How do I recruit Astarion in Baldur's Gate 3?
Recruiting Astarion in Baldur's Gate 3 is a relatively straightforward process, but it requires you to follow specific steps and make certain choices during the early stages of the game. Astarion is a high elf rogue with a mysterious and somewhat sinister background, and he can be a valuable addition to your party due to his stealth, lockpicking, and combat abilities. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to recruit him, along with important tips and considerations.
To recruit Astarion, you need to find him during the first act of the game. After the initial crash sequence, you will wake up on the beach near the wreckage of the Nautiloid ship. From there, you need to explore the surrounding area. Astarion is located to the northwest of the crash site, near a small grove. As you approach, you will hear him calling for help. He will be standing near a group of mind flayer parasites, pretending to be in distress. When you interact with him, he will ask for your assistance, but this is actually a trap. He will attempt to ambush you, but after a brief confrontation, he will realize that you are also infected with a mind flayer parasite. This shared condition will lead to a truce, and he will offer to join your party.
One important tip is to approach Astarion with caution. If you attack him immediately or make hostile choices during the dialogue, you may miss the opportunity to recruit him. ItÔÇÖs best to play along with his ruse and avoid aggressive responses. Once he joins your party, you can manage his abilities and equipment like any other companion. Astarion is a rogue, so he excels in stealth, lockpicking, and dealing high damage with sneak attacks. You can further optimize his build by focusing on Dexterity and choosing feats that enhance his rogue abilities, such as Dual Wielder or Alert.
A common mistake players make is ignoring AstarionÔÇÖs personal quest, which can lead to missed opportunities for character development and rewards. AstarionÔÇÖs questline revolves around his vampiric nature and his desire to break free from his masterÔÇÖs control. As you progress through the game, you will encounter situations where you can help him achieve his goals. Pay attention to his dialogue and make choices that align with his interests to gain his approval. High approval with Astarion can unlock unique dialogue options, romance opportunities, and even influence the outcome of his quest.
In terms of combat tactics, Astarion is best used as a stealthy damage dealer. His sneak attack ability allows him to deal extra damage when he has advantage on an attack roll or when an enemy is within 5 feet of one of your allies. Positioning is key to maximizing his effectiveness in combat. Use his Cunning Action ability to hide, dash, or disengage, allowing him to move around the battlefield and avoid taking damage. Pairing him with a tanky character like LaeÔÇÖzel or Karlach can create a strong frontline-backline synergy, where Astarion can focus on taking out high-priority targets while the tank absorbs damage.
From a D&D 5E rules perspective, AstarionÔÇÖs rogue class is designed for versatility and precision. Rogues rely on Dexterity for their attacks and AC, so itÔÇÖs important to prioritize this stat when leveling up. Additionally, rogues gain access to Expertise, which allows them to double their proficiency bonus for certain skills. For Astarion, itÔÇÖs a good idea to invest in skills like Stealth, Sleight of Hand, and Perception to make him even more effective in exploration and combat scenarios.
In summary, recruiting Astarion involves finding him near the crash site, engaging in a brief confrontation, and convincing him to join your party. Once recruited, focus on building his Dexterity, utilizing his sneak attack ability, and progressing his personal quest to unlock his full potential. Avoid making hostile choices during your initial encounter, and pay attention to his approval to strengthen your relationship. With the right strategy, Astarion can become a powerful and loyal companion in your journey through BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3.
To recruit Astarion, you need to find him during the first act of the game. After the initial crash sequence, you will wake up on the beach near the wreckage of the Nautiloid ship. From there, you need to explore the surrounding area. Astarion is located to the northwest of the crash site, near a small grove. As you approach, you will hear him calling for help. He will be standing near a group of mind flayer parasites, pretending to be in distress. When you interact with him, he will ask for your assistance, but this is actually a trap. He will attempt to ambush you, but after a brief confrontation, he will realize that you are also infected with a mind flayer parasite. This shared condition will lead to a truce, and he will offer to join your party.
One important tip is to approach Astarion with caution. If you attack him immediately or make hostile choices during the dialogue, you may miss the opportunity to recruit him. ItÔÇÖs best to play along with his ruse and avoid aggressive responses. Once he joins your party, you can manage his abilities and equipment like any other companion. Astarion is a rogue, so he excels in stealth, lockpicking, and dealing high damage with sneak attacks. You can further optimize his build by focusing on Dexterity and choosing feats that enhance his rogue abilities, such as Dual Wielder or Alert.
A common mistake players make is ignoring AstarionÔÇÖs personal quest, which can lead to missed opportunities for character development and rewards. AstarionÔÇÖs questline revolves around his vampiric nature and his desire to break free from his masterÔÇÖs control. As you progress through the game, you will encounter situations where you can help him achieve his goals. Pay attention to his dialogue and make choices that align with his interests to gain his approval. High approval with Astarion can unlock unique dialogue options, romance opportunities, and even influence the outcome of his quest.
In terms of combat tactics, Astarion is best used as a stealthy damage dealer. His sneak attack ability allows him to deal extra damage when he has advantage on an attack roll or when an enemy is within 5 feet of one of your allies. Positioning is key to maximizing his effectiveness in combat. Use his Cunning Action ability to hide, dash, or disengage, allowing him to move around the battlefield and avoid taking damage. Pairing him with a tanky character like LaeÔÇÖzel or Karlach can create a strong frontline-backline synergy, where Astarion can focus on taking out high-priority targets while the tank absorbs damage.
From a D&D 5E rules perspective, AstarionÔÇÖs rogue class is designed for versatility and precision. Rogues rely on Dexterity for their attacks and AC, so itÔÇÖs important to prioritize this stat when leveling up. Additionally, rogues gain access to Expertise, which allows them to double their proficiency bonus for certain skills. For Astarion, itÔÇÖs a good idea to invest in skills like Stealth, Sleight of Hand, and Perception to make him even more effective in exploration and combat scenarios.
In summary, recruiting Astarion involves finding him near the crash site, engaging in a brief confrontation, and convincing him to join your party. Once recruited, focus on building his Dexterity, utilizing his sneak attack ability, and progressing his personal quest to unlock his full potential. Avoid making hostile choices during your initial encounter, and pay attention to his approval to strengthen your relationship. With the right strategy, Astarion can become a powerful and loyal companion in your journey through BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3.