Tadpoles

[*****GameFolder]

Do I really have to dive into the tadpoles power? I have been resisting them, haven't used the power once in conversations, only used it once in the beginning to open the pod with the cleric inside on the ship.

Now I get cut-scenes with a girl who says I have to use the power - and I keep finding tadpoles that I put in my bag or kill - but I don't want to "insert them in my brain for power".... do I have to?

[*****GameFolder]

I've been trying to google this and look for answers, but they all say it's a "hidden skill tree" that "can be unlocked"

So all I want to know is, do I HAVE to unlock it? Can the game be completed without doing so?

[*****GameFolder]

No tadpole experts out there?

[Cat]

I only know it's optional to actually use, but I can't find an answer anywhere on if using them leads you down a path you may not want to go. Given it's meant to be a sideways progression, it feels a bit bad to not use it at all, but at the same time I don't like the idea of it.

[Rez Elwin]

I think they said early on that using the tadpole powers carries a cost, maybe a bad ending.

That said no, you don't have to use them, but they do make things easier.

[*****GameFolder]

That is awesome, thanks to both of you!

[bioras]

Originally posted by Rez Elwin:

I think they said early on that using the tadpole powers carries a cost, maybe a bad ending.

That said no, you don't have to use them, but they do make things easier.

Thank you for this. I'm the same as the OP. I used it once on the ship. And I mean really, who wants to shove tadpoles in their eye? [Yes, I am aware there are plenty out there.]

[*****GameFolder]

Originally posted by bioras:

Originally posted by Rez Elwin:

I think they said early on that using the tadpole powers carries a cost, maybe a bad ending.

That said no, you don't have to use them, but they do make things easier.

Thank you for this. I'm the same as the OP. I used it once on the ship. And I mean really, who wants to shove tadpoles in their eye? [Yes, I am aware there are plenty out there.]

Honestly I got so relieved as well!

My character is good! Why would he want to willingly submit to those illithids?! Rather die than that!

[RamzaBehoulve]

This is BG3, you are not forced to do anything if you think an alternate way is better (and Larian thought about it as well, that's the only limitation apparently).

[lazarusblack]

It's all rather ambiguous at present. But it is definitely implied that using the tadpoles to gain power, is very likely to have a corrupting effect with a potentially undesirable outcome.

[bioras]

Originally posted by lazarusblack:

It's all rather ambiguous at present. But it is definitely implied that using the tadpoles to gain power, is very likely to have a corrupting effect with a potentially undesirable outcome.

Ambiguous is right. Still not sure what to think about dream man either. Honestly, if someone shows up in your dreams exactly as you want to see them, isn't that a red flag?

[Solomon Kane]

Because any character would find out rather sooner then later, that whats happening is not normal, by, first, not at all turning into a mindflayer, second, by getting cool powers and third, by an entire group and faction of people, not turning into Mindflayers, now, good or evil, any character can use this power for whatever means, a warlock for example, would totally use that power, all a warlock is, is making dangerous pacts with powerful whatnots to gain super powers, depends on your character, good or bad does not matter, question is would he or she use that power for good or moraly flexible reasons, others might think, yeah, who knows what happens if I use that power all the time, I better not. Of course, If a character continues to think this is standart tabpole, then sure, fine, must have rather low wisdom or intelligence then.