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 and the steps required to reach this point.
The Elder Brain is a powerful entity that serves as the central intelligence of the Mind Flayer colony. Throughout the game, you learn that the Absolute, a mysterious force, is attempting to dominate the Elder Brain and use it to control the world. As the story progresses, you discover that the Absolute is actually a coalition of three Chosen of the Dead Three: Ketheric Thorm, Orin the Red, and Enver Gortash. These individuals are using the Elder Brain to further their own ambitions, and your journey involves confronting them and deciding the fate of the Brain.
To reach the point where you can let the Absolute control the Elder Brain, you must first complete a series of key quests. These include infiltrating Moonrise Towers, defeating Ketheric Thorm, and dealing with Orin and Gortash in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate. Each of these encounters requires careful planning and strategy, as the Chosen are formidable opponents. Your choices in these quests will influence your ability to control or destroy the Elder Brain later in the game.
Once you have dealt with the Chosen, you will face the Elder Brain in the final act. At this point, you have several options: you can attempt to destroy the Brain, take control of it yourself, or allow the Absolute to dominate it. Letting the Absolute control the Brain is a choice that aligns you with the forces of evil, as it means surrendering the world to the will of the Dead Three and their followers. This decision will have far-reaching consequences, including the potential enslavement of countless people and the end of freedom in the world.
To make this choice, you must first reach the final confrontation with the Elder Brain. This involves navigating the Mind Flayer colony and overcoming various challenges, including powerful enemies and environmental hazards. Once you reach the Brain, you will have the option to use the Netherstones, powerful artifacts that can influence the BrainÔÇÖs behavior. If you choose to let the Absolute control the Brain, you will need to align yourself with one of the Chosen or their allies, effectively betraying your companions and the forces of good.
One important consideration is the impact this choice will have on your companions. Many of them have personal stakes in the fight against the Absolute, and allowing it to control the Elder Brain will likely result in their disapproval or even their departure from your party. For example, characters like Shadowheart, who has a deep connection to the goddess Shar, may react strongly to this decision, as it goes against their personal beliefs and goals. Similarly, characters like Wyll and Karlach, who are driven by a sense of justice and morality, will likely oppose this choice.
In terms of gameplay mechanics, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain will lead to a specific ending where the world is plunged into darkness and tyranny. This ending is considered one of the "evil" endings, as it results in the triumph of the forces of evil and the subjugation of the world. ItÔÇÖs important to note that this choice is irreversible, and once you make it, you will be locked into this ending. Therefore, itÔÇÖs crucial to consider the long-term implications of your decision before committing to it.
A common mistake to avoid is making this choice without fully understanding its consequences. Some players may be tempted to explore the "evil" path for the sake of variety or curiosity, but itÔÇÖs important to remember that this decision will have a significant impact on the story and your relationships with your companions. If you are playing a character who values freedom and justice, this choice may not align with your characterÔÇÖs motivations and could lead to a less satisfying conclusion.
Advanced techniques for this path involve optimizing your character build and party composition to handle the challenges of the final act. Since the final confrontation with the Elder Brain is one of the most difficult battles in the game, itÔÇÖs important to have a well-rounded party with strong offensive and defensive capabilities. Characters with high damage output, such as fighters and sorcerers, can be particularly effective in this fight. Additionally, having characters with crowd control abilities, such as wizards and bards, can help you manage the numerous enemies you will face.
In terms of D&D rules, the Elder Brain is a powerful creature with a high challenge rating, and its abilities are based on the Mind Flayer stat block. It has powerful psychic attacks, the ability to dominate creatures, and a range of other abilities that make it a formidable opponent. Understanding these mechanics can help you prepare for the final battle and make informed decisions about how to approach it.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is a major decision that will shape the ending of BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3. It requires careful consideration of the story, your companions, and your characterÔÇÖs motivations. By understanding the mechanics and consequences of this choice, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your playstyle and the narrative you want to experience. Whether you choose to embrace the darkness or fight against it, the fate of the world is in your hands.
