What are the best ways to gain approval from Astarion in Baldur's Gate 3?
Gaining approval from Astarion in Baldur's Gate 3 involves understanding his personality, preferences, and the approval mechanics tied to his character. Astarion is a high elf vampire spawn with a sharp wit, a penchant for mischief, and a morally ambiguous outlook. He tends to favor actions and dialogue choices that align with self-interest, cunning, and a disregard for traditional morality. To gain his approval, you need to make decisions that reflect these traits, whether in dialogue, combat, or story choices.
The approval system in Baldur's Gate 3 is based on how your actions and dialogue choices align with a companion's personality and values. Each companion has a hidden approval rating that increases or decreases based on your decisions. For Astarion, this means favoring choices that are selfish, chaotic, or manipulative. Approval can be gained through major story decisions, smaller dialogue interactions, and even combat tactics. High approval can lead to deeper conversations, romance opportunities, and loyalty, while low approval may result in tension or even the companion leaving your party.
To gain Astarion's approval, start by engaging in dialogue that reflects his worldview. For example, when encountering NPCs, choose options that prioritize personal gain over altruism. In the early game, when you meet the tieflings who have captured Lae'zel, siding with Astarion's suggestion to let them handle the situation or making sarcastic remarks will earn his approval. Similarly, when dealing with the goblins at the Druid Grove, showing a willingness to negotiate or manipulate them rather than immediately resorting to violence can please him. Astarion also appreciates humor and sarcasm, so choosing witty or mocking responses in conversations often works in your favor.
Combat tactics can also influence Astarion's approval. As a rogue, he excels in stealth, deception, and dealing high damage from the shadows. Using him effectively in combat by positioning him for sneak attacks or allowing him to finish off enemies can earn his approval. Additionally, making decisions that prioritize survival and self-preservation over heroism aligns with his values. For example, when faced with dangerous situations, choosing to avoid unnecessary risks or using underhanded tactics can earn his respect.
Story choices play a significant role in gaining Astarion's approval. During his personal quest, which revolves around his vampiric nature and his former master, Cazador, supporting his desire for freedom and power is crucial. When he reveals his true nature to you, reacting with curiosity or acceptance rather than fear or disgust will earn his approval. Later in the game, when dealing with Cazador, siding with Astarion's desire for revenge and independence will further strengthen your bond.
There are some common mistakes to avoid when trying to gain Astarion's approval. One is being overly altruistic or self-sacrificing, as this goes against his nature. For example, helping NPCs without expecting anything in return or making decisions that prioritize the greater good over personal gain can lower his approval. Another mistake is being too rigid or lawful in your approach. Astarion dislikes authority and rules, so siding with figures of authority or enforcing order can displease him. Additionally, being overly critical or judgmental of his vampiric nature or past actions can harm your relationship.
Advanced techniques for gaining Astarion's approval involve leveraging his rogue abilities and aligning your character build with his preferences. If you are playing as a rogue or a character with high charisma and deception skills, you can more easily make choices that align with his values. Additionally, using stealth and deception in combat and exploration can earn his approval. For example, sneaking past enemies or using illusions to avoid detection can impress him. In dialogue, using persuasion or deception to manipulate NPCs can also earn his favor.
From a D&D rules perspective, Astarion's approval mechanics are tied to his alignment and class. As a chaotic neutral character, he values freedom, self-interest, and unpredictability. His rogue class emphasizes stealth, cunning, and opportunism, so actions that reflect these traits will earn his approval. Understanding these underlying mechanics can help you make decisions that align with his personality and values.
Specific examples of gaining Astarion's approval include siding with him during the confrontation with the Gur hunter in Act 1, where he reveals his vampiric nature. Choosing to protect him and keep his secret will earn his approval. Another example is during the party at the Druid Grove, where encouraging him to indulge in his desires and make the most of the situation can please him. In Act 2, supporting his quest for revenge against Cazador and helping him uncover the truth about his past will further strengthen your bond.
