What happens if I side with the Absolute in the final battle of Act 3 in Baldur's Gate 3?
Siding with the Absolute in the final battle of Act 3 in Baldur's Gate 3 is a significant narrative choice that drastically alters the outcome of the game. This decision is tied to the overarching conflict involving the Mind Flayers, the Elder Brain, and the Absolute, a powerful entity that seeks to dominate the world. Choosing to side with the Absolute means aligning yourself with the forces of darkness, which has profound consequences for your character, your companions, and the world of Baldur's Gate. Here is a detailed explanation of how to achieve this outcome, the mechanics involved, and the implications of this choice.
To side with the Absolute, you must first progress through the main story until you reach the final stages of Act 3. This involves completing key quests such as infiltrating the Absolute's stronghold, dealing with the Netherbrain, and making critical decisions about your allegiances. The pivotal moment comes when you confront the Netherbrain, the central entity controlling the Absolute's forces. At this point, you will have the option to either destroy the Netherbrain or join forces with it. Choosing to side with the Absolute requires you to embrace the power of the Mind Flayers and the Elder Brain, effectively becoming a servant of their will.
The mechanics of this choice involve a series of dialogue options and skill checks. When you reach the final confrontation, you will need to select dialogue options that indicate your willingness to join the Absolute. This may involve passing Persuasion or Intimidation checks to convince the Netherbrain of your loyalty. If you have been consistently making choices that align with the Absolute's goals throughout the game, such as using the Tadpole powers and embracing the Mind Flayer transformation, these checks will be easier to pass. However, if you have resisted the Tadpole's influence, you may face more difficult challenges in convincing the Netherbrain of your allegiance.
Once you have successfully sided with the Absolute, the game's narrative will shift dramatically. You will become a key figure in the Absolute's plan to dominate the world, and your companions will react accordingly. Some companions may abandon you if they disagree with your choice, while others may follow you out of loyalty or fear. The ending you receive will reflect your new role as a servant of the Absolute, with the world falling under its control and your character becoming a powerful but subservient entity within its hierarchy.
Important tips and considerations for this path include understanding the long-term consequences of your choice. Siding with the Absolute means sacrificing your freedom and the freedom of others for power. This choice is irreversible and will lock you into a specific ending. It is also important to consider how your companions will react. Characters like Lae'zel, who are deeply opposed to the Mind Flayers, may leave your party or even turn against you. On the other hand, characters like Astarion, who are more self-serving, may be more willing to follow you down this dark path.
Common mistakes to avoid include failing to prepare for the final battle and not considering the impact of your previous choices. If you have not been consistently using the Tadpole powers or making choices that align with the Absolute, you may find it difficult to pass the necessary skill checks. Additionally, failing to manage your party's morale and relationships can lead to unexpected betrayals or losses during the final confrontation.
Advanced techniques for optimizing this path include building a character that is well-suited to the Mind Flayer transformation. Classes like Sorcerer, Warlock, and Wizard benefit greatly from the additional powers granted by the Tadpole, making them ideal choices for this playthrough. Additionally, focusing on skills like Persuasion, Intimidation, and Insight can help you navigate the dialogue options and skill checks required to side with the Absolute.
In terms of D&D rules and mechanics, the transformation into a Mind Flayer involves gaining new abilities and losing some of your original class features. This is reflected in the game through the Tadpole powers, which grant you access to powerful psionic abilities but come at the cost of your humanity. The final choice to side with the Absolute is a narrative-driven decision that aligns with the themes of power and corruption in D&D lore.
Specific examples and scenarios include the final battle in the Netherbrain's lair, where you must fight against powerful enemies while making critical decisions about your allegiance. The dialogue options you choose during this battle will determine whether you can successfully side with the Absolute. For example, if you have been using the Tadpole powers throughout the game, you may have the option to use your psionic abilities to dominate the Netherbrain and assert your loyalty. Conversely, if you have resisted the Tadpole's influence, you may need to rely on Persuasion or Intimidation to convince the Netherbrain of your intentions.
