Baldur's Gate 3 - All Endings (Good, Evil, Dark Urge, Mind Flayer)

[@TheOriginalPoon]

Withers is so cool man You die to deny Bhaal his champion, and Withers just walks in and says “nah” and brings you back SOLELY because he hates Bhaal that much

[@williamfalls]

Withers is one of the best characters. He just shows up if you never decided to go get him like "Sup?" and always refuses to elaborate, like a Chad.

[@dianabialaskahansen2972]

That scene confirms who Withers actually is, one of the only beings with power over the dead able to overrule the lesser gods.

[@mjr8888]

​@@dianabialaskahansen2972 he is literally the one who gave the dead three their powers. At least, that's what I am getting from the post credit scene. The fact that you get him from a temple dedicated to the God that gave the three their powers? Makes me think that Withers is that God, just napping. After all, the gods of this world can walk among the mortals at any point

[@naz-ghul6327]

It is kinda confirmed that he is jeggal (or his avatar), i.e. the god who split his powers to the three, and presumable takes them back at the end of bg3

[@thecursed01]

@@williamfalls also "we will see each other again" and when asked says something like fate is too high for a mere mortal like us to understand...and then just walks into your camp XD

[@IzanamiNoMikotoo]

The fact that the Emperor instantly turned to the Netherbrain when we denied him made me stand firm in my decision. If he can turn to the enemy THAT FAST then he was never a true ally to begin with. Orpheus is a huge W

[@sgeepe]

Also if you call the Emperor a freak when he tries to romance you he shows you the truth - the person he "helped" before you to build the band of mercenaries was never his friend. He bent her mind and essentially made her into a thrall. Fuck the Emperor!

[@sametavsar699]

He never be our ally. He said me I am a puppet when i rejected him

[@Cookie-zz2mg]

It honestly peeves me that there is not and ending where we can save both: because then no one would have to turn to a mind flayer and sacrifice themselves.

[@Wenzel368]

In my ending I treated him well and trusted him and gave him the stones he was cool afterward, just kind of fucked off and lived his life. He LITERALLY just did what he needed to survive.

[@gooblaka]

There is a lot of cut content, which is why some story beats seem like they are missing something or look like they'll go in one direction and sort of drop off. They had different plans, such as the guardian being the worm in your head and not the emperor.

[@JulianLinair]

Oh yeah, Withers is absolutely Jergal. No one else could have that kind of disappointment and contempt for the Dead Three, no that kind of admiration for someone defying them.

[@darkmoon2503]

Especially since Jergal serves Kelemvor as the scribe of the dead. And what does Withers describe himself as? A scribe.

[@BrotherGamingTR]

@@darkmoon2503 I think in the game they refer to him more like true god of death since he was the one who gave them his power

[@KingOfMadCows]

It's a shame they didn't give him his original insectile design. Jergal is an ancient god and it's heavily implied that he was originally worshipped by non-human species so he used to look like a bug alien.

[@Pavel-wj7gy]

I knew it was some kind of champion of Kelemvor, especially after mentioning the City of the Dead.

[@ANDELE3025]

@@KingOfMadCows He always had 2.5 desgins. Narasr/the bug was solely Netheril (even if like you many think its because they fucked around with magic enough to get to another realm/crystal sphere/whatever depending on setting-crossover and saw him there with some aliens). His other was simply old aging human man ala old testament god art (sometimes tied with him having gained a preference for human ambition and deaths caused in such a short time before his self-set retirement), sometimes with reaper attire or just stick and scrolls and if it counts (it should as he and Null had it in 2e before it was turned to a salient power in 3e), the ability to take the form of any undead.

[@The_Catman]

The fact that the Emperor doesn't betray you in the end in any way really surprises me. He lied all the way through the story, asking for trust while never giving an inch of that same trust he wanted from me. Constantly discovered details that would have been good to know about his past. Always pressing me to use the tadpoles and "evolve". I mean...yes...he never lied on anything that could really harm me. But still...I found him lying every 5 seconds, letting me think, of course "What of the lies I did not see...if there are more", because there were always more. More lies, left and right. I never wanted to kill him, and I was never sure about his intentions, good, bad, or grey, but that was the point. Someone had my fate in his hand and I really was unsure about his ultimate intentions. So, when he asked to consume the Prince, to kill someone right then and there, someone that did not have a chance to demonstrate his real stance towards us and the whole situation, I stood firmly and said NO. I asked the Emperor to at least give Orpheus a chance. I wasn't antagonistic, I never threatened him. I just wanted him, for once, to consider other people opinions on this matter and the nature of what he was suggesting to do. He immediately joined the absolute. Yes, he rationally explained why, but I got this as an ulterior sign of insincerity from him. That he really was sincere, really surprises me. Good writing tho. He is an Illithid. He is smart, intelligent. But he can't understand trust. So he acted not like a rational idiot...but like an EMOTIONAL IDIOT all the time. It must take a lot of effort to write something so intelligent, but alien, in a convincing manner.

[@pearbolar5410]

You know, most of my girlfriends were like that.

[@The_Catman]

@@pearbolar5410 A couple of mine too, bro xD

[@khalhorik]

For me, he acted as a rational, egocentric and emotionless person (a psychopath?). He knows that freeing Orpheus means his death, since Orpheus hates illithids and won't protect him from the Absolute, especially knowing that he used his powers and even wanted to eat him. He knows that without this protection, the group has no chance of winning. He makes the most rational choice to preserve his own existence: join the brain. At no time did he consider fighting for a lost cause as a true ally would. I think he thinks like a machine, studying the possibilities and without any remorse or emotion.

[@idiotically-everything]

​@@khalhorikThe Emperor only cares about its survival. It escaped the influence of the elder brain 2 times already, so there's a chance it is possible for the 3rd time, vs. Orpheus who has made up his mind about killing The Emperor now or later. Also Orpheus is not a good guy either xD Dude wants to create a gith empire by conquering the entire multiverse, like the illithids had done in the past while The Emperor just wants to be free and chill. Granted this isn't fully BG3 lore but a mix of BG3 and Forgotten Realms lore

[@myhlosic]

He didn't join the absolute he was enthralled because he no longer had Orpheus' protection this misconception is maddening

[@CipherZero000]

There's also an earlier different ending if you make Gale activate his nether bomb at Moonrise Towers in Act 2. Gives you the completed game achievement on Steam.

[@Prince_Smugarina]

Still technically does, if he actually manages to blow what he's meant to blow. "The Absolute" is the most important piece of the plan.

[@hinkelstein1494]

Thats not true. It gives you another achivement but not the one for completing the game. You get one for destroying the brain, which you would also get at the end of the game. Complete the game on the other side requires you to play to the end of act 3.

[@CipherZero000]

@@hinkelstein1494 it gives you * a * completing game achievement. There are multiple.

[@hinkelstein1494]

@@CipherZero000 No, again thats not one of the complete the game achievement. There is an achievement for completing the game and completing the game on tactician but this is not one of them.

[@CipherZero000]

I'm not referring to those achievements to begin with.@@hinkelstein1494

[@scaunethec7747]

That bit with Withers ruthlessly roasting the dead three, lmao

[@jesseomollo9405]

time stamp?

[@spiktekmik]

It's the post ending credits

[@VDA19]

You mean Jergal?

[@Nazinsky]

​@@VDA19LOL

[@LycorisThe]

It seems implied Withers is Jergal, which makes it even better

[@brandonl7759]

I became the absolute without going mindflayer. Feels like the true Dark Lord ending

[@ulysses988]

same with the dark urge

[@brandonl7759]

So i actually didnt do dark urge for my playthrough. Kinda wanted to just make a power-obsessed wizard ascending to godhood. The baal ending just makes you a servant of baal that rules the world for him. Absolute ending takes all the power for themselves and i legit just love that @@ulysses988

[@DIEGhostfish]

@@ulysses988 Dark Urge lacks the self control needed to be a Dark Lprd

[@ulysses988]

I said i became the absolute without going mindflayer as the dark urge@@DIEGhostfish

[@DIEGhostfish]

@ulysses988 Okay fair.

[@alphahunterd]

it's a shame you can't convince the Emperor to work with Orpheus

[@VDA19]

Yeah, I really felt bad about betraying him. He's been a total bro until that moment, but I didn't want to betray Lae'zel either. Impossible choice.

[@Korgull6669]

Yeah, it felt kinda weird that he spent the entire game building up a group to resist and destroy the Big Bad, but all it takes is "but what if we keep Orpheus alive though" for him to be all "Welp, guess I'm evil now."

[@bessieburnet9816]

Emperor was being unreasonable. Orpheus was a total bro.

[@georgem9172]

He sort of is from the beginning. He just uses the player for his own ends. If you decide to not trust him and read his mind in a scene in act 3 he will show his true colours@@Korgull6669

[@candw2210]

I was very confused about his sudden change of heart as well, what were his true intentions? Already beat the game and it'll be a looong time before I get to that choice again lol@@georgem9172

[@justinlikesbaseball]

There is another ending if you take Karlach with you. She will say that her infernal engine will kill her soon and offer to become illithid in your stead. Doing so has you retain your body and saves her life in the end because it removes the infernal engine.

