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, often through the use of the Mind Flayers and their tadpoles. By the time you reach the endgame, you will have learned that the Absolute is a construct of the Dead ThreeÔÇöBhaal, Myrkul, and BaneÔÇöwho seek to use the Elder Brain to dominate the world.
To let the Absolute control the Elder Brain, you must align yourself with the forces of the Absolute. This typically involves siding with the Chosen of the Dead ThreeÔÇöOrin, Gortash, and Ketheric ThormÔÇöor at least not opposing them outright. Throughout the game, you will have opportunities to either resist or embrace the influence of the Absolute. Embracing it often means using the tadpole powers granted to you and making choices that align with the goals of the Chosen.
The mechanics of this decision are tied to the gameÔÇÖs dialogue and story progression. As you progress through the main questline, you will encounter key moments where you can choose to support the Absolute or work against it. For example, when dealing with Ketheric Thorm in Act 2, you can choose to ally with him rather than fight him. Similarly, in Act 3, you can negotiate with Gortash and Orin, agreeing to their plans rather than opposing them. These choices will gradually lead you toward the path of letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain.
One important tip is to carefully consider the consequences of your actions. While siding with the Absolute may seem like a way to gain power, it comes at a great cost. Your companions, especially those with strong moral convictions like Shadowheart or Wyll, may disapprove of your choices and even leave your party. Additionally, the world will suffer under the AbsoluteÔÇÖs rule, with countless lives being lost or enslaved. This decision is not just about power; itÔÇÖs about the kind of world you want to create.
A common mistake to avoid is underestimating the impact of your choices. Some players may think that they can manipulate the situation to their advantage, but the game is designed to reflect the gravity of your decisions. If you choose to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain, you will be locked into a specific ending where the world is dominated by the Mind Flayers and the Dead Three. There is no turning back from this path once you commit to it.
Advanced techniques for this path involve optimizing your character build to take full advantage of the tadpole powers. By embracing the tadpole, you gain access to unique abilities that can make you incredibly powerful in combat. However, this also means sacrificing some of your humanity and potentially alienating your companions. ItÔÇÖs a trade-off that requires careful consideration.
From a D&D rules perspective, the Elder Brain and the Absolute represent high-level threats that would typically require a party of experienced adventurers to confront. The Elder Brain is a CR 14 creature in the D&D 5E rules, making it one of the most powerful enemies in the game. The Absolute, as a construct of the Dead Three, is even more formidable, representing a cosmic-level threat. Letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is akin to allowing a god-like entity to dominate the world, with all the catastrophic consequences that entails.
In specific scenarios, such as the final confrontation with the Elder Brain, you will have the opportunity to make the ultimate choice. If you have aligned yourself with the Absolute, you can choose to let it take control, effectively ending the game with a dark and oppressive outcome. This ending is a stark contrast to the more hopeful endings where you defeat the Absolute and free the world from its influence.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is a path of power and domination, but it comes with significant moral and narrative consequences. It requires careful planning, a willingness to embrace dark powers, and an acceptance of the world you will create. Whether this is the right choice for you depends on the kind of story you want to experience in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3.
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 endgame, you will have learned that the Absolute is a construct of the Dead ThreeÔÇöBhaal, Myrkul, and BaneÔÇöwho seek to use the Elder Brain to dominate the world.
To let the Absolute control the Elder Brain, you must align yourself with the forces of the Absolute. This typically involves siding with the Chosen of the Dead ThreeÔÇöOrin, Gortash, and Ketheric ThormÔÇöor at least not opposing them outright. Throughout the game, you will have opportunities to either resist or embrace the influence of the Absolute. Embracing it often means using the tadpole powers granted to you and making choices that align with the goals of the Chosen.
The mechanics of this decision are tied to the gameÔÇÖs dialogue and story progression. As you progress through the main questline, you will encounter key moments where you can choose to support the Absolute or work against it. For example, when dealing with Ketheric Thorm in Act 2, you can choose to ally with him rather than fight him. Similarly, in Act 3, you can negotiate with Gortash and Orin, agreeing to their plans rather than opposing them. These choices will gradually lead you toward the path of letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain.
One important tip is to carefully consider the consequences of your actions. While siding with the Absolute may seem like a way to gain power, it comes at a great cost. Your companions, especially those with strong moral convictions like Shadowheart or Wyll, may disapprove of your choices and even leave your party. Additionally, the world will suffer under the AbsoluteÔÇÖs rule, with countless lives being lost or enslaved. This decision is not just about power; itÔÇÖs about the kind of world you want to create.
A common mistake to avoid is underestimating the impact of your choices. Some players may think that they can manipulate the situation to their advantage, but the game is designed to reflect the gravity of your decisions. If you choose to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain, you will be locked into a specific ending where the world is dominated by the Mind Flayers and the Dead Three. There is no turning back from this path once you commit to it.
Advanced techniques for this path involve optimizing your character build to take full advantage of the tadpole powers. By embracing the tadpole, you gain access to unique abilities that can make you incredibly powerful in combat. However, this also means sacrificing some of your humanity and potentially alienating your companions. ItÔÇÖs a trade-off that requires careful consideration.
From a D&D rules perspective, the Elder Brain and the Absolute represent high-level threats that would typically require a party of experienced adventurers to confront. The Elder Brain is a CR 14 creature in the D&D 5E rules, making it one of the most powerful enemies in the game. The Absolute, as a construct of the Dead Three, is even more formidable, representing a cosmic-level threat. Letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is akin to allowing a god-like entity to dominate the world, with all the catastrophic consequences that entails.
In specific scenarios, such as the final confrontation with the Elder Brain, you will have the opportunity to make the ultimate choice. If you have aligned yourself with the Absolute, you can choose to let it take control, effectively ending the game with a dark and oppressive outcome. This ending is a stark contrast to the more hopeful endings where you defeat the Absolute and free the world from its influence.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is a path of power and domination, but it comes with significant moral and narrative consequences. It requires careful planning, a willingness to embrace dark powers, and an acceptance of the world you will create. Whether this is the right choice for you depends on the kind of story you want to experience in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3.