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 can impact your relationship with Astarion and the overall story. This encounter occurs in Act 1, specifically in the Sunlit Wetlands, where you meet Gandrel, a Gur hunter who is searching for Astarion. The Gur are a nomadic people, and Gandrel has been tasked with capturing Astarion to bring him back to his master, Cazador Szarr. 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.
When you first encounter Gandrel, he will approach your party and ask if youÔÇÖve seen Astarion. If Astarion is in your party, he will immediately recognize Gandrel and express his fear and anger. Astarion will urge you to either kill Gandrel or let him handle the situation. This is where the playerÔÇÖs choice comes into play. If you choose to let Astarion kill Gandrel, the following steps will occur.
First, Astarion will confront Gandrel, revealing his identity. Gandrel will express his intent to capture Astarion, and Astarion will respond with hostility. If you choose to let Astarion kill Gandrel, the game will transition into a dialogue where Astarion will attack and kill the Gur hunter. This action will significantly increase AstarionÔÇÖs approval of you, as it shows that you trust him and are willing to let him handle his own problems. However, it also means that Gandrel, who is a relatively peaceful NPC, will be dead, and you will lose the opportunity to learn more about the Gur and their connection to AstarionÔÇÖs backstory.
One important tip to consider is that letting Astarion kill Gandrel can have long-term consequences for your relationship with other companions. For example, if you have companions like Wyll or Shadowheart in your party, they may disapprove of this action, as it involves the unnecessary killing of an innocent person. This can lead to a decrease in their approval, which might affect your ability to romance them or gain their trust later in the game. Therefore, itÔÇÖs important to weigh the benefits of increasing AstarionÔÇÖs approval against the potential disapproval of other companions.
Another consideration is the impact on the story. Gandrel is not just a random NPC; he is connected to AstarionÔÇÖs personal quest and the larger narrative involving Cazador Szarr. By killing Gandrel, you may miss out on important information or opportunities to explore AstarionÔÇÖs backstory further. For example, if you spare Gandrel, he may provide valuable insights into the GurÔÇÖs mission and their connection to Cazador, which could be useful later in the game.
A common mistake players make is not considering the long-term consequences of their actions. While it may be tempting to let Astarion kill Gandrel to gain his approval, itÔÇÖs important to think about how this decision will affect your relationships with other companions and the overall story. Additionally, some players may not realize that there are alternative ways to handle this situation. For example, you can choose to persuade Gandrel to leave peacefully, which can also increase AstarionÔÇÖs approval without resorting to violence.
In terms of advanced techniques, players who are familiar with D&D 5E rules may use their knowledge of persuasion and deception to navigate this encounter. For example, if you have a high Charisma score and proficiency in Persuasion or Deception, you can attempt to convince Gandrel to leave without a fight. This can be a more diplomatic approach that avoids unnecessary bloodshed while still maintaining AstarionÔÇÖs approval.
In conclusion, the decision to let Astarion kill the Gur hunter, Gandrel, is a complex one that involves balancing the approval of your companions, the impact on the story, and your own moral choices. By understanding the mechanics and consequences of this decision, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your playstyle and the relationships you want to build with your companions. Whether you choose to let Astarion kill Gandrel, spare him, or find a diplomatic solution, this encounter is a key moment that will shape your journey in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3.
When you first encounter Gandrel, he will approach your party and ask if youÔÇÖve seen Astarion. If Astarion is in your party, he will immediately recognize Gandrel and express his fear and anger. Astarion will urge you to either kill Gandrel or let him handle the situation. This is where the playerÔÇÖs choice comes into play. If you choose to let Astarion kill Gandrel, the following steps will occur.
First, Astarion will confront Gandrel, revealing his identity. Gandrel will express his intent to capture Astarion, and Astarion will respond with hostility. If you choose to let Astarion kill Gandrel, the game will transition into a dialogue where Astarion will attack and kill the Gur hunter. This action will significantly increase AstarionÔÇÖs approval of you, as it shows that you trust him and are willing to let him handle his own problems. However, it also means that Gandrel, who is a relatively peaceful NPC, will be dead, and you will lose the opportunity to learn more about the Gur and their connection to AstarionÔÇÖs backstory.
One important tip to consider is that letting Astarion kill Gandrel can have long-term consequences for your relationship with other companions. For example, if you have companions like Wyll or Shadowheart in your party, they may disapprove of this action, as it involves the unnecessary killing of an innocent person. This can lead to a decrease in their approval, which might affect your ability to romance them or gain their trust later in the game. Therefore, itÔÇÖs important to weigh the benefits of increasing AstarionÔÇÖs approval against the potential disapproval of other companions.
Another consideration is the impact on the story. Gandrel is not just a random NPC; he is connected to AstarionÔÇÖs personal quest and the larger narrative involving Cazador Szarr. By killing Gandrel, you may miss out on important information or opportunities to explore AstarionÔÇÖs backstory further. For example, if you spare Gandrel, he may provide valuable insights into the GurÔÇÖs mission and their connection to Cazador, which could be useful later in the game.
A common mistake players make is not considering the long-term consequences of their actions. While it may be tempting to let Astarion kill Gandrel to gain his approval, itÔÇÖs important to think about how this decision will affect your relationships with other companions and the overall story. Additionally, some players may not realize that there are alternative ways to handle this situation. For example, you can choose to persuade Gandrel to leave peacefully, which can also increase AstarionÔÇÖs approval without resorting to violence.
In terms of advanced techniques, players who are familiar with D&D 5E rules may use their knowledge of persuasion and deception to navigate this encounter. For example, if you have a high Charisma score and proficiency in Persuasion or Deception, you can attempt to convince Gandrel to leave without a fight. This can be a more diplomatic approach that avoids unnecessary bloodshed while still maintaining AstarionÔÇÖs approval.
In conclusion, the decision to let Astarion kill the Gur hunter, Gandrel, is a complex one that involves balancing the approval of your companions, the impact on the story, and your own moral choices. By understanding the mechanics and consequences of this decision, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your playstyle and the relationships you want to build with your companions. Whether you choose to let Astarion kill Gandrel, spare him, or find a diplomatic solution, this encounter is a key moment that will shape your journey in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3.