NetherbrainLevel 20 Aberration |
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| IMG | |
| Location | Atop the Netherbrain | Mind of the Netherbrain |
| Act | Act 3 |
| Quests | Confront the Elder Brain |
The Netherbrain is a Boss in Baldur's Gate 3. The Netherbrain is the ultimate evolution of the Elder Brain after synthesizing with the Crown of Karsus. This is the final boss fight in Baldur's Gate 3 before finally beating the game.
Bosses in BG3 are powerful enemies that have increased health and pose a bigger challenge for players.
Where to find Netherbrain
Act 3
- Atop The Netherbrain
- Enter the Netherbrain's Psyche (Portal (X:-5572, Y:-479))
- Mind of the Netherbrain (X:-215, Y:-4259)
- Enter the Netherbrain's Psyche (Portal (X:-5572, Y:-479))
Netherbrain Quests
- Confront the Elder Brain
Netherbrain Dialogue Options
- N/A
Related Achievements
- Absolute Power Corrupts (Conditional - Final Dialogue Choice)
- 'Reign with terror: take control of the Netherbrain and bend the world to your will.'
- All's Well That Ends Well (Unmissable - Story Related)
- 'Finish the game (with a heartfelt 'thank you' from Larian Studios).'
- Critical Hit (Conditional - Difficulty Setting)
- 'Complete the game in Tactician mode.'
- Interfectorum Draconis (Unmissable - Story Related)
- 'Kill the red dragon in the Upper City.'
- Sins of the Father (Conditional - Dark Urge Playthrough)
- 'Claim your Throne of Blood: take control of the Netherbrain for Bhaal and break the world.'
Netherbrain Call Forth Allies Buffs
Depending on all the choices you've made over the course of the entire game, you'll be rewarded with a handful of passive conditions and active one-time abilities. These boons are directly tied to all the progress, or lack thereof, you made with the quest 'Gather Your Allies.'
- Arabella
- Weavewalker (Permanent Passive Condition)
- "One must remove all obstacles to follow one's destiny - Arabella's favour grants affected entities the benefits of Freedom of Movement."
- Weavewalker (Permanent Passive Condition)
- City Watch
- The Watch (Call Forth Allies Class Actions)
- Available only in combat.
- "Summon some the City Watch's great weapon fighting heroes to protect their home."
- Dismissed after combat until re-summoned.
- Can't be summoned again if killed in combat.
- 18m
- The Watch (Call Forth Allies Class Actions)
- Counsellor Florrick
- Florrick's Cohort (Call Forth Allies Class Actions)
- Available only in combat.
- "Summon Florrick's personal guard - highly defensive warriors who can hold their own in melee."
- Dismissed after combat until re-summoned.
- Can't be summoned again if killed in combat.
- 18m
- Florrick's Cohort (Call Forth Allies Class Actions)
- Dame Aylin
- Sword of the Silverlight (Call Forth Allies Class Actions)
- Summon Dame Aylin, Selune's shining paladin to join your side in battle
- Sword of the Silverlight (Call Forth Allies Class Actions)
- Duke Ravengard
- Rallied (Temporary Passive Condition)
- "The galvanising word and will of Duke Ravengard runs hot through your veins - granting you 30 temporary hit points."
- Rallied (Temporary Passive Condition)
- Nine-Fingers Keene
- Guildmaster Keene's Fixers (Call Forth Allies Class Actions)
- Summon two elite assassin mercenarires from the Guild's ranks
- Guildmaster Keene's Fixers (Call Forth Allies Class Actions)
- Halsin
- Spirit of the Land (Permanent Passive Condition)
- "The reunited soul of Thaniel provides a +1 to all Ability Scores and an additional 2m movement speed to all affected entities."
- Spirit of the Land (Permanent Passive Condition)
- Jaheira
- Silver Harp Squadron (Call Forth Allies Class Actions)
- Available only in combat.
- "Summon elite Harper archers to provide ranged support from your back ranks."
- Dismissed after combat until re-summoned.
- Can't be summoned again if killed in combat.
- 18m
- Silver Harp Squadron (Call Forth Allies Class Actions)
- Kithraak Voss
- Kithraaki Inferno (Call Forth Allies Class Actions)
- Command the Red Dragon of Kithrak Voss to breath a wall of fire onto the battlefield
- Kithraaki Inferno (Call Forth Allies Class Actions)
- Mizora
- Agent of Avernus (Call Forth Allies Class Actions)
- Summon Wyll's pact mistress to rain down powerful infernal sorcery and possibly disintegrate your foes
- Agent of Avernus (Call Forth Allies Class Actions)
- Prince Orpheus
- Orphic Favour (Permanent Passive Condition)
- "While within 18m of Prince Orpheus the affected entity has resistance to Psychic damage and a +3 to Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws."
