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 of the Elder Brain and the Absolute.
The Elder Brain is a powerful entity that serves as the central intelligence of the Mind Flayer colony. It is the source of the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence, a force that has been manipulating events throughout the game. The Absolute is a collective consciousness created by the Mind Flayers, and it seeks to dominate all life. By allowing the Absolute to control the Elder Brain, you are essentially enabling the Mind Flayers to achieve their ultimate goal of universal domination.
To reach this point in the story, you must progress through the main questline, which involves uncovering the truth about the Absolute, the Mind Flayers, and the tadpole in your head. As you approach the endgame, you will face a critical decision: either destroy the Elder Brain or allow the Absolute to take control. Choosing the latter requires you to align yourself with the Mind Flayers, either by becoming a Mind Flayer yourself or by supporting one of your companions in doing so.
The mechanics of this choice involve several key steps. First, you must ensure that you have a character who is willing to undergo ceremorphosis, the process of transforming into a Mind Flayer. This can be your player character or one of your companions, such as Gale or Karlach. The transformation is irreversible and comes with significant changes to the characterÔÇÖs abilities and appearance. Once the transformation is complete, the Mind Flayer character will have the power to control the Elder Brain.
During the final confrontation, you will need to make strategic use of your partyÔÇÖs abilities to protect the Mind Flayer character as they attempt to dominate the Elder Brain. This involves managing resources, positioning your party effectively, and using crowd control spells to deal with the enemies that will try to stop you. The combat can be challenging, so itÔÇÖs important to have a well-balanced party with strong defensive and offensive capabilities.
One important tip is to ensure that your Mind Flayer character has high Intelligence and Charisma, as these stats will influence their ability to control the Elder Brain. Additionally, having access to powerful spells like Counterspell and Hold Monster can be invaluable in this fight. ItÔÇÖs also a good idea to stock up on healing potions and scrolls, as the battle can be long and grueling.
A common mistake to avoid is underestimating the enemies you will face during the final confrontation. The Mind Flayers and their allies are formidable opponents, and they will use a variety of psychic attacks and crowd control abilities to disrupt your party. ItÔÇÖs crucial to have a plan for dealing with these threats, such as using Silence to prevent spellcasting or focusing fire on the most dangerous enemies first.
Advanced techniques for this scenario include using environmental hazards to your advantage. For example, you can lure enemies into areas where they will take damage from environmental effects, such as fire or falling debris. Additionally, using summons or familiars to distract enemies can give your party more time to focus on controlling the Elder Brain.
From a D&D rules perspective, the process of controlling the Elder Brain involves a series of contested ability checks, typically Intelligence or Charisma-based. The Mind Flayer character must succeed on these checks to assert dominance over the Elder Brain. This is why having high stats in these areas is so important. The rules also allow for the use of spells and abilities that can enhance your chances of success, such as Enhance Ability or Bardic Inspiration.
In terms of story consequences, allowing the Absolute to control the Elder Brain leads to a dark and dystopian ending. The Mind Flayers achieve their goal of universal domination, and the world is plunged into an era of tyranny and oppression. Your companions may react differently to this outcome, depending on their personal beliefs and relationships with you. Some may be horrified by your decision, while others may see it as a necessary sacrifice for the greater good.
Specific examples of how this choice plays out include the reactions of key characters like Shadowheart and LaeÔÇÖzel. Shadowheart, who has her own struggles with faith and morality, may be deeply conflicted about your decision. LaeÔÇÖzel, on the other hand, may see it as a betrayal of her peopleÔÇÖs values and goals. These reactions add depth to the narrative and highlight the moral complexity of the choice.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is a decision that requires careful consideration of both the mechanical and narrative implications. It involves strategic planning, resource management, and a willingness to embrace the darker aspects of the story. By understanding the mechanics, preparing your party, and considering the consequences, you can navigate this pivotal moment in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 and shape the fate of the world.
The Elder Brain is a powerful entity that serves as the central intelligence of the Mind Flayer colony. It is the source of the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence, a force that has been manipulating events throughout the game. The Absolute is a collective consciousness created by the Mind Flayers, and it seeks to dominate all life. By allowing the Absolute to control the Elder Brain, you are essentially enabling the Mind Flayers to achieve their ultimate goal of universal domination.
To reach this point in the story, you must progress through the main questline, which involves uncovering the truth about the Absolute, the Mind Flayers, and the tadpole in your head. As you approach the endgame, you will face a critical decision: either destroy the Elder Brain or allow the Absolute to take control. Choosing the latter requires you to align yourself with the Mind Flayers, either by becoming a Mind Flayer yourself or by supporting one of your companions in doing so.
The mechanics of this choice involve several key steps. First, you must ensure that you have a character who is willing to undergo ceremorphosis, the process of transforming into a Mind Flayer. This can be your player character or one of your companions, such as Gale or Karlach. The transformation is irreversible and comes with significant changes to the characterÔÇÖs abilities and appearance. Once the transformation is complete, the Mind Flayer character will have the power to control the Elder Brain.
During the final confrontation, you will need to make strategic use of your partyÔÇÖs abilities to protect the Mind Flayer character as they attempt to dominate the Elder Brain. This involves managing resources, positioning your party effectively, and using crowd control spells to deal with the enemies that will try to stop you. The combat can be challenging, so itÔÇÖs important to have a well-balanced party with strong defensive and offensive capabilities.
One important tip is to ensure that your Mind Flayer character has high Intelligence and Charisma, as these stats will influence their ability to control the Elder Brain. Additionally, having access to powerful spells like Counterspell and Hold Monster can be invaluable in this fight. ItÔÇÖs also a good idea to stock up on healing potions and scrolls, as the battle can be long and grueling.
A common mistake to avoid is underestimating the enemies you will face during the final confrontation. The Mind Flayers and their allies are formidable opponents, and they will use a variety of psychic attacks and crowd control abilities to disrupt your party. ItÔÇÖs crucial to have a plan for dealing with these threats, such as using Silence to prevent spellcasting or focusing fire on the most dangerous enemies first.
Advanced techniques for this scenario include using environmental hazards to your advantage. For example, you can lure enemies into areas where they will take damage from environmental effects, such as fire or falling debris. Additionally, using summons or familiars to distract enemies can give your party more time to focus on controlling the Elder Brain.
From a D&D rules perspective, the process of controlling the Elder Brain involves a series of contested ability checks, typically Intelligence or Charisma-based. The Mind Flayer character must succeed on these checks to assert dominance over the Elder Brain. This is why having high stats in these areas is so important. The rules also allow for the use of spells and abilities that can enhance your chances of success, such as Enhance Ability or Bardic Inspiration.
In terms of story consequences, allowing the Absolute to control the Elder Brain leads to a dark and dystopian ending. The Mind Flayers achieve their goal of universal domination, and the world is plunged into an era of tyranny and oppression. Your companions may react differently to this outcome, depending on their personal beliefs and relationships with you. Some may be horrified by your decision, while others may see it as a necessary sacrifice for the greater good.
Specific examples of how this choice plays out include the reactions of key characters like Shadowheart and LaeÔÇÖzel. Shadowheart, who has her own struggles with faith and morality, may be deeply conflicted about your decision. LaeÔÇÖzel, on the other hand, may see it as a betrayal of her peopleÔÇÖs values and goals. These reactions add depth to the narrative and highlight the moral complexity of the choice.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is a decision that requires careful consideration of both the mechanical and narrative implications. It involves strategic planning, resource management, and a willingness to embrace the darker aspects of the story. By understanding the mechanics, preparing your party, and considering the consequences, you can navigate this pivotal moment in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 and shape the fate of the world.