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 profound 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, often through the use of the Mind Flayers and their tadpoles. By the time you reach the final stages of the game, you will have the opportunity to either destroy the Elder Brain or allow the Absolute to take control of it. This decision is heavily influenced by your choices throughout the game, particularly your interactions with the Mind Flayers and the Absolute's followers.
To achieve the outcome where the Absolute controls the Elder Brain, you must align yourself with the forces of the Absolute. This typically 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 of the Absolute's power, and your decisions in their respective quests will determine whether you can ultimately allow the Absolute to take control of the Elder Brain.
The first step in this process is to build a relationship with the Chosen of the Absolute. This means making choices that align with their goals and ideologies. For example, in Act 2, you will encounter Ketheric Thorm, who is the leader of the Absolute's forces in the region. To align with him, you must avoid antagonizing him and instead support his plans. This might involve sparing certain characters, such as Isobel, or making deals with him that benefit his cause. Similarly, in Act 3, you will encounter Orin the Red and Gortash, who have their own agendas. To align with them, you must navigate their quests carefully, making choices that further their goals rather than undermining them.
Once you have aligned with the Chosen of the Absolute, you will eventually reach the final confrontation with the Elder Brain. At this point, you will have the option to either destroy the Elder Brain or allow the Absolute to take control of it. If you choose the latter, the Absolute will use the Elder Brain to expand its influence over the world, effectively enslaving all sentient beings under its control. This leads to a dark ending where the Absolute becomes the dominant force in the world, and your character becomes a servant of its will.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind when pursuing this path. First, it is crucial to maintain a consistent alignment with the Absolute throughout the game. This means avoiding actions that would undermine the Absolute's goals, such as freeing the Tieflings or opposing the Chosen. Second, you should be prepared for the moral consequences of your choices. Allowing the Absolute to control the Elder Brain is a deeply evil act, and it will have a significant impact on your companions and the world. Some companions may abandon you if they disagree with your choices, while others may be corrupted by the Absolute's influence.
Common mistakes to avoid include making inconsistent choices that undermine your alignment with the Absolute. For example, if you side with the Absolute in one act but then oppose them in another, you may find it difficult to achieve the desired outcome. Additionally, failing to build strong relationships with the Chosen of the Absolute can make it harder to convince them to support your decision to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain.
Advanced techniques for optimizing this path include carefully managing your relationships with your companions. Some companions, such as Astarion and Lae'zel, may be more willing to support an evil path, while others, like Wyll and Karlach, will likely oppose it. By focusing on companions who are more aligned with your goals, you can increase your chances of success. Additionally, using the tadpole powers granted by the Absolute can give you an edge in combat and dialogue, making it easier to achieve your objectives.
In terms of D&D rules and mechanics, the concept of the Elder Brain and the Absolute is rooted in the lore of Mind Flayers and their hive mind. The Elder Brain is a powerful psionic entity that controls the actions of the Mind Flayers, while the Absolute represents a force that seeks to dominate and control all life. The mechanics of allowing the Absolute to control the Elder Brain are unique to Baldur's Gate 3, but they draw on the established lore of Mind Flayers and their ability to manipulate and enslave others.
Specific examples and scenarios include the final confrontation with the Elder Brain in Act 3. At this point, you will have the opportunity to make a choice that will determine the fate of the world. If you have aligned with the Absolute and built strong relationships with the Chosen, you can choose to let the Absolute take control of the Elder Brain. This will lead to a cutscene where the Absolute's influence spreads across the land, and your character becomes a servant of its will. The ending is dark and tragic, but it is a valid outcome for players who wish to explore the evil path in Baldur's Gate 3.
In conclusion, allowing the Absolute to control the Elder Brain is a complex and morally challenging decision that requires careful planning and alignment with the forces of evil. By building strong relationships with the Chosen of the Absolute and making consistent choices that support their goals, you can achieve this outcome and experience one of the game's darkest endings. However, it is important to be aware of the consequences of your actions and to consider the impact on your companions and 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 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, often through the use of the Mind Flayers and their tadpoles. By the time you reach the final stages of the game, you will have the opportunity to either destroy the Elder Brain or allow the Absolute to take control of it. This decision is heavily influenced by your choices throughout the game, particularly your interactions with the Mind Flayers and the Absolute's followers.
