How to beat Netherbrain in Baldur’s Gate 3

Your party should be at least level 12 and equipped with endgame gear in order to beat the Baldur’s Gate 3 Netherbrain

The Netherbrain is the greatest challenge for adventurers in the world of Baldur’s Gate 3. This dangerous Elder Brain, which is also called the Absolute, has changed because it has been in close contact with the Crown of Karsus for a long time. It is now much more dangerous than any other Elder Brain in the illithid kingdom. As the final boss in Baldur’s Gate 3, the Netherbrain can be hard to beat, even for a level 12 party that is well-equipped. In this guide, we’ll go over the strategies and tactics you’ll need to beat Baldur’s Gate 3 Netherbrain, with a focus on the two most important parts of the battle.

Baldur’s Gate 3 Netherbrain Phase One

The first phase of the battle begins after enduring a two-stage fight against Absolutist forces. To initiate this phase, players must use a full-restore object and then ascend the Netherbrain’s spinal cord. As the party ascends, they will face a diverse array of enemies:

1. The Psychically Dominated Adult Red Dragon

The red dragon is a strong enemy with a staggering 400 hit points. It poses a significant threat with its high damage output, flame breath, and multiattack capabilities. It’s vital to note that the dragon cannot fit on the metal walkways along the battlefield’s edge, making it susceptible to control spells like Hold Monster and distractions from summoned allies. You can use builds like Shadowheart, Wyll, Minsc, and Minthara.

2. Illithid Arcanists

Four illithid arcanists, proficient in casting high-level spells like Magic Missile and starting with Fire Shield active, are among the adversaries. They pose a substantial magical threat to the party, and their targets are typically the closest party members. Use Sildur’s Party Limit Begone mod, it expands the party limit. 

3. Tentacles

Tentacles sporadically emerge on the brain’s surface, attempting to grapple anyone nearby. These tentacles can be a nuisance and disrupt movement, but they cannot appear on the metal walkways. Sending party members onto these walkways can provide a safer route to reach the Crown of Karsus.

4. The Emperor

If players rejected the Emperor in the Astral Prism, he’ll join the battle atop the red dragon, creating one Dream Guardian for each party member. These Dream Guardians are focused on silencing their assigned party members. Dealing with the Emperor should be a priority, as his influence can be detrimental.

5. The Nautiloid

After four rounds, a nautiloid approaches, bombarding sections of the battlefield with Fire and Force damage and summoning reinforcements. Dealing with the nautiloid and its reinforcements strategically is essential. With good build, you can solve puzzles and survive the Underdark or other quests.

The primary objective in phase one is to guide the party’s illithid (whoever it may be) to reach the Crown of Karsus on the opposite end of the Baldur’s Gate 3 Netherbrain. The illithid must then use their action to influence the Netherbrain, ensuring they do not succumb to conditions like Incapacitated, Stunned, Polymorphed, or Knocked Out. Maintaining proximity to the Crown of Karsus is crucial, as Karsus’ Compulsion has a limited 20-foot range.

Baldur’s Gate 3 Netherbrain Phase Two

Phase two commences when Karsus’ Compulsion successfully opens a portal to the Netherbrain’s Psyche. Characters appear on random platforms, situated around 60 to 70 feet away from the Unbreakable Will of the Netherbrain (UWN). The objective of this phase is to inflict 200 damage upon the UWN within five rounds, failing which the Netherbrain will transform the party into mind flayers, leading to defeat.

UWN’s Abilities

The UWN has two mechanisms to harm the party:

• Psionic Retribution: This reaction can hit the attacker and nearby party members with Psychic damage and the Mindbroken condition. However, it can only be used once per round.
• Orbs of Negation: On its turn, the UWN can create these orbs, which take one turn to activate and inflict Psychic damage. More importantly, they destroy nearby platforms, instantly killing any party member standing on them. These affected platforms are easily distinguishable by their red glow.

As the UWN continuously destroys platforms each round, the difficulty of the battle escalates. To mitigate this, it’s advisable to position every party member close to the Crown of Karsus before opening the portal. A coordinated effort to unleash all available attacks during the first round of phase two can significantly weaken the UWN. If you want to increase your level XP then use the Increased Level XP mod.

Additionally, the outcome of the first attempt to dominate the Baldur’s Gate 3 Netherbrain can influence the battle. Even though a natural 20 against the DC 99 check won’t guarantee instant victory, it applies a special condition called “Against the Odds,” resulting in the UWN starting with fewer hit points. Check out some companion builds of Astarion, Gale, Halsin, and Jaheira.

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