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 how this decision plays out, itÔÇÖs important to first grasp the mechanics and context behind it.
The Elder Brain is a powerful entity that serves as the central intelligence of the Mind Flayer colony. Throughout the game, you learn that the Absolute, a mysterious force, is attempting to dominate the Elder Brain to control the entire Sword Coast. The Absolute is revealed to be a collective of three Chosen of the Dead Three: Ketheric Thorm, Orin the Red, and Enver Gortash. These individuals are using the Elder Brain to manipulate the masses and spread their influence. As the protagonist, you are faced with the choice of either destroying the Elder Brain or allowing the Absolute to control it.
To reach this decision point, you must progress through the main story, completing key quests such as infiltrating Moonrise Towers, defeating Ketheric Thorm, and confronting Orin and Gortash. These quests involve navigating complex alliances, making moral choices, and engaging in challenging combat encounters. Your decisions during these quests will influence your companionsÔÇÖ loyalty and the resources available to you in the final battle.
When you finally confront the Elder Brain, you are presented with a critical choice. If you choose to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain, you essentially side with the Chosen of the Dead Three, allowing them to continue their reign of terror. This decision leads to a dark ending where the Sword Coast falls under the AbsoluteÔÇÖs dominion, and your character becomes a pawn in their scheme. The consequences of this choice are severe: your companions may abandon you, the world descends into chaos, and the narrative concludes on a bleak note.
To achieve this outcome, you must actively support the Chosen throughout the game. This means aligning with their goals, making deals with them, and avoiding actions that undermine their authority. For example, you can choose to spare Ketheric Thorm during your confrontation at Moonrise Towers, or you can side with Gortash in his power struggle with Orin. These choices will make it easier to justify letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain when the time comes.
However, there are important tips and considerations to keep in mind. First, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is not the only way to achieve a dark ending. You can also choose to dominate the Elder Brain yourself, becoming the new Absolute. This path requires you to embrace the Illithid powers granted by the tadpole in your brain, which can alienate your companions and lead to a different but equally grim conclusion. Second, your companionsÔÇÖ reactions to this decision will vary based on their personalities and your relationship with them. For example, LaeÔÇÖzel may support your choice if you have aligned with the Githyanki, while Shadowheart may oppose it if she has rejected SharÔÇÖs influence.
Common mistakes to avoid include failing to build strong relationships with your companions or making inconsistent choices that undermine your alignment with the Chosen. If your companions distrust you, they may turn against you in the final moments, making it harder to achieve your desired outcome. Additionally, neglecting to explore the Illithid powers or the lore surrounding the Elder Brain can leave you unprepared for the final decision.
Advanced techniques involve optimizing your character build and combat tactics to ensure you can survive the final battles. For example, focusing on crowd control spells and abilities can help you manage the numerous enemies youÔÇÖll face in the endgame. Additionally, understanding the D&D 5E rules that underpin the gameÔÇÖs mechanics can give you an edge. For instance, knowing how to exploit enemy weaknesses or maximize your action economy can make a significant difference in challenging encounters.
In summary, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is a morally complex decision with profound consequences. To achieve this outcome, you must align with the Chosen of the Dead Three, make strategic choices throughout the game, and prepare for the final battles. By understanding the mechanics, building strong relationships with your companions, and optimizing your character build, you can navigate this path and experience one of the gameÔÇÖs darkest endings.
The Elder Brain is a powerful entity that serves as the central intelligence of the Mind Flayer colony. Throughout the game, you learn that the Absolute, a mysterious force, is attempting to dominate the Elder Brain to control the entire Sword Coast. The Absolute is revealed to be a collective of three Chosen of the Dead Three: Ketheric Thorm, Orin the Red, and Enver Gortash. These individuals are using the Elder Brain to manipulate the masses and spread their influence. As the protagonist, you are faced with the choice of either destroying the Elder Brain or allowing the Absolute to control it.
To reach this decision point, you must progress through the main story, completing key quests such as infiltrating Moonrise Towers, defeating Ketheric Thorm, and confronting Orin and Gortash. These quests involve navigating complex alliances, making moral choices, and engaging in challenging combat encounters. Your decisions during these quests will influence your companionsÔÇÖ loyalty and the resources available to you in the final battle.
When you finally confront the Elder Brain, you are presented with a critical choice. If you choose to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain, you essentially side with the Chosen of the Dead Three, allowing them to continue their reign of terror. This decision leads to a dark ending where the Sword Coast falls under the AbsoluteÔÇÖs dominion, and your character becomes a pawn in their scheme. The consequences of this choice are severe: your companions may abandon you, the world descends into chaos, and the narrative concludes on a bleak note.
To achieve this outcome, you must actively support the Chosen throughout the game. This means aligning with their goals, making deals with them, and avoiding actions that undermine their authority. For example, you can choose to spare Ketheric Thorm during your confrontation at Moonrise Towers, or you can side with Gortash in his power struggle with Orin. These choices will make it easier to justify letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain when the time comes.
However, there are important tips and considerations to keep in mind. First, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is not the only way to achieve a dark ending. You can also choose to dominate the Elder Brain yourself, becoming the new Absolute. This path requires you to embrace the Illithid powers granted by the tadpole in your brain, which can alienate your companions and lead to a different but equally grim conclusion. Second, your companionsÔÇÖ reactions to this decision will vary based on their personalities and your relationship with them. For example, LaeÔÇÖzel may support your choice if you have aligned with the Githyanki, while Shadowheart may oppose it if she has rejected SharÔÇÖs influence.
Common mistakes to avoid include failing to build strong relationships with your companions or making inconsistent choices that undermine your alignment with the Chosen. If your companions distrust you, they may turn against you in the final moments, making it harder to achieve your desired outcome. Additionally, neglecting to explore the Illithid powers or the lore surrounding the Elder Brain can leave you unprepared for the final decision.
Advanced techniques involve optimizing your character build and combat tactics to ensure you can survive the final battles. For example, focusing on crowd control spells and abilities can help you manage the numerous enemies youÔÇÖll face in the endgame. Additionally, understanding the D&D 5E rules that underpin the gameÔÇÖs mechanics can give you an edge. For instance, knowing how to exploit enemy weaknesses or maximize your action economy can make a significant difference in challenging encounters.
In summary, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is a morally complex decision with profound consequences. To achieve this outcome, you must align with the Chosen of the Dead Three, make strategic choices throughout the game, and prepare for the final battles. By understanding the mechanics, building strong relationships with your companions, and optimizing your character build, you can navigate this path and experience one of the gameÔÇÖs darkest endings.