[@seva4370]

Yeah and she is pretty positive in the end as well, probably the best ending overall (because her alternatives are not pretty)

[@DGneoseeker1]

Saves her life? Wouldn't the tadpole devour her brain and entirely replace her personality?

[@tristonchism1872]

@@DGneoseeker1 Normally, yes, but that ending requires you to side with Orpheus. He stops shielding Karlach long enough for the Netherbrain to send the "transform" signal, then immediately shields her again to break the brain's control. Karlach ends up in an ilithid body with her own mind afterwards, and once the brain is dead, she's completely free to go about her new squid life.

[@DGneoseeker1]

@@tristonchism1872 My point was that in order to transform like that, shouldn't the tadpole have devoured the entire brain? How COULD they keep the original personality? Even if they did wouldn't it be a copy of it?

[@RoninOnTheStickz]

This was my ending. She seemed genuinely happy that she didn't have to worry about the engine and was 'free'. I felt good about it.

[@dojyaaan429]

>Get to the ending as a villain >Minthara, Astarion and Shadowheart want me to seize power so we can all rule together >Get no option to form a new evil group >I just mind control them all and sit on the throne while they floss and fortnite dance around me I cracked up so fucking much.

[@Del9fina]

The dialogue was quite something for sure. Astarion: We can rule the world, you know. Me: *Chooses to rule the world* Astarion: What in the Hells are you doing?!

[@notmocka]

​@@Del9finathat's so weird right? Almost like it lacked a more specific dialogue, since you can say he has a place with you in the absolute

[@SakuragiSayo]

I like that your character says "In Bhaal's Name" as they smile wickedly on the throne as their Illithid army eats brains.

[@aid4nski215]

same, i wanted my tyrant ending with JUST the group man T_T

[@iritkogan6314]

I refuse to reach the end until Larian adds an ending where we and Astarion live happily ever after.

[@meloo]

Pretty sure u can do that by completing his true vampire questline and become one yourself

[@Narn29]

@meloo i have a question: the end in which Astarion does not burn - is it because you previously in that run accepted Emperors white astral tadpole and then convinced Astarion to use it as well? I can't wrap my head around it if you did not.

[@sonof2tards]

We need one for Karlach too! She's so sweet and kind and bubbly, but in the end she dies because of her heart. The only way to save her at the end is to go to hell with her if you complete everything for her, or if you do Wyll's quests too, he takes her there. Both suck, you either lose your character in hell or lose both Wyll and Karlach.

[@serronserron1320]

You can still be friends he's just temporarily getting out of the sunlight

[@dorpher]

He did in my playthrough. We were destined to rule Baldurs Gate together and planned what to do first

[@EvilOdysseus]

I like to imagine, in the Heroic ending, that everyone eventually goes to a tavern to celebrate and toast Karlach, then Astarion shows up and askes that they get together at night from now on.

[@emmasilver2332]

I like that. That's my headcanon

[@carlstanford7607]

That happened in my ending except it was at our original campsite not a tavern and sadly Gale had to die for this ending. So did the emperor but he was the worst so who cares. There was no mind flayer transformation for any party member. Karlach survives and finds a way to fix her heart. The forgotten god of music is playing at the party which withers has organized. It’s probably the happiest ending I’ve seen

[@musiccommands8615]

Karlach becoming a minflayer feels like the best ending sadly. The Githyanki people can be free of a tyrant with a new leader who can actually thwart future mind flayers. Karlach gets the chance to live a new life without dying a horrible death or going back to Avernus which she hates. Bittersweet but the adventure along the way was to die for :')

[@nicolasmano95]

the one I liked most was me as mindflayer going to hell with karlach and wyll, for me it doesnt sound so terrible when you know shes not alone

[@derpidius6306]

Mindflayer Karlach isn't really 'Karlach' though, and even if it is, it won't be her for very long, reason Mindflayers lose their souls is because they integrate the thoughts and memories of those they consume, eventually losing all of their old selves, similar to while the Emperor is technically Balduran, by this point in the story they are NOTHING alike

[@MrLachek]

@@nicolasmano95 I did the same, three musketeers in hell.

[@khalhorik]

@@MrLachek I went in Avernus as a human with Wyll and Karlach. However, Wyll didn't had any armor because I don't use him and for some reason the game decided to not use camp clothing even if they were actived. So I had a cutscene with Wyll running with Karlach and me in Hell wearing only a pair of underpants. Quite Epic

[@gabrielcosta2986]

For me at least the best ending is by far the one that Karlach and Wyll go to Avernus together. If she becomes a mindflayer she will eventually loose herself and become like the Emperor. In my ending I sent them both together to Avernus and in the end Withers called them both to the party where he joined all my companions for one last reunion. When I talked to Karlach there, she told me that she and Wyll found out about Zariel’s Forge location. They were planning to raid the forge, kidnap one of her demon blacksmiths and force it to fix her engine or maybe build her a new one that could allow her to live in Faerun. She told me that she and Wyll would both be back soon and that she would want to meet, and I promised we would. That solidified itself as the absolute best ending for both Karlach’s and Wyll’s story lines for me!

[@TheHorreK2]

i always thougth Astarions ending was always really cruel if he didnt became pure evil. He decided to be good and not kill 7.000 innocents, gets a last glimpse at the sun before the tadpole effects wear off and then he has to flee its a shame sadly

[@Erp_Atre]

that innocents would break free as a young and thirsty wampires, so better for all that Astarion sacrifice them to become a higher wampire

[@ChromaticEagle]

@@Erp_Atre aren’t there options to have someone guide them or have them feed on animals?

[@Erp_Atre]

​@@ChromaticEagle well if you mean a cameo of Carlisle Cullen who will train poor young vamipres to not to drink a human blood, so I didn't find that option. But I ended this game only once, before patches, so it can be possible;D

[@AA-eq2zq]

Fortunately according to Forgotten Realms/D&D lore he can be cured of vampirism with a Scroll of True Resurrection - one of which Gale already has :) There I thought finding another solution to the sunlight would be our next adventure after the game or that Gale would research and develop one - both certainly plausible in a world like Faerun - but this will do haha. I wonder if you can use the scroll in the game actually - I can't play it myself but I know Gale can be Revivified instead and I'm pretty sure I saw someone steal the scroll off him. And Astarion's voice actor did say that there's 2 hours of "hidden" content with him.

[@AA-eq2zq]

Apparently at least one ending acknowledges possibility canonically: "If you romance him and he's good, after he runs because he's burning, he asks you if you want to continue being a couple and asks you what you want to do next. I told him I wanted to try and look for another way to make him walk in the sun and he was surprised and genuinely happy."

[@Tentarek]

Bro that last redeemed dark urge option to pull the last second 180 is crazy that they included that

[@DanMan-mh4kj]

What a game! Technologically advanced and with so many endings. Most companies would have put out much less and added the rest as DLCs. No wonder it took so very long to finish making BG3.

[@Eriorguez]

Tch, no way of getting the Emperor and Orpheus to work together? That ought to be the golden ending, with no new tentacle faces.

[@PrototypeMajor]

Let the Emperor use the Stones. He`ll MVP the final part, with sidestory NPC loss, of course, but without companion sacrifices.

[@serhii_himself]

​@@PrototypeMajorhe will kill Orpheus and doom githyanki to the enterity of enslavement under the lich queen - It's neither gold nor even a good ending.

[@serhii_himself]

Totally agree, they should've added a 30 ability check to persuase/intimidate him to stay. Hell, I would've been fine with a 99 check (crit only). As it is now, it seems that Emperor was a true ilithid in nature, just not the one who wants to live under a mind control of the elder brain. But I already expected this after doing the Wyll's quest when you go looking for the baldurian's green dragon help under the wyrm crossing (if you did that side quest you would be aware of the Emperor's true nature and grotesque crime he committed and how much he adores ilithids...)

[@theslayer5978]

​@@serhii_himself bronze dragon. Green dragons are evil by nature.

[@serhii_himself]

@@theslayer5978 oh my bad. I assumed he was green, but it was probably just light making me miss interpret his colour

[@Hombremaniac]

Thanks for this ending overview. I finished the game first changing into Illithid and destroying the Netherbrain. Now I simply had to see all possible endings.

[@Faithgoo]

I'm so bummed i got 0 cut scenes after i defeated the brain. No goodbyes, no dock scene. Thanks for uploading these, now i get to see what I missed.

