Mommy_Karlach
in my current run im not planning to go full tadpole embrace the hivemind and become a mind flayer so can i just brush it off
UlitharidAscendant
Let me break down what happens when you keep going against the emperor, since timing really matters here. During early encounters watch for their subtle reactions - if you destroy the tadpole or reject their guidance, they'll shift from cooperative to cold pretty quickly. Standing against them locks you out of some powerful illithid abilities like fly and psionic dominance, which become crucial during later fights. The real tactical impact comes in act 3, right before the netherbrain sequence, where opposing the emperor forces an additional boss encounter instead of having them as an ally.
For optimal positioning during the final stretch, maintaining at least neutral standing until after reaching the netherbrain chamber gives you more strategic options. The emperor's attack patterns become more aggressive if you freed orpheus earlier, adding mind flayer reinforcements to the fight that you'll need to manage carefully. Companion positioning matters too - keeping gale and shadowheart close drops their approval if you're hostile, while lae'zel actually prefers when you side against the emperor. Your romance options with them get completely locked if you show defiance before specific story triggers in act 2.
Just remember, the consequences adjust difficulty and story flow rather than breaking progression. You'll still have access to all major endings, but the path there requires different tactical approaches depending on your earlier choices.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is a story-rich, party-based RPG set in the universe of Dungeons & Dragons, where your choices shape a tale of fellowship and betrayal, survival and sacrifice, and the lure of absolute power.
Developer
Larian Studios
Publisher
Larian Studios
Genres
Adventure, RPG, Strategy
Platforms
PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Windows, Mac
View Game Page
so how many origin characters (excluding custom made mixed n matched races) are playable thx
52 Votes
so there are subclasses i wanted to change is it possible to respec thx
91 Votes
i dont want to make Wyll an illithid in this gameplay and same goes for my party members but i want to use its powers are there any real consequences or is it reserved for the late game
82 Votes
I find shadowheart's comments annoying whenever i do something borderline unlawful but idk if id want to leave her out or swap with karlach
25 Votes
for example i want wyll to be able to use magic that gale uses despite him being a warlock - so basically the difference would probably lie on their cantrips and spells??? kind of confused need help
83 Votes
i really like shadowheart minthara and dont get me started with karlach but is it possible to romance them all at the same time lol
75 Votes
hey all so im about to skip the swamp fight with this very very sus old hag in the grove if I proceed to act 2 will i not be able to go back there or any similar events
35 Votes
so i need some extra checks for dice rolls how do i trigger dark urge from my dragonborn origin char
84 Votes
i often run out of important spells like the ignis thing with multi cast capabilities - i think its pretty good for gale and wyll but idk i feel theres some consequences to long resting too much
29 Votes
so im pretty new to BG3 and i am wondering if there are differences with dungeons and dragons
90 Votes
so obviously im talking about going from being a human to maybe a drow or something
36 Votes
and how do i unlock em thx
83 Votes
so i keep using my illithid powers for lae zel since shes pretty good at combat and overall really tenacious af but curious if shed become a mindflayer at the end
102 Votes
funny story i killed astarion the first time i met him but apparently you can bring him back but this time i want to get rid of my initial three companions
124 Votes
Looking for tips! so far my favorite is using grease and then going full ignis with my mages lol it was fun
129 Votes