What are the best dialogue choices to increase Astarion's approval in Baldur's Gate 3?
Increasing Astarion's approval in Baldur's Gate 3 requires understanding his personality and preferences. Astarion is a high elf vampire spawn with a penchant for mischief, sarcasm, and self-preservation. He values cunning, independence, and a willingness to embrace morally ambiguous or outright evil actions. To gain his approval, you need to align your dialogue choices and actions with these traits. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to do this effectively.
First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics of approval. Each companion in Baldur's Gate 3 has an approval rating that reflects how they feel about your character. This rating is influenced by your dialogue choices, actions, and decisions throughout the game. High approval can lead to deeper relationships, including romance, while low approval may result in companions leaving your party or even turning against you. AstarionÔÇÖs approval is particularly tied to how you handle situations involving power, manipulation, and moral flexibility.
To increase AstarionÔÇÖs approval, prioritize dialogue options that show a willingness to embrace chaos, exploit others, or prioritize personal gain over altruism. For example, in the early game, when you encounter the dying mind flayer on the Nautiloid ship, choosing to mock its suffering or express indifference will earn AstarionÔÇÖs approval. Similarly, when dealing with the tieflings who have captured LaeÔÇÖzel, siding with LaeÔÇÖzel and threatening the tieflings will please Astarion, as it demonstrates a willingness to use force and intimidation.
Another key strategy is to support AstarionÔÇÖs personal goals and desires. When he reveals his vampiric nature, choosing to trust him and allow him to feed on you will significantly boost his approval. This decision not only shows that you value his needs but also aligns with his self-serving nature. Additionally, during his personal questline, such as when you encounter the Gur hunter or the vampire hunter, siding with Astarion and helping him eliminate these threats will further increase his approval.
In group interactions, Astarion appreciates when you take a pragmatic or ruthless approach. For instance, when dealing with the goblins at the Goblin Camp, choosing to manipulate or deceive them rather than resorting to outright violence will earn his favor. Similarly, in the Druid Grove, supporting KaghaÔÇÖs harsh methods or expressing indifference to the tieflingsÔÇÖ plight will resonate with AstarionÔÇÖs worldview.
ItÔÇÖs important to avoid actions that prioritize altruism or self-sacrifice, as these will often decrease AstarionÔÇÖs approval. For example, choosing to help the tieflings without expecting anything in return or showing excessive concern for othersÔÇÖ well-being will likely displease him. Additionally, being overly moralistic or judgmental in your dialogue choices will push him away.
One common mistake is assuming that Astarion will approve of all chaotic or evil actions. While he does favor morally ambiguous decisions, he also values intelligence and subtlety. Simply choosing the most destructive or violent option in every situation may not always yield the best results. Instead, focus on decisions that demonstrate cunning, manipulation, and a willingness to bend the rules to your advantage.
Advanced techniques for increasing AstarionÔÇÖs approval include leveraging his backstory and personal quests. As you progress through the game, youÔÇÖll uncover more about his past and his relationship with his master, Cazador. Supporting his desire for freedom and revenge against Cazador will deepen your bond with him. Additionally, engaging in his romance options, such as flirting with him during camp interactions, can further boost his approval.
In terms of D&D mechanics, AstarionÔÇÖs approval system reflects his alignment as a chaotic neutral character. He values personal freedom and self-interest over strict adherence to laws or moral codes. This aligns with the D&D 5E rules for chaotic neutral characters, who prioritize their own desires and are willing to bend or break rules to achieve their goals. Understanding this alignment can help you make decisions that resonate with AstarionÔÇÖs character.
Specific examples of dialogue choices that increase AstarionÔÇÖs approval include agreeing to let him bite you during the camp scene, supporting his plan to deceive the Gur hunter, and choosing sarcastic or mocking responses in conversations. For instance, when speaking with the tiefling children in the Druid Grove, choosing to mock their naivety or express indifference to their plight will earn his approval.
