Or you can completely ignore everyone in this thread that gave options for having the story react to no tadpole runs beyond 1 check in order to pretend otherwise.
That's a thing.
I don't like the idea of getting power for not doing something. It makes no story sense to me. Just an awkward attempt at balancing things so players are happy no matter what they do in the game.
Regarding having a different ending for not using the tadpoles, I guess. If the ending makes sense, that is. Unfortunately, it leaves me with the constant impression that folks want their cake after having eaten their cake.
"I don't wanna consume tadpoles because they make me soulless and ugly, and I want to stay pure! That means I should get a good ending for staying pure."
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Also, if there's no consequence for consuming tadpoles, why do so many of you not want to consume tadpoles? Because there *is* a consequence for doing it. Consuming the tadpole is a form of sacrifice. You are sacrificing the very identity of your character for something greater.
--why do you deserve a good ending for not taking the sacrifice? If anything, I think a *special* ending for not consuming tadpoles should be defeat. You didn't do what was necessary.
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Everyone achieving victory regardless of the path chosen is a modern weakness. It's the idea that an evil entity comes to you and offers you two choices:
1. Give the entity your soul and get ultimate power!
-or-
2. Don't give the entity your soul and get ultimate power!
Gosh, I know which one I'm choosing.
And for some reason, 'I want to consume tadpoles because I want the extra powers, but don't want there to be any consequences even though the game (and Larian) said there would be' does not give you the same impression of folks wanting to have their cake after eating the tadpole.
How so very curious.
Your second question is a tale as old as politics: Misrepresenting the argument.
It is a
fact that both Larian and the game presented consequences for tadpole usage. The problem is that there is no follow through. The game also does
not represent tadpole usage as any kind of necessary sacrifice until the very end of the game upon which it rugpulls the player into a railroaded decision on the merits of mindflayers. A decision that on the face of it, still has a tone of questionable narrative elements and plot holes. As long as both of those facts remain true, the narrative that consuming tadpoles was in any way 'necessary' remains false.
And then we cap it off with the added bonus of ignoring everyone in the thread that posited story only changes in order to pretend otherwise.
A truly class act.
In simple language, what have I ignored?
You said, "...options for having the story react to no tadpole runs beyond..."
I've addressed the desire for different endings. I've addressed the desire for additional powers from not using tadpoles. What exactly have I ignored? Specifically.
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You mention how some folks might want to consume the tadpoles for additional powers and rejoice in there being no consequences for doing so. My position has been crystal clear. I have insisted that there are, in fact, consequences to using the tadpoles, and I have made a point of asking why so many people *don't* want to use the tadpoles if they believe there are no consequences? The answer is obvious: they're not using the tadpoles because there's a built in consequence that is understood. It is clearly a sacrifice, and the "purists" don't want to make that sacrifice. That's why they're not using the tadpoles.
As for whether or not you like the plot, that's a different discussion, imo.
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Regardless, at no point have I misrepresented or ignored anything. You are being unnecessarily insulting. I have laid out my position in simple, easy to understand terms. This is not a difficult conversation.
Again I ask, if you don't think there are consequences to using tadpoles, why do you not want to use the tadpoles?
Again I say, if there's a special ending, it should make sense within the vision of the story, which imo, would include failure for not using the tadpoles.
Again I repeat, it doesn't make any story sense to get special powers or resistances for not using the tadpoles.
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If you want to engage in a conversation, please try to do so without the insults. They are tiresome and ineffective. Thank you.
