Larian Studios Forums Baldur's Gate III Baldur's Gate III - General Your most favortie tadpole power?

You need to do it twice, I think.

Exactly. Why would I use the tadpole power, when I know almost nothing about it, and have no feasible means in which to control it? Maybe I would consider using it, if I knew more about it, and knew who was behind the magic that encompasses it. Perhaps if I knew these things, I'd learn of a way to control it? it's very hard to use the tadpole, and not have your immersion instantly broken, because of how stupid it is to use it.

It is a dumb mechanic which will contribute towards this game aging poorly.

I have refused to use the tadpole ever since the "Passing Out" sequence was alluded to at Moonrise. Why would you entertain a parasite in your brain knowing that it's slowly taking over you with VERY IMMEDIATE CONSEQUENCES regarding people who you are actively hunting, and who are actively hunting you? I don't get why any character with an ounce of a sense of self-preservation would do that.

I think its all down to your character as to why or why not you would use it.

I'm doing an evil playthrough now with a power mad wizard who is becoming increasingly tempted by powers offered by the tadpole. It doesn't break my immersion at all because its in keeping with this particular character. We all know IRL that many people become tempted by and addicted to things they shouldn't.

By having the tadpole powers present there is obviously a storyline to follow there and I'm curious to see where it goes.

Maybe if your character has rock-bottom Intelligence and/or Wisdom.

Some of these arguments would apply equally well to the Warlock class. Why would anyone sell their soul and sign up for eternal damnation for some powers?

Agreed. Besides which, I never liked the "power spam" nature of the class...it feels very MMORPG-y.

You make a fair point. All sorts of different characters exist, but...
It's a brain parasite, not a heroin addiction or a hunger for power. I'm not hung up on being seduced by the promise of power (that's cool); rather, I think it's really, really hard to get over the fact that it's a brain parasite. There's an element of being a victim of body horror and psychological horror that doesn't necessarily gel with my concept of a self-serving, power-hungry individual. I think a lot of power-hungry, selfish characters also have a sense of self-preservation, if not a particularly strong one.

At least an evil Priest/Cleric has a legitimate reason for their method of pursuing power: they're either hoping to be (favorably) noticed by their deity or they plan to climb the ranks of whatever hellish afterlife awaits them.

For sure, in the case of Burotia (my evil wizard) she is fascinated by necromancy, inspired by Thayan legend she already aspires to become a Lich ultimately. Whilst initially frightening she suspects something unusual about the tadpoles ( I assume she has at least as much awareness as Gale "something unusual about our tadpoles"). She's motivated to get rid of it but as option after option ends in a dead end and the powers prove more useful and interesting she begins to think of an alternative to becoming a Lich, maybe better than a Lich?
She hasn't given up on the idea of getting rid of the tadpole it seems to be the best idea and certainly SH and Lae'zel think its a fraud but Burotia is uncertain and gets a rush out of these powers....besides the dream was pretty good.

If the Dead Three are involved, I wouldn't be against the idea that we (the tadpole-infested PC) are already dead as the game starts, given the game specifically starts with the insertion of the parasite, and only then shows our perspective, after which it asks "Who are you?" The Netherese-modified tadpole did eat our brain, just not in the way it usually does, because modifications. Jergal follows us around 'cause we are half-dead tadpole hybrids made from Mindflayers and Netherese experimentation. It actually explains why "THE BLADE OF FRONTIERS," or "THE WIZARD OF WATERDEEP," or "MINSC" are level one... they're technically dead, but the modified ceremorphosis preserved their consciousness and personality. It explains why none of the usual vampire stuff applies to Astarion. It then gives us a very, very vested interest in the activities of the Gods of Death.

On the other hand, doesn't explain Raphael's offers, so... maybe not.

True. But warlocks have flexbility in their RP. Some warlocks are drawn into a pact because of a deal someone in their family made with a devil, and they don't have a choice in the matter. Some warlocks have patrons that aren't even aware of their existence. or if they are aware, they may not care that there is someone out there using their powers, and want nothing to do with their warlock.

While with the parasite, the game straight up tells you the thing is eating your brain. Taking something of you that you won't get back, etc.

Is that implied to be eating, or taking over? I thought it seemed more like it was taking over than eating.

It does both as you can see.
Source: https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Ceremorphosis

BUT!
That is regular case, ours do neither ... thats why we are still oureself and in control. You could say that its just chillin inside our head.

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But i think Warlock argument is a valid one ...
Yes Warlocks who didnt trade their body and soul for power exists ... but that only mean that they arent who we are talking about.
And not just them ... how about Clerics of Evil Gods, like Bane, Bhaal, and Myrkul?
How about oathbreaker Paladins?
How about Necromancers, or whole Shadow weave ...

I mean this world offers amcountless opourtunities to questionable and potentialy corupting power ... so whats one more?

I think part of it is that it's just very direct and visceral in a way those other things usually aren't. Based on narration, our character is aware that they're losing something as they use the tadpole. Making a deal to sell your soul in the future, worshipping an evil god, those things are more distant, more of a "someday" problem. Or with the gods, a case of religious zeal and fanatacism that doesn't necessarily have to end badly for you. And even if it does, you've been indoctrinated to believe that such an end is a worthy outcome for your devotion. As for necromancers, they're at least theoretically in control during the whole process if they became a Lich. With the tadpole, you have no control over it, no understanding of how it works, and you do know that using it immediately costs you something whether you like it or not. Using it in moments of desperation are the clearest justification to my mind.

I genuinely think if they didn't make it so immediately obvious that you're losing yourself every time you use the tadpole, if it weren't so visceral and undeniable to the player in particular, using the powers would be a broadly more appealing prospect.

How so?
Its you who are reaching for their power ... its you who are using them ... yes it may affect/corupt you in return, just as necrotic magic does.


Thats also not necesarily true ...
Our characzer can be educated enough to know regular ceremorphosis, just as Gale or Lae'zel are.

Or you ca be ignorant to the process as Astarion, Karlach or Wyll are.


Maybe i remember something wrong ...
But isnt this said after some time? I believe first few uses seemed consequence free.
But even if not you find out only after ... it dont come with sign "warning coruptable powers are bad for your mental health".

Also "loose something" is quite vague description ...
When you loose your virginity is that purely bad?
(I gues it depends on who you ask )

Using or not is just a super simple risk/reward game, I don't like to save scum so when I am in a bad spot and one of the powers is a life saver I use it. Who wouldn't? If we are comprehending games from a realistic standpoint, like a lot of folks tend to be doing here, then fear of death should be motivating enough, shouldn't it?

Nah, when you use tadpole the descriptions strongly suggest that the thing is eating deeper into your noggin.

Interesting take