What happens if I let the Absolute control the Netherbrain in Baldur's Gate 3?
Letting the Absolute control the Netherbrain in Baldur's Gate 3 is one of the most significant and morally complex decisions you can make in the game. This choice occurs during the final stages of the main story, where you are faced with the ultimate decision about the fate of the Netherbrain, a powerful entity that threatens the world. Choosing to let the Absolute control the Netherbrain leads to a specific ending that has far-reaching consequences for the world and your companions. Here is a detailed explanation of how to achieve this outcome, along with important considerations and strategies.
To let the Absolute control the Netherbrain, you must first progress through the main story until you reach the final confrontation with the Netherbrain. This involves completing key quests such as infiltrating Moonrise Towers, dealing with the Githyanki Creche, and gathering allies for the final battle. Throughout these quests, you will encounter the Absolute, a malevolent force that seeks to dominate the world through the Netherbrain. Your interactions with the Absolute and its followers will shape your understanding of its goals and the potential consequences of letting it take control.
When you reach the final battle, you will have the opportunity to make a critical decision. Instead of destroying the Netherbrain or taking control of it yourself, you can choose to let the Absolute dominate it. This choice is presented during a key dialogue or interaction sequence, where you must explicitly decide to allow the Absolute to take over. The game will prompt you with clear options, and selecting the one that aligns with the Absolute's goals will set this ending in motion.
One important tip is to ensure that your character has a strong connection to the Absolute or its followers. This can be achieved by making choices throughout the game that align with the Absolute's ideology, such as siding with its cultists or embracing the powers of the Mind Flayers. Building a character who is sympathetic to the Absolute's cause will make this ending feel more natural and consistent with your role-playing choices. Additionally, having high Charisma and Persuasion skills can help you navigate the dialogue options more effectively, ensuring that you can convince your companions or other key characters to support your decision.
A common mistake to avoid is making this choice without fully understanding the consequences. Letting the Absolute control the Netherbrain leads to a dark and oppressive ending where the world falls under its dominion. Your companions may react negatively to this decision, especially if they have been opposed to the Absolute throughout the game. It is important to consider how this choice aligns with your character's motivations and the relationships you have built with your party members. If you are playing a morally ambiguous or evil character, this ending may be fitting, but it can feel jarring if your previous choices have been more heroic or altruistic.
Advanced techniques for achieving this ending include manipulating key NPCs and factions to support the Absolute's goals. For example, you can use your influence to turn allies into pawns of the Absolute, ensuring that they will not oppose your decision in the final moments. This requires careful planning and strategic use of dialogue and persuasion skills. Additionally, you can optimize your character build to maximize your effectiveness in the final battle, ensuring that you have the power and resources to see your plan through to the end.
From a D&D rules perspective, the concept of letting a malevolent force like the Absolute take control of a powerful entity like the Netherbrain aligns with the themes of domination and control found in the game's lore. The Absolute represents a force of tyranny and subjugation, and allowing it to succeed reflects a willingness to embrace these darker aspects of the world. The mechanics of this choice are rooted in the narrative structure of the game, where player decisions have significant and lasting impacts on the story and its outcome.
In specific scenarios, this choice can lead to unique interactions and outcomes. For example, if you have a companion who is deeply opposed to the Absolute, they may leave your party or even turn against you if you choose to let it control the Netherbrain. Conversely, companions who share your alignment or goals may support your decision, leading to a more cohesive and unified ending. The game's branching narrative ensures that your choices feel meaningful and impactful, creating a personalized experience based on your decisions.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Netherbrain in Baldur's Gate 3 is a complex and morally challenging decision that requires careful consideration and strategic planning. By aligning your character with the Absolute's goals, making informed choices throughout the game, and understanding the consequences of your actions, you can achieve this ending and explore one of the darker paths available in the game. This choice highlights the depth and complexity of Baldur's Gate 3's storytelling, offering players the opportunity to shape the world in profound and lasting ways.
To let the Absolute control the Netherbrain, you must first progress through the main story until you reach the final confrontation with the Netherbrain. This involves completing key quests such as infiltrating Moonrise Towers, dealing with the Githyanki Creche, and gathering allies for the final battle. Throughout these quests, you will encounter the Absolute, a malevolent force that seeks to dominate the world through the Netherbrain. Your interactions with the Absolute and its followers will shape your understanding of its goals and the potential consequences of letting it take control.
When you reach the final battle, you will have the opportunity to make a critical decision. Instead of destroying the Netherbrain or taking control of it yourself, you can choose to let the Absolute dominate it. This choice is presented during a key dialogue or interaction sequence, where you must explicitly decide to allow the Absolute to take over. The game will prompt you with clear options, and selecting the one that aligns with the Absolute's goals will set this ending in motion.
One important tip is to ensure that your character has a strong connection to the Absolute or its followers. This can be achieved by making choices throughout the game that align with the Absolute's ideology, such as siding with its cultists or embracing the powers of the Mind Flayers. Building a character who is sympathetic to the Absolute's cause will make this ending feel more natural and consistent with your role-playing choices. Additionally, having high Charisma and Persuasion skills can help you navigate the dialogue options more effectively, ensuring that you can convince your companions or other key characters to support your decision.
A common mistake to avoid is making this choice without fully understanding the consequences. Letting the Absolute control the Netherbrain leads to a dark and oppressive ending where the world falls under its dominion. Your companions may react negatively to this decision, especially if they have been opposed to the Absolute throughout the game. It is important to consider how this choice aligns with your character's motivations and the relationships you have built with your party members. If you are playing a morally ambiguous or evil character, this ending may be fitting, but it can feel jarring if your previous choices have been more heroic or altruistic.
Advanced techniques for achieving this ending include manipulating key NPCs and factions to support the Absolute's goals. For example, you can use your influence to turn allies into pawns of the Absolute, ensuring that they will not oppose your decision in the final moments. This requires careful planning and strategic use of dialogue and persuasion skills. Additionally, you can optimize your character build to maximize your effectiveness in the final battle, ensuring that you have the power and resources to see your plan through to the end.
From a D&D rules perspective, the concept of letting a malevolent force like the Absolute take control of a powerful entity like the Netherbrain aligns with the themes of domination and control found in the game's lore. The Absolute represents a force of tyranny and subjugation, and allowing it to succeed reflects a willingness to embrace these darker aspects of the world. The mechanics of this choice are rooted in the narrative structure of the game, where player decisions have significant and lasting impacts on the story and its outcome.
In specific scenarios, this choice can lead to unique interactions and outcomes. For example, if you have a companion who is deeply opposed to the Absolute, they may leave your party or even turn against you if you choose to let it control the Netherbrain. Conversely, companions who share your alignment or goals may support your decision, leading to a more cohesive and unified ending. The game's branching narrative ensures that your choices feel meaningful and impactful, creating a personalized experience based on your decisions.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Netherbrain in Baldur's Gate 3 is a complex and morally challenging decision that requires careful consideration and strategic planning. By aligning your character with the Absolute's goals, making informed choices throughout the game, and understanding the consequences of your actions, you can achieve this ending and explore one of the darker paths available in the game. This choice highlights the depth and complexity of Baldur's Gate 3's storytelling, offering players the opportunity to shape the world in profound and lasting ways.