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The Netherbrain/Combat

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

Attacks and abilities[edit | edit source]

Generic Explosion.webp
Orb of Negation Orb of Negation ()
The Grand Design cannot be disrupted - manifest an orb of Netherese arcana that explodes on its turn, obliterating everything within range.
 Range: 30 m /  ft
Generic Psychic.webp
Retributive Brainquake Retributive Brainquake ()
D6 Psychic.png 10d6 (10~60) Damage TypesPsychic
Upon first time that you take damage in a turn, emit a wave of psionic force that Mindbreaks Mindbreaks nearby enemies.
INT Save
 Range: 30 m / 90 ft

Honour Mode[edit | edit source]

Aegis of the Absolute.webp
Aegis of the Absolute Aegis of the Absolute
The Netherbrain can make itself Immune to all types of damage it took in a round of combat until the start of its next turn.
 Range: 18 m / 60 ft

Conditions[edit | edit source]

Allies[edit | edit source]

Conditional Allies[edit | edit source]

Encounter details[edit | edit source]

Atop the brain[edit | edit source]

  • The objective of the first phase is to make it to the Crown of Karsus and channel Karsus' Compulsion on it to enter the Netherbrain's psyche and defeat it for good.
  • Stepping directly on the brain's surface will summon up to 16 hidden tentacles, so it may be easier to approach from the two platforms on either side.
  • Once the party has reached the Crown of Karsus, the party member with Karsus' Compulsion must channel it in order to enter the final stage of the fight. The channelling lasts for 2 turns (the turn it was started and the following turn) and on the 3rd turn a portal will open to the Netherbrain's psyche (or The Unbreakable Will of the Netherbrain).
  • Only party members and either Orpheus or the Emperor can enter this portal, so once it has been opened there is no reason to continue fighting other enemies.
  • Once all party members and Orpheus/the Emperor have entered the portal, the battle outside on the surface of the brain will end and the remaining turn order will just consist of the party and the Netherbrain.

Inside the crown[edit | edit source]

  • It is strongly recommended to have the entire party near the portal before completing Karsus' Compulsion. Once the portal is opened, the final fight against the Netherbrain begins immediately and it must be defeated before it destroys all the platforms inside.
  • While allies summoned through Gather Your Allies Gather Your Allies cannot enter the portal, they can be summoned onto the platforms inside.
  • The Netherbrain will use Orb of Negation Orb of Negation to summon several orbs which deal damage at the end of the next round and destroy the platforms beneath them, so it is important to move characters off of any marked platforms. These Orbs will disappear upon the brain's death.
  • The Netherbrain must be killed quickly since every platform will be destroyed in only a couple of turns.

Tactics[edit | edit source]

Atop the brain[edit | edit source]

Inside the crown[edit | edit source]

  • Casting Feather Fall Feather Fall before entering the portal can allow melee range party members with low movement speed to immediately jump down to the brain and begin attacking it.
  • The first attack each round against the Brain will cause it to use Retributive Brainquake Retributive Brainquake, which will damage and possibly Slow Slow everything in range. The player can potentially avoid this the first time by triggering it with the first party member to enter the portal, and then having the rest of the team enter afterwards.
  • Dimension Door Dimension Door and Misty Step Misty Step can help party members reach safe platforms if the ones they are on have been designated for destruction.
  • On Honour Mode, the Netherbrain will augment itself with Aegis of the Absolute Aegis of the Absolute, making it immune to damage types that were used against it on the previous turn. It is important to plan ahead exactly which attacks will be used against it so that the party doesn't miss entire turns where the brain is immune to all their attacks.

Achievements[edit | edit source]

A-Hero of the Forgotten Realms.jpg

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


A-Absolute Power Corrupts.jpg

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


A-Sins of the Father.jpg

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


Bugs[edit | edit source]

  • Thrown weapons that return to the user, such as Nyrulna or Returning Pike, may occasionally fall into the chasm below the Netherbrain and disappear forever after being thrown at it. Throwing builds should bring back-up weapons just in case.