[@Swatman170]

The ending i got was largely good even though i played a very evil Half-Orc Barbarian. I slaughtered the Druid Grove and any Absolutist I came across after Minthara's torture. I saved the Goblins anywhere I could, destroyed the entirety of Grymforge with Ogrish help. I was still able to save the Duke, the Councilor, bring the Ironhand Gnomes back from the brink. The Emperor proved a great ally, and we destroyed the tadpoles. Astarion became a Vampire Lord, Shadowheart found her parents and freed herself of the curse, and Minthara my most faithful companion. If a Half-Orc Warlord ruling over an army of Goblins with his Drow Matron wife isn't the ending for me, idk what is.

[@Johnnyfarmuk]

Based ending

[@Foodisgood]

There are more endings if you do the companion quests such as Gale's quest. You can even do a short hidden narrated ending in Act 2 with Gale but it isn't a true ending like these lol. Although it still gives you the achievement for beating the game and technically all the bad guy leadership is gone.

[@i.r.raharjo8706]

I tried that one yesterday, it was kind of funny in a (spoilers) "and then they all die" kind of way

[@Skyscraper125]

Seeing what ends up happening - Mystra definitely has some feckin foresight going on in that the gale nuke is more humane in terms or lives lost tbh. Getting to the end just feels like you're causing more damage.

[@khalhorik]

What was your ending with Gayle (in act 3)? In my case, he says he's going to get the stones and reforge the crown to give to Mystra. I also had a cutscene with Lae'Zel where we spent the night with her and she tells us that she's going to stay by our side for the rest of her life and that there'll probably be battles because the queen wants to kill her.

[@carlstanford7607]

In my ending gale dies and his cat comes to visit and asks me to check in on his mother. It was probably the happiest ending I’ve seen so far. No one become a squid head and Orpheus survives. Gale leaves you a message. It’s very sad but sweet

[@Emptylord]

If nothing else, thank you for confirming that critically succeeding at dominating the Netherbrain does nothing and the plot continues as if you failed.

[@Emptylord]

My Astarion had to flee to the shadows in the finale - how come yours got to retain his sun-walking ability in the Ceramorphosis ending? Did you also permit his ascension?

[@emperorrcktee2680]

it does do something. when fighting the netherbrain it only has like 2/3s HP or so. TBF if this game wasn't the easiest MFing thing to save scum I would be upset that it wasn't more, but considering saving scumming and inspirations exist... it's fine IMO. also I didn't even save scum, I somehow rolled near 4 crits in a row with my inspirations

[@lassoedthesos5529]

​@Emptylord I beleive that's the only way to let him sunwalk, so honestly. There really isn't an ending with a good result for everyone

[@Ty__Rants]

After 140 hours I finally beat it (got the save orpheus, become mind flayer good ending) was bitter sweet. Ending up having my character kill himself though what with being a mind flayer. Sucks there's no way out of it other than either having Karlach or Orpheus take your place :/ Plus found out Shadowheart would pretty much dump me anyway So I'd be on hermit all alone so no thanks.

[@olegserov9987]

Only thing I regret is speaking to SH first at the grove party - I agreed to meet her later, then spoke to Karlach and she was ready for some intimacy too, I was hoping I would have a chance to dump SH but when I got the drinking scene with her no matter what I did there was no Karlach scene aftermath and no Karlach romance, or I just don't get how it works... So I gave up and decided not to be a jerk with SH after all but she turned out to be kinda boring. Got feelings for Karlach all my playthrough and somehow got a chance to teleport to Avernus with her. Knowing that if I don't dump SH like that she would dump me makes me feel I did the right thing)

[@carlstanford7607]

There is a way out. You need gale. Complete his quest. Reject the emperor after you’ve got the supreme tadpole off him. Release Orpheus after he leaves. Defer turning into a mind flayer with Orpheus. Gale will volunteer to blow up the brain when you’re about to climb up the brain stem. Happiest ending ensues. Karlach and wu]yell figure out a way to fix her heart after going hell. Game ends on a big camp celebration with withers and all your friends. Make sure the game is updated as some dialogues are buggy

[@Spyce09]

Not sure if this was a new thing added, but my ending shadowheart still stayed with me. The options I chose led me to a life with a small cottage near the water.

[@ЗинаидаКаминская-н1е]

Thank you! I really wanted to try Dark Urge playthrough, but was worried it has no happy ending. Now I know it's possible to achieve good ending (in alignment and survival of player character) with Dark Urge and can start my "try to resist your evil father/god" playthtough 👍

[@zepaduse97]

Im doing that right now and its really cool! Its just hard as hell as you have to do a shit ton of rolls just to stay good

[@ElLeone69]

Someone’s got daddy issues

[@ulysses988]

nice spoil yourself

[@heyfell4301]

@@ulysses988honestly, in Multiple-Choice games like BG3 it's often interesting to know the endings ahead of time so you have this in mind when you're roleplaying your character. I did this in Cyberpunk and it was interesting, as I made one character for each ending and all of them had fitting personalities that would lead to their ultimate choice in the end.

[@myhlosic]

​@@ulysses988 Not everyone is bothered by spoilers stop assuming your experience is universal

[@nyghtreign8210]

My first playthrough I just had Gale climb to the top and blow up. I didn't have to fight the brain.

[@inkchip7351]

Thank you for this

[@zig9260]

Same. Astarion was my main tho. Ofc I ascended. Sacrificed Gale at the end, felt insanely like a good trade from my POV. Hahaha

[@KingOfMadCows]

Would have been nice to see some Githzerai, the only time Githyanki and Githzerai work together is when the Illithid are involved. Plus Orpheus is going to need the help of the Githzerai to oppose Vlaakith, especially since Vlaakith has the magical rod that sealed the deal with Tiamat. The rod lets her control and summon red dragons so Orpheus will probably lose any red dragon allies he has.

[@SanguivorousRevenant]

I'd have a heart attack if Dak'kon the Pariah were mentioned - or the Circles of Zerthimon

[@PsYcHoOnE2000]

It was a really missed opportunity they haven't included or even mentioned the Githzerai in the story. Such a shame.

[@sandrols7]

@@PsYcHoOnE2000 I've submitted in the feedback, that if there ever is an expansion or something, I'd love to see them come back. It would not make sense for it not to. Or if not the Githzerai, maybe the Sha'sal Khou, who seek to bridge the divide altogether!

[@Grimbop]

There is a brain in a jar you can find at the end of act 2 that has a Githzerai in it that you can talk to, she teaches you something but I dont know what it is because my game broke and I could speak to her anymore.

[@bessieburnet9816]

I wish the Githzeri were a playable race. Have the Yanki and the Zeri be subraces of Gith in the race selection. My dreams of romancing Lae'zel as a Githzeri Monk and bridging the gap between the two endure.

[@miriviews]

14:05 really confused me. I get that the Emperor's not happy w/the player's decision there, but it seems like the Emperor's making a bizarrely dumb decision in that ending. I thought he was doing everything he could to stop the Netherbrain, and that was his whole deal. Is there a backstory reason to why he's suddenly joining the Netherbrain there, instead of running off, or doing anything else?

[@spiktekmik]

It is very strange to say at least, especially if you found out who the emperor really was before transforming. Seemed at least bizarre.

[@stefan289]

I think its because hes really only out for himself, releasing orpheous means his own demise so he flees for survival he would rather be mind controlled again than die. He was freed twice from being controlled i guess he thinks its his only option left.

[@miriviews]

@@stefan289 I get that he wants to survive, and he's certain that Orpheus would kill him if freed. I know that's why he's not happy with the player's decision. I just think that the Emperor would have other options than running to the Netherbrain, and that's why I'm confused at his choice. The Emperor teleported out to escape. So, it seems to me like he could go anywhere. I don't see why he wouldn't just go to the Underdark like Omeluum did, or go somewhere else, to hide. It seems like almost anywhere else would be better than running to the Netherbrain, since he hates being enslaved, and wants to live his own life. He could always try to get new allies elsewhere, too. Plus, Orpheus has bigger problems to deal with than the Emperor. Orpheus would likely be violent on release, but probably wouldn't chase the Emperor down if he ran away. It seems like a getaway would not only be possible, but be easy. That's why I'm wondering if there's some backstory reason behind the Emperor not jetting, and instead suddenly choosing enslavement.

[@spiktekmik]

@@miriviews SPOILERS AHEAD FOR ANYONE READING: I agree with you, the emperor is Balduran. A hero who founded baldurs gate. So between death and enslavement, the obvious choice is death. Who wants to be a slave? So him wanting to be a slave goes against his personality. But, and here is what we might miss, when you finish the game as an ilithid, the narator says something along the lines of: "now that the protection is no more, how much time until you become a brain washed ilithid. You already feel like loosing yourself". So I think it might be that with time the emperor lost this battle. Still a bit awkward of an explanation but maybe there are other secrets we didn't find out.

[@stefan289]

@@miriviews well didnt he explain how when he was a thrall he was tasked with finding the prism and that gave him his mind back, so i take it if he is not controlling oprheous, second he leaves prism he will lose his mind again, so he only has 2 options die in prism or leave and lose his mind again since he doesnt have control of orpheous.

