Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur's Gate 3

Endings & Consequences

Navigate the many endings and consequences of Baldur's Gate 3. This guide details critical junctures and helps you achieve specific outcomes for Faerûn.

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Endings & Consequences

Baldur's Gate 3 is a game of monumental choices, and your decisions throughout your journey culminate in several distinct endings, each with its own far-reaching consequences for Faerûn and your companions. This guide will help you navigate the critical junctures and understand how to achieve specific outcomes, as well as the impact of your actions.

The Grand Finale: Confronting the Netherbrain

The ultimate confrontation against the Netherbrain is the lynchpin for all major endings. Your approach to this final battle, and who wields the ultimate power, determines the fate of the Sword Coast.

Key Decisions Leading to the Endings:

  • The Illithid Transformation: Whether you or a companion (e.g., Karlach, Orpheus) transforms into a Mind Flayer is the single most impactful decision for the primary endings.
  • The Netherstones: Who possesses and uses the Netherstones to control the Netherbrain is crucial.
  • Companion Fates: The culmination of individual companion quests often ties into their availability and willingness to make sacrifices in the final act.

Major Ending Paths

1. Ascended Mind Flayer Dominance (Evil/Tyrannical)

This path sees you or a chosen companion embrace the full power of the Mind Flayer transformation and seize control of the Netherbrain, not to destroy it, but to command its vast intellect and power for your own nefarious ends.

  • Walkthrough Steps:
    1. Embrace Illithid Power: Throughout Act 3, consistently choose options that lean into the Mind Flayer tadpole's power. Consume as many Astral Tadpoles as possible.
    2. The Emperor's Offer: When the Emperor offers to transform you into a Mind Flayer, accept without hesitation. Alternatively, convince a companion like Gale (if he seeks power) or even Karlach (if desperate) to undergo the transformation.
    3. Control the Netherbrain: In the final confrontation atop the Netherbrain, choose the dialogue option to "Dominate the Netherbrain" rather than destroy it.
  • Consequences:
    • You become the supreme ruler of Faerûn, wielding the Netherbrain's immense psychic might.
    • Your companions will react with horror, fear, or grudging acceptance, depending on their alignment and relationship with you. Many will abandon you.
    • The world is plunged into an era of Mind Flayer tyranny, with free will suppressed and populations enslaved.

2. Heroic Sacrifice & Netherbrain Destruction (Good/Selfless)

This is arguably the "good" ending, where the Netherbrain is destroyed, and the threat of the Absolute is eradicated, often at a great personal cost.

  • Walkthrough Steps:
    1. Resist Illithid Temptation: Avoid consuming Astral Tadpoles unless absolutely necessary for survival or a specific tactical advantage.
    2. Free Orpheus: In the Astral Prism, side with Lae'zel and free Prince Orpheus. This is crucial for a non-player character Mind Flayer transformation.
    3. Orpheus's Sacrifice (or yours/Karlach's): Orpheus will offer to transform into a Mind Flayer to control the Netherstones. Allow him to do so. Alternatively, if Orpheus is unavailable or you wish for a different sacrifice, convince Karlach (if she hasn't found a cure for her engine) or even yourself to transform.
    4. Destroy the Netherbrain: In the final battle, use the transformed Mind Flayer's power to destroy the Netherbrain.
  • Consequences:
    • Faerûn is saved from the Absolute.
    • The transformed Mind Flayer (Orpheus, Karlach, or you) will likely perish or choose to live out their remaining days in isolation, unable to return to their former life.
    • Companions will express gratitude and relief. Many will embark on new journeys, their personal quests resolved (e.g., Astarion confronting his vampirism, Shadowheart embracing her destiny).
    • The Githyanki may see a new dawn under Orpheus's legacy, or continue their struggle for freedom.

3. The Emperor's Reign (Neutral/Pragmatic)

This ending sees the Emperor, your Mind Flayer ally, maintain control of the Netherstones and the Netherbrain, effectively becoming the new, albeit benevolent (or at least less overtly tyrannical), power behind the scenes.

  • Walkthrough Steps:
    1. Side with The Emperor: Throughout Act 3, consistently support the Emperor's plans and discourage freeing Orpheus.
    2. Reject Orpheus's Freedom: When presented with the choice in the Astral Prism, keep Orpheus imprisoned.
    3. Allow The Emperor to Transform: The Emperor will transform into a Mind Flayer (if he hasn't already) and wield the Netherstones.
    4. Destroy the Netherbrain: Assist the Emperor in destroying the Netherbrain.
  • Consequences:
    • The Absolute is defeated, but the Emperor remains a powerful, unseen force in Faerûn.
    • The future of the Sword Coast is guided by the Emperor's will, which he claims is for the greater good, but his true intentions remain ambiguous.
    • Companions will react with varying degrees of acceptance or unease, depending on their trust in the Emperor. Lae'zel will be particularly distraught by Orpheus's fate.

Companion-Specific Epilogues & Consequences

Beyond the main narrative, each companion has a detailed epilogue influenced by your choices throughout their personal quests. These can range from triumphant returns to tragic ends.

  • Astarion:
    • Ascended Vampire Lord: If you allow him to complete the ritual with Cazador Szarr and ascend, he becomes a powerful, independent vampire. He may join your tyrannical reign or seek his own path of dominance.
    • Free Vampire Spawn: If you prevent his ascension but free him from Cazador's control, he remains a spawn but is free to walk in the sun. He often struggles with his identity but finds a new purpose.
    • Tragic End: If Cazador completes the ritual, Astarion is consumed.
  • Shadowheart:
    • Dark Justiciar: If she embraces Shar and kills her parents in the House of Grief, she becomes a devoted servant of Shar, often leading to a darker, more ruthless path.
    • Selûnite Cleric: If she rejects Shar and saves her parents, she becomes a cleric of Selûne, finding peace and a new purpose.
  • Gale:
    • God of Ambition: If you encourage his ambition and he consumes the Crown of Karsus, he can ascend to godhood, potentially becoming a new Mystra or a rival deity.
    • Mystra's Chosen: If he returns the Crown to Mystra, he remains her chosen, finding redemption and a path to serve.
    • Sacrifice: Gale can also choose to detonate himself to destroy the Netherbrain, a heroic but final act.
  • Karlach:
    • Mind Flayer Transformation: If she transforms into a Mind Flayer to destroy the Netherbrain, she sacrifices her humanity but saves Faerûn.
    • Return to Avernus: If her engine cannot be fixed, she can choose to return to Avernus with Wyll to fight Zariel, a bittersweet but defiant end.
    • Fiery Death: If no solution is found and she doesn't return to Avernus, her infernal engine will eventually consume her.
  • Lae'zel:
    • Githyanki Liberator: If Orpheus is freed and survives, she can join him in leading the Githyanki rebellion against Vlaakith.
    • Solo Crusader: If Orpheus dies or is not freed, she may still choose to fight Vlaakith alone, a more desperate but equally determined path.
    • Vlaakith's Servant: If she remains loyal to Vlaakith, she returns to her queen, her spirit broken.
  • Wyll:
    • Blade of Avernus: If he breaks his pact with Mizora and returns to Avernus with Karlach, he becomes a hero fighting demons.
    • Duke of Baldur's Gate: If his father, Duke Ravengard, survives, Wyll can take his place as the Duke, becoming a political leader.

Remember, Baldur's Gate 3 is designed for replayability. Experiment with different choices and see how your story unfolds!