To achieve the outcome where the Absolute controls the Elder Brain, you must align yourself with the forces of the Absolute. This typically 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 of the Absolute's power, and your decisions in their respective quests will determine whether you can ultimately allow the Absolute to take control of the Elder Brain.
The first step in this process is to build a relationship with the Chosen of the Absolute. This means making choices that align with their goals and ideologies. For example, in Act 2, you will encounter Ketheric Thorm, who is the leader of the Absolute's forces in the region. To align with him, you must avoid antagonizing him and instead support his plans. This might involve sparing certain characters, such as Isobel, or making deals with him that benefit his cause. Similarly, in Act 3, you will encounter Orin the Red and Gortash, who have their own agendas. To align with them, you must navigate their quests carefully, making choices that further their goals rather than undermining them.
Once you have aligned with the Chosen of the Absolute, you will eventually reach the final confrontation with the Elder Brain. At this point, you will have the option to either destroy the Elder Brain or allow the Absolute to take control of it. If you choose the latter, the Absolute will use the Elder Brain to expand its influence over the world, effectively enslaving all sentient beings under its control. This leads to a dark ending where the Absolute becomes the dominant force in the world, and your character becomes a servant of its will.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind when pursuing this path. First, it is crucial to maintain a consistent alignment with the Absolute throughout the game. This means avoiding actions that would undermine the Absolute's goals, such as freeing the Tieflings or opposing the Chosen. Second, you should be prepared for the moral consequences of your choices. Allowing the Absolute to control the Elder Brain is a deeply evil act, and it will have a significant impact on your companions and the world. Some companions may abandon you if they disagree with your choices, while others may be corrupted by the Absolute's influence.
Common mistakes to avoid include making inconsistent choices that undermine your alignment with the Absolute. For example, if you side with the Absolute in one act but then oppose them in another, you may find it difficult to achieve the desired outcome. Additionally, failing to build strong relationships with the Chosen of the Absolute can make it harder to convince them to support your decision to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain.
Advanced techniques for optimizing this path include carefully managing your relationships with your companions. Some companions, such as Astarion and Lae'zel, may be more willing to support an evil path, while others, like Wyll and Karlach, will likely oppose it. By focusing on companions who are more aligned with your goals, you can increase your chances of success. Additionally, using the tadpole powers granted by the Absolute can give you an edge in combat and dialogue, making it easier to achieve your objectives.
In terms of D&D rules and mechanics, the concept of the Elder Brain and the Absolute is rooted in the lore of Mind Flayers and their hive mind. The Elder Brain is a powerful psionic entity that controls the actions of the Mind Flayers, while the Absolute represents a force that seeks to dominate and control all life. The mechanics of allowing the Absolute to control the Elder Brain are unique to Baldur's Gate 3, but they draw on the established lore of Mind Flayers and their ability to manipulate and enslave others.
Specific examples and scenarios include the final confrontation with the Elder Brain in Act 3. At this point, you will have the opportunity to make a choice that will determine the fate of the world. If you have aligned with the Absolute and built strong relationships with the Chosen, you can choose to let the Absolute take control of the Elder Brain. This will lead to a cutscene where the Absolute's influence spreads across the land, and your character becomes a servant of its will. The ending is dark and tragic, but it is a valid outcome for players who wish to explore the evil path in Baldur's Gate 3.
In conclusion, allowing the Absolute to control the Elder Brain is a complex and morally challenging decision that requires careful planning and alignment with the forces of evil. By building strong relationships with the Chosen of the Absolute and making consistent choices that support their goals, you can achieve this outcome and experience one of the game's darkest endings. However, it is important to be aware of the consequences of your actions and to consider the impact on your companions and the world.