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 mechanics of the approval system. Astarion is a high elf vampire spawn with a sharp wit, a penchant for mischief, and a morally ambiguous outlook. He tends to favor choices that are self-serving, cunning, and often morally questionable. To gain his approval, you need to align your actions and dialogue choices with his values and personality traits.
The approval system in Baldur's Gate 3 is based on how your decisions and actions resonate with each companion. When you make choices that a companion likes, their approval of you increases, and when you make choices they dislike, their approval decreases. Approval is tracked on a hidden scale, and significant changes in approval can trigger new dialogue options, personal quests, and even romance opportunities. For Astarion, gaining approval often means embracing a more chaotic or self-centered approach to situations.
To start gaining Astarion's approval, pay close attention to his reactions during dialogue and cutscenes. Astarion appreciates when you show a willingness to manipulate or deceive others, as well as when you prioritize your own survival and interests over altruistic or lawful actions. For example, in the early game, when you encounter the dying mind flayer on the nautiloid ship, Astarion approves if you choose to ignore the creature and focus on your own escape. Similarly, when you meet the tieflings who have captured Lae'zel, Astarion approves if you choose to intimidate or deceive them rather than negotiate peacefully.
Another key strategy is to support Astarion's personal goals and desires. As a vampire spawn, Astarion has a deep-seated need for freedom and control over his own life. He will approve if you allow him to feed on enemies or even on you during certain moments in the game. For instance, when he reveals his true nature and asks to drink your blood, agreeing to his request will significantly boost his approval. Additionally, during his personal questline, which involves confronting his former master Cazador, Astarion will appreciate choices that empower him and help him break free from his past.
Combat situations also offer opportunities to gain Astarion's approval. He favors aggressive and ruthless tactics, so using stealth, deception, and ambushes in combat will earn his favor. For example, if you encounter a group of enemies and choose to sneak past them or set up an ambush, Astarion will likely approve. He also appreciates when you let him take the lead in combat, especially if it involves using his rogue abilities like sneak attacks and stealth.
One common mistake to avoid is making overly altruistic or lawful choices in front of Astarion. For example, if you choose to help the tieflings at the Druid Grove without expecting anything in return, Astarion may disapprove. Similarly, if you side with the goblins in the conflict at the grove, Astarion will approve, as it aligns with his preference for chaos and self-interest. However, be mindful that some of these choices may negatively impact other companions, so it's important to balance your decisions if you want to maintain good relationships with multiple party members.
Advanced techniques for gaining Astarion's approval include leveraging his rogue abilities and backstory. Since Astarion is a rogue, he excels in stealth, lockpicking, and trap disarming. Bringing him along when exploring dungeons or engaging in stealth missions will not only make these tasks easier but also give you more opportunities to make choices that align with his preferences. Additionally, engaging in dialogue with NPCs who have secrets or hidden agendas can lead to situations where Astarion's approval can be gained through deception or manipulation.
In terms of D&D rules and mechanics, Astarion's approval system reflects his alignment and class. As a rogue, he values cunning, stealth, and self-preservation, which are traits often associated with chaotic or neutral alignments. His approval gains and losses are tied to actions that reflect these values, such as using deception, avoiding direct confrontation, and prioritizing personal gain over the greater good. Understanding these underlying mechanics can help you make more informed decisions when interacting with Astarion.
Specific examples of gaining Astarion's approval include the encounter with the hag Ethel in the Sunlit Wetlands. If you choose to side with Ethel and accept her deal, Astarion will approve, as it shows a willingness to make morally questionable choices for personal gain. Another example is the interaction with the Zhentarim in the Goblin Camp. If you choose to deceive or manipulate the Zhentarim to gain their trust, Astarion will approve of your cunning approach.
In summary, gaining Astarion's approval in Baldur's Gate 3 requires a focus on self-interest, deception, and cunning. By aligning your choices with his personality and values, supporting his personal goals, and leveraging his rogue abilities, you can build a strong relationship with him. Be mindful of the approval system mechanics, avoid overly altruistic choices, and take advantage of opportunities to manipulate and deceive others. With these strategies, you can maximize Astarion's approval and unlock deeper interactions, personal quests, and potential romance options.