- Orphic Favour (Permanent Passive Condition)
- Strange Ox
- An Apple a Day
- Summon Zlorb a shapeshifting monstrosity that can adopt the aspect of several monsters and beasts
- An Apple a Day
- Ulma
- Gur Huntwardens (Call Forth Allies Class Actions)
- Available only in combat.
- "Summon Gur monster hunters to hinder enemies while slipping in and out of the frontlines."
- Dismissed after combat until re-summoned.
- Can't be summoned again if kill in combat.
- 18m
- Gur Huntwardens (Call Forth Allies Class Actions)
- Volo
- Volo's Guide to Monsters (Permanent Passive Condition)
- "With steadfast application of knowledge from Volo's preeminent work, affected entities gain +2 to Attack Rolls, Saving Throws and Ability Checks."
- Volo's Guide to Monsters (Permanent Passive Condition)
- Yurgir
- Hellstalker Yurgir (Call Forth Allies Class Actions)
- Available only in combat.
- "Summon Yurgir the orthon - a deadly combatant at range or in melee who can become Invisible immediately after attacking."
- Dismissed after combat until re-summoned.
- Can't be summoned again if killed in combat.
- 18m
- Hellstalker Yurgir (Call Forth Allies Class Actions)
- Zevlor
- Hellrider Platoon (Call Forth Allies Class Actions)
- Available only in combat.
- "Summon Zevlor's Hellrider to Smite foes and support frontline allies."
- Dismissed after combat until re-summoned.
- Can't be summoned again if killed in combat.
- 18m
- Hellrider Platoon (Call Forth Allies Class Actions)
Netherbrain Boss Guide
Netherbrain Boss Tips
The boss fight against the Netherbrain is broken up into two distinctly separate arenas, the second of which you unlock and gain access to after succesfully using Karsus' Compulsion to create the Enter the Netherbrain's Psyche portal, which leads you from the exterior, Atop the Netherbrain arena to the interior Mind of the Netherbrain arena, where you face off against the physical Elder Brain called The Unbreakable Will of the Netherbrain.
There are a couple variations of this fight depending on the choices you make in the Astral Prism one last time before embarking on your final leg of the journey. Outlined below you'll find descriptions of the various different adds that can be present during the fight, along with details regarding their stats and abilities.
- Adds when siding with the Emperor AND/OR fully undergoing ceremorphosis with one of your party companions or yourself:
- Adds when siding with Orpheus AND/OR fully undergoing ceremorphosis with one of your party companions or yourself.
The Emperor "Renegade Illithid"
Summary
- Level 12 Mind Flayer
- 182 hit points
- AC 18
- STR 12 DEX 14 CON 15 INT 21 WIS 17 CHA 19
- Conditions - n/a
- Resistances - n/a
- Notable Features
- Arcane Enchantment
- Imperial Retaliation
- Magic Resistance
- Opportunity Attack
- Attacks, Spells & Actions
- Actions: Dash, Disengage, Hide, Jump, Levitate, Main Hand Attack, Topple
- Spells: Chain Lightning, Evard's Black Tentacles, Mind Flayer Domination, Sleep, Slow, Telekinesis
- Illithid Powers: Extract Brain, Mind Blast, Potent Concentrated Blast, Shield of Thralls, Tentacle Whip
- Unique: Karsus' Compulsion
- Gear
- Staff of the Emperor
Skills
- Strength (+1)
- Athletics +1
- Dexterity (+2)
- Acrobatics +2
- Sleight of Hand +2
- Stealth +2
- Intelligence (+5)
- Arcana +5
- History +5
- Investigation +5
- Nature +5
- Religion +5
- Wisdom (+3)
- Animal Handling +3
- Insight +3
- Medicine +3
- Perception +3
- Survival +3
- Charisma (+4)
- Deception +4
- Intimidation +4
- Performance +4
- Persuasion +4
Detailed View
- Hit Points 182/182
- Armour Class 18
- Race Mind Flayer
- Initiative +2
- Movement Speed 12m
- Darkvision Range 18m
- Type Aberration
- Size Medium
- Weight 60kg
- Carrying Capacity 160kg
- Proficiency Bonus (+4)
- Armour: Heavy Armour, Light Armour, Medium Armour
- Simple Weapons: Quarterstaffs
- Martial Weapons: n/a
- Musical Instrument: n/a
- Saving Throw Bonus
- STR +1
- DEX +2
- CON +2
- INT +9
- WIS +7
- CHA +8
Orpheus (Githzerai form)
Orpheus (Mindflayer form)
Summary
- Level 12 Mind Flayer
- 150 hit points
- AC 16
- STR 13 DEX 12 CON 14 INT 14 WIS 21 CHA 20
- Conditions
- Permanent Mind Sanctuary