[@janbertguerrero6988]

Larian needs to make an alternate ending for Baldur's Gate 3 One of the biggest issues I notice is how badly written the Emperor in the end. Choosing to free Orpheus INSTANTLY makes him your enemy and all the time he had with you is all put to waste. What's worse is, after freeing Orpheus, you would STILL NEED A MINDFLAYER ANWAYS, the Emperor could've been that mindfllayer and no one would need to turn into one. So I think, Larian REALLY NEEDS to make an update where WE CAN PERSUADE the Emperor to trust us and free Orpheus. Persuade Orpheus that the Emperor is an ally and thought he had no choice but to use Orpheus before. Then good ending! We get to have Emperor alive and free, while Orpheus saves his race.

[@Funkiverse]

Simply, Orpheus is racist and won't change his mind 😂

[@The_Catman]

Probably the fact that you can't even try to persuade him is the point. Mind flayers don't have emotions. They can understand them on a rational level and emulate emotional behaviour, like he does many times. But since they do not have emotions, they CAN'T UNDERSTAND TRUST. If the Emperor had been honest with the players since the start, basically no player would try to get free from him. "Hi, I'm a Minf Flayer, I know, but I'm a good one. Yes, I did some grey shit in my life, but that's in the past" He simply had to TRUST the player first, to earn the player's trust. Instead, he assumes a form of an illusion conjured by deliberaly searching your mind for the image under your definition of "Trustworthy guardian", lies about who he is, lies about who his enemies are, lies about what's the source of his power to help you, and lies about Orpheus intentions (he IS reasonable, racist, but reasonable, and way easier to get along than him even in your situation). He lies in LAYERS. Yes, he tells you he was an adventurer when he can't hide his nature anymore, but he doesn't tell you he was BALDURAN of all people! And he doesn't tell you how Ansur died until AFTER its too late and you have to fight it. He lets you choose not to "evolve", but literally tries to force you into doing it at every occasion he gets. The fact that in the end he doesn't try to enslave you if you side with me is fairly astonishing. He really did all he could to seem the worst option ever, from my point of view. I think the point is that you can't convince him to trust him because...he was sincere...and all this shit is what he did to control you while he had no reason to. He simply can't understand human relationships and he's bad as fuck with trust.

[@bmgoff2011]

I really feel this. The entire point was that you and the emperor were United by the need to destroy the Mother Brain and be free from thralldom forever. Condemning either Orpheus or yourself just seems like they wanted it to be two bad decisions but it makes no sense to me.

[@lergat]

My problem with the decision about free orpheus or not is that it doesn't matters. The ending feels slightly more positive for the githyankis if you free him, but it didn't justify the things you have to do to get the hammer. I would like an ending with you convince the emperor to join you and orpheus in the final battle ( if you get the hammer going in to Raphael house) or at least one where you can free Orpheus before and neither you or him has to become a mindflyer.

[@janbertguerrero6988]

@@lergat EXACTLY, the annoying part is, ORPHEUS STILL NEEDED A MINDFLAYER ANYWAYS. It's like, the emperor left cuz Orpheus hates mind flayers, and then he proceeds to ask us anyway to be a mindflayer. Like, that's so bad

[@Crownsnek]

With the Raphael ending I'm curious how his showdown with Asmodeus would go given how stupidly powerful of a god he is.

[@hilkmeister1382]

Issue is that Asmodeus would never allow Raphael to take the crown because that could upset the balance of power, but because of contrivances he does. Only way it makes sense then is Asmodeus has already killed Raphael and he just hasn’t figured it out yet.

[@ArakkoaChronicles]

What if Asmodeus is the god Raphael usurps with the crown?

[@Crownsnek]

@@ArakkoaChronicles im sure that is his intent, but whether it would be possible is another thing entirely, from what I understand of this story, the Crown seems to have been the conduit that Karsus used in order to cast his 12th level spell Avatar in order to usurp Mystryl the god of magic at the time, The thing is, since then Mystra, has pretty much banned spells of 10th level and higher, Not only are they now more difficult to cast requiring often the sacrifice of many wizard's lives to cast, but also She can simply cause the spell to fail if she so chooses. Therefore I don't actually think Raphael can usurp Asmodeus regardless of whether he has the Crown or not, it certainly doesn't have the power to dominate him on it's own, it was barely enough to enslave the elder brain after all.

[@hilkmeister1382]

@@ArakkoaChronicles Asmodeus in some interpretations is one of two most powerful gods in existence, more importantly every interpretation sees him as one of the most intelligent gods with the foresight to plan around lesser devils like Raphael trying to usurp his power (the last one to try was Levictus or something like that and him, his armies, and his whole realm were encapsulated in unbreakable ice in an instant).

[@eastbow6053]

@@hilkmeister1382 wish they would let us romance asmodeus xD

[@camerongunn7906]

Good to see Jergal getting some love in this. Him talking shit about the Dead 3 is funny as hell.😂😂

[@AntoneNV]

Its actually so tragic what happens to Asterion.

[@yona1478]

I think if you do his quest and refuses the ritual he mentions that he's aware this could happen and is mentally ready for it. I just wish this wasn't displayed so quickly. Like you get at least to have a talk with him over this after its all over about what he feels now that hes once again confined to the night.

[@sonof2tards]

Karlach is more tragic in my opinion. Such a sweet soul, and she either has to die at the end due to her "heart" engine, or go back to hell forever. No way to keep her safe or fix her in the end.

[@PsYcHoOnE2000]

@@sonof2tards Try bringing her along on the final battle

[@akanvirta]

@@PsYcHoOnE2000 I did it doesn't change anything she still dies.

[@PsYcHoOnE2000]

@akanvirta On my play through I romanced her as well, so maybe that's a prerequisite to see what I'm talking about.

[@Felzorful]

The rapheal ending is so amazing this just makes me realy wanna give the crown to him

[@VDA19]

Yeaaaah that one's really bad. He's coming for the mortal plane next

[@CapybaraConnoisseur89]

Raphael is like Al Pacino from Devil's Advocate love this character

[@TrollDKman]

@@VDA19 No. First the hells. then the abyss. And after that the mortal planes.

[@alotosius]

Not familiar with what the crown can do. It must be something insane if he thinks he can simply dethrone Asmodeus.

[@knighter1209]

@@alotosius you learn pretty much everything about the crown if you go through with Gale's storyline

[@hinkelstein1494]

I love this game but why is the ending so damn short? Most of your companions don't even come to utter a single sentence at the end... Literally my only issue with the ending :/

[@prozacx]

same feeling, maybe its some dlc coming? or part 4 ) but i already know the next game is Divinity 3 Its also not finished Gail quest and Laezel, looks strange really

[@hinkelstein1494]

Lae'zels Quest is essentially the main story, where you free Orpheus but yeah Gale is just... there I guess? He talks to Mystra once and then thats it for him. Strange ending for him... @@prozacx

[@deltha6231]

​@@prozacxtoo bad, I would love more dlcs for bg3, and expand on what they already did with the game rather than having divinity 3,

[@PepitoFloresbananafarmer]

idk I feel I prefer when games come out completed and don't have to get dlcs to get the full game but maybe that's just me

[@deltha6231]

@@PepitoFloresbananafarmer what are you talking about, it's a complete game, +100h of content, I'm just saying i would like more content because it's so goos

[@sebastjankrek1744]

The look the Tav gives the Emperor after he says "don't judge me," is gold.

[@ricijs2000]

Gonna be fun grinding for the best ending as i do all sidequests and every secret, most endings iv seen so far are really empty and feel rushed but at least it gives the general roadmap

[@janhenker8970]

They are all empty and rushed, even the "perfect" ending. Just Larian putting all their efforts in act 1 and rushing an ending 3 hours before release it feels like

[@arrith7030]

@@janhenker8970 100% agree with that, I pretty much got the best I could and there was so little to it, as you said, it was empty. Half the characters in my camp and party weren't even there. super disappointing. and doesn't feel complete.

[@deltha6231]

​@@janhenker8970totally, I was expecting a party with all your companions, see that house in the middle of the woods with shadowheart, astario going to the underdark with the 7k vamps he freed, idk, I expected more interactions with the party

[@Isus24-s8e]

@@deltha6231Fr I saw the credits roll and waited for them to end. I expected to actually have that party and be able to talk with our every companion what they are planning to do now that it's over. Then i saw the title screen and was disappointed af. Even my romance dialogue with Astarion didn't trigger. I had to reload.

[@Verosa1410]

Yeah, it's one of my biggest disappointing endings in a game because the road lead to the ending is so good, I'm so infested, and I'm really looking forward to talking with my companion in the epilogue and such, but man. When a bad game has a bad ending, I'm not disappointed at all, it is to be expected. But this, man even the good one feels empty. Still one of the best games I've ever played tho.

[@Ehren_ow]

I got the heroic ending, very happy with it. Also Astarion is a supreme vampire so he does not burn in the sun if you do all his quests.

