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 and the steps required to reach this point.
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 and use it to control the world. As you progress through the main questline, you will encounter key moments where you must decide whether to resist the Absolute or align with it. Letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain means surrendering to its will, effectively allowing it to dominate all life in Faer├╗n.
To achieve this outcome, you must follow a specific path. First, you need to align yourself with the AbsoluteÔÇÖs forces. This involves siding with characters like Ketheric Thorm, Orin the Red, and Gortash, who are the Chosen of the Absolute. These characters represent the three main factions working to bring the AbsoluteÔÇÖs plan to fruition. By cooperating with them and supporting their goals, you will gain their trust and be given the opportunity to influence the Elder Brain.
One critical moment occurs in Act 3 when you confront the Elder Brain in the Mind Flayer colony beneath BaldurÔÇÖs Gate. Here, you will have the option to either destroy the Elder Brain or allow the Absolute to take control. If you choose the latter, you must first ensure that the Chosen of the Absolute are still alive and allied with you. This requires careful decision-making throughout the game, as killing any of the Chosen earlier will lock you out of this path.
Once you reach the Elder Brain, you will need to pass a series of skill checks and dialogue options to convince it to submit to the Absolute. These checks often involve Charisma-based skills like Persuasion or Intimidation, so having a character with high Charisma can be beneficial. If you succeed, the Elder Brain will fall under the AbsoluteÔÇÖs control, and the game will proceed to its conclusion with this outcome.
The consequences of this choice are profound. By allowing the Absolute to control the Elder Brain, you effectively doom the world to eternal domination by the Mind Flayers. Your companions will react strongly to this decision, with many of them expressing horror or betrayal. Characters like Shadowheart, LaeÔÇÖzel, and Gale, who have personal stakes in the fight against the Absolute, may turn against you or leave your party entirely. The ending cinematic will depict a world consumed by the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence, with no hope of resistance.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind when pursuing this path. First, ensure that your character is well-suited for the necessary skill checks. A high Charisma score and proficiency in Persuasion or Intimidation will make it easier to convince the Elder Brain to submit. Additionally, be mindful of your companionsÔÇÖ reactions. Some companions, like Astarion or Minthara, may be more willing to support this decision, while others will vehemently oppose it. Managing your relationships with your party members is crucial to maintaining cohesion.
Common mistakes to avoid include killing the Chosen of the Absolute too early or failing to build the necessary alliances. If you eliminate Ketheric, Orin, or Gortash before reaching the Elder Brain, you will lose the opportunity to let the Absolute take control. Additionally, neglecting to prepare for the skill checks can result in failure, forcing you to choose a different path.
Advanced techniques involve optimizing your character build and party composition to maximize your chances of success. For example, a Bard or Sorcerer with high Charisma and expertise in Persuasion can excel in the required dialogue checks. You can also use spells like Enhance Ability to gain advantage on Charisma checks, further increasing your odds.
In terms of D&D 5E rules, the mechanics of controlling the Elder Brain align with the concept of domination and mind control. The Elder Brain is a creature with high Intelligence and Wisdom, making it resistant to manipulation. However, the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence is portrayed as overwhelming, bypassing these resistances through sheer power.
Specific examples and scenarios include the final confrontation in the Mind Flayer colony. Here, you will face the Elder Brain in a climactic battle, with the option to either destroy it or allow the Absolute to take control. The dialogue and skill checks during this encounter are pivotal, and your choices will determine the fate of the world.
In summary, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is a complex and morally ambiguous decision with significant consequences. By aligning with the Chosen of the Absolute, preparing for the necessary skill checks, and managing your companionsÔÇÖ reactions, you can achieve this outcome. However, it comes at the cost of the worldÔÇÖs freedom and the trust of your allies. This path is best suited for players who want to explore the darker side of the narrative and experience a unique ending.
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 and use it to control the world. As you progress through the main questline, you will encounter key moments where you must decide whether to resist the Absolute or align with it. Letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain means surrendering to its will, effectively allowing it to dominate all life in Faer├╗n.
To achieve this outcome, you must follow a specific path. First, you need to align yourself with the AbsoluteÔÇÖs forces. This involves siding with characters like Ketheric Thorm, Orin the Red, and Gortash, who are the Chosen of the Absolute. These characters represent the three main factions working to bring the AbsoluteÔÇÖs plan to fruition. By cooperating with them and supporting their goals, you will gain their trust and be given the opportunity to influence the Elder Brain.
One critical moment occurs in Act 3 when you confront the Elder Brain in the Mind Flayer colony beneath BaldurÔÇÖs Gate. Here, you will have the option to either destroy the Elder Brain or allow the Absolute to take control. If you choose the latter, you must first ensure that the Chosen of the Absolute are still alive and allied with you. This requires careful decision-making throughout the game, as killing any of the Chosen earlier will lock you out of this path.
Once you reach the Elder Brain, you will need to pass a series of skill checks and dialogue options to convince it to submit to the Absolute. These checks often involve Charisma-based skills like Persuasion or Intimidation, so having a character with high Charisma can be beneficial. If you succeed, the Elder Brain will fall under the AbsoluteÔÇÖs control, and the game will proceed to its conclusion with this outcome.
The consequences of this choice are profound. By allowing the Absolute to control the Elder Brain, you effectively doom the world to eternal domination by the Mind Flayers. Your companions will react strongly to this decision, with many of them expressing horror or betrayal. Characters like Shadowheart, LaeÔÇÖzel, and Gale, who have personal stakes in the fight against the Absolute, may turn against you or leave your party entirely. The ending cinematic will depict a world consumed by the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence, with no hope of resistance.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind when pursuing this path. First, ensure that your character is well-suited for the necessary skill checks. A high Charisma score and proficiency in Persuasion or Intimidation will make it easier to convince the Elder Brain to submit. Additionally, be mindful of your companionsÔÇÖ reactions. Some companions, like Astarion or Minthara, may be more willing to support this decision, while others will vehemently oppose it. Managing your relationships with your party members is crucial to maintaining cohesion.
Common mistakes to avoid include killing the Chosen of the Absolute too early or failing to build the necessary alliances. If you eliminate Ketheric, Orin, or Gortash before reaching the Elder Brain, you will lose the opportunity to let the Absolute take control. Additionally, neglecting to prepare for the skill checks can result in failure, forcing you to choose a different path.
Advanced techniques involve optimizing your character build and party composition to maximize your chances of success. For example, a Bard or Sorcerer with high Charisma and expertise in Persuasion can excel in the required dialogue checks. You can also use spells like Enhance Ability to gain advantage on Charisma checks, further increasing your odds.
In terms of D&D 5E rules, the mechanics of controlling the Elder Brain align with the concept of domination and mind control. The Elder Brain is a creature with high Intelligence and Wisdom, making it resistant to manipulation. However, the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence is portrayed as overwhelming, bypassing these resistances through sheer power.
Specific examples and scenarios include the final confrontation in the Mind Flayer colony. Here, you will face the Elder Brain in a climactic battle, with the option to either destroy it or allow the Absolute to take control. The dialogue and skill checks during this encounter are pivotal, and your choices will determine the fate of the world.
In summary, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is a complex and morally ambiguous decision with significant consequences. By aligning with the Chosen of the Absolute, preparing for the necessary skill checks, and managing your companionsÔÇÖ reactions, you can achieve this outcome. However, it comes at the cost of the worldÔÇÖs freedom and the trust of your allies. This path is best suited for players who want to explore the darker side of the narrative and experience a unique ending.