Frustrated... So you can never talk about Tadpoles with companions after the first time?

[Ventus]

CONCLUSION: Its stupid, but apparently you can, in the first 2 hours, with a seemingly neutral/casual dialogue option, lock out companion tadpole use for the next 60+ hours.

So for those looking up "Hesitating" "Shadowheart does not want to use mind flayer parasites" or similar, be advised that once you loot the tadpole and have the dream, ANY dialogue regarding these tadpoles is a ONE TIME event that locks this content, and the only option to unlock it comes much later with significant cosmetic/aesthetic changes.

You should convince your companions to consider using the tadpole if you want to keep options open, or simply never discuss it (deferring it until you are committed to a path).
Mods Wise, I am being told this works but I have not tested and confirmed. https://www.nexusmods.com/baldursgate3/mods/1377

ORIGINAL POST:
First play. I have done the wilderness, underdark, and mountain pass, so just about cleared Act 1.

I was careful when the tadpole power option came up. I spoke to Shadowheart and took the middle, neutral option because I wasn't sure they wouldnt mind control me.

Apparently... that was the ONLY time to bring up the subject.

"These illithid powers we're developing, what do you make of them?" prompts 3 choices.
1: Persuasion roll "The odds are stacked against us, can we truely afford to ignore a potential advantage?"
2: Some might say excessive caution is a risk in and of itself...
3: Perhaps you're right.

I cannot speak to her about them anymore. I can speak to others (never brought it up with them before).

I went back to the Save before I spoke to Shadowheart, and option 1 convinces her on success. Option 2, 3, and 1-failed roll all perma close the option.

I suspect this is a stupid game feature (option 2 should not lock out the same as failed 1 or 3 imo), but was hoping against hope that maybe this is a bug? Or that maybe others found a way to get the dialogue option back?

I have been spoiled about astral tadpoles, which I dont want.
Also, not interested in debate about whether its 'worth it or not'. It seems to be the case that 1 conversation perma locks out the option, but figured I would ask if anyone knew a workaround (I would like her to have some of the 1st and 2nd circle powers, if possible).

I'd be willing to edit an ini file or use a mod to 'uncheck' this dialogue lock out, if thats an option. Im not super savy with navigating such things though.

[Mike Garrison]

You get another chance when you get the astral tadpole, but it seems you have decided you don't want that.

[Orion Invictus]

She said no. Move on.

[アンジェル]

"No" means "No".

[Chaosolous]

When you get the astral tadpole you can speak to companions again about this.

The game has many permutations of paths, so the

Originally posted by Ventus:

"I suspect this is a stupid game feature"

like yes, it's literally the way the RPG was built. Actions and choices affect things later down the line.

It's actually why the game got a lot of praise.

[Ventus]

Originally posted by Chaosolous:

When you get the astral tadpole you can speak to companions again about this.

The game has many permutations of paths, so the

Originally posted by Ventus:

"I suspect this is a stupid game feature"

like yes, it's literally the way the RPG was built. Actions and choices affect things later down the line.

It's actually why the game got a lot of praise.

Thank you for the stupid response.

[Chaosolous]

Originally posted by Ventus:

Originally posted by Chaosolous:

When you get the astral tadpole you can speak to companions again about this.

The game has many permutations of paths, so the like yes, it's literally the way the RPG was built. Actions and choices affect things later down the line.

It's actually why the game got a lot of praise.

Thank you for the stupid response.

Having to explain basic things usually does have an air being dumb. Due to the need for it to be explained.