In Baldur’s Gate 3, you will encounter a series of interactions that will alter the journey of your adventure. Similarly, once you reach the end of the game, you will have to make the final decision of whether to destroy or control the Elder Brain. This is considered to be one of the toughest decisions of the game as it has the power to completely change the ending.
Although there isn’t any right or wrong way of ending BG3, both of them have very different outcomes. Similarly, to help you understand which option you should select, here is a detailed walkthrough that will give you an idea about both these scenarios before you can give your final verdict and choose your ending.
What Happens if You Destroy the Elder Brain in BG3?
If you decide to destroy the Elder Brain, you will be taking the morally correct and heroic decision. You will be able to prevent the Mind Flayer threat and protect the people. Once you select the option “Go ahead, Command the brain to destroy all tadpoles and then itself” the Elder Brain will start malfunctioning and will eventually submerge into the sea on the outskirts of Baldur’s Gate.
With regards to the Mind Flayers, they begin crashing as well. The people defending the city also start attacking all the Mind Flayers so that they are completely destroyed. Additionally, all the people whose brains are infected by the Illithid parasite are healed.
Lastly, the epilogue will be based on the decision you made throughout your gameplay. Most players also share the last moments of the game with their love interests and as for your other companions, they will all have different endings. However, as mentioned earlier, this will all depend on the decisions you have previously taken.
What Happens if You Control the Elder Brain in BG3?
The game also gives you the option to control the Elder Brain instead of destroying it. Choosing this option seems like the wrong decision, however, as mentioned earlier, there isn’t any correct or incorrect decision in this situation.
When your character is asked the final question, there is a good chance that you might want to select the option to control it instead of destroying it, either because of the power you will yield once you have the Elder Brain under your command or because you might be curious about what chaos it might bring to the city and all the other aspects of the game.
Most players get the option to “Betray Orpheus, Dominate the brain. Become the Absolute“. You can also decide to join forces with the Emperor and give him the Netherstones, although, in this scenario, he will be in complete control of the Brain. Additionally, you can also appoint Karlach to control the Elder Brain.
Whichever option you choose, the ending will be the same. Baldur’s Gate and the people are destroyed by the Mind Flayers. If you are in control of the Brain, there will be a cut scene of your character sitting on a throne, confirming the fact that you are now the ruler. There is no ending scene or dialogue from any party members, instead, the game quickly ends after the throne cutscene.
Should You Destroy or Control the Elder Brain in Baldur’s Gate 3?
Although the decision is entirely up to you, we would recommend destroying the Elder Brain in BG3. This answer is purely based on the presence of the epilogue that your character will get to experience, which is missing if you choose to control the brain.
During the ending, you will get to have some final moments of interaction with your companions and your love interest as well. Once you have destroyed the brain and get to know more about the outcome of the choices you have made during the game while being surrounded by your companions, you are left with a well-rounded experience, that you won’t be able to get if you choose to control the Elder Brain.
This is everything you need to know if you have been trying to decide between destroying or controlling the Elder Brain in Baldur’s Gate 3. Since you are interested in this game, don’t forget to check out how many Acts are there in BG3 and which is the longest Act, right here on Gamer Tweak.