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 far-reaching 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 of the Elder Brain and the Absolute.
The Elder Brain is a powerful entity that serves as the central intelligence of the Mind Flayer colony. It is the source of the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence, a force that has been manipulating events throughout the game. The Absolute is a collective consciousness created by the Mind Flayers, and it seeks to dominate all life. By allowing the Absolute to control the Elder Brain, you are essentially enabling the Mind Flayers to achieve their ultimate goal of universal domination.
To reach this point in the story, you must progress through the main questline, which involves uncovering the truth about the Absolute, the Mind Flayers, and the tadpole in your head. As you approach the endgame, you will face a critical decision: either destroy the Elder Brain or allow the Absolute to take control. Choosing the latter requires you to align yourself with the Mind Flayers, which can be done by siding with their representatives, such as the Emperor or other key figures in the story.
The mechanics of this choice involve dialogue options and narrative decisions. When you reach the final confrontation, you will be presented with the option to either resist the Absolute or submit to its will. If you choose to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain, you will need to make specific dialogue choices that indicate your willingness to embrace the Mind Flayer agenda. This may involve betraying your companions or other allies who oppose the Absolute.
One important tip is to ensure that your character is prepared for the consequences of this decision. Aligning with the Absolute will likely alienate many of your companions, especially those who have strong moral convictions, such as Wyll or Karlach. ItÔÇÖs crucial to consider how this choice will affect your relationships and the overall dynamics of your party. Additionally, this decision will lock you into a specific ending, so itÔÇÖs worth exploring other options if you want to experience different outcomes.
A common mistake to avoid is making this choice without fully understanding the implications. The game does not always spell out the long-term consequences of your decisions, so itÔÇÖs important to pay attention to the narrative cues and dialogue. For example, if you have been working to free yourself and your companions from the influence of the tadpoles, choosing to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain may feel like a betrayal of your earlier efforts.
Advanced techniques for this path involve optimizing your character build to align with the Mind Flayer agenda. For example, playing as a character with high Charisma and Intelligence can make it easier to persuade others to join your cause or to navigate the complex dialogue options required to embrace the Absolute. Additionally, focusing on abilities that enhance your control over others, such as enchantment spells or mind-affecting powers, can be thematically appropriate for this path.
From a D&D rules perspective, the Elder Brain and the Absolute are rooted in the lore of Mind Flayers and their psionic abilities. In Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, Mind Flayers are known for their telepathic powers and their ability to dominate the minds of others. The Elder Brain is a more powerful version of this, capable of controlling entire colonies of Mind Flayers and their thralls. By allowing the Absolute to control the Elder Brain, you are essentially enabling a massive expansion of this psionic influence, which aligns with the established lore of Mind Flayers in D&D.
Specific examples of this choice in action include the final confrontation in the Mind Flayer colony, where you must decide whether to destroy the Elder Brain or let the Absolute take control. If you choose the latter, you will witness the transformation of the world as the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence spreads, leading to a dark and oppressive ending. This ending is marked by the subjugation of all life under the Mind FlayersÔÇÖ rule, with your character either becoming a thrall or a powerful servant of the Absolute.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is a morally complex and narratively significant decision in Baldur's Gate 3. It requires careful consideration of the consequences, both for your character and the world around you. By understanding the mechanics, preparing your character, and making informed choices, you can navigate this path and experience 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. It is the source of the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence, a force that has been manipulating events throughout the game. The Absolute is a collective consciousness created by the Mind Flayers, and it seeks to dominate all life. By allowing the Absolute to control the Elder Brain, you are essentially enabling the Mind Flayers to achieve their ultimate goal of universal domination.
To reach this point in the story, you must progress through the main questline, which involves uncovering the truth about the Absolute, the Mind Flayers, and the tadpole in your head. As you approach the endgame, you will face a critical decision: either destroy the Elder Brain or allow the Absolute to take control. Choosing the latter requires you to align yourself with the Mind Flayers, which can be done by siding with their representatives, such as the Emperor or other key figures in the story.
The mechanics of this choice involve dialogue options and narrative decisions. When you reach the final confrontation, you will be presented with the option to either resist the Absolute or submit to its will. If you choose to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain, you will need to make specific dialogue choices that indicate your willingness to embrace the Mind Flayer agenda. This may involve betraying your companions or other allies who oppose the Absolute.
One important tip is to ensure that your character is prepared for the consequences of this decision. Aligning with the Absolute will likely alienate many of your companions, especially those who have strong moral convictions, such as Wyll or Karlach. ItÔÇÖs crucial to consider how this choice will affect your relationships and the overall dynamics of your party. Additionally, this decision will lock you into a specific ending, so itÔÇÖs worth exploring other options if you want to experience different outcomes.
A common mistake to avoid is making this choice without fully understanding the implications. The game does not always spell out the long-term consequences of your decisions, so itÔÇÖs important to pay attention to the narrative cues and dialogue. For example, if you have been working to free yourself and your companions from the influence of the tadpoles, choosing to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain may feel like a betrayal of your earlier efforts.
Advanced techniques for this path involve optimizing your character build to align with the Mind Flayer agenda. For example, playing as a character with high Charisma and Intelligence can make it easier to persuade others to join your cause or to navigate the complex dialogue options required to embrace the Absolute. Additionally, focusing on abilities that enhance your control over others, such as enchantment spells or mind-affecting powers, can be thematically appropriate for this path.
From a D&D rules perspective, the Elder Brain and the Absolute are rooted in the lore of Mind Flayers and their psionic abilities. In Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, Mind Flayers are known for their telepathic powers and their ability to dominate the minds of others. The Elder Brain is a more powerful version of this, capable of controlling entire colonies of Mind Flayers and their thralls. By allowing the Absolute to control the Elder Brain, you are essentially enabling a massive expansion of this psionic influence, which aligns with the established lore of Mind Flayers in D&D.
Specific examples of this choice in action include the final confrontation in the Mind Flayer colony, where you must decide whether to destroy the Elder Brain or let the Absolute take control. If you choose the latter, you will witness the transformation of the world as the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence spreads, leading to a dark and oppressive ending. This ending is marked by the subjugation of all life under the Mind FlayersÔÇÖ rule, with your character either becoming a thrall or a powerful servant of the Absolute.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is a morally complex and narratively significant decision in Baldur's Gate 3. It requires careful consideration of the consequences, both for your character and the world around you. By understanding the mechanics, preparing your character, and making informed choices, you can navigate this path and experience one of the gameÔÇÖs most dramatic endings.