What happens if I let Astarion kill Raphael in Baldur's Gate 3?

Letting Astarion kill Raphael in Baldur's Gate 3 is a significant story moment that ties into Astarion's personal questline and the broader narrative of the game. Raphael is a powerful devil who plays a key role in the story, offering deals and manipulating events to his advantage. Allowing Astarion to kill Raphael is a choice that can have major consequences, both for Astarion's character development and for the overall story. HereÔÇÖs a detailed breakdown of how to achieve this, the mechanics involved, and what to consider.

To let Astarion kill Raphael, you must first progress through Astarion's personal questline, which revolves around his past as a vampire spawn and his desire for freedom from his master, Cazador. Raphael becomes involved in this questline when he offers to help Astarion decipher the infernal scars on his back, which are tied to a powerful ritual. RaphaelÔÇÖs assistance comes at a cost, as he demands a favor in return. This favor is typically tied to the main story, such as retrieving the Crown of Karsus or another significant artifact.

The opportunity to let Astarion kill Raphael arises during the final stages of Astarion's questline, particularly if you choose to side with Astarion against Cazador and help him complete the ritual. Raphael will confront you and Astarion, either in the House of Hope or another key location, depending on your choices. At this point, you can choose to let Astarion take the lead in dealing with Raphael. This decision is influenced by your relationship with Astarion, his approval of your actions, and your dialogue choices throughout the game.

Mechanically, this encounter involves a challenging combat scenario. Raphael is a high-level devil with powerful abilities, including fire-based attacks, charm effects, and the ability to summon allies. To succeed, youÔÇÖll need to prepare your party for a tough fight. AstarionÔÇÖs role in this combat is crucial, as he will need to deal significant damage to Raphael while avoiding his attacks. Positioning is key, as RaphaelÔÇÖs area-of-effect abilities can devastate your party if youÔÇÖre not careful. Use AstarionÔÇÖs stealth and mobility to your advantage, keeping him out of harmÔÇÖs way while he focuses on dealing damage.

One important tip is to ensure that Astarion is well-equipped and leveled up before this encounter. Give him weapons and armor that enhance his damage output and survivability. Items that provide resistance to fire damage are particularly useful, as RaphaelÔÇÖs attacks often deal fire damage. Additionally, consider using spells or abilities that can debuff Raphael, such as Bane or Hold Monster, to make the fight easier.

A common mistake to avoid is underestimating RaphaelÔÇÖs allies. He can summon devils and other creatures to aid him in combat, so be prepared to deal with multiple enemies at once. Focus on crowd control and area-of-effect damage to handle these additional threats. Another mistake is neglecting AstarionÔÇÖs health and positioning. If Astarion falls in combat, you may lose the opportunity to let him kill Raphael, so keep him protected and use healing spells or potions as needed.

Advanced techniques include using environmental factors to your advantage. For example, if the fight takes place in the House of Hope, you can use the environment to trap Raphael or limit his movement. Additionally, consider using AstarionÔÇÖs vampire abilities, such as Misty Escape, to reposition him quickly and avoid damage. If you have other party members with high damage output, coordinate their attacks with AstarionÔÇÖs to maximize your chances of success.

From a D&D rules perspective, RaphaelÔÇÖs abilities are based on his stat block as a high-level devil. He has high hit points, strong resistances, and powerful spellcasting abilities. Understanding these mechanics can help you plan your strategy. For example, Raphael is immune to fire damage and resistant to non-magical attacks, so make sure Astarion is using magical weapons or abilities to bypass these resistances.

In terms of story consequences, letting Astarion kill Raphael can have a significant impact on his character arc. It represents a moment of empowerment for Astarion, as he takes control of his own destiny and rejects the influence of powerful figures like Raphael and Cazador. This choice can also affect your relationship with Astarion, potentially deepening your bond if he approves of your decision. However, it may also lead to conflicts with other characters or factions, depending on how RaphaelÔÇÖs death impacts the broader story.

In summary, letting Astarion kill Raphael is a complex and rewarding choice that requires careful preparation and strategic thinking. By focusing on AstarionÔÇÖs strengths, preparing your party for a tough fight, and making thoughtful dialogue choices, you can achieve this outcome and experience a pivotal moment in AstarionÔÇÖs story.