- Mind Flayer Form
- Orphic Favour Aura
- Resistances - Psychic Resistance
- Notable Features
- Ability Drain
- Advanced Unarmored Movement
- Cull the Weak
- Opportunity Attack
- Attacks, Spells & Actions
- Actions: Dash, Disengage, Hide, Jump, Levitate, Main Hand Attack, Improvised Melee Weapon
- Spells: Slowfall, Mind Flayer Domination, Sleep, Slow, Telekinesis
- Illithid Powers: Extract Brain, Mind Blast, Mind Sanctuary, Nebulous Black Hole, Potent Concentrated Blast, Augmented Shield of Thralls, Strengthened Force Tunnel, Synaptic Consumption, Tentacle Whip,
- Unique: Karsus' Compulsion
- Fierce Perilous Stakes, Fracture Psyche, Displacer Beast Shape, Stage Fright, Transfuse Health, Psionic Overload, Tentacle Whip, Levitate
The Unbreakable Will of the Netherbrain General Information
Race: Aberration
Health: (Balanced) 450 (Tactician)
AC: 15
Base speed: 0m 
Size: Huge
Weight: 10000kg
Attitude:
The Unbreakable Will of the Netherbrain Conditions
Chains of Karsus - "The Netherbrain is too powerful for even the Momentary God's magic - Karsus' Compulsion could not dominate it completely.
The Spell has instead bound the brain's will in place temporarily. To complete the domination, you must strike it down."
The Unbreakable Will of the Netherbrain Notable Features
Psionic Retribution (Toggleable Passive Feature | Reaction) - "The Netherbrain permits no interfence - as a reaction to taking damage, it releases Brainquakes.
The Unbreakable Will of the Netherbrain Abilities
Strength: 16
Dexterity: 10
Constitution: 22
Intelligence: 28
Wisdom: 21
Charisma: 24
- Proficiency Bonus: +0
- Initiative: +0
Attacks & Spells
- Orb of Negation (Class Actions | 1 turn | 30m)
- "The Grand Design cannot be disrupted - manifest an orb of Netherese arcana that explodes on its turn, obliterating everything within range.
- Orbs of Negation create an AoE zone called Marked for Negation
- Marked for Negation (Condition)
- The affected entity is within range of the Netherbrain's Orb of Negation. The orb will explode on its turn, dealing 20~200 Force damage.
- Retributive Brainquake (Class Actions | 1 turn | 30m)
- 10~60 Damage 10d6 Psychic
- "Upon taking damage, emit a wave of psionic force that Mindbreaks nearby enemies.
- On Save: Targets still take half damage.
- Mindbroken (Condition)
- Affected entity is Slowed by the Netherbrain's psyche-shattering might.
- Slowed (Condition)
- "Affected entity's movement speed is halved, and its Armour Class and Dexterity Saving Throws are reduced by 2."
- "The entity can't take reactions or make more tan 1 attack per turn, and con only take either an action or bonus action."
- "Spells cast might be delayed for 1 turn."
- Slowed (Condition)
- Affected entity is Slowed by the Netherbrain's psyche-shattering might.
The Unbreakable Will of the Netherbrain Resistances
The Netherbrain has no resistances, immunities, or vulnerabilities.
Slashing: n/a
Piercing: n/a
Bludgeoning: n/a
Fire: n/a
Lightning: n/a
Psychic: n/a
Poison: n/a
The Unbreakable Will of the Netherbrain Rewards
- n/a
Notes and Tips
- All aforementioned adds will have their Notes and tips go here
- ??
AnonymousI was able to kill it in one turn with haste spells, mind sanctuary, create/destroy water, and scrolls of chain lightning. The only thing you have to be mindful of is its retributive brainquake counterattack, which triggers the first time it takes damage. You can circumvent this by having one character enter the brain cave alone, cast create/destroy water, then cast chain lighting. AFAIK, only the characters that entered the portal will be affected by the AoE stun, so the rest of your party can just walk in afterwards and melt it.
- Anonymous
Couldn't find any concrete rules to the counter attack the brain has. It's not a true reaction as it happened to me 2x in one round. I'm not sure if it targets the whole arena or just the area around the attacker. I don't know if a successful save can save you from the "mindbroken." The 1 attack per turn is the worst part as without it a figher could easily be taking 6-9 times a turn.
how to defend against brainquake solo?
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