Four years in the past, Baldur’s Gate 3 was introduced with a trailer that confirmed how a human might succumb to the small illithid tadpole caught inside his noggin, thus turning into a mind flayer. The course of begins with excruciating complications, escalates to fingers twisting by themselves, and culminates with an octopus head spouting out of the physique. That gross transformation is what you’re (perhaps) making an attempt to keep away from initially of Baldur’s Gate 3, however developer Larian Studios have now defined how the parasites “tie into” its RPG programs. Yep, you possibly can select to both embrace or resist the tempting corruption, with the previous supplying you with some fairly cool social gathering tips, whereas the latter means you received’t be subjected to David Cronenberg-esque physique horror. Tough resolution, I believe.

In a brand new Steam weblog, Larian clarify how these selections will work in-game. Embracing the illithid powers unlocks a hidden skill tree “used to enhance your command over your newfound illithid capabilities.” Those capabilities embody 25 mind-flayer-inspired skills which might be cut up into 5 classes: psionic (letting you flip foes into ragdolls), manipulation (mind management), well being restoration (self-explanatory), and skills that may both harm or debuff enemies. “You can even become a displacer beast,” the large tentacled felines usually seen within the Dungeons & Dragons bestiary.

To progress via the skill tree nodes, you’ll want to seek out extra mind maggots inside random jars or inside beforehand contaminated skulls. Oh, and your wrinkly mind represents the illithid skill tree, so that you’ll want to connect the writhing worms into every node your self. Maybe not a personality construct for squeamish of us, then.

Larian notes that some companions can eat the parasites to realize cool powers, however some others will refuse and their notion of you possibly can “undergo a significant shift.” The group warns that “things can also get a bit more… complicated. But we won’t spoil it.”

We’ll discover out what these issues are when Baldur’s Gate 3 leaves early entry on August third on Steam and GOG. For now, take a look at the sport’s actual launch occasions in your area.

Disclosure: Former RPS deputy editor Adam Smith (RPS in peace) now works at Larian and is the lead author for Baldur’s Gate 3. Former contributor Emily Gera additionally works on it.