What happens if I let Astarion ascend in Baldur's Gate 3?
Letting Astarion ascend in Baldur's Gate 3 is a major story decision that significantly impacts his character arc and the overall narrative. This choice occurs during Astarion's personal questline, which revolves around his past as a vampire spawn and his desire for power and freedom. To achieve this outcome, you must make specific choices during the quest "The Pale Elf," which culminates in a pivotal moment where Astarion can ascend to become a full vampire lord. Here is a detailed explanation of the mechanics, steps, and consequences involved in this decision.
The quest begins when you encounter a mysterious figure named Raphael, who offers to help Astarion decipher the scars on his back. These scars are part of an infernal contract tied to his former master, Cazador Szarr. As you progress through the story, you will eventually confront Cazador in his palace during Act 3. This confrontation is the key moment where you decide whether Astarion will ascend. To let him ascend, you must allow him to complete the Rite of Profane Ascension, a ritual that requires the sacrifice of 7,000 vampire spawn, including Astarion's siblings and other victims of Cazador.
To achieve this outcome, you must first ensure that Astarion is in your party when you confront Cazador. During the battle, you will need to defeat Cazador, but you must also prevent him from completing the ritual himself. This involves interrupting his actions and protecting Astarion. Once Cazador is defeated, Astarion will have the opportunity to take his place and complete the ritual. You must choose to support his decision to ascend, even if it means sacrificing the vampire spawn. This choice is morally complex, as it grants Astarion immense power but comes at the cost of countless lives.
One important tip is to prepare for the fight against Cazador, as it can be challenging. Cazador is a powerful vampire lord with access to high-level spells and abilities. He is surrounded by vampire spawn and other minions, so it is crucial to have a well-balanced party with strong damage dealers, healers, and crowd control. Astarion himself can be a valuable asset in this fight, especially if you have built him as a rogue or a multiclass character with high damage output. Make sure to use his sneak attack and other abilities to your advantage.
A common mistake to avoid is failing to protect Astarion during the battle. If Astarion is incapacitated or killed, you will not be able to proceed with the ascension. Additionally, if you choose to stop the ritual or spare the vampire spawn, Astarion will not ascend, and his story will take a different path. This decision has lasting consequences for his character and your relationship with him. If he ascends, Astarion becomes more powerful but also more ruthless and detached. His personality changes, and he may become more controlling and less empathetic. This can affect your interactions with him and the overall tone of the story.
From a D&D rules perspective, the ascension transforms Astarion into a full vampire, granting him abilities such as increased strength, regeneration, and the ability to charm or dominate others. These abilities are reflected in his gameplay mechanics, making him a more formidable companion in combat. However, the moral implications of this choice are significant, as it involves sacrificing innocent lives for personal gain. This aligns with the themes of power and corruption that are central to Astarion's story.
In terms of advanced techniques, you can optimize your party composition and strategy to make the fight against Cazador easier. For example, using characters with radiant damage or sunlight-based abilities can be particularly effective against vampires. Additionally, positioning your party members strategically to control the battlefield and prevent Cazador from completing the ritual is crucial. You can also use environmental elements, such as traps or hazards, to your advantage.
Ultimately, the decision to let Astarion ascend is a deeply personal one that depends on your playstyle and moral compass. It offers a powerful and dramatic conclusion to his story but comes with significant ethical and narrative consequences. By understanding the mechanics and preparing for the challenges involved, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your vision for the game.
The quest begins when you encounter a mysterious figure named Raphael, who offers to help Astarion decipher the scars on his back. These scars are part of an infernal contract tied to his former master, Cazador Szarr. As you progress through the story, you will eventually confront Cazador in his palace during Act 3. This confrontation is the key moment where you decide whether Astarion will ascend. To let him ascend, you must allow him to complete the Rite of Profane Ascension, a ritual that requires the sacrifice of 7,000 vampire spawn, including Astarion's siblings and other victims of Cazador.
To achieve this outcome, you must first ensure that Astarion is in your party when you confront Cazador. During the battle, you will need to defeat Cazador, but you must also prevent him from completing the ritual himself. This involves interrupting his actions and protecting Astarion. Once Cazador is defeated, Astarion will have the opportunity to take his place and complete the ritual. You must choose to support his decision to ascend, even if it means sacrificing the vampire spawn. This choice is morally complex, as it grants Astarion immense power but comes at the cost of countless lives.
One important tip is to prepare for the fight against Cazador, as it can be challenging. Cazador is a powerful vampire lord with access to high-level spells and abilities. He is surrounded by vampire spawn and other minions, so it is crucial to have a well-balanced party with strong damage dealers, healers, and crowd control. Astarion himself can be a valuable asset in this fight, especially if you have built him as a rogue or a multiclass character with high damage output. Make sure to use his sneak attack and other abilities to your advantage.
A common mistake to avoid is failing to protect Astarion during the battle. If Astarion is incapacitated or killed, you will not be able to proceed with the ascension. Additionally, if you choose to stop the ritual or spare the vampire spawn, Astarion will not ascend, and his story will take a different path. This decision has lasting consequences for his character and your relationship with him. If he ascends, Astarion becomes more powerful but also more ruthless and detached. His personality changes, and he may become more controlling and less empathetic. This can affect your interactions with him and the overall tone of the story.
From a D&D rules perspective, the ascension transforms Astarion into a full vampire, granting him abilities such as increased strength, regeneration, and the ability to charm or dominate others. These abilities are reflected in his gameplay mechanics, making him a more formidable companion in combat. However, the moral implications of this choice are significant, as it involves sacrificing innocent lives for personal gain. This aligns with the themes of power and corruption that are central to Astarion's story.
In terms of advanced techniques, you can optimize your party composition and strategy to make the fight against Cazador easier. For example, using characters with radiant damage or sunlight-based abilities can be particularly effective against vampires. Additionally, positioning your party members strategically to control the battlefield and prevent Cazador from completing the ritual is crucial. You can also use environmental elements, such as traps or hazards, to your advantage.
Ultimately, the decision to let Astarion ascend is a deeply personal one that depends on your playstyle and moral compass. It offers a powerful and dramatic conclusion to his story but comes with significant ethical and narrative consequences. By understanding the mechanics and preparing for the challenges involved, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your vision for the game.