[@orchids6404]

I want a happy ending with him even if he has to be a bad boy. So sad seeing him have to leave and run away from the sun even after his redemption ark.

[@ThatBlueHawkEye]

@@The-Bimbus What do you consider morally good and wrong? Atleast Astarion has control of his urges, if you release the Vampire spawn from Cazadors tomb, they will run rampant in the city.

[@sum_moss9092]

@@ThatBlueHawkEyewhether it’s a good or bad choice depends on whether you think killing people who have committed no crime is justified if the people are vampires. How much free will do vampires have over their urges?

[@sum_moss9092]

cause if you sacrifice them youre essentially killing thousands of innocent people cause they might kill thousands of people anyway

[@JB-xl2jc]

Granted there is canonically a cure for vampirism in Toril. So if he wanted to feel the sun again the party could just seek that out.

[@jasonjernigan7117]

Just like in Divinity, I wish a party got to fight the dark urge to try and stop them if you're playing multi player

[@antongunther3977]

Its worth killing raphael just for the music that plays during his fight. (You can hear him singing)

[@deltha6231]

Was a really cool fight, his armor is really good for warlock will, and hopes gauntlets for monk are also really good

[@ShapeshifterOS]

This is definitely not all the endings. There's the early ending with Gale and I'm sure there's other endings yet to be discovered.

[@ShikiPirs]

I didn't realise how many of the endings were actually available, thanks) I only tried out like... 4 or 5

[@its_not_fair9866]

I get why people don't believe that choosing Emperor is a good choice, but personally I figured out something when I sat in front of my screen for 15 minutes when there was time for making the ending descision. He straight up says that illusion and cunning is his way of thinking and living as an illithid. He simply can't think in ways other then rational and as useful as possible to acquire his goal. He doesn't lie to the player cause he is "evil". He does that because lying in certain things makes it easier to avoid deception and distrust and that's the most rational thing to do when you want to get an ally by being someone from extremely "evil" race. So my whole point is that even if he manipulated the player in some extent it was not because he is a villain but because he simply can't do otherwise cause of his illithid nature. And in the end he proves that his desire to end the netherbrain was sincere by not even trying to get all power to himself. Also he obviously doesn't want to free Orpheus because it's just not rational to let go of your way to defeat the netherbrain and writing yourself a death sentence at the same time. He is 100% sure that he will die when Orpheus is freed, so he will do anything to not let that happen cause he won't even have a slight possibility to break out of netherbrain's slavery if he'll die. And that is why he chooses to side with it so quickly, because it's the only option to stay alive and, even as a slave, to wait for another chance to be free.

[@catfacethemole9551]

Yeah but he also calls you a puppet, and what he did to Stelmane was unforgivable, not to mention ansur

[@lycarik6447]

​@@catfacethemole9551 He only says that if you heavily mistrust him. For him u are a means to an end, but that doenst mean he cannot build trust or like u. He sides with u to destroy the brain. He protects u and lies his live, his freedom in your hands. U need to carry him to the elder brain and destroy it. U are kind and nice to him? "Hey, cool, i made some cool allies, maybe even friends" u are mean to him and distrust him "Well, i dont care, u are just a means to an end" or... "puppet" in a way more mean way. That u critizise stelmane i understand for sure, it could be argued that there could be reasons he had done it and he only wants u to show his "evil" side in the moment, but its speculating, so i understand. But Ansur? Ansur himself confirmed he wanted to kill the emperor just because he is illithid. The emperor protected himself nothing more. Whats wrong with that?

[@MrTheSilentAssassin]

"*Relish, for now your sins are finally your own.*" You can literally choose to reject the evil god of murder...just so you can murder people and take all the credit yourself lmao. Now that's a story arc.

[@VDA19]

There's so many endings and so many are good depending on your alignment

[@presidenttogekiss635]

I fucking love that line. I might actually pick it. "I am not a SLAVE. I AM MY OWN MONSTER".

[@SakuragiSayo]

That is what I did for my Dark Urge (I had her romance Shadowheart before that) I reloaded a save and betrayed the Emperor (same character) and took over the Netherbrain (and had Shadowheart on my character's right-hand side as our Illithid army did their thing) I loved how the voice I chose for her sounded as she said "In Bhaal's Name" it sounded so cold/distant and so satisfied at the same time.

[@chocolatemilk6022]

It's sad seeing your Astarion suffer in the sun. Having him complete the vampire ascendant ritual in Cazador's place makes him immune to sunlight and gives him some nice buffs

[@onepangaean3018]

It also makes him EVIL! lol

[@hal0dude7]

But he also loses his soul and becomes evil lol

[@warwick3039]

@@hal0dude7 I would have loved an ending where we don't ascend him, but can control the Netherbrain together... his only options are sad spawn hiding from the sun, evil vampire lord... or thrall under our command... you can argue that he's free in the "good" option, but he's still misserable imo, still a creature of the night, slave to his hunger and hiding from the sun, especially if you're not romancing him - he's also alone and aparently we'll never see him in the sun again, as the other companions love to rudely point out : | I wish there was a middle ground too... all the "evil" endings are punishing the player one way or another

[@AA-eq2zq]

@@warwick3039 Fortunately according to Forgotten Realms/D&D lore he can be cured of vampirism with a Scroll of True Resurrection - one of which Gale already has :) There I thought finding another solution to the sunlight would be our next adventure after the game or that Gale would research and develop one - both certainly plausible in a world like Faerun - but this will do haha. I wonder if you can use the scroll in the game actually - I can't play it myself but I know Gale can be Revivified instead and I'm pretty sure I saw someone steal the scroll off him. And Astarion's voice actor did say that there's 2 hours of "hidden" content with him.

[@AA-eq2zq]

​@@warwick3039 Apparently at least one ending does acknowledge possibility canonically: "If you romance him and he's good, after he runs because he's burning, he asks you if you want to continue being a couple and asks you what you want to do next. I told him I wanted to try and look for another way to make him walk in the sun and he was surprised and genuinely happy."

[@camhoops1065]

This has to be oneof the most diverse games of all time. It is Definitely my top 3 games if all time. Well done Larian Studios yall outdid yall selves🎉

[@duerf5826]

Man… I reloaded over and over trying to find a way for the Emperor to work together with Orpheus since I like both of them but it seems it’s not possible. This would have been the bestest ending but oh well…

[@baronkimble5378]

Yeah that was dumb too.

[@khalhorik]

Even if you don't kill him in the last battle, it doesn't change the cinematic unfortunately

[@imdownonmyluck]

Naw laezel dumping you in the first ending is insanely hilarious. She said thanks for helping liberate my people but your face is just- I can’t do it✌️🐉💃 🤣🤣🤣

[@RealArRo]

I don't think you got the heroic ending perfectly though. In mine Karlach became a mindflayer which kept her alive. Orpheus and laezel went on to defeat the evil queen. Shadowheart released her parents and found peace in selune. Astarion killed his maker and allowed those he had lured to stay alive, yes he will now burn in the sun but at least he remained humble and his adventure may continue. Minsc and boo will join the guild as their warriors. Jaheira will return home to her kids and carry on as a leader of the harpers. Halsin will join Oliver and Thaniel. Gale will retrieve the crown and bring it to mystra and become her chosen once again. Minthara is still dead in her hideout. Everyone that could be saved is saved. The main party celebrates with drinks. Wylls father learned the truth and begged his son for forgiveness, and accepted him as a grank Duke, to which Wyll said he wants to go on adventuring as a blade of the coast instead. Him and PC were romantically involved so I've also got a scene where he asked me to go to hells with him to get rid of mynthara. Raphael is dead. Hope is alive. Etc. Etc. Basically every possibly good outcome has happened. Took me over a 100 hours. No save scumming either, just used potions and spells to pass the checks that were needed. Also fun fact I tried knocking out emperor in the end, but there's no scene if he survived. Thought it could have been cool to see him remain alive and back in control so that pc can tell him in his face i told you so lol

[@patchesgaming9139]

I'm kinda bumbed out that there isn't a aftermath epilogue because as much as I enjoyed the game I felt that the lack of a "bow" to wrap it all up kinda leaves me in an unsatisfied state. I did a bunch of endings and in one despite romancing Shadowheart she had no reaction to my mind flayer character killing himself which kinda felt odd. Overall the ending just about misses the mark imo. But the game is still good nonetheless.

[@ShadiestGerman]

Some data mining revealed that the epilogue is supposed to be more detailed, there are voicelines that describe the fate of you and your companions

[@Skyscraper125]

The heroic ending forcing your character into illithid Ness (unless you're a dick and let Orpheus be the real hero) felt incredibly forced for me... Playing a paladin of goody two shoes Ness and the game is basically saying, "Gods all baaaad, illithid gooooood"... like seriously I was so mad when I became an illithid I had to take a break before the ending... Furthermore - illithid have no souls, meaning paladin and cleric should arguably just lose their powers when becoming one. It's so pigeonholed it's mind boggling. X.x

[@marinelys6032]

​@@ShadiestGerman? Then... Why do you think it's not in the game? 😮 To let people have a more open ending perhaps? Still I need to know this epilogue now... 😅

[@ShadiestGerman]

@@marinelys6032 they simply didn't have enough time, they pushed the release date forward to not collide with Starfield and other games. Tho i hope we get a patch with all the endings. If you are really that curious and can't wait for it you can listen to all the End Voicelines in the Video "Baldur's Gate 3: Wither's Cut Ending Audio Complete Collection(Act 3 Spoilers)"

[@marinelys6032]

@@ShadiestGerman Thank you so much for your answer! I'll go watch this video right away!

