Should Baldur’s Gate 3 players betray The Emperor?

Despite his helpful deeds, the Emperor is a controversial figure among certain players of Baldur’s Gate 3. This is evident as over a million individuals have no qualms about betraying him for their own benefit.

Mind Flayers are significant antagonists in Baldur’s Gate 3, with the added threat of a tadpole residing in your brain, attempting to transform you into one of them. As a result, players are understandably hesitant to accept assistance from one, even if they initially appear in a more appealing guise.

The Emperor’s duty is to safeguard you from the tadpole’s control throughout the game and to lead the party in their battle against the Netherbrain, with the ultimate goal of rescuing the city of Baldur’s Gate and potentially the entire Forgotten Realms.

You are not obligated to support the Emperor, as there are alternative choices to be made. Interestingly, Larian Studios disclosed that 1.8 million players opted to betray the Emperor when given the opportunity. A discussion on the Baldur’s Gate 3 Reddit was flooded with individuals who advocated for betraying the squid guy.

The Emperor and Tav love scene in Baldur's Gate 3 — Larian Studios

If you’re not loving the Emperor then you’re leaving him

One player expressed disappointment, stating that the guardian they had spent 40 minutes designing did not live up to their expectations and felt like a betrayal. Another player argued that being constantly lied to and manipulated is not considered betrayal, but rather a way to free oneself from that person.

According to one user, it was not a betrayal but rather a situation where I was given an arbitrary ultimatum and had no other option. With Orpheus being a crucial figure in the liberation of the Gith and potentially the Illithid, I could not let him die.

“I believe I could have convinced Orpheus to spare the Emperor if he had only given me the chance, but he chose to join the Netherbrain of his own volition.”

Some players, particularly those who are more forgiving, are not willing to betray the Emperor. They may say, “I am a loyal supporter of the Emperor. He may have made a few mistakes, but overall he has done nothing wrong!”

One major concern among fans is that the Emperor presents them with a predicament: they must either side with him or liberate Orpheus, with no viable compromise in between. Those who hold a strong affinity for the Gith may be forced to betray the Emperor due to his lack of alternative options.

It is hoped that an upcoming update for Baldur’s Gate 3 will provide a redeeming ending for the Emperor. This would allow players to potentially forge a fragile alliance with both him and Orpheus in order to defeat the Netherbrain, eliminating the need for further betrayal.