The Netherbrain/Combat

The Unbreakable Will of the Netherbrain
Huge Aberration
Level 20 Elder Brain
Stats
Hit points	300 (Balanced) 450 (Tactician)
Movement speed	0 m (0 ft)
Weight	10000 kg (20000 lb)
Initiative	-15
Ability scores
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 14 (+2) 10 (0) 22 (+6) 28 (+9) 21 (+5) 24 (+7)
Proficiency bonus	+4
Saving throws	Str +2 Dex 0 Con +10 Int +13 Wis +9 Cha +11
Conditions
Chains of Karsus	Will break free of its domination within 5 turns
Against All Odds	Begins with a portion of its HP mission, depending on an earlier ability check
Aegis of the Absolute Honour	Gains immunity to recent forms of damage
Features
Psionic Retribution	Use a reaction to release a brainquake
Actions
Retributive Brainquake	10d6Psychic and  Mindbroken in response to damage.
Orb of Negation	Mark platforms for negation, destroying them the next turn.

Overview

Combat

This page focuses on The Netherbrain's behavior during turn-based combat gameplay.

Spells and abilities

 Retributive Brainquake

• As a reaction to taking damage, do 10d6Psychic damage to all enemies within 30m and  Mindbreak them.
• Intelligence saving throw to halve damage.

 Orb of Negation

• Summon several floating orbs which deal 20~200Force damage to everything within range at the end of the next round.

Conditions

•  Chains of Karsus - After using Karsus' Compulsion on the Netherbrain
•  Against All Odds - If a natural 20 was rolled on the final check to dominate the Netherbrain at the Morphic Pool it will have this condition, which will greatly reduce its HP.
•  Aegis of the Absolute - On Honour mode only, the Netherbrain becomes immune to all types of damage that was dealt to it the previous round.

Allies

The encounters with Ketheric may involve the following allies for either side. Detailed information in their respective pages.

Encounter

Atop the brain

• Dimension Door, Arcane Gate and Misty Step are all useful spells to have assigned or distributed as scrolls for moving from the entrance to "Atop the Netherbrain", over to the Crown of Karsus.
• Stepping anywhere on the brainy surface will summon tentacles, so it may be easier to approach from the two platforms on either side. Otherwise, if intending to sprint across, using a character who can avoid Opportunity Attacks, such as one with the Mobile feat.
• Globe of Invulnerability is also useful for protecting the caster of Karsus' Compulsion. However, the nearby Mind Flayers will still be able to  stun creatures inside the globe, which ends the spell prematurely.
  • Tossing Mind Flayers over the edge with moves like Telekinesis will not kill them, as they will just reappear atop the Netherbrain.
• Only party members can enter the Netherbrain's Psyche (or The Unbreakable Will of the Netherbrain), so once the portal is open it is no longer necessary to continue fighting other enemies.

Inside the crown

• On Tactician, the Netherbrain will have 450 hit points.
• The Netherbrain's hit point total can be reduced initially from rolling a natural 20 for the final skill check in the Morphic Pool
• For each round, the first attack against the Brain will cause it to use Retributive Brainquake which will damage everything in range
• The Brain will use Orb of Negation to summon several orbs which cause damage at the end of the next round. These orbs will destroy the platforms beneath them, so it is important to move characters off of any marked platforms. Further, the brain should be quickly killed before all platforms are destroyed.

Achievements

Hero of the Forgotten Realms
Save the day: kill the Netherbrain and destroy the Absolute tadpoles.

Absolute Power Corrupts
Reign with terror: take control of the Netherbrain and bend the world to your will.

Sins of the Father
Claim your Throne of Blood: take control of the Netherbrain for Bhaal and break the world.