In summary, increasing AstarionÔÇÖs approval in Baldur's Gate 3 requires a combination of understanding his personality, making morally flexible decisions, and supporting his personal goals. By aligning your actions with his values and avoiding overly altruistic or judgmental choices, you can build a strong relationship with this complex and intriguing companion.
First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics of approval. Each companion in Baldur's Gate 3 has an approval rating that reflects how they feel about your character. This rating is influenced by your dialogue choices, actions, and decisions throughout the game. High approval can lead to deeper relationships, including romance, while low approval may result in companions leaving your party or even turning against you. AstarionÔÇÖs approval is particularly tied to how you handle situations involving power, manipulation, and moral flexibility.
To increase AstarionÔÇÖs approval, prioritize dialogue options that show a willingness to embrace chaos, exploit others, or prioritize personal gain over altruism. For example, in the early game, when you encounter the dying mind flayer on the Nautiloid ship, choosing to mock its suffering or express indifference will earn AstarionÔÇÖs approval. Similarly, when dealing with the tieflings who have captured LaeÔÇÖzel, siding with LaeÔÇÖzel and threatening the tieflings will please Astarion, as it demonstrates a willingness to use force and intimidation.
Another key strategy is to support AstarionÔÇÖs personal goals and desires. When he reveals his vampiric nature, choosing to trust him and allow him to feed on you will significantly boost his approval. This decision not only shows that you value his needs but also aligns with his self-serving nature. Additionally, during his personal questline, such as when you encounter the Gur hunter or the vampire hunter, siding with Astarion and helping him eliminate these threats will further increase his approval.
In group interactions, Astarion appreciates when you take a pragmatic or ruthless approach. For instance, when dealing with the goblins at the Goblin Camp, choosing to manipulate or deceive them rather than resorting to outright violence will earn his favor. Similarly, in the Druid Grove, supporting KaghaÔÇÖs harsh methods or expressing indifference to the tieflingsÔÇÖ plight will resonate with AstarionÔÇÖs worldview.
ItÔÇÖs important to avoid actions that prioritize altruism or self-sacrifice, as these will often decrease AstarionÔÇÖs approval. For example, choosing to help the tieflings without expecting anything in return or showing excessive concern for othersÔÇÖ well-being will likely displease him. Additionally, being overly moralistic or judgmental in your dialogue choices will push him away.
One common mistake is assuming that Astarion will approve of all chaotic or evil actions. While he does favor morally ambiguous decisions, he also values intelligence and subtlety. Simply choosing the most destructive or violent option in every situation may not always yield the best results. Instead, focus on decisions that demonstrate cunning, manipulation, and a willingness to bend the rules to your advantage.
Advanced techniques for increasing AstarionÔÇÖs approval include leveraging his backstory and personal quests. As you progress through the game, youÔÇÖll uncover more about his past and his relationship with his master, Cazador. Supporting his desire for freedom and revenge against Cazador will deepen your bond with him. Additionally, engaging in his romance options, such as flirting with him during camp interactions, can further boost his approval.
In terms of D&D mechanics, AstarionÔÇÖs approval system reflects his alignment as a chaotic neutral character. He values personal freedom and self-interest over strict adherence to laws or moral codes. This aligns with the D&D 5E rules for chaotic neutral characters, who prioritize their own desires and are willing to bend or break rules to achieve their goals. Understanding this alignment can help you make decisions that resonate with AstarionÔÇÖs character.
Specific examples of dialogue choices that increase AstarionÔÇÖs approval include agreeing to let him bite you during the camp scene, supporting his plan to deceive the Gur hunter, and choosing sarcastic or mocking responses in conversations. For instance, when speaking with the tiefling children in the Druid Grove, choosing to mock their naivety or express indifference to their plight will earn his approval.
In summary, increasing AstarionÔÇÖs approval in Baldur's Gate 3 requires a combination of understanding his personality, making morally flexible decisions, and supporting his personal goals. By aligning your actions with his values and avoiding overly altruistic or judgmental choices, you can build a strong relationship with this complex and intriguing companion.