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 how to achieve this, along with important considerations and consequences.
The quest begins when you encounter a mysterious NPC named Raphael in Act 1, who offers to help Astarion decipher the scars on his back. These scars are part of an infernal contract tied to Astarion's former master, Cazador Szarr. As you progress through the story, you will learn more about Cazador's plans and the ritual he intends to perform using Astarion and other vampire spawn. In Act 3, you will confront Cazador in his palace, where the ritual is set to take place. This is where the decision to let Astarion ascend comes into play.
To let Astarion ascend, you must support his desire for power and encourage him to complete the ritual. During the confrontation with Cazador, Astarion will have the opportunity to take Cazador's place in the ritual. To achieve this, you must ensure that Cazador is defeated and that Astarion is the one to deliver the final blow. Once Cazador is defeated, Astarion will have the option to perform the ritual himself, which requires the sacrifice of the other vampire spawn. If you choose to let him ascend, he will gain immense power, becoming a full vampire lord with enhanced abilities.
There are several important considerations to keep in mind when making this choice. First, letting Astarion ascend will drastically change his personality. He becomes more ruthless and power-hungry, and his relationship with the player character may shift depending on your previous interactions with him. If you have been supportive of his darker tendencies, he may remain loyal to you, but if you have tried to steer him toward a more moral path, he may become more distant and self-serving. Additionally, the decision to let him ascend has significant moral implications, as it involves the sacrifice of thousands of innocent vampire spawn. This choice may also affect your relationships with other companions, particularly those who value compassion and justice.
One common mistake to avoid is failing to prepare for the fight with Cazador. The battle can be challenging, as Cazador is a powerful vampire with access to high-level spells and abilities. It is important to bring a well-balanced party and ensure that your characters are adequately leveled and equipped. Astarion should be in your party for this fight, as his involvement is crucial to the outcome. Additionally, you should be mindful of the environment during the battle, as Cazador's lair is filled with traps and hazards that can hinder your progress.
Advanced techniques for this encounter include using crowd control spells to manage the numerous vampire spawn that Cazador summons during the fight. Spells like Hold Person or Hypnotic Pattern can be particularly effective in neutralizing threats and giving your party the upper hand. It is also important to focus your attacks on Cazador himself, as defeating him quickly will prevent him from completing the ritual. If you have a cleric or paladin in your party, their radiant damage abilities can be especially useful against undead enemies like Cazador.
From a D&D rules perspective, the ritual that Astarion performs is based on the concept of a vampire's ascension, which is not explicitly detailed in the standard 5th Edition rules but is a creative adaptation for the game. The idea of a vampire gaining power through the sacrifice of others aligns with the lore of vampires as creatures that thrive on the life force of their victims. The mechanics of the ritual in Baldur's Gate 3 are designed to reflect this, with Astarion gaining new abilities and a significant boost to his stats after ascending.
In terms of specific examples, one scenario to consider is how your previous choices with Astarion influence his decision to ascend. If you have consistently encouraged his darker impulses, he may be more eager to embrace the power of the ritual. Conversely, if you have tried to guide him toward redemption, he may express doubts about the morality of the sacrifice. These interactions add depth to the narrative and make the choice feel more impactful.
Ultimately, letting Astarion ascend is a morally complex decision that can lead to a powerful but potentially dangerous ally. It is important to weigh the benefits of his enhanced abilities against the ethical implications of the sacrifice and the changes to his character. By carefully considering these factors and preparing for the challenges ahead, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your playstyle and the story you want to experience in Baldur's Gate 3.
The quest begins when you encounter a mysterious NPC named Raphael in Act 1, who offers to help Astarion decipher the scars on his back. These scars are part of an infernal contract tied to Astarion's former master, Cazador Szarr. As you progress through the story, you will learn more about Cazador's plans and the ritual he intends to perform using Astarion and other vampire spawn. In Act 3, you will confront Cazador in his palace, where the ritual is set to take place. This is where the decision to let Astarion ascend comes into play.
To let Astarion ascend, you must support his desire for power and encourage him to complete the ritual. During the confrontation with Cazador, Astarion will have the opportunity to take Cazador's place in the ritual. To achieve this, you must ensure that Cazador is defeated and that Astarion is the one to deliver the final blow. Once Cazador is defeated, Astarion will have the option to perform the ritual himself, which requires the sacrifice of the other vampire spawn. If you choose to let him ascend, he will gain immense power, becoming a full vampire lord with enhanced abilities.
There are several important considerations to keep in mind when making this choice. First, letting Astarion ascend will drastically change his personality. He becomes more ruthless and power-hungry, and his relationship with the player character may shift depending on your previous interactions with him. If you have been supportive of his darker tendencies, he may remain loyal to you, but if you have tried to steer him toward a more moral path, he may become more distant and self-serving. Additionally, the decision to let him ascend has significant moral implications, as it involves the sacrifice of thousands of innocent vampire spawn. This choice may also affect your relationships with other companions, particularly those who value compassion and justice.
One common mistake to avoid is failing to prepare for the fight with Cazador. The battle can be challenging, as Cazador is a powerful vampire with access to high-level spells and abilities. It is important to bring a well-balanced party and ensure that your characters are adequately leveled and equipped. Astarion should be in your party for this fight, as his involvement is crucial to the outcome. Additionally, you should be mindful of the environment during the battle, as Cazador's lair is filled with traps and hazards that can hinder your progress.
Advanced techniques for this encounter include using crowd control spells to manage the numerous vampire spawn that Cazador summons during the fight. Spells like Hold Person or Hypnotic Pattern can be particularly effective in neutralizing threats and giving your party the upper hand. It is also important to focus your attacks on Cazador himself, as defeating him quickly will prevent him from completing the ritual. If you have a cleric or paladin in your party, their radiant damage abilities can be especially useful against undead enemies like Cazador.
From a D&D rules perspective, the ritual that Astarion performs is based on the concept of a vampire's ascension, which is not explicitly detailed in the standard 5th Edition rules but is a creative adaptation for the game. The idea of a vampire gaining power through the sacrifice of others aligns with the lore of vampires as creatures that thrive on the life force of their victims. The mechanics of the ritual in Baldur's Gate 3 are designed to reflect this, with Astarion gaining new abilities and a significant boost to his stats after ascending.
In terms of specific examples, one scenario to consider is how your previous choices with Astarion influence his decision to ascend. If you have consistently encouraged his darker impulses, he may be more eager to embrace the power of the ritual. Conversely, if you have tried to guide him toward redemption, he may express doubts about the morality of the sacrifice. These interactions add depth to the narrative and make the choice feel more impactful.
Ultimately, letting Astarion ascend is a morally complex decision that can lead to a powerful but potentially dangerous ally. It is important to weigh the benefits of his enhanced abilities against the ethical implications of the sacrifice and the changes to his character. By carefully considering these factors and preparing for the challenges ahead, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your playstyle and the story you want to experience in Baldur's Gate 3.