What happens if I let Astarion kill the Gur hunter 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 impacts both Astarion's personal questline and your relationship with him. This encounter occurs in Act 1, specifically in the Sunlit Wetlands, where you can find Gandrel searching for Astarion. The Gur are a group of monster hunters, and Gandrel is specifically tasked with capturing Astarion to bring him back to his master, Cazador. The choice to let Astarion kill Gandrel or to intervene has lasting consequences, so itÔÇÖs important to understand the mechanics and implications of this decision.
To begin, you must first encounter Gandrel in the Sunlit Wetlands. He will approach your party and ask if youÔÇÖve seen Astarion, who he describes as a dangerous vampire spawn. If Astarion is in your party, he will immediately recognize Gandrel and express his desire to deal with him. At this point, you have several options. You can choose to let Astarion handle the situation, which will lead to a confrontation where Astarion kills Gandrel. Alternatively, you can intervene and try to persuade Astarion to spare Gandrel, or even side with Gandrel against Astarion. Each choice has different outcomes for your relationship with Astarion and the story.
If you decide to let Astarion kill Gandrel, the mechanics of the encounter are relatively straightforward. Astarion will initiate a dialogue with Gandrel, during which he reveals his true nature as a vampire spawn. Gandrel will express his intent to capture Astarion, and Astarion will respond by attacking him. The combat that follows is typically one-sided, as Gandrel is not particularly strong compared to a well-equipped party. Astarion will deal with Gandrel quickly, and the encounter will end with GandrelÔÇÖs death. This action will significantly increase AstarionÔÇÖs approval of you, as it shows that you trust him and support his desire for revenge against those who hunt him.
However, there are important considerations to keep in mind. Letting Astarion kill Gandrel will lock you out of any potential interactions with the Gur later in the game. The Gur are a recurring faction, and their quests and storylines may be affected by your decision to let Astarion kill one of their members. Additionally, this choice reinforces AstarionÔÇÖs darker tendencies, which could influence his character development and the outcomes of his personal questline. If you are aiming for a more morally ambiguous or evil playthrough, this decision aligns well with that path. On the other hand, if you are trying to guide Astarion toward redemption or a more neutral path, sparing Gandrel might be the better choice.
One common mistake players make is not considering the long-term consequences of this decision. While it may seem like a minor choice in the moment, it can have ripple effects throughout the game. For example, if you let Astarion kill Gandrel, you may miss out on valuable information or assistance from the Gur later on. Additionally, if you are trying to build a positive relationship with Astarion, itÔÇÖs important to balance his approval with your own moral compass. Letting him kill Gandrel will please him, but it may conflict with your characterÔÇÖs values or the overall story you want to experience.
Advanced techniques for this encounter involve manipulating the dialogue and combat to achieve the desired outcome. For example, if you want to let Astarion kill Gandrel but minimize the negative consequences, you can try to isolate Gandrel from any potential allies or witnesses. This can be done by positioning your party strategically before initiating the conversation with Gandrel. Additionally, you can use spells or abilities to incapacitate Gandrel quickly, ensuring that the fight ends before he can call for help or escape.
From a D&D rules perspective, this encounter reflects the alignment and moral choices that are central to the game. AstarionÔÇÖs actions are driven by his chaotic and self-serving nature, and your decision to support or oppose him will influence his alignment and your own. The encounter also highlights the importance of understanding your companionsÔÇÖ motivations and how they align with your characterÔÇÖs goals. In D&D terms, letting Astarion kill Gandrel could be seen as a chaotic or evil act, depending on your perspective, while sparing him might align more with a lawful or good alignment.
In conclusion, the decision to let Astarion kill the Gur hunter Gandrel in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 is a pivotal moment that affects both your relationship with Astarion and the broader story. By understanding the mechanics, considering the long-term consequences, and using advanced techniques, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your characterÔÇÖs goals and values. Whether you choose to support AstarionÔÇÖs darker impulses or guide him toward a different path, this encounter is a key part of his personal questline and the overall narrative of the game.
To begin, you must first encounter Gandrel in the Sunlit Wetlands. He will approach your party and ask if youÔÇÖve seen Astarion, who he describes as a dangerous vampire spawn. If Astarion is in your party, he will immediately recognize Gandrel and express his desire to deal with him. At this point, you have several options. You can choose to let Astarion handle the situation, which will lead to a confrontation where Astarion kills Gandrel. Alternatively, you can intervene and try to persuade Astarion to spare Gandrel, or even side with Gandrel against Astarion. Each choice has different outcomes for your relationship with Astarion and the story.
If you decide to let Astarion kill Gandrel, the mechanics of the encounter are relatively straightforward. Astarion will initiate a dialogue with Gandrel, during which he reveals his true nature as a vampire spawn. Gandrel will express his intent to capture Astarion, and Astarion will respond by attacking him. The combat that follows is typically one-sided, as Gandrel is not particularly strong compared to a well-equipped party. Astarion will deal with Gandrel quickly, and the encounter will end with GandrelÔÇÖs death. This action will significantly increase AstarionÔÇÖs approval of you, as it shows that you trust him and support his desire for revenge against those who hunt him.
However, there are important considerations to keep in mind. Letting Astarion kill Gandrel will lock you out of any potential interactions with the Gur later in the game. The Gur are a recurring faction, and their quests and storylines may be affected by your decision to let Astarion kill one of their members. Additionally, this choice reinforces AstarionÔÇÖs darker tendencies, which could influence his character development and the outcomes of his personal questline. If you are aiming for a more morally ambiguous or evil playthrough, this decision aligns well with that path. On the other hand, if you are trying to guide Astarion toward redemption or a more neutral path, sparing Gandrel might be the better choice.
One common mistake players make is not considering the long-term consequences of this decision. While it may seem like a minor choice in the moment, it can have ripple effects throughout the game. For example, if you let Astarion kill Gandrel, you may miss out on valuable information or assistance from the Gur later on. Additionally, if you are trying to build a positive relationship with Astarion, itÔÇÖs important to balance his approval with your own moral compass. Letting him kill Gandrel will please him, but it may conflict with your characterÔÇÖs values or the overall story you want to experience.
Advanced techniques for this encounter involve manipulating the dialogue and combat to achieve the desired outcome. For example, if you want to let Astarion kill Gandrel but minimize the negative consequences, you can try to isolate Gandrel from any potential allies or witnesses. This can be done by positioning your party strategically before initiating the conversation with Gandrel. Additionally, you can use spells or abilities to incapacitate Gandrel quickly, ensuring that the fight ends before he can call for help or escape.
From a D&D rules perspective, this encounter reflects the alignment and moral choices that are central to the game. AstarionÔÇÖs actions are driven by his chaotic and self-serving nature, and your decision to support or oppose him will influence his alignment and your own. The encounter also highlights the importance of understanding your companionsÔÇÖ motivations and how they align with your characterÔÇÖs goals. In D&D terms, letting Astarion kill Gandrel could be seen as a chaotic or evil act, depending on your perspective, while sparing him might align more with a lawful or good alignment.
In conclusion, the decision to let Astarion kill the Gur hunter Gandrel in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 is a pivotal moment that affects both your relationship with Astarion and the broader story. By understanding the mechanics, considering the long-term consequences, and using advanced techniques, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your characterÔÇÖs goals and values. Whether you choose to support AstarionÔÇÖs darker impulses or guide him toward a different path, this encounter is a key part of his personal questline and the overall narrative of the game.