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 how this decision plays out, it is important to first grasp the mechanics and context surrounding 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 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. The Absolute's influence is tied to the Elder Brain, and allowing it to take control of the Elder Brain means giving it ultimate power over the Mind Flayers and, by extension, the world.
To reach the point where you can make this decision, you must progress through the main story, which involves uncovering the truth about the Absolute, the Mind Flayers, and the Elder Brain. This includes completing key quests such as infiltrating the Moonrise Towers, confronting Ketheric Thorm, and eventually making your way to the Mind Flayer colony beneath Baldur's Gate. Along the way, you will encounter various factions and characters who have their own agendas regarding the Elder Brain and the Absolute.
When you finally confront the Elder Brain, you will have the option to either destroy it or allow the Absolute to take control. Choosing to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain will result in a dramatic shift in the game's narrative. The Absolute will use the Elder Brain to dominate the world, enslaving countless people and bending them to its will. This outcome is essentially a "bad ending" for the game, as it leads to widespread suffering and the loss of free will for most of the population.
One of the key mechanics involved in this decision is the use of the tadpoles that have been implanted in your character and your companions. Throughout the game, you have the option to embrace the powers granted by the tadpoles or resist them. If you have been using the tadpoles to gain abilities, this will make it easier for the Absolute to influence you and your companions. On the other hand, if you have resisted the tadpoles, you will have a stronger will to resist the Absolute's control.
To achieve this outcome, you must make choices that align with the Absolute's goals. This includes siding with characters like Ketheric Thorm and Gortash, who are working to further the Absolute's agenda. You will also need to make decisions that prioritize power and control over morality and freedom. For example, you may need to sacrifice innocent lives or betray allies to gain the Absolute's favor.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind when pursuing this path. First, it is crucial to build a character who is willing to embrace dark powers and make morally questionable decisions. This means choosing a class and alignment that aligns with the Absolute's goals, such as a Warlock or a Paladin who has taken an Oath of Conquest. You should also focus on building relationships with characters who share your vision of power and control, such as Minthara or Astarion.
One common mistake to avoid is underestimating the consequences of your actions. Allowing the Absolute to control the Elder Brain will have far-reaching effects on the world and your companions. Some companions may turn against you, while others may be corrupted by the Absolute's influence. It is important to consider how your choices will impact the people around you and the world as a whole.
Advanced techniques for this path include using the tadpoles to their full potential, gaining powerful abilities that can help you dominate your enemies. You should also focus on building a strong party that can handle the challenges of the endgame, such as powerful Mind Flayers and other high-level enemies. This may involve optimizing your character's build and equipment to maximize their effectiveness in combat.
In terms of D&D rules and mechanics, the Elder Brain and the Absolute are both based on concepts from the Dungeons and Dragons universe. The Elder Brain is a classic Mind Flayer entity, while the Absolute represents a powerful, malevolent force that seeks to dominate and control. The mechanics of the tadpoles and their influence on your character are also rooted in D&D lore, particularly the concept of psionic powers and mind control.
Specific examples of scenarios where this decision comes into play include the final confrontation with the Elder Brain, where you must choose between destroying it or allowing the Absolute to take control. Another key moment is when you must decide whether to side with Ketheric Thorm or oppose him, as this will determine your path toward the Absolute's goals.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain in Baldur's Gate 3 is a complex and morally challenging decision that has significant consequences for the game's narrative and world. To achieve this outcome, you must make choices that align with the Absolute's goals, embrace the powers of the tadpoles, and build a character who is willing to pursue power and control at any cost. By understanding the mechanics and context of this decision, you can navigate the challenges of the endgame and shape the world according to your vision.
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 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. The Absolute's influence is tied to the Elder Brain, and allowing it to take control of the Elder Brain means giving it ultimate power over the Mind Flayers and, by extension, the world.
To reach the point where you can make this decision, you must progress through the main story, which involves uncovering the truth about the Absolute, the Mind Flayers, and the Elder Brain. This includes completing key quests such as infiltrating the Moonrise Towers, confronting Ketheric Thorm, and eventually making your way to the Mind Flayer colony beneath Baldur's Gate. Along the way, you will encounter various factions and characters who have their own agendas regarding the Elder Brain and the Absolute.
When you finally confront the Elder Brain, you will have the option to either destroy it or allow the Absolute to take control. Choosing to let the Absolute control the Elder Brain will result in a dramatic shift in the game's narrative. The Absolute will use the Elder Brain to dominate the world, enslaving countless people and bending them to its will. This outcome is essentially a "bad ending" for the game, as it leads to widespread suffering and the loss of free will for most of the population.
One of the key mechanics involved in this decision is the use of the tadpoles that have been implanted in your character and your companions. Throughout the game, you have the option to embrace the powers granted by the tadpoles or resist them. If you have been using the tadpoles to gain abilities, this will make it easier for the Absolute to influence you and your companions. On the other hand, if you have resisted the tadpoles, you will have a stronger will to resist the Absolute's control.
To achieve this outcome, you must make choices that align with the Absolute's goals. This includes siding with characters like Ketheric Thorm and Gortash, who are working to further the Absolute's agenda. You will also need to make decisions that prioritize power and control over morality and freedom. For example, you may need to sacrifice innocent lives or betray allies to gain the Absolute's favor.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind when pursuing this path. First, it is crucial to build a character who is willing to embrace dark powers and make morally questionable decisions. This means choosing a class and alignment that aligns with the Absolute's goals, such as a Warlock or a Paladin who has taken an Oath of Conquest. You should also focus on building relationships with characters who share your vision of power and control, such as Minthara or Astarion.
One common mistake to avoid is underestimating the consequences of your actions. Allowing the Absolute to control the Elder Brain will have far-reaching effects on the world and your companions. Some companions may turn against you, while others may be corrupted by the Absolute's influence. It is important to consider how your choices will impact the people around you and the world as a whole.
Advanced techniques for this path include using the tadpoles to their full potential, gaining powerful abilities that can help you dominate your enemies. You should also focus on building a strong party that can handle the challenges of the endgame, such as powerful Mind Flayers and other high-level enemies. This may involve optimizing your character's build and equipment to maximize their effectiveness in combat.
In terms of D&D rules and mechanics, the Elder Brain and the Absolute are both based on concepts from the Dungeons and Dragons universe. The Elder Brain is a classic Mind Flayer entity, while the Absolute represents a powerful, malevolent force that seeks to dominate and control. The mechanics of the tadpoles and their influence on your character are also rooted in D&D lore, particularly the concept of psionic powers and mind control.
Specific examples of scenarios where this decision comes into play include the final confrontation with the Elder Brain, where you must choose between destroying it or allowing the Absolute to take control. Another key moment is when you must decide whether to side with Ketheric Thorm or oppose him, as this will determine your path toward the Absolute's goals.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain in Baldur's Gate 3 is a complex and morally challenging decision that has significant consequences for the game's narrative and world. To achieve this outcome, you must make choices that align with the Absolute's goals, embrace the powers of the tadpoles, and build a character who is willing to pursue power and control at any cost. By understanding the mechanics and context of this decision, you can navigate the challenges of the endgame and shape the world according to your vision.