Among the choices you have to make in Baldur’s Gate 3, one of the toughest is whether you should side with the Emperor or Orpheus. One has protected you throughout your journey up to that point, but the other may hold the key to you and your party’s salvation; and that’s not even mentioning your potential standing with an entire race of people. Given these factors, it’s no wonder you went searching for some information before you leap into a decision.
Fortunately for you, we have all the answers you’re looking for. Do be warned though: We will be going into some *Heavy Spoilers* for the main story as a result. Bear this in mind, and read on at your own peril.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Emperor or Orpheus Choice: Outcomes and Consequences, Explained
The first thing you need to know is that the choice to free Orpheus or side with the Emperor in Act 3 of Baldur’s Gate 3 is a crucial choice that directly affects the game ending. Here we will outline all the options available to you, as well as the consequences and outcomes they bring.
What Happens if You Side With Emperor and Don’t Free Orpheus BG3
The Emperor tells you that if Orpheus stays captured, that will prevent the party from becoming Mind Flayers. If you choose this option, it will make your fight with Netherbrain easier, because the Emperor won’t side with it.
Keep in mind though that if you choose not to free Orpheus, you won’t be able to get the Karlach’s quest. But if you are not a fan of becoming a Mind Flayer, then you’ll definitely have to side with the Emperor and leave Orpheus in captivity.
What Happens if You Free Orpheus BG3 (Orphic Hammer)
There is also an option for those who want to free Orpheus, but don’t want to become Mind Flayers. If that’s the case, you’ll need to obtain the Orphic Hammer.
The Orphic Hamer is a Legendary weapon that can be found while exploring Avernus. If you didn’t find it then, you’ll have to find the cambion Raphael. There are a couple of ways to get the Orphic Hammer from Raphael.
The first one is to trade the Orphic Hammer with the cambion in exchange for the Crown of Karsus. But if you choose this option, remember that you’ll get one of the worst endings in Baldur’s Gate 3, because Raphael will use the crown to take over Avernus and the rest of the Nine Hells afterward.
So, if you don’t want that ending, the other option is to steal the Orphic Hammer from Raphael. This is the best solution for players with high Stealth stats. For those who are not skilled in sneaking, be cautious, because if Raphael spots you, you’ll get into a fight and your chances of beating him are slim.
However, if you manage to get your hands on the Orphic Hammer, you can break Orpheus’s shackles with it. The Emperor will get really angry and side with Netherbrain. But if Orpheus is freed from becoming a Mind Flayer, he’ll join your party and help you in the fight.
What Happens if You Free Orpheus BG3 (Taking His Place)
In case you don’t want to obtain the Orphic Hammer and still plan on freeing Orpheus, then your only option is to take his place as a prisoner. If that is your choice, Karlach will offer to sacrifice herself and become a Mind Flayer.
But if you want to save Karlach too, then you’ll have to become a Mind Flayer and eventually eat Orpheus’s brain. Rather nasty outcome, isn’t it?
Does Siding With the Emperor Lead to a Bad Ending?
Siding with the Emperor, meanwhile, leads to generally more evil outcomes and opens up some suitably sinister endings to Baldur’s Gate 3.
The Emperor can assimilate Oprheus by devouring their brain, which does mean you won’t have to sacrifice yourself or Karlach to create a Mind Flayer capable of wielding the Nether Stones against the brain. At the same time though, this results in the Githyanki having no true leader to help them out of their current oppression. The Emperor will likewise try to lead you toward an ending where you use the Nether Brain to control all of existence, making you a not so subtle evil overlord in the process.
It’s very much a choice that is intended to test your moral standings, and solidify your relationship with the Emperor one way or the other. Go with whichever choice most aligns with your playthrough style, and be ready for the consequences either way.
And with that, you’re all caught up on whether to side with the Emperor or Orpheus in Baldur’s Gate 3. We have plenty of other guides on the game’s various other choices, and you can find many of them below.