The approval system in Baldur's Gate 3 is based on how your decisions and actions resonate with each companion. When you make choices that a companion likes, their approval of you increases, and when you make choices they dislike, their approval decreases. Approval is tracked on a hidden scale, and significant changes in approval can trigger new dialogue options, personal quests, and even romance opportunities. For Astarion, gaining approval often means embracing a more chaotic or self-centered approach to situations.
To start gaining Astarion's approval, pay close attention to his reactions during dialogue and cutscenes. Astarion appreciates when you show a willingness to manipulate or deceive others, as well as when you prioritize your own survival and interests over altruistic or lawful actions. For example, in the early game, when you encounter the dying mind flayer on the nautiloid ship, Astarion approves if you choose to ignore the creature and focus on your own escape. Similarly, when you meet the tieflings who have captured Lae'zel, Astarion approves if you choose to intimidate or deceive them rather than negotiate peacefully.
Another key strategy is to support Astarion's personal goals and desires. As a vampire spawn, Astarion has a deep-seated need for freedom and control over his own life. He will approve if you allow him to feed on enemies or even on you during certain moments in the game. For instance, when he reveals his true nature and asks to drink your blood, agreeing to his request will significantly boost his approval. Additionally, during his personal questline, which involves confronting his former master Cazador, Astarion will appreciate choices that empower him and help him break free from his past.
Combat situations also offer opportunities to gain Astarion's approval. He favors aggressive and ruthless tactics, so using stealth, deception, and ambushes in combat will earn his favor. For example, if you encounter a group of enemies and choose to sneak past them or set up an ambush, Astarion will likely approve. He also appreciates when you let him take the lead in combat, especially if it involves using his rogue abilities like sneak attacks and stealth.
One common mistake to avoid is making overly altruistic or lawful choices in front of Astarion. For example, if you choose to help the tieflings at the Druid Grove without expecting anything in return, Astarion may disapprove. Similarly, if you side with the goblins in the conflict at the grove, Astarion will approve, as it aligns with his preference for chaos and self-interest. However, be mindful that some of these choices may negatively impact other companions, so it's important to balance your decisions if you want to maintain good relationships with multiple party members.
Advanced techniques for gaining Astarion's approval include leveraging his rogue abilities and backstory. Since Astarion is a rogue, he excels in stealth, lockpicking, and trap disarming. Bringing him along when exploring dungeons or engaging in stealth missions will not only make these tasks easier but also give you more opportunities to make choices that align with his preferences. Additionally, engaging in dialogue with NPCs who have secrets or hidden agendas can lead to situations where Astarion's approval can be gained through deception or manipulation.
In terms of D&D rules and mechanics, Astarion's approval system reflects his alignment and class. As a rogue, he values cunning, stealth, and self-preservation, which are traits often associated with chaotic or neutral alignments. His approval gains and losses are tied to actions that reflect these values, such as using deception, avoiding direct confrontation, and prioritizing personal gain over the greater good. Understanding these underlying mechanics can help you make more informed decisions when interacting with Astarion.
Specific examples of gaining Astarion's approval include the encounter with the hag Ethel in the Sunlit Wetlands. If you choose to side with Ethel and accept her deal, Astarion will approve, as it shows a willingness to make morally questionable choices for personal gain. Another example is the interaction with the Zhentarim in the Goblin Camp. If you choose to deceive or manipulate the Zhentarim to gain their trust, Astarion will approve of your cunning approach.
In summary, gaining Astarion's approval in Baldur's Gate 3 requires a focus on self-interest, deception, and cunning. By aligning your choices with his personality and values, supporting his personal goals, and leveraging his rogue abilities, you can build a strong relationship with him. Be mindful of the approval system mechanics, avoid overly altruistic choices, and take advantage of opportunities to manipulate and deceive others. With these strategies, you can maximize Astarion's approval and unlock deeper interactions, personal quests, and potential romance options.