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 for the Mind Flayer colony. It is the source of the Mind Flayers' hive mind and controls their actions. The Absolute, on the other hand, is a mysterious force that has been manipulating events throughout the game, often through the use of the Mind Flayers and their tadpoles. By the time you reach the final stages of the game, you will have the opportunity to either destroy the Elder Brain or allow the Absolute to take control of it. This decision is heavily influenced by your choices throughout the game, particularly your interactions with key characters like the Dream Visitor, the Emperor, and your companions.
To achieve the outcome where the Absolute controls the Elder Brain, you must align yourself with the forces of the Absolute. This typically involves siding with the Emperor, who is a Mind Flayer and a key figure in the Absolute's plans. The Emperor will guide you through the final stages of the game, encouraging you to use the Netherstones to dominate the Elder Brain. The Netherstones are powerful artifacts that can control the Elder Brain, and they are essential for this outcome.
The mechanics of this choice involve a series of dialogue options and decisions during the final act of the game. When you reach the Elder Brain, you will be presented with the option to use the Netherstones to either destroy the Elder Brain or allow the Absolute to take control. Choosing the latter will result in the Absolute gaining dominance over the Elder Brain, effectively enslaving it and using it to further its own agenda. This decision will have immediate and long-term consequences for the world of Baldur's Gate.
One important tip to consider is that this choice is heavily influenced by your relationship with the Emperor. If you have built a strong alliance with the Emperor and trusted his guidance throughout the game, it will be easier to justify this decision. However, if you have been skeptical of the Emperor or have chosen to resist the Absolute's influence, this choice may feel more morally ambiguous. ItÔÇÖs important to weigh the consequences of your actions and consider how they align with your character's motivations and values.
A common mistake to avoid is making this decision without fully understanding the implications. Allowing the Absolute to control the Elder Brain will result in a darker ending where the forces of the Absolute dominate the world. This outcome may not be desirable if you have been working to resist the Absolute's influence or if you have been striving for a more heroic resolution. ItÔÇÖs crucial to think carefully about the long-term consequences of your choices and how they will affect the world and your companions.
Advanced techniques for this outcome involve optimizing your character build and combat tactics to ensure you are prepared for the final confrontation. The final battle against the Elder Brain is one of the most challenging encounters in the game, and you will need to be well-equipped and strategically prepared. Consider building a party that can handle high-damage output and has strong crowd control abilities. Spells like Counterspell, Hold Monster, and Fireball can be particularly useful in this fight. Additionally, make sure your party is well-rested and has access to healing potions and scrolls to sustain themselves during the battle.
From a D&D rules perspective, the Elder Brain is a formidable opponent with high intelligence and powerful psionic abilities. It can dominate the minds of your party members, making it difficult to control the flow of battle. Understanding the mechanics of mind control and how to resist it is crucial. Spells like Protection from Evil and Good, as well as abilities that grant advantage on saving throws, can help mitigate the effects of the Elder Brain's psionic attacks.
In terms of specific examples and scenarios, imagine a situation where your party is facing the Elder Brain, and you have the option to use the Netherstones to control it. If you choose to allow the Absolute to take control, the Elder Brain will become a tool of the Absolute, and the world will be plunged into darkness. Your companions may react differently to this decision depending on their personal beliefs and your relationship with them. For example, Lae'zel, who is deeply connected to her Githyanki heritage, may be horrified by this choice, while Astarion, who is more self-serving, may see it as an opportunity for power.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is a decision that requires careful consideration of the game's narrative, your character's motivations, and the potential consequences for the world and your companions. By understanding the mechanics involved, preparing for the final battle, and weighing the moral implications of your choices, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your desired outcome. Whether you choose to resist the Absolute or embrace its power, the fate of Baldur's Gate rests in your hands.
The Elder Brain is a powerful entity that serves as the central intelligence for the Mind Flayer colony. It is the source of the Mind Flayers' hive mind and controls their actions. The Absolute, on the other hand, is a mysterious force that has been manipulating events throughout the game, often through the use of the Mind Flayers and their tadpoles. By the time you reach the final stages of the game, you will have the opportunity to either destroy the Elder Brain or allow the Absolute to take control of it. This decision is heavily influenced by your choices throughout the game, particularly your interactions with key characters like the Dream Visitor, the Emperor, and your companions.
To achieve the outcome where the Absolute controls the Elder Brain, you must align yourself with the forces of the Absolute. This typically involves siding with the Emperor, who is a Mind Flayer and a key figure in the Absolute's plans. The Emperor will guide you through the final stages of the game, encouraging you to use the Netherstones to dominate the Elder Brain. The Netherstones are powerful artifacts that can control the Elder Brain, and they are essential for this outcome.
The mechanics of this choice involve a series of dialogue options and decisions during the final act of the game. When you reach the Elder Brain, you will be presented with the option to use the Netherstones to either destroy the Elder Brain or allow the Absolute to take control. Choosing the latter will result in the Absolute gaining dominance over the Elder Brain, effectively enslaving it and using it to further its own agenda. This decision will have immediate and long-term consequences for the world of Baldur's Gate.
One important tip to consider is that this choice is heavily influenced by your relationship with the Emperor. If you have built a strong alliance with the Emperor and trusted his guidance throughout the game, it will be easier to justify this decision. However, if you have been skeptical of the Emperor or have chosen to resist the Absolute's influence, this choice may feel more morally ambiguous. ItÔÇÖs important to weigh the consequences of your actions and consider how they align with your character's motivations and values.
A common mistake to avoid is making this decision without fully understanding the implications. Allowing the Absolute to control the Elder Brain will result in a darker ending where the forces of the Absolute dominate the world. This outcome may not be desirable if you have been working to resist the Absolute's influence or if you have been striving for a more heroic resolution. ItÔÇÖs crucial to think carefully about the long-term consequences of your choices and how they will affect the world and your companions.
Advanced techniques for this outcome involve optimizing your character build and combat tactics to ensure you are prepared for the final confrontation. The final battle against the Elder Brain is one of the most challenging encounters in the game, and you will need to be well-equipped and strategically prepared. Consider building a party that can handle high-damage output and has strong crowd control abilities. Spells like Counterspell, Hold Monster, and Fireball can be particularly useful in this fight. Additionally, make sure your party is well-rested and has access to healing potions and scrolls to sustain themselves during the battle.
From a D&D rules perspective, the Elder Brain is a formidable opponent with high intelligence and powerful psionic abilities. It can dominate the minds of your party members, making it difficult to control the flow of battle. Understanding the mechanics of mind control and how to resist it is crucial. Spells like Protection from Evil and Good, as well as abilities that grant advantage on saving throws, can help mitigate the effects of the Elder Brain's psionic attacks.
In terms of specific examples and scenarios, imagine a situation where your party is facing the Elder Brain, and you have the option to use the Netherstones to control it. If you choose to allow the Absolute to take control, the Elder Brain will become a tool of the Absolute, and the world will be plunged into darkness. Your companions may react differently to this decision depending on their personal beliefs and your relationship with them. For example, Lae'zel, who is deeply connected to her Githyanki heritage, may be horrified by this choice, while Astarion, who is more self-serving, may see it as an opportunity for power.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is a decision that requires careful consideration of the game's narrative, your character's motivations, and the potential consequences for the world and your companions. By understanding the mechanics involved, preparing for the final battle, and weighing the moral implications of your choices, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your desired outcome. Whether you choose to resist the Absolute or embrace its power, the fate of Baldur's Gate rests in your hands.