In the vast and immersive world of Baldur’s Gate 3, players are constantly faced with decisions that shape the fate of their character and the destinies of their companions. One of the most intriguing and contentious choices revolves around the power of the Illithids, creatures known for their mind-controlling abilities. This decision is not to be taken lightly, as it carries both enticing advantages and significant drawbacks.
The Illithid Dilemma: A Tadpole’s Power
Baldur’s Gate 3 begins with the player character, whether a custom creation or one of the pre-made Origins, in a dire situation—captured aboard a mind flayer ship and infected with an Illithid tadpole. These tadpoles, often referred to as the “ticking time bombs” of the game, are worm-like creatures used by mind flayers to transform other species into mind flayers themselves. The transformation is a terrifying process that occurs in just a few days and leads to a connection with the mind flayer hive.
The player’s priority, upon escaping the mind flayer ship, becomes finding a way to remove this parasitic creature before the inevitable transformation into a mind flayer occurs.
The Case for Harvesting Illithids in Baldur’s Gate 3
Using the Illithid powers is a choice that presents both pros and cons:
Pros:
- Unlocks a powerful skill tree: Embracing the Illithid power allows players to access a unique skill tree, granting them new and potent abilities.
- Amplifies Illithid Wisdom: As players use Illithid abilities more frequently, their Illithid Wisdom becomes more powerful, offering an advantage in various situations.
Cons:
- Companion disapproval: Some of your party members will not look favorably upon the decision to harness Illithid powers, potentially straining your relationships.
- Risk of becoming a mind flayer: The more you embrace Illithid powers, the higher the possibility of your character’s transformation into a mind flayer.
The real turning point in this decision occurs when the party experiences a significant event during a long rest, meeting the enigmatic Dream Guardian. This mysterious figure communicates with the party, urging them to explore their Illithid powers and even provides them with more opportunities to do so. However, opinions within the group are divided. Some see the Illithid abilities as essential tools to confront the Absolute and the underlying source of the conflict, while others view it as a dangerous trap and advocate for the complete removal of the Illithid influence.
Using the Power of the Tadpoles: A Practical Choice
Opting for the Illithid path has its advantages, particularly during in-game conversations, as it enhances Illithid-Wisdom, granting access to hidden information and alternative paths. It can make challenging encounters more manageable and help avoid unnecessary confrontations. However, players should be aware that this choice can significantly impact the game’s narrative and may not align with a heroic character’s role.
Furthermore, the path of embracing Illithid powers comes with the risk of turning into a mind flayer. This transformation is unsettling, isolating you from many of Baldur’s Gate 3’s party members. However, it’s worth noting that turning into a mind flayer is not a foregone conclusion, and players can avoid it by making certain choices that defy the mind flayers’ orders.
In conclusion, the decision to embrace or reject the power of the Illithids in Baldur’s Gate 3 is a pivotal one. It carries both enticing benefits and challenging consequences, and players must carefully weigh their choices based on their preferred playstyle, character alignment, and desired narrative outcomes.
