What happens if I let the Absolute take over in Baldur's Gate 3?
In Baldur's Gate 3, the concept of letting the Absolute take over is tied to the game's central narrative and the choices you make throughout the story. The Absolute is a powerful entity that seeks to dominate the world, and your character's decisions can either resist or embrace its influence. Letting the Absolute take over is not a straightforward path but rather a series of choices that align you with its goals, leading to a specific ending where the Absolute's power prevails. HereÔÇÖs a detailed breakdown of how this can be achieved, along with the mechanics, strategies, and considerations involved.
To let the Absolute take over, you must align yourself with the forces that serve it, primarily the Cult of the Absolute. This involves making decisions that favor the cult and its leaders, such as Ketheric Thorm, Orin the Red, and Gortash. These characters are key figures in the Absolute's hierarchy, and your interactions with them will determine whether you support or oppose the Absolute's rise. Early in the game, you will encounter the cult and its followers, and your choices in these encounters will set the tone for your alignment with the Absolute.
One of the first major decisions that can influence this path occurs in Act 1, when you encounter the goblin camp and the leaders who serve the Absolute. If you choose to side with the goblins and their leaders, such as Priestess Gut, Minthara, and Dror Ragzlin, you will be taking steps toward aligning with the Absolute. This involves completing quests that further the cult's goals, such as attacking the Druid Grove, which is a stronghold of resistance against the Absolute. By doing so, you weaken the forces opposing the Absolute and strengthen its influence in the region.
As you progress into Act 2, you will encounter Ketheric Thorm, one of the Absolute's chosen. Ketheric is a key figure in the cult, and your interactions with him will be pivotal. To align with the Absolute, you should avoid opposing Ketheric and instead support his plans. This might involve sparing him during confrontations or aiding him in his quest to dominate the region. Ketheric's storyline is deeply tied to the Absolute's rise, and your choices here will significantly impact the outcome.
In Act 3, you will face Orin the Red and Gortash, the other two chosen of the Absolute. To let the Absolute take over, you should avoid killing these characters or undermining their plans. Instead, you can choose to ally with them, furthering the Absolute's goals. Gortash, in particular, offers a direct path to aligning with the Absolute, as he seeks to use the Steel Watch and other forces to solidify the cult's control over Baldur's Gate. By supporting Gortash and his schemes, you contribute to the Absolute's dominance.
Throughout the game, your dialogue choices and actions will influence your alignment with the Absolute. Choosing options that express loyalty to the cult, avoiding resistance, and completing quests that benefit the Absolute will all contribute to this path. ItÔÇÖs important to note that this alignment often comes at the cost of other relationships and alliances. For example, siding with the Absolute may lead to the loss of companions who oppose the cult, such as Wyll or Karlach, who have personal stakes in resisting the Absolute's influence.
One common mistake to avoid is inconsistency in your choices. If you waver between supporting and opposing the Absolute, you may find yourself locked out of the ending where the Absolute takes over. ItÔÇÖs crucial to commit to this path early and consistently make choices that align with the cult's goals. Additionally, be mindful of the consequences of your actions. Aligning with the Absolute often means sacrificing moral high ground and making ruthless decisions that can alienate other characters and factions.
Advanced techniques for this path involve optimizing your character build and party composition to handle the challenges that come with aligning with the Absolute. For example, having a character with high Charisma and Persuasion can help you navigate dialogue options that favor the cult. Additionally, building a party that can handle combat effectively is important, as you may face resistance from those who oppose the Absolute. Consider including characters like Minthara, who can be recruited if you side with the goblins in Act 1, as she is a strong ally for this path.
From a D&D rules perspective, the Absolute's influence can be seen as a form of domination or mind control, which are common themes in the game. The mechanics of resisting or succumbing to the Absolute's influence are tied to Wisdom saving throws and other checks that determine your character's ability to resist external control. However, in the context of the story, your choices are more about role-playing and narrative alignment than strict adherence to D&D mechanics.
