the Emperor, the reactions of their companions, and the broader implications of their decision. By following the steps outlined above and keeping these considerations in mind, players can achieve this outcome and explore one of the many possible endings in Baldur's Gate 3.