How do I convince Astarion to reject Cazador in Baldur's Gate 3?

To convince Astarion to reject Cazador in Baldur's Gate 3, you need to carefully navigate his personal questline, build a strong relationship with him, and make specific choices that align with his growth as a character. Astarion's story is deeply tied to his past as a vampire spawn under Cazador's control, and your decisions will influence whether he breaks free from that influence or succumbs to it. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to achieve this outcome.

First, itÔÇÖs important to understand the mechanics of AstarionÔÇÖs personal quest, "The Pale Elf." This quest begins early in the game when Astarion reveals his vampiric nature to you. As you progress, youÔÇÖll encounter opportunities to learn more about his past and his relationship with Cazador. The key moment comes in Act 3 when you confront Cazador in his palace. At this point, Astarion must decide whether to complete the Rite of Profane Ascension, which would grant him immense power but at a great moral cost, or to reject Cazador and his influence entirely.

To ensure Astarion rejects Cazador, you need to build a strong bond with him throughout the game. This involves consistently supporting him in dialogue and making choices that align with his desire for freedom and autonomy. For example, when Astarion reveals his vampiric nature, you should respond with understanding rather than fear or hostility. Similarly, during his personal quest in Act 1, when you encounter the Gur hunter Gandrel, you should side with Astarion and help him deal with the situation in a way that prioritizes his safety and freedom.

In Act 2, youÔÇÖll encounter a drow named Araj Oblodra in Moonrise Towers who offers a potion in exchange for AstarionÔÇÖs blood. If you encourage Astarion to refuse this deal, it reinforces his autonomy and helps him resist CazadorÔÇÖs influence later. This moment is crucial because it shows Astarion that he has the power to say no and that his choices matter.

When you reach Act 3 and confront Cazador, the dialogue options you choose will determine AstarionÔÇÖs ultimate decision. During the confrontation, youÔÇÖll have the opportunity to persuade Astarion to reject the Rite of Profane Ascension. To do this, you need to pass a persuasion check. The difficulty of this check can vary depending on your previous choices and your relationship with Astarion. If youÔÇÖve consistently supported him and built a strong bond, the check will be easier to pass. If not, it may be more challenging.

One important tip is to ensure that Astarion is in your party when you confront Cazador. If heÔÇÖs not present, you wonÔÇÖt have the opportunity to influence his decision. Additionally, make sure to prepare for the fight with Cazador, as it can be difficult. Focus on taking out his minions first and use crowd control spells to manage the battlefield.

A common mistake is failing to build a strong relationship with Astarion early in the game. If youÔÇÖve been dismissive or hostile toward him, he may be more inclined to embrace the power offered by the Rite of Profane Ascension. Another mistake is not paying attention to the smaller choices that influence his character development, such as the encounter with Araj Oblodra. These moments may seem minor, but they have a significant impact on AstarionÔÇÖs ultimate decision.

Advanced techniques include using spells or abilities that boost your persuasion skill before the critical dialogue with Astarion. For example, the Enhance Ability spell can give you advantage on Charisma checks, making it easier to pass the persuasion check. Additionally, having a high Charisma score or proficiency in Persuasion will increase your chances of success.

In terms of D&D rules, the persuasion check is a Charisma-based skill check. The difficulty class (DC) for this check is determined by the game based on your previous interactions with Astarion. If youÔÇÖve made choices that align with his desire for freedom and autonomy, the DC will be lower. If not, it will be higher.

A specific example of a successful strategy is to consistently choose dialogue options that affirm AstarionÔÇÖs worth and autonomy. For instance, when he expresses doubts about his ability to resist Cazador, reassure him that heÔÇÖs stronger than he thinks. When he talks about his past, listen without judgment and offer support. These small but meaningful interactions will build the trust and bond necessary to convince him to reject Cazador.

In conclusion, convincing Astarion to reject Cazador requires a combination of building a strong relationship, making supportive choices, and successfully passing a persuasion check. By paying attention to his character development and consistently affirming his autonomy, you can guide him toward a path of freedom and redemption.