Third Baldur's Gate Illithid Powers Guide: An Investigative Deep Dive
In Baldur's Gate 3, the player character and their allies can use Illithid Powers, but not everyone finds nearly the same resonance in them. For people afflicted with Mind Flayer Parasites, Illithid Powers offer a choice of 25 distinct, often unusual super-powered skills. With choices for assault, defense, buffs, and debuffs, there are a great range of them to fit any potential construct. Though there are some repercussions for employing Illithid Powers in Baldur's Gate 3, they are as helpful in a fight as they are deadly. To what degree, though, those relate to Tav's party members?
These great abilities are available to every playable character contaminated with parasites. Sadly, non-Origin characters in Baldur's Gate 3 such as Halsin, Minthara, Minsc, and all the hirelings lack Tadpoles in their brains, therefore preventing their access. That leaves Astarion, Gale, Karlach, Lae'zel, Shadowheart, and Wyll able to take on Illithid Powers. One thing the player character uses them for is one; another is to spread more parasites over their already sick and much worried party mates. Like any decision Baldur's Gate 3 presents, there are some hazards and what-ifs to be aware of.
Should I assign my companions illithid powers in Baldur's Gate 3?
From a mechanical perspective, friends should most certainly make liberal use of Illithid Powers in Baldur's Gate 3 as long as the player controls their appetite for more. Using Illithid Powers has risks, but the benefits they provide are just too great to overlook. Covering advantages in everything from roleplaying to combat, Illithid Powers fit any type of play thanks to their broad range of uses.
One excellent illustration of Illithid Powers' adaptability is found in the capacity for favorable beginnings. This option adds the user's proficiency to the first roll they make against any target, therefore providing a passive boost. Good beginnings guarantee that interactions go as planned and in line with the party's wishes right from first. If friends advance far enough in the Illithid Power skill tree, the more strongly inclined can even soar with the Fly ability.
Who in Baldur's Gate 3 will embrace illithid powers?
While certain Origin Characters are more eager than others, all parasite-infected ones can assume Illithid Powers. Astarion is a megalomaniac, driven by a need for more power, so he is not much persuaded. Gale's morbid curiosity drives him to play around in Illithid knowledge since he is fascinated in magic, particularly magical secrets inaccessible to others. Friends could also be in favour of the player character escaping difficult circumstances by using Illithid mind-reading or control.
Other characters, meanwhile, clearly object to the usage of Illithid Powers. Lae'zel, a githyanki, is a sworn opponent of all things Mind Flayer hence she would object to the player character using Illithid Powers and oppose using them on herself. Karlach has had more than enough experience with unwelcome internal changes, hence adding another Tadpole to the mixture is not exactly her cup of tea.
How To Get And Improve BG3 Companion Illithid Powers
Like Tav, gaining Illithid Powers requires hosts for a parasite; it affects allies as well. These abound in the game, most usually discovered on the bodies of sick NPC characters. Every time any character increases a strength, a Tadpole disappears, hence use them carefully. Still, the sites of numerous Mind Flayer Parasite Specimens in Baldur's Gate 3 are already well-known; if the party is ready to search, there are most certainly more to discover.
Although it would be tempting to give the player character all the Illithid Powers to make them nigh-omnipotent, it would be better to distribute them somewhat more fairly. An individual character can only use a maximum of one Ilithid Power per turn in battle, thus if several characters in the group have several at hand, they can be used more regularly to greater benefit. Tav should, however, have the most and the best Illithid Powers in the group since they are always there while the other party members could come and go.
Should You Give BG3's Astral-Touched Tadpole Companions the Same Treatment?
The player character will come across a powerful Mind Flayer styling themselves The Emperor in Act Three. He will provide them an Astral-Touched Tadpole, a development of the regular Mind Flayer Parasite that lets them access enhanced Illithid Powers. They can decide to have it hosted personally or persuade a party member to carry a rigorous Persuasion check. Nobody else taking the Astral-Touched Tadpole will become Half-Illithid with dark veins swelling around their eyes; there are no significant effects for anyone else.
Apart from the edgy fresh look and improved skills, the change has little long-term impact. Although Tav should offer the Astral-Touched Tadpole instead of it to another party member, the effort is well worth it. Tav should have the most Illithid Powers of the bunch, hence this choice is just pragmatic. Since they are the most often present in the party, an Astral-Touched Tadpole will help them most damage-wise.
Does companion illithid powers influence Baldur's Gate 3's ending?
Whichever person assumes Illithid Powers and how many they possess, there are no long-term consequences for the fate of Baldur's Gate 3 enforced by those decisions. One alternative ending sees a party member turning into a Mind Flayer; but, that decision is totally influenced by their dialogue choice at that point; Companions employing Illithid Powers has no effect on the result. Furthermore, should the party choose to release Orpheus in Baldur's Gate 3, he will offer to take the fall, therefore sparing the rest of the party a dreadful destiny.
Though helpful as they are, the choice on whether to grant Illithid Powers rests entirely with the player. They might decide not to burden overtly averse to it personalities like Lae'zel or provide it to those most in need, Gale and Astarion. Taking on Illithid Powers has a moral as well as a pragmatic component, hence this is not a decision to be made lightly. As always, maintain the Companions' Approval Ratings high and consider what they would like in Baldur's Gate 3.