In summary, letting the Absolute take over in Baldur's Gate 3 involves a series of deliberate choices that align you with the cult and its leaders. This path requires consistency, strategic decision-making, and a willingness to embrace the darker aspects of the story. By understanding the mechanics, avoiding common mistakes, and optimizing your approach, you can achieve an ending where the Absolute's power prevails, shaping the world in its image.
To let the Absolute take over, you must align yourself with the forces that serve it, primarily the Cult of the Absolute. This involves making decisions that favor the cult and its leaders, such as Ketheric Thorm, Orin the Red, and Gortash. These characters are key figures in the Absolute's hierarchy, and your interactions with them will determine whether you support or oppose the Absolute's rise. Early in the game, you will encounter the cult and its followers, and your choices in these encounters will set the tone for your alignment with the Absolute.
One of the first major decisions that can influence this path occurs in Act 1, when you encounter the goblin camp and the leaders who serve the Absolute. If you choose to side with the goblins and their leaders, such as Priestess Gut, Minthara, and Dror Ragzlin, you will be taking steps toward aligning with the Absolute. This involves completing quests that further the cult's goals, such as attacking the Druid Grove, which is a stronghold of resistance against the Absolute. By doing so, you weaken the forces opposing the Absolute and strengthen its influence in the region.
As you progress into Act 2, you will encounter Ketheric Thorm, one of the Absolute's chosen. Ketheric is a key figure in the cult, and your interactions with him will be pivotal. To align with the Absolute, you should avoid opposing Ketheric and instead support his plans. This might involve sparing him during confrontations or aiding him in his quest to dominate the region. Ketheric's storyline is deeply tied to the Absolute's rise, and your choices here will significantly impact the outcome.
In Act 3, you will face Orin the Red and Gortash, the other two chosen of the Absolute. To let the Absolute take over, you should avoid killing these characters or undermining their plans. Instead, you can choose to ally with them, furthering the Absolute's goals. Gortash, in particular, offers a direct path to aligning with the Absolute, as he seeks to use the Steel Watch and other forces to solidify the cult's control over Baldur's Gate. By supporting Gortash and his schemes, you contribute to the Absolute's dominance.
Throughout the game, your dialogue choices and actions will influence your alignment with the Absolute. Choosing options that express loyalty to the cult, avoiding resistance, and completing quests that benefit the Absolute will all contribute to this path. ItÔÇÖs important to note that this alignment often comes at the cost of other relationships and alliances. For example, siding with the Absolute may lead to the loss of companions who oppose the cult, such as Wyll or Karlach, who have personal stakes in resisting the Absolute's influence.
One common mistake to avoid is inconsistency in your choices. If you waver between supporting and opposing the Absolute, you may find yourself locked out of the ending where the Absolute takes over. ItÔÇÖs crucial to commit to this path early and consistently make choices that align with the cult's goals. Additionally, be mindful of the consequences of your actions. Aligning with the Absolute often means sacrificing moral high ground and making ruthless decisions that can alienate other characters and factions.
Advanced techniques for this path involve optimizing your character build and party composition to handle the challenges that come with aligning with the Absolute. For example, having a character with high Charisma and Persuasion can help you navigate dialogue options that favor the cult. Additionally, building a party that can handle combat effectively is important, as you may face resistance from those who oppose the Absolute. Consider including characters like Minthara, who can be recruited if you side with the goblins in Act 1, as she is a strong ally for this path.
From a D&D rules perspective, the Absolute's influence can be seen as a form of domination or mind control, which are common themes in the game. The mechanics of resisting or succumbing to the Absolute's influence are tied to Wisdom saving throws and other checks that determine your character's ability to resist external control. However, in the context of the story, your choices are more about role-playing and narrative alignment than strict adherence to D&D mechanics.
In summary, letting the Absolute take over in Baldur's Gate 3 involves a series of deliberate choices that align you with the cult and its leaders. This path requires consistency, strategic decision-making, and a willingness to embrace the darker aspects of the story. By understanding the mechanics, avoiding common mistakes, and optimizing your approach, you can achieve an ending where the Absolute's power prevails, shaping the world in its image.