Take me down to the parasite city, where the brain is munched and the spells are gritty.
After having a Mind Flayer tadpole inserted through your eye in the opening of Baldur’s Gate 3, you might be reticent to use your newfound Illithid powers it bestows. If you are – we have broken down how to unlock them and the consequences they bring.
Fans of Stranger Things will recognise the ‘Mind Flayer’ being a creature that can use mind control on lesser beings to do its bidding. They took the name from Dungeons and Dragons and applied it to what they thought was the analogous gigantic Shadow Monster in Season Two.
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And mind control is, indeed, some of the nasty fun you can get up to, as you swallow tadpoles down with reckless abandon, as well as a host of other extremely powerful abilities.
Now, read on, for we command you.
How to unlock Illithid Powers in Baldur’s Gate 3
To unlock Illithid Powers in Baldur’s Gate 3, you just need to create a character and start the game as you are shown to receive a tadpole in the (very uncomfortable) opening cinematic.
From here, you need to collect Iliithid Tadpole specimens from “True Souls” boss characters. You can also find them dotted around the world.
There are four to collect in the Infirmary in the Githyanki Creche located in the underbelly of the Rosymorn Monastery for example.
When you collect a tadpole, you can use it to unlock more Illithid Powers in the Illithid Power menu – which is accessed by pressing B on your keyboard. Here you can spend these tadpoles on a number of powers.
Are there consequences for Illithid Powers in Baldur’s Gate 3?
Yes, there are consequences for using Illithid Powers in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Some party members who resent the Mind Flayers, such as Lae’zel, will disapprove highly of the repeated use of Illithid Powers.
Others, such as Astarion and Gale, will approve – as they are obsessed with accruing power and the study of the Arcane respectively.
Before we continue any further, we must preface that ahead there are massive spoilers pertaining to the game’s central plot – so stop reading here if you want to discover it all for yourself.
During Baldur’s Gate 3, The Guardian will readily recommend the use of Illithid Powers, promising great powers if you do so.
At one point, you will be offered an Astral-Touched Tadpole, but taking it will turn you into a half-Mind Flayer.
This is not an irreversible process, but in the lead-up to the game’s finale, you will then be offered a Supreme Tadpole which completes the transformation.
This locks you into a specific ending – which isn’t necessarily a bad ending, but nor is it very good.
Your character will be able to destroy the Nether Brain and your companions will be rid of their infections, but your character will lose its mind and memories and come close to controlling and murdering your former companions.
So… great for everyone else, just not you. But it’s definitely a very interesting ending and indicative of the agency offered to the player in this unbelievably open-ended and freeform game.
Read more on Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Baldur’s Gate 3 review – our final verdict
- Baldur’s Gate 3 builds – create your character
- Baldur’s Gate 3 romance – quench your thirst
- Baldur’s Gate 3 cast – all voice actors
- Baldur’s Gate 3 mods – best hacks and cheats
- Baldur’s Gate 3 multiplayer – co-op explained
- Baldur’s Gate 3 companions – recruit them all
- Baldur’s Gate 3 classes – best class and sub-class
- Baldur’s Gate 3 change appearance – can it be done?
- Baldur’s Gate 3 early game tips – get an epic sword
- Baldur’s Gate 3 on Xbox – cheap ways to play
- Baldur’s Gate 3 on Steam Deck – D&D on the go
- Baldur’s Gate 3 Legendary items – a leg up to end the game
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