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 for the Mind Flayer colony. It is the source of the Mind Flayers' hive mind and is capable of controlling countless thralls. 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 the opportunity to either destroy the Elder Brain or allow the Absolute to take control of it. Choosing the latter leads to a dark and oppressive ending where the Absolute's influence spreads unchecked.
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 siding with characters like Ketheric Thorm, Orin the Red, or Gortash, who are the Chosen of the Absolute. These characters represent the Absolute's will and will guide you toward the decision to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain. Throughout the game, you will encounter opportunities to either resist or embrace the Absolute's influence. To let the Absolute control the Elder Brain, you must consistently choose options that align with its goals.
One of the most critical moments occurs in Act 3, when you confront the Elder Brain in the final stages of the game. At this point, you will have the option to either destroy the Elder Brain or allow the Absolute to take control. If you have been working with the Chosen and have not resisted the Absolute's influence, you will be able to make the choice to let the Absolute dominate the Elder Brain. This decision will lead to a cutscene where the Absolute's power spreads across the land, enslaving countless people and solidifying its control over the world.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind when pursuing this path. First, you should be aware that this choice will alienate many of your companions, especially those who are morally opposed to the Absolute's goals. Characters like Shadowheart, Wyll, and Karlach may leave your party or turn against you if you choose to side with the Absolute. Additionally, this decision will lock you into a specific ending, so itÔÇÖs important to consider the long-term consequences before making your choice.
A common mistake to avoid is failing to fully commit to the Absolute's agenda. If you waver in your support or make choices that undermine the Absolute's goals, you may not be able to achieve the ending where the Absolute controls the Elder Brain. ItÔÇÖs also important to manage your relationships with your companions carefully, as their reactions to your decisions can significantly impact the outcome of the story.
Advanced techniques for this path include optimizing your character build to align with the Absolute's goals. For example, playing as a character with high Charisma and Persuasion can help you convince others to support the Absolute's cause. Additionally, using spells and abilities that enhance your control over others, such as Dominate Person or Command, can reinforce your alignment with the Absolute's agenda.
From a D&D rules perspective, the Elder Brain and the Absolute represent powerful forces of domination and control. The Elder Brain is a CR 14 creature in the D&D 5E Monster Manual, capable of using its Mind Blast and Psychic Link abilities to dominate and manipulate others. The Absolute, while not a standard D&D entity, embodies the concept of a godlike force that seeks to impose its will on the world. By allowing the Absolute to control the Elder Brain, you are essentially enabling a force of ultimate domination to take over.
In specific scenarios, this choice can lead to dramatic and tragic outcomes. For example, if you have romanced a companion who opposes the Absolute, they may leave you or even try to stop you from making this decision. Similarly, if you have built strong alliances with factions like the Harpers or the Druids, they may turn against you once the Absolute's control becomes apparent. These consequences add depth and complexity to the story, making the decision to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain a truly impactful moment in the game.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain in Baldur's Gate 3 is a choice that requires careful planning and commitment. By aligning yourself with the Absolute's agents, managing your relationships with your companions, and optimizing your character build, you can achieve this dark and oppressive ending. However, itÔÇÖs important to consider the moral and narrative consequences of this decision, as it will significantly alter the world and the fate of your party.
The Elder Brain is a powerful entity that serves as the central intelligence for the Mind Flayer colony. It is the source of the Mind Flayers' hive mind and is capable of controlling countless thralls. 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 the opportunity to either destroy the Elder Brain or allow the Absolute to take control of it. Choosing the latter leads to a dark and oppressive ending where the Absolute's influence spreads unchecked.
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 siding with characters like Ketheric Thorm, Orin the Red, or Gortash, who are the Chosen of the Absolute. These characters represent the Absolute's will and will guide you toward the decision to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain. Throughout the game, you will encounter opportunities to either resist or embrace the Absolute's influence. To let the Absolute control the Elder Brain, you must consistently choose options that align with its goals.
One of the most critical moments occurs in Act 3, when you confront the Elder Brain in the final stages of the game. At this point, you will have the option to either destroy the Elder Brain or allow the Absolute to take control. If you have been working with the Chosen and have not resisted the Absolute's influence, you will be able to make the choice to let the Absolute dominate the Elder Brain. This decision will lead to a cutscene where the Absolute's power spreads across the land, enslaving countless people and solidifying its control over the world.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind when pursuing this path. First, you should be aware that this choice will alienate many of your companions, especially those who are morally opposed to the Absolute's goals. Characters like Shadowheart, Wyll, and Karlach may leave your party or turn against you if you choose to side with the Absolute. Additionally, this decision will lock you into a specific ending, so itÔÇÖs important to consider the long-term consequences before making your choice.
A common mistake to avoid is failing to fully commit to the Absolute's agenda. If you waver in your support or make choices that undermine the Absolute's goals, you may not be able to achieve the ending where the Absolute controls the Elder Brain. ItÔÇÖs also important to manage your relationships with your companions carefully, as their reactions to your decisions can significantly impact the outcome of the story.
Advanced techniques for this path include optimizing your character build to align with the Absolute's goals. For example, playing as a character with high Charisma and Persuasion can help you convince others to support the Absolute's cause. Additionally, using spells and abilities that enhance your control over others, such as Dominate Person or Command, can reinforce your alignment with the Absolute's agenda.
From a D&D rules perspective, the Elder Brain and the Absolute represent powerful forces of domination and control. The Elder Brain is a CR 14 creature in the D&D 5E Monster Manual, capable of using its Mind Blast and Psychic Link abilities to dominate and manipulate others. The Absolute, while not a standard D&D entity, embodies the concept of a godlike force that seeks to impose its will on the world. By allowing the Absolute to control the Elder Brain, you are essentially enabling a force of ultimate domination to take over.
In specific scenarios, this choice can lead to dramatic and tragic outcomes. For example, if you have romanced a companion who opposes the Absolute, they may leave you or even try to stop you from making this decision. Similarly, if you have built strong alliances with factions like the Harpers or the Druids, they may turn against you once the Absolute's control becomes apparent. These consequences add depth and complexity to the story, making the decision to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain a truly impactful moment in the game.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain in Baldur's Gate 3 is a choice that requires careful planning and commitment. By aligning yourself with the Absolute's agents, managing your relationships with your companions, and optimizing your character build, you can achieve this dark and oppressive ending. However, itÔÇÖs important to consider the moral and narrative consequences of this decision, as it will significantly alter the world and the fate of your party.