[Brand of the Absolute] Any downside?

[( * )]

Hello,

I'm with the goblin in the Goblin Camp who offers the Brand of the Absolute.
I know it lets me use the following items fully :

- https://baldursgate3.wiki.fextralife.com/Ring+of+Absolute+Force
- https://baldursgate3.wiki.fextralife.com/Absolute's+Warboard
- https://baldursgate3.wiki.fextralife.com/Absolute's+Talisman
- https://baldursgate3.wiki.fextralife.com/Faithbreaker
- https://baldursgate3.wiki.fextralife.com/Gloves+of+Power

Other than that, any downsides?

RP wise, to me this brand is the mark of a slave.
Every time I use the Illithid power to control the mind of an NPC, this really makes me see this brand as a cattle branding mark, or a zombie branding mark.

So having this mark would make my character a slave until the end of the game, story wise.
Even if the artifact prevents me from being controled by the Absolute, the mark would still be there.

What are your thoughts on this?
Did you get branded?

Thanks for your time. :)

[Mari Solaris]

I ain't about to be touched by the same hot metal that's seared goblin arse.

[Broan]

Unfortunately, it doesn't have any impact if you have that mark afaik other than being able to overcome certain situations with absolute worshippers.

Which i'm kinda disappointed about, as well as some other thing that you can shoose to do and should have more impact than basically making you more powerful. Not going to spoil what it is, as i don't know how far you are right now.

I guess larian didnt want people to have a bad experience just because of a more or less "small choice"

I did get branded in two of my runs, but not in the campaign right now and other than your ability to use those few items, there is nothing that changes. And in the later Game most of these items if not all are obsolete.

[Razorblade]

No, there are no gameplay reasons to avoid branding. Being Branded does nothing but open up more options for your character.

[( * )]

Thanks :)

[Frankenroze]

On top of adding more dialog options (with the absolute folks) , it also allows you to benefit from extra buffs/enchants on select gear that say "If you have a brand of the absolute" etc etc you get this buff!

The only time I saw a downside (if you can even call it that) is when talking to the caged goblin in the goblin camp inner sanctuary. He's a follower of their old god and he mentions the brand on you if you talk to him.

Other than that never saw it mentioned in dialogue or have any consequences.