In conclusion, siding with the Absolute in the final battle of Act 3 is a complex and morally ambiguous choice that requires careful consideration and preparation. By understanding the mechanics, making strategic choices, and managing your party's relationships, you can successfully align yourself with the Absolute and experience a unique and dark ending to Baldur's Gate 3.
To side with the Absolute, you must first progress through the main story until you reach the final stages of Act 3. This involves completing key quests such as infiltrating the Absolute's stronghold, dealing with the Netherbrain, and making critical decisions about your allegiances. The pivotal moment comes when you confront the Netherbrain, the central entity controlling the Absolute's forces. At this point, you will have the option to either destroy the Netherbrain or join forces with it. Choosing to side with the Absolute requires you to embrace the power of the Mind Flayers and the Elder Brain, effectively becoming a servant of their will.
The mechanics of this choice involve a series of dialogue options and skill checks. When you reach the final confrontation, you will need to select dialogue options that indicate your willingness to join the Absolute. This may involve passing Persuasion or Intimidation checks to convince the Netherbrain of your loyalty. If you have been consistently making choices that align with the Absolute's goals throughout the game, such as using the Tadpole powers and embracing the Mind Flayer transformation, these checks will be easier to pass. However, if you have resisted the Tadpole's influence, you may face more difficult challenges in convincing the Netherbrain of your allegiance.
Once you have successfully sided with the Absolute, the game's narrative will shift dramatically. You will become a key figure in the Absolute's plan to dominate the world, and your companions will react accordingly. Some companions may abandon you if they disagree with your choice, while others may follow you out of loyalty or fear. The ending you receive will reflect your new role as a servant of the Absolute, with the world falling under its control and your character becoming a powerful but subservient entity within its hierarchy.
Important tips and considerations for this path include understanding the long-term consequences of your choice. Siding with the Absolute means sacrificing your freedom and the freedom of others for power. This choice is irreversible and will lock you into a specific ending. It is also important to consider how your companions will react. Characters like Lae'zel, who are deeply opposed to the Mind Flayers, may leave your party or even turn against you. On the other hand, characters like Astarion, who are more self-serving, may be more willing to follow you down this dark path.
Common mistakes to avoid include failing to prepare for the final battle and not considering the impact of your previous choices. If you have not been consistently using the Tadpole powers or making choices that align with the Absolute, you may find it difficult to pass the necessary skill checks. Additionally, failing to manage your party's morale and relationships can lead to unexpected betrayals or losses during the final confrontation.
Advanced techniques for optimizing this path include building a character that is well-suited to the Mind Flayer transformation. Classes like Sorcerer, Warlock, and Wizard benefit greatly from the additional powers granted by the Tadpole, making them ideal choices for this playthrough. Additionally, focusing on skills like Persuasion, Intimidation, and Insight can help you navigate the dialogue options and skill checks required to side with the Absolute.
In terms of D&D rules and mechanics, the transformation into a Mind Flayer involves gaining new abilities and losing some of your original class features. This is reflected in the game through the Tadpole powers, which grant you access to powerful psionic abilities but come at the cost of your humanity. The final choice to side with the Absolute is a narrative-driven decision that aligns with the themes of power and corruption in D&D lore.
Specific examples and scenarios include the final battle in the Netherbrain's lair, where you must fight against powerful enemies while making critical decisions about your allegiance. The dialogue options you choose during this battle will determine whether you can successfully side with the Absolute. For example, if you have been using the Tadpole powers throughout the game, you may have the option to use your psionic abilities to dominate the Netherbrain and assert your loyalty. Conversely, if you have resisted the Tadpole's influence, you may need to rely on Persuasion or Intimidation to convince the Netherbrain of your intentions.
In conclusion, siding with the Absolute in the final battle of Act 3 is a complex and morally ambiguous choice that requires careful consideration and preparation. By understanding the mechanics, making strategic choices, and managing your party's relationships, you can successfully align yourself with the Absolute and experience a unique and dark ending to Baldur's Gate 3.