What are the consequences of letting the Githyanki take over the Astral Prism in Baldur's Gate 3?

Letting the Githyanki take over the Astral Prism in Baldur's Gate 3 is a significant story choice that can have far-reaching consequences for your playthrough. The Astral Prism is a key artifact tied to the main storyline, and your decisions regarding it will shape the narrative, your relationships with companions, and the fate of the world. HereÔÇÖs a detailed breakdown of what happens if you allow the Githyanki to take control of the Astral Prism, along with strategies, tips, and considerations.

First, itÔÇÖs important to understand the context of the Astral Prism. The Prism is a mysterious artifact that plays a crucial role in protecting you and your party from the Mind Flayer tadpoles implanted in your brains. It is also tied to the Githyanki, a race of warrior-psions who are sworn enemies of the Mind Flayers. The Githyanki, led by their queen Vlaakith, seek to reclaim the Prism for their own purposes, which are not entirely benevolent. If you allow the Githyanki to take the Prism, you are essentially handing over a powerful tool to a faction that may use it for their own ends, potentially at the expense of your own survival.

To let the Githyanki take the Astral Prism, you will need to make specific choices during key story moments. One such moment occurs when you encounter the Githyanki patrol in Act 1. During this encounter, you can choose to cooperate with the Githyanki and agree to hand over the Prism. This decision will lead to a series of events where the Githyanki take control of the artifact, and you will no longer have access to its protective powers. This means that the protection against the Mind Flayer tadpoles will be lost, and you and your party will be at greater risk of transformation into Mind Flayers.

The consequences of this choice are significant. Without the Astral Prism, you will lose a key defense mechanism against the Mind Flayers, making your journey more perilous. Additionally, your relationship with LaeÔÇÖzel, the Githyanki companion, will be heavily influenced by this decision. If you side with the Githyanki, LaeÔÇÖzel will likely approve, as she is fiercely loyal to her people. However, other companions, such as Shadowheart, may disapprove, as she has her own reasons for wanting to keep the Prism. This can lead to tension within the party and affect your overall group dynamics.

In terms of combat and gameplay, losing the Astral Prism means you will need to rely more on other strategies to deal with the Mind Flayer threat. This could involve using more protective spells, such as Protection from Evil and Good, or focusing on eliminating Mind Flayers quickly in combat. You may also need to invest more in your partyÔÇÖs mental defenses, such as increasing Wisdom saving throws or using items that provide resistance to psychic damage.

One common mistake to avoid is underestimating the impact of losing the Astral Prism. While it may seem like a minor decision at the time, the long-term consequences can be severe. Without the Prism, you will face greater challenges in dealing with the Mind Flayers, and your partyÔÇÖs survival will be more precarious. ItÔÇÖs important to weigh the benefits of siding with the Githyanki against the risks of losing the PrismÔÇÖs protection.

Advanced techniques for dealing with the consequences of this choice include optimizing your partyÔÇÖs composition and abilities. For example, having a Cleric or Paladin in your party can provide additional protection against the Mind Flayers through spells like Sanctuary or Aura of Protection. Additionally, focusing on crowd control abilities, such as Hold Person or Hypnotic Pattern, can help you manage Mind Flayer encounters more effectively.

From a D&D rules perspective, the Astral Prism functions as a powerful artifact that provides a unique form of protection. In the game, this is represented by the PrismÔÇÖs ability to shield you from the Mind Flayer tadpoles. In D&D 5E, artifacts are typically rare and powerful items that can have significant effects on the game world. The Astral PrismÔÇÖs mechanics are unique to BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3, but they are consistent with the idea of artifacts having major narrative and gameplay impacts.

In conclusion, letting the Githyanki take over the Astral Prism is a major story choice with significant consequences. It affects your partyÔÇÖs survival, your relationships with companions, and the overall narrative. To navigate this choice effectively, consider the long-term implications, optimize your partyÔÇÖs abilities, and be prepared for the challenges that come with losing the PrismÔÇÖs protection. By understanding the mechanics and making informed decisions, you can shape your playthrough in meaningful ways.