How do I unlock the secret ending with Astarion in Baldur's Gate 3?

To unlock the secret ending with Astarion in Baldur's Gate 3, you need to navigate his personal storyline carefully, making specific choices that align with his character arc and desires. Astarion is a complex character with a dark past, and his ending is deeply tied to his quest for freedom and power. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to achieve this.

First, you need to build a strong relationship with Astarion. This involves gaining his approval through dialogue choices and actions that align with his personality. Astarion appreciates cunning, manipulation, and self-preservation. He dislikes acts of unnecessary kindness or self-sacrifice. To gain his approval, choose dialogue options that reflect a pragmatic or morally ambiguous approach. For example, siding with him in conflicts, allowing him to feed on enemies, and making choices that prioritize personal gain over altruism will increase his approval.

As you progress through the game, you will encounter AstarionÔÇÖs personal questline, which revolves around his past as a vampire spawn and his desire to break free from his master, Cazador. This questline is crucial for unlocking his secret ending. You will need to support Astarion in his quest for power and freedom, even if it means making morally questionable decisions.

One key moment in AstarionÔÇÖs questline is the confrontation with Cazador. This encounter occurs in Act 3, and the choices you make here will determine AstarionÔÇÖs fate. To unlock the secret ending, you must support Astarion in his desire to complete the ritual that Cazador has been preparing. This ritual involves sacrificing thousands of vampire spawn to gain immense power. While this choice is morally dark, it aligns with AstarionÔÇÖs desire for freedom and power.

During the confrontation with Cazador, you will have the option to either help Astarion complete the ritual or convince him to abandon it. To unlock the secret ending, choose to support him in completing the ritual. This will require passing persuasion checks if you want to convince him to go through with it, as he may have doubts. Ensure you have a high Charisma score or use abilities like Guidance to increase your chances of success.

After completing the ritual, Astarion will undergo a transformation, gaining immense power and breaking free from CazadorÔÇÖs control. This outcome leads to a unique ending where Astarion embraces his new power and becomes a dominant force in the world. His relationship with the player character will also deepen, as he sees you as a key ally in his rise to power.

Important tips and considerations include ensuring that you have a high approval rating with Astarion before reaching this point. If his approval is too low, he may not trust you enough to follow your advice during the ritual. Additionally, be prepared for the moral implications of this choice, as it involves sacrificing innocent lives for power.

Common mistakes to avoid include making choices that prioritize altruism over personal gain, as this will lower AstarionÔÇÖs approval. Also, avoid siding against him in conflicts or making decisions that undermine his quest for power. Failing to support him during the ritual will result in a different ending where he either remains a vampire spawn or abandons his quest for power.

Advanced techniques involve optimizing your character build to ensure you can pass the necessary persuasion checks during the ritual. Investing in Charisma and skills like Persuasion and Deception will increase your chances of success. Additionally, using spells like Enhance Ability or having a companion cast Guidance can provide bonuses to your rolls.

Related D&D rules and mechanics include the use of persuasion checks and the alignment system. AstarionÔÇÖs storyline is a reflection of his chaotic neutral alignment, where he prioritizes personal freedom and power over moral considerations. Understanding these mechanics can help you make choices that align with his character.

Specific examples and scenarios include moments where you can gain AstarionÔÇÖs approval, such as allowing him to feed on enemies or making deals with morally ambiguous characters. These choices will build your relationship with him and set the stage for the secret ending.

In summary, unlocking the secret ending with Astarion requires careful navigation of his personal questline, making choices that align with his desire for power and freedom, and ensuring you have a high approval rating with him. By supporting him in completing the ritual and embracing his transformation, you can achieve a unique and powerful ending for his character.