Summary
Inspired by itsDungeons and Dragonsroots, the role-playing gameBaldur’s Gate 3offers players a plethora of choices. Some are classically heroic, others insidiously villainous - and some, just bad ideas. However,Baldur’s Gate 3sometimes cleverly conceals what a choice’s outcome will be. In several cases, choosing something that seems outright painful for the player will actually lead to their character reaping an unexpected benefit.
The game sees the player and their companions travel the Sword Coast, probeBaldur’s Gate 3’s Underdark, and journey to the titular city as they search for a cure to the Illithid parasites in their brains. Several characters promise a cure, but many are less than effective - and quite painful. Making things even more complicated, each companion hides secrets of their own. Plus, many characters encountered along the journey have self-serving motives, and others simply want to witness suffering. With all of these factors at play, there are plenty of options for pain - but only a few of them result in a beneficial outcome.
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Getting Bitten By A Vampire
Astarion the rogueis more than he seems. This pale, dramatic elf is a centuries-old vampire spawn who requires blood to sustain him. Early in the game, he will attempt to feed on the player character, who is given the choice to allow it or refuse it. Obviously, having one’s blood sucked by a vampire is a painful experience - but it’s actually the correct choice to make.
Accepting his vampiric condition and being his food sourceraises Astarion’s approval. It’s necessary to continue his romance path for players who wish to make the snarky vampire their own. However, even for those who prefer a different romance, letting Astarion feed is still recommended. It grants him the “Happy” status, providing +1 to attack rolls, saving throws, and skill checks until his next rest. He will also gain access to a “Vampire Bite” attack that can be used as a Bonus Action in combat. Bitten players will receive the negative “Bloodless” status, but can treat this with spells like Lesser Restoration or the Paladin’s Lay On Hands.
Letting Volo Perform Surgery
Volo, a returning NPC from previousBaldur’s Gatetitles, is a man of many talents. Unfortunately, surgery is not one of them. If players choose to rescue Volo from imprisonment by goblins, he will appear in camp and offer to take care of their Illithid parasite once and for all. However,Volo’s methods inBG3are a little unorthodox - he attempts to perform brain surgery using a combination of a needle and an ice pick.
Not only does Volo’s “surgery” fail to remove the mindflayer parasite, but it also permanently destroys one of the player character’s eyes. However, Volo will respond by giving them a prosthetic eye that permanently grants the “See Invisibility” condition. This will allow players to notice hidden foes and secrets throughout the world ofBaldur’s Gate 3.Keep in mind, however, that some companions, notablyShadowheart and Lae’zel, will disapprove of the player allowing Volo to operate on them, and their approval ratings will lower somewhat.
Paying Respects To The Goddess Of Pain
The world of Faerun is filled with gods and goddesses, and each one has their worshipers. Even Loviatar, the Goddess of Pain, has her devoted followers, despite her rather unique domain. One of these followers, a priest by the name of Abdirak, can be encountered when the player and their party infiltrate a Goblin Camp torescue the druid Halsin(or potentially side with the goblins to destroy the druids' refuge.)
Abdirak is intrigued by the player character and wishes to see how they respond to pain. Players can allow Abdirak to flog them up to three times, each time taking away a little bit of their HP. Remaining strong through all three painful sessions and not telling Abdirak to stop will grant players the"Loviatar’s Love" status effect. This permanent effect provides players with a +2 bonus to attacks and saving throws while at 30% health or lower. Plus, two companions - Shadowheart and Astarion - will approve of seeing the player tortured, so consider keep one or both in the party when submitting to Abdirak’s tender mercies.
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Receiving The Brand Of The Absolute
In the Shattered Sanctum, the same area of theGoblin Camp inBaldur’s Gate 3where Abdirak is encountered, players will also meet True Soul Gut, a priestess who bears a mindflayer parasite of her own. Gut will offer to mark one character with a painful, burning brand that signifies them as a follower of the Absolute, a new and powerful god. Going through with it is not a comfortable experience for the chosen character, but the Brand provides many benefits.
The Branded party member will be able to convince NPCs that they are a member of theCult of the Absolute, allowing them to bypass some encounters that would otherwise end in combat. There are also several pieces of armor and weaponry (typically bought or looted from cult members) that provide additional effects if worn or used by a Branded character. Only one character can bear the Brand per playthrough, so players should carefully consider who they want to bestow that “honor” on. Additionally, if the player chooses to take the Brand themselves, some companions - including Shadowheart, who dislikes Absolute worship, and Astarion, who was himself branded by his master - will disapprove if they are in the party.
Getting Frisky With An Incubus
The devil Raphael can be an annoying character to deal with inBaldur’s Gate 3.He always seems to be one step ahead of the party, and his goals are never quite clear. However, when players are exploring Raphael’s home in Act 3, they can finally get one up on this crafty creature. This is done by agreeing to “spend some time” withHaarlep inBG3, an incubus kept captive by Raphael.
Being intimate with an incubus is not a comfortable experience for the player, but it rewards them with key information that allows them to confront the usually unflappable Raphael.Baldur’s Gate 3’s Raphael, if opposed, is one of the trickiest fights inBaldur’s Gate 3,so having the extra information provided by Haarlep is extremely valuable. Arguably, it is worth any amount of suffering the player character must experience to get it.
Baldur’s Gate 3is currently available for PC, with a PlayStation 5 version available on September 6. An Xbox Series X/S release is planned for late 2023.
