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 Mind Flayers' hive mind and controls their actions. The Absolute, on the other hand, is a mysterious force that has been manipulating events throughout the game, using the Mind Flayers and their tadpoles to exert control over various factions and individuals. By the time you reach the endgame, you will have the opportunity to either destroy the Elder Brain or allow the Absolute to take control of it, effectively cementing its dominance over the world.
To achieve this outcome, you must follow a specific path in the story. First, you need to align yourself with the Absolute or its agents at key moments. This often involves making choices that prioritize power and control over morality or the well-being of others. For example, you might choose to side with the Cult of the Absolute or make deals with characters like Ketheric Thorm or Gortash, who are aligned with the Absolute's goals. These decisions will gradually lead you toward the option of allowing the Absolute to control the Elder Brain.
When you reach the final stages of the game, you will confront the Elder Brain in a climactic battle. At this point, you will have the opportunity to either destroy it or use the Netherstones to dominate it. If you choose to dominate the Elder Brain, you will effectively hand control over to the Absolute. This decision is irreversible and will lead to a specific ending where the Absolute's influence spreads unchecked, enslaving the world and subjugating its inhabitants.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind when pursuing this path. First, your companions' reactions will vary depending on their personalities and moral alignments. Characters like Shadowheart or Lae'zel, who value power and control, may support your decision, while others like Wyll or Karlach may strongly oppose it. ItÔÇÖs important to manage your relationships with your companions carefully, as their loyalty or disapproval can impact the final outcome.
Another consideration is the role of the tadpoles in your character's development. Throughout the game, you will have opportunities to use the tadpoles to gain powers, but doing so increases your connection to the Absolute. If you want to fully embrace the Absolute's control, you should lean into using these powers, as they will make it easier to justify your decision to dominate the Elder Brain. However, this comes at the cost of your character's autonomy and moral integrity.
Common mistakes to avoid include making inconsistent choices that undermine your alignment with the Absolute. For example, if you spend most of the game resisting the Absolute's influence but then suddenly decide to dominate the Elder Brain, it may feel narratively disjointed and unsatisfying. To avoid this, commit to your chosen path early and make decisions that reinforce your alignment with the Absolute.
Advanced techniques for optimizing this path include leveraging the Netherstones effectively during the final battle. The Netherstones are key to controlling the Elder Brain, and using them strategically can make the final confrontation easier. Additionally, building a character with high Charisma and Persuasion can help you convince your companions to support your decision, even if they initially oppose it.
From a D&D rules perspective, the concept of dominating a powerful entity like the Elder Brain aligns with the idea of using magical or psionic control to bend a creature to your will. In the game, this is represented through the use of the Netherstones, which function as powerful artifacts capable of influencing the Elder Brain. The mechanics of this process are simplified for gameplay purposes, but they are rooted in the D&D tradition of using powerful magic to achieve world-altering effects.
Specific examples of this path include siding with Gortash in Act 3 and working with him to consolidate power. Gortash is a key ally of the Absolute, and aligning with him will bring you closer to the goal of controlling the Elder Brain. Another example is using the tadpoles to gain powers like Mind Blast or Psionic Dominance, which not only make you stronger in combat but also symbolize your growing connection to the Absolute.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is a dark and consequential choice that requires careful planning and commitment. By aligning yourself with the Absolute, using the tadpoles to gain power, and making strategic decisions throughout the game, you can achieve this ending and shape the fate of the world in a way that reflects your character's embrace of control and domination. However, be prepared for the moral and narrative consequences of this path, as it will fundamentally alter the story and your relationships with your companions.
The Elder Brain is a powerful entity that serves as the central intelligence of the Mind Flayer colony. It is the source of the Mind Flayers' hive mind and controls their actions. The Absolute, on the other hand, is a mysterious force that has been manipulating events throughout the game, using the Mind Flayers and their tadpoles to exert control over various factions and individuals. By the time you reach the endgame, you will have the opportunity to either destroy the Elder Brain or allow the Absolute to take control of it, effectively cementing its dominance over the world.
To achieve this outcome, you must follow a specific path in the story. First, you need to align yourself with the Absolute or its agents at key moments. This often involves making choices that prioritize power and control over morality or the well-being of others. For example, you might choose to side with the Cult of the Absolute or make deals with characters like Ketheric Thorm or Gortash, who are aligned with the Absolute's goals. These decisions will gradually lead you toward the option of allowing the Absolute to control the Elder Brain.
When you reach the final stages of the game, you will confront the Elder Brain in a climactic battle. At this point, you will have the opportunity to either destroy it or use the Netherstones to dominate it. If you choose to dominate the Elder Brain, you will effectively hand control over to the Absolute. This decision is irreversible and will lead to a specific ending where the Absolute's influence spreads unchecked, enslaving the world and subjugating its inhabitants.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind when pursuing this path. First, your companions' reactions will vary depending on their personalities and moral alignments. Characters like Shadowheart or Lae'zel, who value power and control, may support your decision, while others like Wyll or Karlach may strongly oppose it. ItÔÇÖs important to manage your relationships with your companions carefully, as their loyalty or disapproval can impact the final outcome.
Another consideration is the role of the tadpoles in your character's development. Throughout the game, you will have opportunities to use the tadpoles to gain powers, but doing so increases your connection to the Absolute. If you want to fully embrace the Absolute's control, you should lean into using these powers, as they will make it easier to justify your decision to dominate the Elder Brain. However, this comes at the cost of your character's autonomy and moral integrity.
Common mistakes to avoid include making inconsistent choices that undermine your alignment with the Absolute. For example, if you spend most of the game resisting the Absolute's influence but then suddenly decide to dominate the Elder Brain, it may feel narratively disjointed and unsatisfying. To avoid this, commit to your chosen path early and make decisions that reinforce your alignment with the Absolute.
Advanced techniques for optimizing this path include leveraging the Netherstones effectively during the final battle. The Netherstones are key to controlling the Elder Brain, and using them strategically can make the final confrontation easier. Additionally, building a character with high Charisma and Persuasion can help you convince your companions to support your decision, even if they initially oppose it.
From a D&D rules perspective, the concept of dominating a powerful entity like the Elder Brain aligns with the idea of using magical or psionic control to bend a creature to your will. In the game, this is represented through the use of the Netherstones, which function as powerful artifacts capable of influencing the Elder Brain. The mechanics of this process are simplified for gameplay purposes, but they are rooted in the D&D tradition of using powerful magic to achieve world-altering effects.
Specific examples of this path include siding with Gortash in Act 3 and working with him to consolidate power. Gortash is a key ally of the Absolute, and aligning with him will bring you closer to the goal of controlling the Elder Brain. Another example is using the tadpoles to gain powers like Mind Blast or Psionic Dominance, which not only make you stronger in combat but also symbolize your growing connection to the Absolute.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is a dark and consequential choice that requires careful planning and commitment. By aligning yourself with the Absolute, using the tadpoles to gain power, and making strategic decisions throughout the game, you can achieve this ending and shape the fate of the world in a way that reflects your character's embrace of control and domination. However, be prepared for the moral and narrative consequences of this path, as it will fundamentally alter the story and your relationships with your companions.