[@TF2CrunchyFrog]

So all the endings, even the ones good for the world, have Astarion burn in the sun (if he didn't do the Ascension ritual?)... except in the "Emperor and Mindflayer" ending where the main character becomes a mindflayer while the Emperor also survives and Astarion's "daywalker" change is permanent despite the tadpole gone and him apparently not being an ascended vampire? But that means any romance or chance of a future that Astarion might've had with the main character is gone, and the game regressed him back to his selfish mask persona. So there's no truly happy ending for Astarion? Oh come on! THe "Ceremorphosis" ending first gives him the "the tadpole is gone but I'm still standing in the sun, looks like the change was permanent" hopeful speech only for him to suddenly get the "burning anyway, run away run away!" scene as follow-up anyway. What? So the one character who was massively abused, mind-raped and enslaved by Cazador until his only wish is to finally be free to control his own life instead of being controlled by more powerful beings, gets as reward that he 1. either has to flee back into the darkness he hates (with him running away on fire the last we see of him) to the endless torment of being a vampire spawn, or 2. has to go through with an evil ritual his master wanted to sacrifice him in and his only option is to use it himself at the cost of a ritual death of hundreds of vampire spawn (whom the heroes would otherwise have to kill themselves or risk setting free on the city) made from people he himself knew, with the implication his Ascension is tainted by devilish magics. So whatever he does to escape his fate, Astarion suffers. That's a painful "moral to the story" after we've seen his massive PTSD and vulnerable side.

[@skarlet3247]

I don't understand about Astarion too, same outcomes(without tadpole and without ritual), same reply, but in one ending he burnt, in another he didn't. What's the case😮

[@victorhugo3952]

Not everyone gets a happy ending in life, refer to children who die of cancer as proof of this

[@ipraytovodka]

@@victorhugo3952 well thats kind of the point of having multiple endings isnt it? not all of them have to be good but surely some of them have to turn out well? they can be hard to get but having all options lead to a bad end seems stupid for a game like this....cp2077 sure...but not bg3

[@Carolina57685]

@@ipraytovodka there is a good ending for astarion if you romance him and don't let him do the ritual you end up together, and he doesn't have to be alone forever he's pretty happy in that ending and is thankful for the MC staying with him

[@isbammoi3358]

​@@Carolina57685 Yes, It is very nice. But sucks ass that if you really care about him but don't wanna romance him he gets fucked over. I'm a huge romantic, and Astarion is my fave so I romance him, but I'm really not a big fan of, 'the only way to save someone and make them happy is if you romantically love the,/it's a romantic love that does it." And I think the sour feeling that people are especially upset with, is apparently there's no way he can drink Cazador's blood, and there's not a way for you to become a true vampire as well if he does. AND there's no follow-up for maybe, discussing options of wish spells, or curing vampirism (I've heard that's possible in at least some dnd instances) somehow to walk in the sun again. So it's like, a thing that could've been possible, but got restricted on purpose. And apparently only 2 of all the companions have pretty shitty outcomes across the board. Hence it may feel shoehorned and unfair. Not to mention Astarion and Karlach are quite big favorites. Also wanna add: Played early access for 3 years before release. Then and especially during act one I was wracking my brain of how a "happiest" ending could be at all possible. - I didn't want to feed his yearning for power. I wanted to break that almost addictive need, because if he got what he wanted, it would corrupt and poison/destroy anything positive and real. Which he is just now really getting for the first time ever and doesn't completely understand. (and we see it does corrupt a romantic and become something really twisted. You're a possession, a facsimile of what could've been. a 'get my cake and eat it too' situation for Astarion where it's all about having a faux happiness without risk. In the case you speak of, he emphasizes you as an equal partner. In the other endings he doesn't even hint at it.) So I felt, 'well if becoming a full vampire is possible for us both so we could both be chillin together forever and whatnot, I'd have to feed right into that greed. I can't see that being good in the end' - If both becoming a full vampire was possible, that'd mean no sun right? Since the parasite was granting that. So then while you'd be eternal and together, none of the sun and freedom he loves. Also not the greatest. I also wanted to get the parasites out, never use them. That's another power avenue and I was keen on getting rid of those lol. But vampire or no, that means taking away the sun for him. - So I wondered, in the game was curing the vampirism possible? Did the necromancy tome have anything to do with it like some people theorized in early access? And then what would that cost? Some curse, some sacrifice? He's an elf so suddenly aging all those year may or may not be a problem if that would even be what happened IF this is even possible. You'd get to live out whatever extent of your mortal lives, perhaps not living on to long beyond the other or whatever. This would be the best end of what I thought was possible for my first game aims. - Another would be if the guardian or whatever was good, or the artefact just kept helping, and it was just always there no consequences and you get to be vamps that walk in the sun for however long. So basically when I started, these were my thoughts and I had absolutely no clue how you could have a happily ever after so to say, not that I expected a fairytale at all. The ending you're describing it pretty much exactly the only thing I could come up with based on the info and guesses I had. That he'd be stuck in the spawn state, and losing the parasite would mean being condemned to the night (unless you headcanon the options I list in my first paragraph). Depending on your character race, he gets more or less time with the person who helped him do a 180 and reclaim joy and autonomy in his life. The ending is restricted to romance (as far as we know rn), and depending on the player is more bitter or more sweet of it's 'bittersweetness'. And every ending together as a collective feels quite sour. I can understand why people are upset. It'd be nice to have something for friendship, or at least like, 2-3/5 being bittersweet over 1/5. Even it's it's fucking dumb-hard to get, I'd rather it exist xD. As much as I enjoy the ending you speak of, and see a possible even happier future (besides the options I already put forth, hell, maybe my Tav goes and finds some other vampire to get turned then we kill THAT one too LOL), not everyone wants to do that or will like it. Especially if they like Astarion but don't wanna snusnu with him xD

[@jamesnp1394]

If you have Orpheus with you -- don't end the game with him in shapeshift form/displacer beast. I don't think the game knows what to do and kind of bugs out. It's what happened in my game and it left me with endgame dialogue that didn't match my campaign/choices, and was really buggy overall lol

[@андрейиванов-з9ь6н]

I'd rather let the world burn than exist as an octopus

[@Guaccc]

Cheers, Orpheus just disappeared after defeating the brain for me and Lae'zel was just accusing me of killing him.

[@tk3839]

It would be great if after completing this the game opened up as a digital tabletop players could continue having adventures in with a random story generator. So the players characters could have more adventures. Finding the cure to return the original form.

[@o0ctav]

The best Good Ending is free Orpheus, turn him into a mind flayer and with his sacrifice kill all mind flayers including Emperor. In the end Karlach will find a map in Avernus for a forge that might help her. Lae’Zel is saying that he found a way to kill the Queen and needs your help and it seems everyone is happy for being in the camp with friends so I see no other better “Good ending” .

[@Caliif]

With the talk about "17000" different endings I expected more, but I guess they did count every little detail about the companions that could change as a different ending

[@bebemax95]

It's ending "variations" with different characters n such. But to be fair, this video is missing a couple endings. Such as the Gale explosion ending to kill the brain and Dead 3.

[@nore699]

I think they are very liberal with the ending 'variations', probably count different variations of your party and how far you progressed their stories. You can also take allies you make along the way to help you in the final battle as summons. For different questlines you complete the characters will meet and support you before the final battle etc. There are additional scenes if you have a romance interest etc.

[@jatocato]

There are about 8 different endings i know of missing from this video

[@MaecG_]

I freed Orpheus. He sacrificed himself by becoming a mindflayer. The Emperor betrayed us by joining the Netherbrain . I killed him and all our enemies. We saved the world. I killed Orpheus as he asked me to. Lae'zel thanked me and returned to her people as a leader and ally. I went back to Avernus with Karlack, my partner, to live a peaceful life without any proclamations and no desire to be called a 'hero'. I am satisfied. What a journey.

[@thehomie404]

would love to see a video of your character loadouts just to get a sense of what “endgame” loot looks like

[@BrokenAndStable]

Such a great game, so sad when I finished it.

[@shurikencookies]

I really hope a small character will turn into a mini Illithid that would be hilarious! 😂 I also hope they polish the game a bit more some things are a bit derp in cutscenes.

[@CFenwich]

Unfortunately my gnome grew to a full size (well small next to emperor) newborn ilithid.

