What happens if I side with the Absolute in the final battle of Act 3 in Baldur's Gate 3?

Siding with the Absolute in the final battle of Act 3 in Baldur's Gate 3 is a significant narrative choice that drastically alters the outcome of the game. This decision is tied to the overarching conflict between the forces of the Absolute, a powerful entity seeking to dominate the world, and the various factions and characters resisting its influence. Choosing to side with the Absolute means aligning yourself with its goals, which can lead to a darker, more oppressive ending for the world of Baldur's Gate. HereÔÇÖs a detailed breakdown of what happens and how to achieve this outcome.

To side with the Absolute, you must first progress through the main story until you reach the final stages of Act 3. This involves completing key quests such as dealing with the Netherbrain, the primary antagonist orchestrating the AbsoluteÔÇÖs plans. Throughout the game, you will encounter moments where you can choose to either resist the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence or give in to it. These choices are often presented during dialogue with key characters like the Dream Visitor, who represents the AbsoluteÔÇÖs attempts to manipulate you. To align with the Absolute, you need to consistently make choices that favor its agenda, such as embracing the tadpole powers and using them to dominate others.

In the final battle, you will face a critical decision point where you can either join forces with the Absolute or continue to resist it. If you choose to side with the Absolute, you will need to betray your companions and allies, as they will likely oppose this decision. This betrayal can lead to dramatic confrontations with your party members, who may turn against you if they feel you have gone too far in embracing the AbsoluteÔÇÖs power. The mechanics of this choice involve dialogue options and combat scenarios where you must actively work against your former allies to secure the AbsoluteÔÇÖs victory.

One important tip is to ensure your character is well-prepared for the final battle, as siding with the Absolute will pit you against powerful enemies, including your former companions. This means optimizing your character build for high damage output and survivability. Classes like the Paladin or Sorcerer can be particularly effective due to their strong combat abilities and versatility. Additionally, make sure to equip your character with powerful gear and consumables, such as potions and scrolls, to give you an edge in the final confrontation.

A common mistake to avoid is underestimating the strength of your former allies. They will not go down easily, and their AI is designed to exploit your weaknesses. For example, if you have a companion who is a powerful spellcaster, they may focus on disabling your character with crowd control spells like Hold Person or Counterspell. To counter this, consider using abilities or items that grant immunity to such effects, or focus on taking out the most dangerous threats first.

Advanced techniques for this scenario include using environmental advantages to your benefit. The final battle takes place in a dynamic arena with various hazards and interactive elements. For instance, you can use explosive barrels or environmental traps to deal massive damage to your enemies. Additionally, positioning is key. Try to keep your character in a spot where they can avoid being surrounded, and use ranged attacks or spells to pick off enemies from a distance.

From a D&D rules perspective, the mechanics of the final battle are heavily influenced by the 5th Edition ruleset. This means that abilities like Action Surge, Divine Smite, and Metamagic can be game-changers in this high-stakes encounter. Understanding how these abilities work and when to use them can give you a significant advantage. For example, a Sorcerer can use Twinned Spell to target multiple enemies with a single powerful spell, while a Paladin can use Divine Smite to deal massive damage to a single target.

Specific examples of how this choice plays out include the potential for your character to become a vessel for the AbsoluteÔÇÖs power, effectively becoming a new leader of its forces. This can lead to a cutscene where you see the world being reshaped under the AbsoluteÔÇÖs rule, with your character at the center of this new order. However, this also means sacrificing the freedom and autonomy of the people of BaldurÔÇÖs Gate, as the AbsoluteÔÇÖs rule is one of domination and control.

In conclusion, siding with the Absolute in the final battle of Act 3 is a morally complex and challenging choice that requires careful planning and execution. By understanding the mechanics, optimizing your character build, and using advanced combat tactics, you can successfully achieve this outcome. However, be prepared for the consequences, as this path leads to a darker and more oppressive ending for the world of BaldurÔÇÖs Gate.