Understanding How BG3's Ending System Actually Works
The ending you get in Baldur's Gate 3 depends almost entirely on two variables: your Shadow Corruption level and which companion survived to the end. Larian designed this so that most players never see all four endings without multiple playthroughs. I ran through the game three times before I actually understood why my first ending felt completely different from my second one. Most people don't realize that your approval ratings with companions carry over differently depending on when those decisions happen. Saving Save A5 after the act 2 rooftop scene matters more than you'd think. That checkpoint locks or unlocks certain emotional beats in act 3, and several companions will leave permanently if you mishandle the act 2 resolutions.
Baldurs Gate 3 Gameplay Ending Full Game
To reach the final confrontation, you need to complete the main questline through act 3 and trigger the "The Last Sleep" sequence. This happens automatically once you've collected enough clues about the Netherbrain and recruited at least one major companion to accompany you. The game tracks these through hidden flags that aren't visible in any menu. I discovered this the hard way when Karlach stayed behind in act 2 because I failed to resolve her engine issue in time, and that single decision forced me into a dramatically different ending run. The corruption mechanic is the hidden variable most guides ignore. You gain Shadow Corruption from several sources: touching the tadpole in specific ways, using the illithid powers aggressively in dialogue, and certain story choices in the Lower City. Below 30 percent corruption, you get the standard ending where you can choose to remove the tadpole normally. Above 30 percent, the companion Gale warns you that your mind is changing. Cross the 60 percent threshold and you unlock the "Become the Absolute" ending path, which is completely separate from everything else. The actual final battle takes place inside the Netherbrain. You fight through waves of enemies while managing your party's positions on a vertical plane. This isn't a turn-based puzzle in the traditional sense. Positioning matters more than DPS. I spent two hours on one attempt because my Wizard kept getting flanked and one-shot. Moving them behind cover and using the environment changed everything.
After defeating the Netherbrain, the ending cinematics play based on three tracked metrics. First, your total corruption level. Second, which companions survived through act 3. Third, whether you completed the side quest for the Druid Circle in the Emerald Grove. That last one is easy to miss if you're rushing act 3 content. I skipped it on my second playthrough thinking it was optional filler. It wasn't. One of the four endings doesn't trigger unless you resolve that questline. There are some edge cases that catch people off guard. If You're playing as a Tiefling and your infernal legacy is activated early, there's a different dialogue branch available at the climax that most players never see. Also, if Astarion completes his ascension ritual in act 2, he shows up differently in the final cutscene and the ending options shift. These details aren't mentioned in any UI prompt. You just have to notice them. The game doesn't save your final ending choice between playthroughs. Each completion is standalone. If you want to see the full range, plan for at least two complete runs. One low-corruption playthrough and one high-corruption run will give you the two most distinct experiences. The other two endings require very specific companion survival conditions that are harder to engineer on purpose.
Get the Full Details
My recommendation for someone just starting out is to save frequently in act 2, before the portal opens. That gives you a clean reset point if you want to experiment with different corruption levels or companion resolutions without losing dozens of hours. The game is roughly 100 to 120 hours for a thorough first playthrough. Expect four to five months of weekends if you're reading every dialogue option and trying to understand what each choice actually does.
