What are the consequences of siding with the Absolute in all acts of Baldur's Gate 3 for all companion relationships?
Siding with the Absolute in Baldur's Gate 3 has significant consequences for your relationships with your companions, as it directly conflicts with their personal goals, morals, and storylines. The Absolute represents a force of control and domination, and aligning with it often means making choices that go against the values of your companions. HereÔÇÖs a detailed breakdown of how siding with the Absolute affects your relationships with each companion, along with strategies, tips, and considerations.
First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics involved. Each companion in Baldur's Gate 3 has an approval system that tracks how they feel about your decisions. When you make choices that align with their values, their approval increases. Conversely, choices that conflict with their values decrease their approval. Siding with the Absolute often leads to disapproval from most companions, as it involves embracing tyranny and sacrificing freedom, which are themes that clash with their personal quests and beliefs.
For example, Shadowheart, a cleric of Shar, initially seems like she might align with darker forces, but her personal quest reveals a deeper conflict. Siding with the Absolute can alienate her, especially if it interferes with her connection to Shar or her eventual realization about her true identity. Similarly, Astarion, while morally ambiguous, values personal freedom and power. Aligning with the Absolute may initially seem appealing to him, but it ultimately undermines his desire for autonomy, leading to disapproval.
Gale, on the other hand, is a character who values knowledge and the greater good. Siding with the Absolute often involves destructive and selfish actions, which will cause him to disapprove. LaeÔÇÖzel, a Githyanki warrior, is fiercely loyal to her peopleÔÇÖs mission to destroy mind flayers. While she might initially see the Absolute as a tool to achieve this goal, prolonged alignment with it will conflict with her loyalty to the Githyanki cause, leading to tension.
Wyll, the Blade of Frontiers, is a hero who fights for justice and the protection of the innocent. Siding with the Absolute directly opposes his values, and he will likely disapprove of your choices. Karlach, a tiefling with a strong sense of justice and loyalty, will also disapprove of siding with the Absolute, as it goes against her desire to protect the weak and fight against oppression.
To maintain relationships while siding with the Absolute, youÔÇÖll need to carefully balance your choices. One strategy is to focus on companions who are more morally flexible, such as Astarion or Shadowheart, and avoid bringing companions like Wyll or Karlach on missions where you plan to make pro-Absolute decisions. This minimizes their exposure to choices that would lower their approval.
Another important tip is to invest in dialogue options that allow you to justify your actions. For example, you can frame your alignment with the Absolute as a necessary evil or a temporary alliance to achieve a greater goal. This can sometimes mitigate disapproval, though it wonÔÇÖt work in all cases.
Common mistakes to avoid include making pro-Absolute choices in front of companions who strongly oppose it, such as Wyll or Karlach, without attempting to justify your actions. Additionally, failing to complete their personal quests before fully committing to the Absolute can lock you out of their storylines and potential romances.
Advanced techniques involve manipulating the approval system by making small, inconsequential pro-Absolute choices early on to test companion reactions, then adjusting your strategy based on their responses. You can also use the gameÔÇÖs camp mechanics to have private conversations with companions to explain your actions and potentially regain lost approval.
In terms of D&D rules, the alignment system plays a role in how companions perceive your actions. Siding with the Absolute often aligns you with evil or chaotic evil tendencies, which will conflict with companions who lean toward good or lawful alignments. Understanding these alignments can help you predict how companions will react to your choices.
Specific examples include the Goblin Camp in Act 1, where siding with the Absolute by helping the goblins raid the Druid Grove will cause significant disapproval from Wyll, Karlach, and Gale. However, Shadowheart and Astarion may be more forgiving, especially if you frame it as a pragmatic decision. In Act 2, siding with the Absolute in the Moonrise Towers will further strain relationships, particularly with LaeÔÇÖzel and Wyll, who see it as a betrayal of their core values.
In conclusion, siding with the Absolute in Baldur's Gate 3 has profound consequences for your relationships with companions. By understanding their values, carefully managing approval, and using strategic dialogue, you can navigate these challenges, though it will require significant effort to maintain positive relationships with most companions.
First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics involved. Each companion in Baldur's Gate 3 has an approval system that tracks how they feel about your decisions. When you make choices that align with their values, their approval increases. Conversely, choices that conflict with their values decrease their approval. Siding with the Absolute often leads to disapproval from most companions, as it involves embracing tyranny and sacrificing freedom, which are themes that clash with their personal quests and beliefs.
For example, Shadowheart, a cleric of Shar, initially seems like she might align with darker forces, but her personal quest reveals a deeper conflict. Siding with the Absolute can alienate her, especially if it interferes with her connection to Shar or her eventual realization about her true identity. Similarly, Astarion, while morally ambiguous, values personal freedom and power. Aligning with the Absolute may initially seem appealing to him, but it ultimately undermines his desire for autonomy, leading to disapproval.
Gale, on the other hand, is a character who values knowledge and the greater good. Siding with the Absolute often involves destructive and selfish actions, which will cause him to disapprove. LaeÔÇÖzel, a Githyanki warrior, is fiercely loyal to her peopleÔÇÖs mission to destroy mind flayers. While she might initially see the Absolute as a tool to achieve this goal, prolonged alignment with it will conflict with her loyalty to the Githyanki cause, leading to tension.
Wyll, the Blade of Frontiers, is a hero who fights for justice and the protection of the innocent. Siding with the Absolute directly opposes his values, and he will likely disapprove of your choices. Karlach, a tiefling with a strong sense of justice and loyalty, will also disapprove of siding with the Absolute, as it goes against her desire to protect the weak and fight against oppression.
To maintain relationships while siding with the Absolute, youÔÇÖll need to carefully balance your choices. One strategy is to focus on companions who are more morally flexible, such as Astarion or Shadowheart, and avoid bringing companions like Wyll or Karlach on missions where you plan to make pro-Absolute decisions. This minimizes their exposure to choices that would lower their approval.
Another important tip is to invest in dialogue options that allow you to justify your actions. For example, you can frame your alignment with the Absolute as a necessary evil or a temporary alliance to achieve a greater goal. This can sometimes mitigate disapproval, though it wonÔÇÖt work in all cases.
Common mistakes to avoid include making pro-Absolute choices in front of companions who strongly oppose it, such as Wyll or Karlach, without attempting to justify your actions. Additionally, failing to complete their personal quests before fully committing to the Absolute can lock you out of their storylines and potential romances.
Advanced techniques involve manipulating the approval system by making small, inconsequential pro-Absolute choices early on to test companion reactions, then adjusting your strategy based on their responses. You can also use the gameÔÇÖs camp mechanics to have private conversations with companions to explain your actions and potentially regain lost approval.
In terms of D&D rules, the alignment system plays a role in how companions perceive your actions. Siding with the Absolute often aligns you with evil or chaotic evil tendencies, which will conflict with companions who lean toward good or lawful alignments. Understanding these alignments can help you predict how companions will react to your choices.
Specific examples include the Goblin Camp in Act 1, where siding with the Absolute by helping the goblins raid the Druid Grove will cause significant disapproval from Wyll, Karlach, and Gale. However, Shadowheart and Astarion may be more forgiving, especially if you frame it as a pragmatic decision. In Act 2, siding with the Absolute in the Moonrise Towers will further strain relationships, particularly with LaeÔÇÖzel and Wyll, who see it as a betrayal of their core values.
In conclusion, siding with the Absolute in Baldur's Gate 3 has profound consequences for your relationships with companions. By understanding their values, carefully managing approval, and using strategic dialogue, you can navigate these challenges, though it will require significant effort to maintain positive relationships with most companions.