Games as complex asBaldur’s Gate 3rarely have clearly-defined ‘good’ or ‘bad’ endings for characters. There may be an agreed-upon evil route through the game, but the choices the player makes for themselves and their companions can’t really be called good or bad as it’s a matter of opinion. There are several companion characters that will accompany you through Baldur’s Gate 3, and their fates largely rest in your hands.
Baldur’s Gate 3: Best Astarion Companion Build
Astarion is a High Elf Rogue that you can meet on your journey through Baldur’s Gate 3. Here’s the best build for him.
The vampire elf Astarion is just a vampire spawn, and toward the end of his main quest The Pale Elf you will find yourself confronted with a serious dilemma: should you let Astarion become an ascended vampire?
You Should Let Astarion Ascend
Throughout the game Astarion makes it clear what he values most: his freedom. He is beholden tohis master Cazador, who seeks to sacrifice him and several thousand others to become something more powerful than a vampire: a vampire ascendent. After you defeat Cazador Astarion will ask you to connect with his mind via your tadpoles so he can carve the infernal ritual markings into Cazador’s back, copying his own. The vampire lord would take Astarion’s place in the infernal ritual. Agreeing will sacrifice Cazador, seven thousand vampire spawn, and Astarion’s ‘brothers and sisters’.
Ethics aside,ascended Astarion gains some serious boosts that will really give you a leg up on the Absolute.Astarion gains the following benefits:
Astarion’s build as a rogue will benefit heavily from all of these new additions. For the quest toGather Your Alliesfor the final battle, Astarion will grant you his dark magic.
Ascending Astarion isn’t free, however. Blood price aside,Astarion’s personality will change permanently.He will become more arrogant, possessive, and power hungry. He will express a desire to take over the world and wield the Absolute for his own means.If you’ve been romancing Astarionyou’ll notice he becomes more possessive. He can turn you into a vampire spawn and you’ll be immune to the effects of the sun, but he will refuse to turn you into a full vampire. Astarion is twisted by the power from the ritual and in some ways is like Cazador.
Baldur’s Gate 3: How To Romance Astarion
Are you wondering how to romance the High Elf vampire in Baldur’s Gate 3? Here’s a guide to help you out.
You Shouldn’t Let Astarion Ascend
Themorally correct thing to do is of course to help Astarion be free for real:free from the control of his past, his former master, and his fear. When Astarion asks you to link tadpoles, so he can complete the ritual, you will need topass a DC 18 Persuasion checkto convince him to stop.If you’ve been romancing him,you canpass a DC 20 Insight check to then lower the Persuasion check to a DC 15.Success means Astarion will turn on Cazador and kill him without completing the ritual. Astarion will remain with you, but you now have to deal with seven thousand vampire spawn stuck under Cazador’s Palace.
Astarion’s personality will change if you don’t let him ascend.He will become more ‘good’ and will thank you for your efforts. He will state that the power of becoming an ascended vampire would have corrupted him, just like Cazador. If you’re romancing him you’ll also unlock more scenes. However, once the tadpoles are dealt with Astarion will once more be affected by the sun and running water.
It should be noted thatthere is an option to refuse to help astarion outright rather than persuading him.If you say “I’m not doing this” and then double down when he asks you to reconsider, he’ll still kill Cazador and not do the ritual. However, Astarion will then permanently leave your party, regardless of your relationship or approval. You can also interrupt the ritual once it’s started after he has carved the runes into Cazador’s back. If you kill Cazador before Astarion does, he will become enraged and attack you. You will have to defeat him and permanently lose him as a companion.
Baldur’s Gate 3: Should You Let Astarion Bite You?
Players will have to make many difficult choices in Baldur’s Gate 3, and this is no different! Will you let Astarion bite you?
Making Your Choice
Companion choices depend on your ethics and role play. Some may argue it is less ethical to release seven thousand vampire spawn into the world than to sacrifice them and just ascend Astarion. These seven thousand spawn aren’t just dying, however: in D&D lore, their souls will go to Hell to be tormented, which is holistically evil. Based on Astarion’s desperation for freedom, not letting him ascend is akin to sentencing him to the same life of suffering: hiding in the dark and feeding off animals.Letting Astarion ascend will also break your oath if you’replaying as a Paladin.
Ultimately it’s your choice. If you value game mechanics over role play then letting Astarion Ascend is the smart choice. But if you’re romancing him, like a happy ending, or are playing a good-aligned character, you will probably be better off keeping him as he is.
NEXT:Baldur’s Gate 3’s Astarion Gives Victims Of Sexual Abuse A Voice
