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 and the steps required to reach this point.
The Elder Brain is a powerful entity that serves as the central hub 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. Your character and your party are deeply involved in this conflict, as you are infected with a Mind Flayer tadpole and must decide whether to resist the Absolute or embrace its power. The final act of the game presents you with the choice to either destroy the Elder Brain or allow the Absolute to take control of it.
To reach the point where you can make this decision, you must progress through the main story quests, which involve uncovering the truth about the Absolute, the Mind Flayers, and the Elder Brain. This includes completing key quests such as infiltrating Moonrise Towers, confronting Ketheric Thorm, and navigating the Shadow-Cursed Lands. Along the way, you will encounter allies and enemies who will influence your understanding of the Absolute and the Elder Brain. Your choices in these quests will shape your options in the final act.
When you finally confront the Elder Brain, you will have the opportunity to either destroy it or allow the Absolute to control it. If you choose to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain, you are essentially siding with the Mind Flayers and their plan to dominate the world. This decision has several major consequences. First, the world will fall under the control of the Absolute, leading to a dystopian future where free will is eradicated. Second, your companions will react to this choice based on their personalities and your relationship with them. Some may abandon you, while others may reluctantly follow your lead. Third, the ending of the game will reflect this dark outcome, with the Absolute reigning supreme and your character either becoming a powerful servant of the Absolute or being consumed by its will.
To achieve this outcome, you must make specific choices throughout the game that align with the AbsoluteÔÇÖs goals. This includes using the tadpole powers granted to you, siding with Mind Flayer allies like the Emperor, and rejecting opportunities to resist the Absolute. During the final confrontation with the Elder Brain, you will need to pass a series of skill checks and dialogue options to convince the Absolute to trust you and allow you to control the Elder Brain. These checks may involve Persuasion, Intimidation, or other skills depending on your characterÔÇÖs abilities.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind if you want to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain. First, you should invest in skills and abilities that enhance your ability to influence others, such as Charisma-based skills for dialogue checks. Second, you should carefully manage your relationships with your companions, as their loyalty will be tested in the final act. Third, you should be prepared for the moral implications of this choice, as it represents a significant shift in the story and your characterÔÇÖs alignment.
Common mistakes to avoid include failing to build up your characterÔÇÖs skills and abilities, neglecting your relationships with your companions, and making choices earlier in the game that conflict with the AbsoluteÔÇÖs goals. For example, if you consistently resist the tadpole powers or side against Mind Flayer allies, you may find it difficult to convince the Absolute to trust you in the final act.
Advanced techniques and optimizations for this path include using specific character builds that maximize your ability to influence others, such as a high-Charisma Sorcerer or Bard. You can also use items and abilities that enhance your Persuasion or Intimidation skills, such as the Friends spell or the Actor feat. Additionally, you should carefully plan your dialogue choices and actions throughout the game to ensure that you are consistently aligning with the AbsoluteÔÇÖs goals.
In terms of related D&D rules and mechanics, the concept of the Elder Brain and the AbsoluteÔÇÖs control over it is rooted in the lore of Mind Flayers and their psionic abilities. In D&D 5E, Mind Flayers are known for their ability to dominate and control other creatures, and the Elder Brain is the ultimate expression of this power. The skill checks and dialogue options in the game are based on the Persuasion and Intimidation skills from D&D 5E, which are used to influence others and achieve desired outcomes.
Specific examples and scenarios include the final confrontation with the Elder Brain, where you must pass a series of skill checks to convince the Absolute to trust you. For instance, you may need to use Persuasion to argue that you are a loyal servant of the Absolute, or Intimidation to assert your dominance over the Elder Brain. The outcome of these checks will determine whether you are able to successfully let the Absolute control the Elder Brain and achieve the dark ending.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 is a complex and morally challenging decision that requires careful planning and strategic choices throughout the game. By understanding the mechanics, following the step-by-step instructions, and considering the tips and considerations outlined above, you can achieve this outcome and experience one of the gameÔÇÖs most dramatic endings.
