How do I convince Astarion to trust me in Baldur's Gate 3?

To convince Astarion to trust you in Baldur's Gate 3, you need to carefully navigate his personal storyline and make choices that align with his personality and values. Astarion is a complex character with a dark past, and gaining his trust requires understanding his motivations and responding to his needs in a way that makes him feel respected and valued. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to achieve this.

First, itÔÇÖs important to understand AstarionÔÇÖs background. He is a vampire spawn who has spent centuries under the control of a cruel master. As a result, he values freedom, power, and self-preservation above all else. He is also deeply cynical and distrustful of others, so gaining his trust is not an easy task. You need to show him that you are not a threat and that you can be an ally in his quest for freedom and power.

The mechanics of gaining AstarionÔÇÖs trust revolve around dialogue choices, actions, and decisions that align with his worldview. Throughout the game, you will have opportunities to interact with Astarion in conversations and during key story moments. Your choices in these interactions will influence his opinion of you. To build trust, you should generally support his desire for freedom and power, and avoid actions that make him feel controlled or manipulated.

One of the first steps in gaining AstarionÔÇÖs trust is to allow him to feed on you when he reveals his true nature as a vampire. This happens early in the game, and your reaction to this revelation is crucial. If you allow him to feed on you, he will appreciate your willingness to help him and see it as a sign of trust. However, if you refuse or react negatively, he may become more distant and distrustful. Allowing him to feed on you is a significant step in building a positive relationship with him.

As you progress through the game, you will encounter situations where AstarionÔÇÖs personal questline comes into play. One key moment is when you meet the Gur hunter who is searching for Astarion. You have the option to side with the hunter or protect Astarion. To gain his trust, you should choose to protect him and help him deal with the hunter in a way that aligns with his desire for freedom. This will show him that you are willing to stand by him and support his goals.

Another important aspect of gaining AstarionÔÇÖs trust is to avoid actions that make him feel controlled or manipulated. Astarion has spent centuries under the control of his master, and he is deeply sensitive to any attempts to control him. This means you should avoid using persuasion or intimidation to force him to do things he doesnÔÇÖt want to do. Instead, try to persuade him through dialogue that appeals to his self-interest and desire for freedom.

In terms of combat tactics, having Astarion in your party and using his abilities effectively can also help build trust. Astarion is a rogue, and he excels in stealth, sneak attacks, and dealing high damage to single targets. By using him strategically in combat and allowing him to shine in his role, you can show him that you value his skills and contributions to the party. This can help build a sense of camaraderie and trust between you.

ItÔÇÖs also important to pay attention to AstarionÔÇÖs reactions to your choices in the main story and side quests. He tends to approve of actions that are self-serving, pragmatic, or morally ambiguous. For example, he approves of decisions that involve trickery, deception, or gaining power, and he disapproves of overly altruistic or self-sacrificing actions. By making choices that align with his values, you can gradually increase his approval of you and build trust.

One common mistake to avoid is trying to force Astarion into a role or playstyle that doesnÔÇÖt suit him. For example, trying to make him into a more traditional hero or forcing him to make altruistic choices will likely backfire and make him distrust you. Instead, embrace his darker nature and work with him to achieve his goals in a way that also benefits your party.

Advanced techniques for gaining AstarionÔÇÖs trust include using his backstory and personal questline to your advantage. As you learn more about his past and his relationship with his master, you can use this knowledge to make choices that resonate with him. For example, showing empathy for his suffering and expressing a desire to help him break free from his past can go a long way in building trust.

In terms of D&D rules and mechanics, AstarionÔÇÖs trust is influenced by his alignment and personality traits. As a chaotic neutral character, he values freedom and self-interest above all else. This means that actions and choices that align with these values will be more effective in gaining his trust. Additionally, his rogue class abilities, such as sneak attack and cunning action, can be used strategically in combat to show that you value his skills and contributions.

Specific examples of gaining AstarionÔÇÖs trust include allowing him to feed on you, protecting him from the Gur hunter, and making choices that align with his values in key story moments. For instance, in the goblin camp, choosing to side with the goblins and use deception to achieve your goals will earn his approval. Similarly, in the Underdark, making pragmatic choices that prioritize survival and power will also help build trust.

In conclusion, gaining AstarionÔÇÖs trust in Baldur's Gate 3 requires a combination of understanding his background, making choices that align with his values, and using his abilities effectively in combat. By showing him that you respect his desire for freedom and power, and by avoiding actions that make him feel controlled or manipulated, you can gradually build a strong and trusting relationship with him.