[@Mounthuapleb5890]

You turned into a ghaik with key honor 🎖

[@jake120007]

i think the ending i like most would be good, and empowering the emperor to take out the brain, i dont care for the gith, if we could choose our mindflayer model i wouldnt dislike the mindflayer endings so much, but i hate the ballsack head version of the mindflayer we turn into.

[@sttate]

Yeah we get virgin newborn mind flayer vs chad Emperor. But you can excuse it by saying you're a newborn (look how small your tentacles are) so maybe you'll look cooler after a growth period?

[@igormorais4192]

Didn't you just die at the end?

[@jake120007]

@@igormorais4192 no

[@whalescience8831]

I feel like we could have just given Orpheus the disguising helmet. Let him return appearing as a gith.

[@johnathanera5863]

The ending in this game is honestly pretty terrible. Wtf is it with rpg's not being able to stick the landing nowadays. They always have to be fixed/expanded upon a year after release. Always ruins the experience right at the end. Game is amazing until act 3, then its good. Then the ending happens and everything falls to peices.

[@prozacx]

same feelings, dlc maybe lol

[@Wolfnacht]

True, act 3 is so much worse compared to act 1 and 2. The endings are barebone af as well...

[@smaug7221]

Orpheus is literally telling you, “You should have just let yourself been killed because you didn’t know exactly what would happen in the future! This is all your fault!”

[@johnc.4765]

Karlach's story almost made me cry. Good thing Wyl offered his protection as the Blade of Avernus. Wish i could've romanced Karlach than shadowheart. lol

[@JDTalo]

I don't know why anyone would pick shadowheart, is it cause she's pretty? I don't care if she was manipulated, her personality is just ugh to me. I actually pick karlach first but hold off too long and lost the chance after moonrise. Then I picked halsin lol... Worst companion ever. My next playthrough I'm definitely going all the way with karlach she deserves it.

[@MkadinA01]

Shadowheart is the most accurate depiction of a fantasy goth girl. BPD, crazy traumatic back story, black aesthetic. It's hilarious but honestly the whole Shar arch is incredible glad I went there over mountain pass

[@olegserov9987]

Only thing I regret is speaking to SH first at the grove party - I agreed to meet her later, then spoke to Karlach and she was ready for some intimacy too, I was hoping I would have a chance to dump SH but when I got the drinking scene with her no matter what I did there was no Karlach scene aftermath and no Karlach romance, or I just don't get how it works... So I gave up and decided not to be a jerk with SH after all but she turned out to be kinda boring. Got feelings for Karlach all my playthrough and somehow got a chance to teleport to Avernus with her. Knowing that if I don't dump SH like that she would dump me makes me feel I did the right thing)

[@joshuapeer9289]

Best ending is when you and Karlach go to Avernus, light up a few cigars and start slaying! What more could a dude ask for?

[@Remember-Reach]

The devs said they were fixing up the game with patches for now, but they said that they want to do more (according to an interview with Butler). I feel like they could setup an expansion, especially considering the Nine Hells were particularly... "busy" in this one. (or perhaps they are already be planning it now or already had plans) Would be interesting if they featured one of the Holy Avengers and it ends up with your character, like the Carsomyr (that OP sword for the Paladin back then). It's the reason why I future-proofed my Pally, just in case of an expansion. edit: just a grammar correction edit2: Oh and Lilarcor too, that psychopath sword lol Would be interesting if they bring that crazy back.

[@badtiming2208]

So if I give the Stones to Empy, he just eats Orphy out of fear that he won't want to work with him at all. If I free Orphy, Empy acts out and just goes to the Netherbrain, not even giving us a chance to convince Orphy not to kill the Emperor just because he's Ilithid (which we've seen that Orphy will prioritize ending the Grand Design over killing 1 relatively neutral, if not good, Ilithid). I love Empy, but damn does this make me want to not take his help anymore.

[@itzbigchicano001]

Oh boy, all 17 thousand of them?

[@O_Obsidious]

fun fact, the jittering of the models at the end of the video appears to be caused by floating point precision errors i believe its since been fixed but, in this version of the game its a good assumption to make that the cutscene for whatever reason takes place hundreds of thousands of ingame units out from the center of the map, causing vertices to jitter and float around

[@6-4crusader55]

I really wish you could convince the emperor and Orpheus to work together for literally 20 minutes so no one has to become a mind flayer.

[@Herr_Brechmann]

games trash

[@6-4crusader55]

@@Herr_Brechmann Spider-Man 2 is a glorified slideshow. Baldurs gate 3 is one of the best games ever made

[@Sn0wShepherd]

The ending where you become a Mindflayer broke my heart. So much so, I deleted the campaign when it was finished for the pain of it all.

[@diekssus7194]

1:17:10 Jergal coming in clutch

[@LoveLightEarth]

Thank you for that great work ❤

[@Reppen555]

I gave into the corruption and took over the gigantic mind so i became the ultimate emeperor which is clearly the best ending

[@SakuragiSayo]

I did not give into the corruption (not all of it) like with that Goblin where you can bite off his toe, or bite off Gale's arm. I romanced Shadowheart, made her a Dark Justiciar, took over the Elder Brain (and Shadowheart's mind along with it so that she would be mine until the end of her life) and become the ultimate Empress (I did the same with a male character later. In head-cannon of mine I made Bhaal a Granddaddy with Shadowheart)

[@zsoltp8234]

There are one or two more endings with the character Gele, and in the shadow city you can save the leader + kill her.

[@griffca4814]

>all ending >Hour and a half long Jesus Larian not that hard. Lube me up first

[@Foodisgood]

That isn't even all the endings lol. They didn't do the companion quests which if you do opens up even more endings.

[@Silver_Lloyd]

At 33:20 When Asterion is burning up I got a sunscreen Ad and it fucking floored me.

[@Decks-1-]

Soo how did you get the heroic ending. Seems good enogh for me that i would actually try to get it myself.

[@usamakhanfit]

bumping this up

[@nara6540]

Free Orpheus by stealing the hammer from Raphael -> Make Orpheus become a mind flayer -> Tell Orpheus to destroy the brain

[@Bobbilhead]

@@nara6540 How did you steal it? He is offering it to me now and I’m not sure to accept his request or not!

[@nara6540]

@@Bobbilhead You can either serach out the diabolist named Halsik or just go to Raphael's mansion in the lower city where his assistant works at and either pickpocket a grimoire from her or just kill her. Upstairs is a demonic circle with which you can then teleport into the house of hope to try and steal the hammer. Just FYI, it's quite a difficult part with no LRs, so be prepared

[@Irondust]

@@nara6540 There are healing fountains in the pool that give the benefit of a long rest

[@nathandolan1968]

57hrs played .... ever mission done .... what a joy

[@Guy-9]

I loved going full dark urge so much I've already done it as the same character twice. Perish, world.

[@Plutoniumcola]

So it ends like Mass Effect, good, evil or something in between, but in any case the city goes to pieces :D

[@fabianpino4910]

Just so I can understand, the good/heroic ending is supposed to be: defy and kill the emperor let Oprheus go along with ceremorphosis kill the netherbrain that's all right?

[@BDMWI]

26:41 was epic. Nothing like a cry of victory in a battle we thought that we lost everything

[@skarlet3247]

Please tell me: in emperor& mind flayer ending Astarion didn't burn in the sun without tadpole. How did you achieve it? By his attitude I suggest he is not perform the ritual instead of Cazador, so what's the case? Some decisions in his personal quest or what?

[@heresfrankbetches921]

+

[@kkkk-uh1cu]

Sacrifice thousands of his brethren and he may ascend in said quest, yes.

[@bobmishima3295]

@@kkkk-uh1cuNot doing the ritual doesn't guarantee you let thousands of rampant vampire spawn go either though. I got him to abandon the ritual and essentially mercy kill all the spawn. I guess the primary difference is that I think the ritual condemns all those souls to go to Hell and the other option just lets them die in peace I guess.

[@kkkk-uh1cu]

@@bobmishima3295 or they go to the shadowfell, like most undead creatures. There's seemingly not a canon answer for what happens to vampires

[@isbammoi3358]

I am playing through my vanilla game rn (and don't mind spoilers for some stuff or most things haha), and I'm excited for where this game will be in some months. I'm also already waiting on mods to get really settled in (there's customization from early access I really liked), and whatever patches/updates for any fixes/improvements. Because while we're all getting a lot down and covered, it is still quite early. I'm barely at the end of Act one now xD I touch and read everything, talk to everyone constantly, sort inventory and things, keep hold of info, whatever. My completionism kicking in. I'm curious to see where things can go when you're touching everything and then making choices. I'm curious to know what and if and how much is left to uncover and possible. Hell, perhaps there IS another end for Astarion that's a lot more positive (like the romanced one where he calls you equals/an equal partner), especially for people that really like him but don't wanna romance him. Perhaps there IS something more for Karlach than death or the rest of her days in the hells. I sure hope so. I appreciate good tragedy, and not a fairytale around every corner, but I can understand why it's ruffling some feathers. When there's something as creative as dnd, and as big as this game, and players feel like there is or will be an obvious or at least possible solution that's is cut off from possibility, it leaves frustration and annoyance, and just a, 'well, that's too bad/that sucks I guess.' sorta feeling. Not too great. I'm stilling loving the game, even as someone for whom Astarion is their favorite, but it would be nice if there was even more, a way to live in the sun and not lose all the growth he's capable of, and/or not lose a pivotal person who 180'd his life regaining a joy and autonomy long lost. If you can find it, I wrote a long elaborate comment in response to someone below haha. But, these are my thoughts!

