How do I unlock the romance option with Astarion in Baldur's Gate 3?

Unlocking the romance option with Astarion in Baldur's Gate 3 involves a combination of dialogue choices, story progression, and building trust with him. Astarion is a complex character with a dark past, and his romance path requires careful attention to his personality and preferences. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to achieve this.

First, itÔÇÖs important to understand AstarionÔÇÖs character. He is a high elf vampire spawn with a sarcastic and cunning demeanor. He values freedom, power, and self-preservation, and he appreciates characters who are pragmatic, morally flexible, and willing to embrace darker choices. To romance him, you need to align with these traits and make choices that he approves of.

The mechanics of romancing Astarion revolve around gaining his approval. Approval is tracked through a hidden system where your actions and dialogue choices influence how he feels about you. You can see his approval level in the character sheet, but itÔÇÖs not explicitly shown in numbers. Instead, youÔÇÖll notice his reactions in dialogue and cutscenes. High approval is necessary to unlock his romance scenes.

To start building approval, focus on dialogue choices that align with his personality. For example, when dealing with situations involving deception, manipulation, or self-interest, choose options that reflect these traits. In the early game, you can gain approval by siding with him in conflicts, such as when he suggests using deception to solve problems or when he expresses his disdain for authority figures. Additionally, allowing him to feed on you during a specific camp scene will significantly boost his approval.

As you progress through the story, there are key moments where you can deepen your relationship with Astarion. One important scene occurs during the party at the camp after resolving the goblin crisis. If your approval is high enough, Astarion will approach you and express interest in spending the night together. This is a crucial moment for initiating the romance. Choose the dialogue option that reciprocates his interest, and the romance will begin to develop.

Another important aspect of romancing Astarion is respecting his boundaries and autonomy. Throughout the game, he will share more about his past and his struggles as a vampire spawn. Listen to him without judgment and support his desire for freedom and control over his own life. This will further increase his approval and strengthen your bond.

There are some common mistakes to avoid when trying to romance Astarion. One is making choices that align too closely with traditional heroism or altruism. Astarion is not impressed by selfless acts or rigid moral codes, so avoid these if you want to gain his approval. Another mistake is pushing him too hard to reveal his secrets or past. Let him open up at his own pace, and donÔÇÖt pressure him, as this can lower his approval.

Advanced techniques for optimizing your romance with Astarion include strategically choosing dialogue options that align with his preferences during key story moments. For example, during the confrontation with the Gur hunter in Act 1, siding with Astarion and allowing him to handle the situation his way will earn significant approval. Additionally, in Act 2, supporting his desire for power and freedom during his personal quest will further deepen your relationship.

In terms of D&D rules and mechanics, AstarionÔÇÖs romance path is influenced by the alignment system and role-playing elements. While BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 doesnÔÇÖt use the traditional D&D alignment system, AstarionÔÇÖs preferences align with chaotic neutral or neutral evil tendencies. This means he values personal freedom and self-interest over strict moral codes or altruism. Understanding this can help you make choices that align with his character.

Specific examples of scenarios where you can gain AstarionÔÇÖs approval include the early interactions with the tieflings and goblins. When dealing with the tieflings who captured LaeÔÇÖzel, choosing to deceive them or side with AstarionÔÇÖs suggestion to manipulate the situation will earn his approval. Similarly, during the goblin camp, choosing to use deception or violence to achieve your goals will align with his preferences.

In conclusion, romancing Astarion in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 requires a careful balance of aligning with his personality, making choices that increase his approval, and respecting his autonomy. By focusing on dialogue and actions that reflect his values, you can successfully unlock his romance path and experience a unique and compelling storyline with this complex character.