{"id":42238,"date":"2023-12-20T16:30:02","date_gmt":"2023-12-20T15:30:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1872625"},"modified":"2023-12-20T18:10:08","modified_gmt":"2023-12-20T17:10:08","slug":"baldurs-gate-3-illithid-powers-how-to-unlock-them-consequences-explained","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/baldurs-gate-3-illithid-powers-how-to-unlock-them-consequences-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"Baldur\u2019s Gate 3 Illithid Powers: How to unlock them & consequences explained"},"content":{"rendered":"

Take me down to the parasite city, where the brain is munched and the spells are gritty. <\/p>

By Cole Luke\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 20 December 2023 at 15:30 PM<\/p>

\n\n

After having a Mind Flayer tadpole inserted through your eye in the opening of Baldur\u2019s Gate 3<\/a>, you might be reticent to use your newfound Illithid powers it bestows. If you are \u2013 we have broken down how to unlock them and the consequences they bring.<\/p>\n

Fans of Stranger Things<\/a> will recognise the \u2018Mind Flayer\u2019 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.<\/p>\n

Loving gaming? Listen to our podcast, One More Life!<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Now, read on, for we command you.<\/p>\n

How to unlock Illithid Powers in Baldur\u2019s Gate 3<\/b><\/h2>\n

To unlock Illithid Powers in Baldur\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

From here, you need to collect Iliithid Tadpole specimens from \u201cTrue Souls\u201d boss characters. You can also find them dotted around the world.<\/p>\n

There are four to collect in the Infirmary in the Githyanki Creche located in the underbelly of the Rosymorn Monastery for example.<\/p>\n

When you collect a tadpole, you can use it to unlock more Illithid Powers in the Illithid Power menu \u2013 which is accessed by pressing B on your keyboard. Here you can spend these tadpoles on a number of powers.<\/p>

Are there consequences for Illithid Powers in Baldur\u2019s Gate 3?<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"An\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
A Mind Flayer in Baldur\u2019s Gate 3.<\/span><\/figcaption> Larian Studios<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Yes, there are consequences for using Illithid Powers in Baldur\u2019s Gate 3<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Some party members who resent the Mind Flayers, such as Lae\u2019zel, will disapprove highly of the repeated use of Illithid Powers.<\/p>\n

Others, such as Astarion and Gale, will approve \u2013 as they are obsessed with accruing power and the study of the Arcane respectively.<\/p>\n

Before we continue any further, we must preface that ahead there are massive spoilers <\/b>pertaining to the game\u2019s central plot \u2013 so stop reading here if you want to discover it all for yourself.<\/p>\n

During Baldur\u2019s Gate 3, The Guardian will readily recommend the use of Illithid Powers, promising great powers if you do so.<\/p>\n

At one point, you will be offered an Astral-Touched Tadpole, but taking it will turn you into a half-Mind Flayer.<\/p>\n

This is not an irreversible process, but in the lead-up to the game\u2019s finale, you will then be offered a Supreme Tadpole which completes the transformation.<\/p>\n

This locks you into a specific ending \u2013 which isn\u2019t necessarily a bad ending, but nor is it very good.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

So\u2026 great for everyone else, just not you. But it\u2019s definitely a very interesting ending and indicative of the agency offered to the player in this unbelievably open-ended and freeform game.<\/p>\n

Read more on Baldur\u2019s Gate 3:<\/strong><\/p>\n