What happens if I let the Absolute take over the Underdark in Baldur's Gate 3?
In Baldur's Gate 3, the Underdark is a vast and dangerous subterranean region filled with unique creatures, factions, and storylines. One of the key narrative choices you can make involves the Absolute, a mysterious and powerful force that seeks to dominate the world. Allowing the Absolute to take over the Underdark is a significant decision that can have far-reaching consequences for the story, your companions, and the world at large. HereÔÇÖs a detailed explanation of how this choice unfolds, the mechanics involved, and the strategies you can use to navigate this path.
To let the Absolute take over the Underdark, you must align yourself with the forces of the Absolute, which are primarily represented by the Cult of the Absolute. This cult is a central antagonist in the game, and their influence spreads throughout the Underdark. Your journey to enable the AbsoluteÔÇÖs dominance begins with your interactions with the cult and the choices you make during key quests. One of the most critical moments occurs when you encounter the Duergar, a faction of evil dwarves who are aligned with the Absolute. By siding with the Duergar and supporting their efforts to expand the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence, you can set the stage for the UnderdarkÔÇÖs eventual takeover.
The mechanics of this choice involve dialogue options, quest decisions, and combat encounters. When you first meet the Duergar in the Underdark, you will have the opportunity to either oppose them or join their cause. Choosing to ally with them requires careful dialogue choices that demonstrate your willingness to support the Absolute. This may involve deceiving them if your character is not inherently evil, or openly declaring your allegiance if you are playing a character who embraces the AbsoluteÔÇÖs ideology. Additionally, you may need to complete quests for the Duergar, such as eliminating their enemies or securing resources for their operations.
One of the key quests that can influence the AbsoluteÔÇÖs control over the Underdark is the conflict between the Duergar and the Myconids, a peaceful fungal species that inhabits the region. By siding with the Duergar and helping them defeat the Myconids, you can weaken the resistance to the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence. This quest involves both combat and diplomacy, as you may need to negotiate with the Myconids or engage in battles to achieve your goals. ItÔÇÖs important to note that siding with the Duergar will alienate the Myconids and other factions that oppose the Absolute, so this choice has significant consequences for your relationships with other characters and groups in the game.
Another important consideration is the role of your companions. Some companions, such as LaeÔÇÖzel and Astarion, may be more inclined to support the Absolute due to their personal motivations and alignments. Others, like Shadowheart and Wyll, may oppose this path, leading to potential conflicts within your party. Managing these relationships is crucial, as their loyalty and approval can impact your ability to achieve your goals. You may need to persuade or deceive certain companions to keep them on your side, or accept that some may leave your party if they strongly disagree with your choices.
When it comes to combat tactics, aligning with the Absolute often means facing off against powerful enemies who resist their influence. The Myconids, for example, have unique abilities that can make them challenging opponents. To optimize your chances of success, itÔÇÖs important to build a party that can handle a variety of combat scenarios. Characters with high damage output, such as fighters and rogues, can be invaluable in taking down tough enemies, while spellcasters like wizards and clerics can provide support and crowd control. Additionally, using environmental advantages, such as high ground or choke points, can give you an edge in battles.
One common mistake to avoid is underestimating the consequences of your choices. Allowing the Absolute to take over the Underdark will have a significant impact on the gameÔÇÖs story and your relationships with other characters. ItÔÇÖs important to consider how this decision aligns with your characterÔÇÖs motivations and the overall narrative you want to experience. Additionally, failing to properly manage your companionsÔÇÖ approval can lead to unexpected challenges, so itÔÇÖs crucial to pay attention to their reactions and adjust your approach as needed.
Advanced techniques for this path include leveraging the gameÔÇÖs stealth and deception mechanics to manipulate factions and characters. For example, you can use spells like Disguise Self or Charm Person to gain the trust of the Duergar or other allies of the Absolute. Additionally, exploring the Underdark thoroughly and uncovering hidden secrets can provide you with valuable resources and information that can aid your efforts. The Underdark is filled with unique items, such as powerful weapons and magical artifacts, that can give you an advantage in combat and diplomacy.
From a D&D rules perspective, the choices you make in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 reflect the alignment system and the moral dilemmas that are central to the tabletop game. Aligning with the Absolute is typically associated with evil alignments, as it involves supporting a force that seeks to dominate and control others. This path can lead to darker story outcomes and more challenging moral decisions, but it also offers a unique and compelling narrative experience for players who want to explore the consequences of embracing power at any cost.