In summary, gaining Astarion's approval in Baldur's Gate 3 requires making choices that align with his self-interested, chaotic, and cunning nature. This involves favoring dialogue options that prioritize personal gain, using stealth and deception in combat, and supporting his quest for freedom and revenge. Avoiding overly altruistic or lawful decisions and leveraging his rogue abilities can help you build a strong relationship with him. By understanding his personality and the approval mechanics, you can navigate the game in a way that earns his loyalty and potentially leads to a deeper romance.
The approval system in Baldur's Gate 3 is based on how your actions and dialogue choices align with a companion's personality and values. Each companion has a hidden approval rating that increases or decreases based on your decisions. For Astarion, this means favoring choices that are selfish, chaotic, or manipulative. Approval can be gained through major story decisions, smaller dialogue interactions, and even combat tactics. High approval can lead to deeper conversations, romance opportunities, and loyalty, while low approval may result in tension or even the companion leaving your party.
To gain Astarion's approval, start by engaging in dialogue that reflects his worldview. For example, when encountering NPCs, choose options that prioritize personal gain over altruism. In the early game, when you meet the tieflings who have captured Lae'zel, siding with Astarion's suggestion to let them handle the situation or making sarcastic remarks will earn his approval. Similarly, when dealing with the goblins at the Druid Grove, showing a willingness to negotiate or manipulate them rather than immediately resorting to violence can please him. Astarion also appreciates humor and sarcasm, so choosing witty or mocking responses in conversations often works in your favor.
Combat tactics can also influence Astarion's approval. As a rogue, he excels in stealth, deception, and dealing high damage from the shadows. Using him effectively in combat by positioning him for sneak attacks or allowing him to finish off enemies can earn his approval. Additionally, making decisions that prioritize survival and self-preservation over heroism aligns with his values. For example, when faced with dangerous situations, choosing to avoid unnecessary risks or using underhanded tactics can earn his respect.
Story choices play a significant role in gaining Astarion's approval. During his personal quest, which revolves around his vampiric nature and his former master, Cazador, supporting his desire for freedom and power is crucial. When he reveals his true nature to you, reacting with curiosity or acceptance rather than fear or disgust will earn his approval. Later in the game, when dealing with Cazador, siding with Astarion's desire for revenge and independence will further strengthen your bond.
There are some common mistakes to avoid when trying to gain Astarion's approval. One is being overly altruistic or self-sacrificing, as this goes against his nature. For example, helping NPCs without expecting anything in return or making decisions that prioritize the greater good over personal gain can lower his approval. Another mistake is being too rigid or lawful in your approach. Astarion dislikes authority and rules, so siding with figures of authority or enforcing order can displease him. Additionally, being overly critical or judgmental of his vampiric nature or past actions can harm your relationship.
Advanced techniques for gaining Astarion's approval involve leveraging his rogue abilities and aligning your character build with his preferences. If you are playing as a rogue or a character with high charisma and deception skills, you can more easily make choices that align with his values. Additionally, using stealth and deception in combat and exploration can earn his approval. For example, sneaking past enemies or using illusions to avoid detection can impress him. In dialogue, using persuasion or deception to manipulate NPCs can also earn his favor.
From a D&D rules perspective, Astarion's approval mechanics are tied to his alignment and class. As a chaotic neutral character, he values freedom, self-interest, and unpredictability. His rogue class emphasizes stealth, cunning, and opportunism, so actions that reflect these traits will earn his approval. Understanding these underlying mechanics can help you make decisions that align with his personality and values.
Specific examples of gaining Astarion's approval include siding with him during the confrontation with the Gur hunter in Act 1, where he reveals his vampiric nature. Choosing to protect him and keep his secret will earn his approval. Another example is during the party at the Druid Grove, where encouraging him to indulge in his desires and make the most of the situation can please him. In Act 2, supporting his quest for revenge against Cazador and helping him uncover the truth about his past will further strengthen your bond.
In summary, gaining Astarion's approval in Baldur's Gate 3 requires making choices that align with his self-interested, chaotic, and cunning nature. This involves favoring dialogue options that prioritize personal gain, using stealth and deception in combat, and supporting his quest for freedom and revenge. Avoiding overly altruistic or lawful decisions and leveraging his rogue abilities can help you build a strong relationship with him. By understanding his personality and the approval mechanics, you can navigate the game in a way that earns his loyalty and potentially leads to a deeper romance.