The Elder Brain is a powerful entity that serves as the central intelligence of the Mind Flayer colony. Throughout the game, you learn that the Absolute, a mysterious force, is attempting to dominate the Elder Brain and use it to control the world. As the story progresses, you discover that the Absolute is actually a coalition of three Chosen of the Dead Three: Ketheric Thorm, Orin the Red, and Enver Gortash. These individuals are using the Elder Brain to further their own ambitions, and your journey involves confronting them and deciding the fate of the Brain.
To reach the point where you can let the Absolute control the Elder Brain, you must first complete a series of key quests. These include infiltrating Moonrise Towers, defeating Ketheric Thorm, and dealing with Orin and Gortash in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate. Each of these encounters requires careful planning and strategy, as the Chosen are formidable opponents. Your choices in these quests will influence your ability to control or destroy the Elder Brain later in the game.
Once you have dealt with the Chosen, you will face the Elder Brain in the final act. At this point, you have several options: you can attempt to destroy the Brain, take control of it yourself, or allow the Absolute to dominate it. Letting the Absolute control the Brain is a choice that aligns you with the forces of evil, as it means surrendering the world to the will of the Dead Three and their followers. This decision will have far-reaching consequences, including the potential enslavement of countless people and the end of freedom in the world.
To make this choice, you must first reach the final confrontation with the Elder Brain. This involves navigating the Mind Flayer colony and overcoming various challenges, including powerful enemies and environmental hazards. Once you reach the Brain, you will have the option to use the Netherstones, powerful artifacts that can influence the BrainÔÇÖs behavior. If you choose to let the Absolute control the Brain, you will need to align yourself with one of the Chosen or their allies, effectively betraying your companions and the forces of good.
One important consideration is the impact this choice will have on your companions. Many of them have personal stakes in the fight against the Absolute, and allowing it to control the Elder Brain will likely result in their disapproval or even their departure from your party. For example, characters like Shadowheart, who has a deep connection to the goddess Shar, may react strongly to this decision, as it goes against their personal beliefs and goals. Similarly, characters like Wyll and Karlach, who are driven by a sense of justice and morality, will likely oppose this choice.
In terms of gameplay mechanics, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain will lead to a specific ending where the world is plunged into darkness and tyranny. This ending is considered one of the "evil" endings, as it results in the triumph of the forces of evil and the subjugation of the world. ItÔÇÖs important to note that this choice is irreversible, and once you make it, you will be locked into this ending. Therefore, itÔÇÖs crucial to consider the long-term implications of your decision before committing to it.
A common mistake to avoid is making this choice without fully understanding its consequences. Some players may be tempted to explore the "evil" path for the sake of variety or curiosity, but itÔÇÖs important to remember that this decision will have a significant impact on the story and your relationships with your companions. If you are playing a character who values freedom and justice, this choice may not align with your characterÔÇÖs motivations and could lead to a less satisfying conclusion.
Advanced techniques for this path involve optimizing your character build and party composition to handle the challenges of the final act. Since the final confrontation with the Elder Brain is one of the most difficult battles in the game, itÔÇÖs important to have a well-rounded party with strong offensive and defensive capabilities. Characters with high damage output, such as fighters and sorcerers, can be particularly effective in this fight. Additionally, having characters with crowd control abilities, such as wizards and bards, can help you manage the numerous enemies you will face.
In terms of D&D rules, the Elder Brain is a powerful creature with a high challenge rating, and its abilities are based on the Mind Flayer stat block. It has powerful psychic attacks, the ability to dominate creatures, and a range of other abilities that make it a formidable opponent. Understanding these mechanics can help you prepare for the final battle and make informed decisions about how to approach it.
In conclusion, letting the Absolute control the Elder Brain is a major decision that will shape the ending of BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3. It requires careful consideration of the story, your companions, and your characterÔÇÖs motivations. By understanding the mechanics and consequences of this choice, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your playstyle and the narrative you want to experience. Whether you choose to embrace the darkness or fight against it, the fate of the world is in your hands.