Baldur’s Gate 3: Should you use the Astral-Touched Tadpole? (BG3)

When you reach Act 3 in Baldur’s Gate 3, you’ll be greeted with a tough decision. You get given an item called the Astral-Touched Tadpole which promises to make you an even stronger character than you were before. But like most things, there’s a give and take here that the game isn’t very upfront about. So, here’s everything you need to know about the Astral-Touched Tadpole in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Baldur’s Gate 3: Should you use the Astral-Touched Tadpole

The Astral-Touched Tadpole can be used to upgrade your Ilithid abilities, as well as your companion’s. It grants some really useful powers like Fly, and powerful attacks like Mind Blast. It essentially makes you even more in tune with the powers and abilities of Mind Flayers. Which can either be a good or bad thing depending on your perspective. The powers it gives you are indeed very nice, and it makes every character far more deadly in combat. However, choosing to use the Astral-Touched Tadpole in Baldur’s Gate 3 does have some consequences.

Screenshot by PC Invasion

First up, if you do decide to take on the Astral-Touched Tadpole, your character’s face will have permanent changes. You’ll see black veins etched all across your head and shoulders. That might not seem like a big deal. However, if you’ve spent hours with the character creator honing your character’s face and aesthetic, this may not be a change you want to see. This change also occurs to any party member that takes up the Astral-Touched Tadpole.

Screenshot by PC Invasion

Additionally, consuming the Astral-Touched Tadpole in Baldur’s Gate 3 brings you one step closer to becoming an Ilithid. From what I can gather this choice has no direct effect in locking you into a certain ending. But you will eventually have to deal with the consequences of using these Ilithid powers at some point. After all, you’re already so close to becoming a Mind Flayer. If you decide to double down and use these powers even more, you’re sure to risk the chance of becoming the thing you swore to destroy.

Baldur’s Gate 3 is now available on PC.