What are the consequences of letting Astarion kill the Gur in Baldur's Gate 3?
In Baldur's Gate 3, the decision to let Astarion kill the Gur hunter, Gandrel, is a significant moment that can have lasting consequences on both the story and your relationship with Astarion. This choice occurs during Act 1, when you encounter Gandrel in the Sunlit Wetlands. Gandrel is a Gur, a member of a nomadic people, and he is hunting Astarion because of his connection to the vampire lord Cazador. The encounter presents a moral dilemma: do you side with Astarion and allow him to kill Gandrel, or do you intervene and potentially save the Gur's life? Letting Astarion kill Gandrel has several consequences that ripple through the game.
First, let's break down the mechanics of this choice. When you meet Gandrel, he will reveal that he is hunting Astarion. If Astarion is in your party, he will immediately recognize Gandrel and express his desire to kill him. At this point, you have the option to either support Astarion or try to defuse the situation. If you choose to let Astarion kill Gandrel, the Gur will be slain, and Astarion will express gratitude, which can improve your relationship with him. However, this choice also locks you out of any potential interactions with the Gur later in the game, as Gandrel is a key figure in their community.
To achieve this outcome, you need to ensure that Astarion is in your party when you encounter Gandrel. This is crucial because if Astarion is not present, the dialogue options related to him will not appear, and you will not have the opportunity to let him kill Gandrel. Once you are in the conversation with Gandrel, you should choose dialogue options that align with Astarion's desires. For example, when Astarion asks if he can kill Gandrel, you should agree. This will trigger a combat encounter where Astarion will attack Gandrel. You can choose to assist Astarion in the fight or let him handle it alone. Either way, Gandrel will be killed, and Astarion will be pleased with your decision.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind when making this choice. First, consider the long-term consequences of your decision. Killing Gandrel will prevent you from learning more about the Gur and their connection to Astarion's backstory. Additionally, it may affect how other characters perceive you, as the Gur are generally seen as sympathetic figures. If you are playing a morally good character, allowing Astarion to kill Gandrel may conflict with your character's alignment and values. On the other hand, if you are playing a morally ambiguous or evil character, this choice may align well with your character's motivations.
One common mistake to avoid is not having Astarion in your party when you encounter Gandrel. If Astarion is not present, you will miss the opportunity to make this choice, and the encounter will play out differently. Additionally, be mindful of the combat mechanics during the fight with Gandrel. While Gandrel is not particularly powerful, he can still pose a threat if you are not prepared. Make sure your party is well-equipped and ready for combat before engaging in the fight.
Advanced techniques and optimizations for this choice involve considering the broader implications for your playthrough. For example, if you are planning to romance Astarion, allowing him to kill Gandrel can strengthen your relationship with him, as it shows that you support his desires and are willing to make morally questionable decisions for his sake. However, if you are more interested in exploring the Gur's storyline, you may want to consider sparing Gandrel and seeing how that choice affects the narrative.
In terms of D&D rules and mechanics, this choice reflects the alignment system and the concept of moral decision-making. Astarion is a chaotic neutral character, and his actions often align with his self-interest. Allowing him to kill Gandrel is a chaotic and potentially evil act, depending on your perspective. This choice can influence your character's alignment and how other characters perceive you. It also ties into the broader theme of personal agency and the consequences of your actions, which is a core aspect of both Baldur's Gate 3 and Dungeons & Dragons.
Specific examples and scenarios can help illustrate the impact of this choice. For instance, if you let Astarion kill Gandrel, you may later encounter other Gur who are hostile towards you because of your actions. This can lead to additional combat encounters and make certain areas more dangerous. On the other hand, if you spare Gandrel, you may gain allies among the Gur, who can provide valuable information and assistance later in the game. Ultimately, the choice to let Astarion kill Gandrel is a complex one that requires careful consideration of the potential consequences and how they align with your character's goals and values.
First, let's break down the mechanics of this choice. When you meet Gandrel, he will reveal that he is hunting Astarion. If Astarion is in your party, he will immediately recognize Gandrel and express his desire to kill him. At this point, you have the option to either support Astarion or try to defuse the situation. If you choose to let Astarion kill Gandrel, the Gur will be slain, and Astarion will express gratitude, which can improve your relationship with him. However, this choice also locks you out of any potential interactions with the Gur later in the game, as Gandrel is a key figure in their community.
To achieve this outcome, you need to ensure that Astarion is in your party when you encounter Gandrel. This is crucial because if Astarion is not present, the dialogue options related to him will not appear, and you will not have the opportunity to let him kill Gandrel. Once you are in the conversation with Gandrel, you should choose dialogue options that align with Astarion's desires. For example, when Astarion asks if he can kill Gandrel, you should agree. This will trigger a combat encounter where Astarion will attack Gandrel. You can choose to assist Astarion in the fight or let him handle it alone. Either way, Gandrel will be killed, and Astarion will be pleased with your decision.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind when making this choice. First, consider the long-term consequences of your decision. Killing Gandrel will prevent you from learning more about the Gur and their connection to Astarion's backstory. Additionally, it may affect how other characters perceive you, as the Gur are generally seen as sympathetic figures. If you are playing a morally good character, allowing Astarion to kill Gandrel may conflict with your character's alignment and values. On the other hand, if you are playing a morally ambiguous or evil character, this choice may align well with your character's motivations.
One common mistake to avoid is not having Astarion in your party when you encounter Gandrel. If Astarion is not present, you will miss the opportunity to make this choice, and the encounter will play out differently. Additionally, be mindful of the combat mechanics during the fight with Gandrel. While Gandrel is not particularly powerful, he can still pose a threat if you are not prepared. Make sure your party is well-equipped and ready for combat before engaging in the fight.
Advanced techniques and optimizations for this choice involve considering the broader implications for your playthrough. For example, if you are planning to romance Astarion, allowing him to kill Gandrel can strengthen your relationship with him, as it shows that you support his desires and are willing to make morally questionable decisions for his sake. However, if you are more interested in exploring the Gur's storyline, you may want to consider sparing Gandrel and seeing how that choice affects the narrative.
In terms of D&D rules and mechanics, this choice reflects the alignment system and the concept of moral decision-making. Astarion is a chaotic neutral character, and his actions often align with his self-interest. Allowing him to kill Gandrel is a chaotic and potentially evil act, depending on your perspective. This choice can influence your character's alignment and how other characters perceive you. It also ties into the broader theme of personal agency and the consequences of your actions, which is a core aspect of both Baldur's Gate 3 and Dungeons & Dragons.
Specific examples and scenarios can help illustrate the impact of this choice. For instance, if you let Astarion kill Gandrel, you may later encounter other Gur who are hostile towards you because of your actions. This can lead to additional combat encounters and make certain areas more dangerous. On the other hand, if you spare Gandrel, you may gain allies among the Gur, who can provide valuable information and assistance later in the game. Ultimately, the choice to let Astarion kill Gandrel is a complex one that requires careful consideration of the potential consequences and how they align with your character's goals and values.