In summary, allowing the Absolute to take over the Underdark in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 is a complex and impactful choice that involves careful planning, strategic combat, and thoughtful management of your companions and relationships. By aligning with the Duergar and supporting the AbsoluteÔÇÖs goals, you can shape the story in a way that reflects your characterÔÇÖs motivations and desires. However, this path comes with significant consequences, so itÔÇÖs important to consider the long-term implications of your decisions and prepare for the challenges that lie ahead.
To let the Absolute take over the Underdark, you must align yourself with the forces of the Absolute, which are primarily represented by the Cult of the Absolute. This cult is a central antagonist in the game, and their influence spreads throughout the Underdark. Your journey to enable the AbsoluteÔÇÖs dominance begins with your interactions with the cult and the choices you make during key quests. One of the most critical moments occurs when you encounter the Duergar, a faction of evil dwarves who are aligned with the Absolute. By siding with the Duergar and supporting their efforts to expand the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence, you can set the stage for the UnderdarkÔÇÖs eventual takeover.
The mechanics of this choice involve dialogue options, quest decisions, and combat encounters. When you first meet the Duergar in the Underdark, you will have the opportunity to either oppose them or join their cause. Choosing to ally with them requires careful dialogue choices that demonstrate your willingness to support the Absolute. This may involve deceiving them if your character is not inherently evil, or openly declaring your allegiance if you are playing a character who embraces the AbsoluteÔÇÖs ideology. Additionally, you may need to complete quests for the Duergar, such as eliminating their enemies or securing resources for their operations.
One of the key quests that can influence the AbsoluteÔÇÖs control over the Underdark is the conflict between the Duergar and the Myconids, a peaceful fungal species that inhabits the region. By siding with the Duergar and helping them defeat the Myconids, you can weaken the resistance to the AbsoluteÔÇÖs influence. This quest involves both combat and diplomacy, as you may need to negotiate with the Myconids or engage in battles to achieve your goals. ItÔÇÖs important to note that siding with the Duergar will alienate the Myconids and other factions that oppose the Absolute, so this choice has significant consequences for your relationships with other characters and groups in the game.
Another important consideration is the role of your companions. Some companions, such as LaeÔÇÖzel and Astarion, may be more inclined to support the Absolute due to their personal motivations and alignments. Others, like Shadowheart and Wyll, may oppose this path, leading to potential conflicts within your party. Managing these relationships is crucial, as their loyalty and approval can impact your ability to achieve your goals. You may need to persuade or deceive certain companions to keep them on your side, or accept that some may leave your party if they strongly disagree with your choices.
When it comes to combat tactics, aligning with the Absolute often means facing off against powerful enemies who resist their influence. The Myconids, for example, have unique abilities that can make them challenging opponents. To optimize your chances of success, itÔÇÖs important to build a party that can handle a variety of combat scenarios. Characters with high damage output, such as fighters and rogues, can be invaluable in taking down tough enemies, while spellcasters like wizards and clerics can provide support and crowd control. Additionally, using environmental advantages, such as high ground or choke points, can give you an edge in battles.
One common mistake to avoid is underestimating the consequences of your choices. Allowing the Absolute to take over the Underdark will have a significant impact on the gameÔÇÖs story and your relationships with other characters. ItÔÇÖs important to consider how this decision aligns with your characterÔÇÖs motivations and the overall narrative you want to experience. Additionally, failing to properly manage your companionsÔÇÖ approval can lead to unexpected challenges, so itÔÇÖs crucial to pay attention to their reactions and adjust your approach as needed.
Advanced techniques for this path include leveraging the gameÔÇÖs stealth and deception mechanics to manipulate factions and characters. For example, you can use spells like Disguise Self or Charm Person to gain the trust of the Duergar or other allies of the Absolute. Additionally, exploring the Underdark thoroughly and uncovering hidden secrets can provide you with valuable resources and information that can aid your efforts. The Underdark is filled with unique items, such as powerful weapons and magical artifacts, that can give you an advantage in combat and diplomacy.
From a D&D rules perspective, the choices you make in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 reflect the alignment system and the moral dilemmas that are central to the tabletop game. Aligning with the Absolute is typically associated with evil alignments, as it involves supporting a force that seeks to dominate and control others. This path can lead to darker story outcomes and more challenging moral decisions, but it also offers a unique and compelling narrative experience for players who want to explore the consequences of embracing power at any cost.
In summary, allowing the Absolute to take over the Underdark in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 is a complex and impactful choice that involves careful planning, strategic combat, and thoughtful management of your companions and relationships. By aligning with the Duergar and supporting the AbsoluteÔÇÖs goals, you can shape the story in a way that reflects your characterÔÇÖs motivations and desires. However, this path comes with significant consequences, so itÔÇÖs important to consider the long-term implications of your decisions and prepare for the challenges that lie ahead.