The Elder Brain is a powerful entity that serves as the central hub 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. Your character and your party are deeply involved in this conflict, as you are infected with a Mind Flayer tadpole and must decide whether to resist the Absolute or embrace its power. The final act of the game presents you with the choice to either destroy the Elder Brain or allow the Absolute to take control of it.
To reach the point where you can make this decision, you must progress through the main story quests, which involve uncovering the truth about the Absolute, the Mind Flayers, and the Elder Brain. This includes completing key quests such as infiltrating Moonrise Towers, confronting Ketheric Thorm, and navigating the Shadow-Cursed Lands. Along the way, you will encounter allies and enemies who will influence your understanding of the Absolute and the Elder Brain. Your choices in these quests will shape your options in the final act.
When you finally confront the Elder Brain, you will have the opportunity to either destroy it or allow the Absolute to control it. If you choose to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain, you are essentially siding with the Mind Flayers and their plan to dominate the world. This decision has several major consequences. First, the world will fall under the control of the Absolute, leading to a dystopian future where free will is eradicated. Second, your companions will react to this choice based on their personalities and your relationship with them. Some may abandon you, while others may reluctantly follow your lead. Third, the ending of the game will reflect this dark outcome, with the Absolute reigning supreme and your character either becoming a powerful servant of the Absolute or being consumed by its will.
To achieve this outcome, you must make specific choices throughout the game that align with the AbsoluteÔÇÖs goals. This includes using the tadpole powers granted to you, siding with Mind Flayer allies like the Emperor, and rejecting opportunities to resist the Absolute. During the final confrontation with the Elder Brain, you will need to pass a series of skill checks and dialogue options to convince the Absolute to trust you and allow you to control the Elder Brain. These checks may involve Persuasion, Intimidation, or other skills depending on your characterÔÇÖs abilities.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind if you want to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain. First, you should invest in skills and abilities that enhance your ability to influence others, such as Charisma-based skills for dialogue checks. Second, you should carefully manage your relationships with your companions, as their loyalty will be tested in the final act. Third, you should be prepared for the moral implications of this choice, as it represents a significant shift in the story and your characterÔÇÖs alignment.
Common mistakes to avoid include failing to build up your characterÔÇÖs skills and abilities, neglecting your relationships with your companions, and making choices earlier in the game that conflict with the AbsoluteÔÇÖs goals. For example, if you consistently resist the tadpole powers or side against Mind Flayer allies, you may find it difficult to convince the Absolute to trust you in the final act.
Advanced techniques and optimizations for this path include using specific character builds that maximize your ability to influence others, such as a high-Charisma Sorcerer or Bard. You can also use items and abilities that enhance your Persuasion or Intimidation skills, such as the Friends spell or the Actor feat. Additionally, you should carefully plan your dialogue choices and actions throughout the game to ensure that you are consistently aligning with the AbsoluteÔÇÖs goals.
In terms of related D&D rules and mechanics, the concept of the Elder Brain and the AbsoluteÔÇÖs control over it is rooted in the lore of Mind Flayers and their psionic abilities. In D&D 5E, Mind Flayers are known for their ability to dominate and control other creatures, and the Elder Brain is the ultimate expression of this power. The skill checks and dialogue options in the game are based on the Persuasion and Intimidation skills from D&D 5E, which are used to influence others and achieve desired outcomes.
Specific examples and scenarios include the final confrontation with the Elder Brain, where you must pass a series of skill checks to convince the Absolute to trust you. For instance, you may need to use Persuasion to argue that you are a loyal servant of the Absolute, or Intimidation to assert your dominance over the Elder Brain. The outcome of these checks will determine whether you are able to successfully let the Absolute control the Elder Brain and achieve the dark ending.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 is a complex and morally challenging decision that requires careful planning and strategic choices throughout the game. By understanding the mechanics, following the step-by-step instructions, and considering the tips and considerations outlined above, you can achieve this outcome and experience one of the gameÔÇÖs most dramatic endings.