[@ProVowel]

What kinda ungodly manic episode is this 😂?

[@mertbayulger620]

If Astarion becomes an Ascendant Vampire by completing Cazador’s ritual, he can walk in the sun freely.

[@SakuragiSayo]

There is only one thing I remember that I liked from the Early Access, you could make Shadowheart Drow Half-Elf instead of her being High Elf Half-Elf.

[@crazedmonk8u]

Lazael in her lingerie while some serious game ending shit is going down in cutscenes. a true man of culture spotted.

[@loganswalk8621]

Is it possible to do the evil ending taking over the Netherbrain without being the dark one or being mind flayer?

[@Vincentpanh]

Don't choose dark urge and do the evil ending.

[@eastbow6053]

@@Vincentpanh Wait so the dark urge has a bad ending regardless?

[@Omnis.satanica.potestas_omnis]

Yes. You can betray the Emperor right before he commands the brain to stop, but you have to entrust the Emperor with Orpheus first.

[@juuh_kw]

After over 300 hours of gameplay, I managed to finish my first run and got the heroic ending😊🎉

[@DreamersOfReality]

The Emperor is such a manipulative snake. He truly knows how to gaslight, to push every emotional button. But in the end, he still views you as beneath him. Secondary. A lovely, exquisite, tool... but a tool all the same.

[@ConsistenTuber]

Ngl the “villain option” is the most interesting im not suffering after killing the big bad when everyone the whole game had me doing errands for them FOOOR BAALLL

[@yesyesyes-gb5tw]

LMAOO

[@ElenaRomanova21]

My ending was a bit better than the best ending here I presume: - All of the companions are alive. - Astarion became free (though he might do some twisted shit afterwards but anyway) - Shadowheart stayed with me, we're couple now :3 - Gale is planning to find the crown and reunite with Mistra - Lae'zel flew away on a dragon to fuck with her enormous ego, good riddance - The Emperor is quite happy but had to fly away - Halsin is happy to the point he's about to sing - I became a town hero Though I didn't find Karlach, Minsc and Wyll so there's still plenty of room to have an even better ending.

[@viktoriia193]

Can you tell me what choice you made for this ending, please? And is there a romantic scene for the couple before or after the final fight?

[@ElenaRomanova21]

@@viktoriia193 на нашем отвечу, чтобы мозг не ломать)) Я прошла квесты Астариона, Шэдоухарт и Гейла. Астариану разрешила стать высшим вампиром, Шэдоухарт пощадила Песнь Ночи и отреклась от Шар (у Песни Ночи потом тоже был квест, надо было злобного волшебника убить), Гейла убедила не самоубиваться об мозг и дойти со мной до конца, в разговоре с Мистрой предложила ему перед ней извиниться. Квесты Лазель вообще не трогала (не нравится она мне, сложно воспринимать постоянные понты хаха), но от оккультистов спасла. Хальсину помогла найти и спасти дух леса, что освободило локацию второго акта от тьмы. Импертатору тоже помогала во всем, но отказалась становиться Свежевателем Разума, отдав камни ему, считай финальную битву он затащил и со спокойной душой улетел. А, ну еще вступила в сепаратный союз с Горташем против Орин. Что до сцены с Шедоухарт, то ничего особенного не было, к сожалению, мы просто поговорили перед титрами и она решила остаться со мной. Но я много чего не сделала, в частности не нашла некоторых спутников и не прошла несколько квестов, поэтому концовка реально может быть еще лучше.

[@viktoriia193]

@@ElenaRomanova21 спасибо :3 печаль, я надеялась на хоть какой-то романтик со своей парой(( А что с Орфеем, он остался в рабстве? И получается Горташ остаётся жив и отдаёт нам камни? Мне импонирует этот персонаж, если его можно не убивать для хорошей концовки, это бы порадовало.

[@ElenaRomanova21]

@@viktoriia193 Орфея поглотил Император, дабы набраться сил для битвы с Мозгом. Горташа, увы, убивает Мозг во время кат-сцены, видимо оставить его в живых не выйдет, а жаль, мне он тоже понравился) Что до пресной романтики - меня это тоже расстроило. Потом прочитала, что может прокнуть постельная сцена с Шэдоухарт, но у меня ее не было, только поцелуйчики и "это была прекрасная ночь" в диалоге перед титрами. Может быть, это из-за того, что я переспала с Императором :D Но почему-то вообще не было никаких диалогов на эту тему. Тут есть над чем поработать Ларианам, нужно просто посмотреть как это делали Биовары в свои лучшии годы) С другой стороны, может быть романы с Астарионом и Гейлом, напрмер, куда более бурные, Шэдоухарт в течение всей игры на своей волне какой-то, тогда как те намеки сыпали аж до самого конца))

[@viktoriia193]

@@ElenaRomanova21 Жаль, получается нужно контролировать мозг самим, чтобы он выжил, как Горташ и предлагает, если такое вообще возможно. А личинки в головах просто исчезают? У меня как раз роман с Астарионом и тут конечно есть 2 хорни сцены, в 1 акте и после его квеста, но хотелось с что-то ещё перед финальной битвой, из серии "это ведь может быть наш последний день", нам ведь обещали романсы как одну из ключевых частей.

[@kegdoty]

The emperor is like “oh you don’t trust me? Well I worked my entire life to defeat the elder brain. I guess if you won’t help me I’ll enslave myself to the brain again.” Legit so stupid to me he did this in my playthrough. Made no goddamn sense

[@enzomax2553]

So are there any consequences from embracing the tadpole powers?

[@Mounthuapleb5890]

A good question.

[@ThiccBane]

Bumping for interest.

[@usamakhanfit]

We need an answer

[@gervoh]

From seeing the endings - it probably opens the choice of evolution with the emperor, otherwise he eats Orpheus' brain by himself, so no consequences at all, since you still have a choice at that moment?

[@Sormaran]

@@gervoh seems to me thats how it goes. and what i found on reddit - only other concequence is if you accept the "super" tadpole to get late powers - that changes your look a bit. black veins all over the face, a-la mass effect renegade or something

[@twistedelegance_]

The problem is, these are not all the endings. Especially Raphael has several, and if you romance Gale you dont need to steal your contract back at all as he is a God and makes Raphael disappear and he cannot harm you. The thing about BG3 is that it's meant to be evolving and people rushed to play it way too early and will never know about the camp scene for example. And the stupid debates about "canon" endings and decisions. This is dungeons ans dragons. What you chose in the game is canon. There is no "official" storyline.

[@RecoveringLoLAddict]

Lmao, becoming a mind flayer as Dark Urge is basically disowning your dad. Fucking brilliant writing whoever came up with this, I can't see a better way to flip the Dark God OF MURDER AND SACRIFICE than denying him your murder and sacrificing yourself to start a new life. Withers approves.

[@vads8265]

48:00 Emperor: Do not judge me Tav: 😕->🙂

[@Ildun]

They said it has 17000 variant, I hope there is one perfect good ending I like, so far none of these truly satisfied me :(

[@meloo]

i think the last one of the video while not choosing dark urge in character creation is pretty much the best

[@mlanier3533]

yeah that was a lie. There are like 3 main ones.

[@ElectricalExistence]

Only 16,986 more possible endings to go.

[@BrotherGamingTR]

At the beginning there was a success rate of 99 and you got 20 or something, does that mean if you could actually do 99 you can dominate the elder brain without emperor or orpheus ?

[@GaleoGaleo]

In D&D if you roll a natural 20 it's a success, no matter the difficulty. Obviously in the throw you cannot get more than 20 plus modifiers. If they have set the difficulty to 99, it is simply to show that only 20 will work for you.

[@BrotherGamingTR]

@@GaleoGaleo Just wandering if there is an ending where you save orpheus without turning him into mind flayer and not turn into mind flyer myself

[@spiktekmik]

Ok just reloaded and cheated the roll with a trainer to answer this. A critical roll on everything. The brain at the beginning seems to subsided but then it gets angry and continues with what you've seen in the video. So you will always fail

[@zealiskander]

@@spiktekmik You fail but you start the final phase of the final combat with the boss having lost 1/5th of its hp and a status effect that it's reeling from how fucking unlikely that shit was, basically.

[@spiktekmik]

@@zealiskander ah wow, amazing. Thanks for letting me know.