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 approval mechanics tied to his character. 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, chaotic, or morally gray, and he dislikes overly altruistic or lawful behavior. To gain his approval, you need to align your actions and dialogue choices with his values.
The approval system in Baldur's Gate 3 is based on how your decisions and actions resonate with each companion. When you make a choice that a companion likes, you gain approval points, and when you make a choice they dislike, you lose approval points. These points are hidden, but they influence the companion's attitude toward you, their willingness to engage in romance, and their loyalty in critical moments. For Astarion, gaining approval often means embracing his chaotic and self-centered nature.
One of the most straightforward ways to gain Astarion's approval is by supporting his desire for freedom and autonomy. Early in the game, when you first meet him, he will ask you not to reveal his true nature as a vampire spawn. Agreeing to keep his secret will earn you approval. Similarly, when he expresses his disdain for authority figures or his desire to manipulate others, siding with him will increase his approval. For example, during the encounter with the Gur monster hunter in Act 1, if you allow Astarion to handle the situation his way, he will appreciate your trust in his judgment.
Astarion also enjoys acts of cruelty, deception, and manipulation. If you choose dialogue options that involve lying, tricking, or harming others, he will often approve. For instance, when dealing with the goblins in Act 1, siding with them and participating in their chaotic behavior can earn you his favor. Additionally, when interacting with NPCs, choosing sarcastic or mocking responses can also boost his approval. However, be cautious, as some of these choices may have negative consequences for your overall story progression or relationships with other companions.
Another effective strategy is to indulge Astarion's darker tendencies during combat. Allowing him to feed on enemies or even on you during rest periods will increase his approval. This ties into his vampiric nature and his need for blood. If you let him feed on you, he will gain a temporary buff, and you will earn his gratitude. This is a small but consistent way to build approval over time.
It's important to note that Astarion disapproves of overly altruistic or lawful behavior. For example, if you choose to help the tieflings in Act 1 without expecting anything in return, he may disapprove. Similarly, if you side with authority figures like the druids or the Flaming Fist, he may react negatively. To avoid losing approval, try to balance your decisions and consider how they align with Astarion's worldview.
One common mistake players make is trying to please all companions simultaneously. This is nearly impossible, as their preferences often conflict. For example, while Astarion may approve of chaotic or selfish choices, companions like Wyll or Karlach may disapprove. To maximize Astarion's approval, you may need to prioritize his preferences over others, especially if you are aiming for a romance or a strong bond with him.
Advanced techniques for gaining Astarion's approval involve leveraging his personal questline. As you progress through the game, you will encounter opportunities to explore his backstory and help him confront his past. Supporting him in these moments, such as during the confrontation with his former master Cazador, will significantly boost his approval. Additionally, engaging in his romance path and choosing dialogue options that reflect a shared understanding of his struggles will deepen your relationship.
In terms of D&D mechanics, Astarion's approval system reflects his alignment, which leans toward chaotic neutral or chaotic evil. His preferences are rooted in his desire for freedom, power, and self-preservation. Understanding these traits can help you predict how he will react to certain choices. For example, in D&D terms, a chaotic character values personal freedom over societal rules, which explains why Astarion dislikes lawful or altruistic behavior.
Specific examples of gaining Astarion's approval include siding with him during the confrontation with the Gur monster hunter, allowing him to feed on enemies or yourself, and choosing dialogue options that involve deception or cruelty. For instance, when dealing with the hag in Act 1, if you manipulate the situation to your advantage rather than seeking a peaceful resolution, Astarion will approve. Similarly, during the goblin camp, if you participate in their chaotic behavior or betray the tieflings, he will react positively.
In summary, gaining Astarion's approval requires embracing his chaotic and self-serving nature. Support his desire for freedom, indulge his darker tendencies, and avoid overly altruistic or lawful choices. Be mindful of the trade-offs with other companions, and focus on his personal questline to deepen your bond. By understanding his personality and aligning your actions with his values, you can build a strong relationship with Astarion and unlock unique story outcomes.
The approval system in Baldur's Gate 3 is based on how your decisions and actions resonate with each companion. When you make a choice that a companion likes, you gain approval points, and when you make a choice they dislike, you lose approval points. These points are hidden, but they influence the companion's attitude toward you, their willingness to engage in romance, and their loyalty in critical moments. For Astarion, gaining approval often means embracing his chaotic and self-centered nature.
One of the most straightforward ways to gain Astarion's approval is by supporting his desire for freedom and autonomy. Early in the game, when you first meet him, he will ask you not to reveal his true nature as a vampire spawn. Agreeing to keep his secret will earn you approval. Similarly, when he expresses his disdain for authority figures or his desire to manipulate others, siding with him will increase his approval. For example, during the encounter with the Gur monster hunter in Act 1, if you allow Astarion to handle the situation his way, he will appreciate your trust in his judgment.
Astarion also enjoys acts of cruelty, deception, and manipulation. If you choose dialogue options that involve lying, tricking, or harming others, he will often approve. For instance, when dealing with the goblins in Act 1, siding with them and participating in their chaotic behavior can earn you his favor. Additionally, when interacting with NPCs, choosing sarcastic or mocking responses can also boost his approval. However, be cautious, as some of these choices may have negative consequences for your overall story progression or relationships with other companions.
Another effective strategy is to indulge Astarion's darker tendencies during combat. Allowing him to feed on enemies or even on you during rest periods will increase his approval. This ties into his vampiric nature and his need for blood. If you let him feed on you, he will gain a temporary buff, and you will earn his gratitude. This is a small but consistent way to build approval over time.
It's important to note that Astarion disapproves of overly altruistic or lawful behavior. For example, if you choose to help the tieflings in Act 1 without expecting anything in return, he may disapprove. Similarly, if you side with authority figures like the druids or the Flaming Fist, he may react negatively. To avoid losing approval, try to balance your decisions and consider how they align with Astarion's worldview.
One common mistake players make is trying to please all companions simultaneously. This is nearly impossible, as their preferences often conflict. For example, while Astarion may approve of chaotic or selfish choices, companions like Wyll or Karlach may disapprove. To maximize Astarion's approval, you may need to prioritize his preferences over others, especially if you are aiming for a romance or a strong bond with him.
Advanced techniques for gaining Astarion's approval involve leveraging his personal questline. As you progress through the game, you will encounter opportunities to explore his backstory and help him confront his past. Supporting him in these moments, such as during the confrontation with his former master Cazador, will significantly boost his approval. Additionally, engaging in his romance path and choosing dialogue options that reflect a shared understanding of his struggles will deepen your relationship.
In terms of D&D mechanics, Astarion's approval system reflects his alignment, which leans toward chaotic neutral or chaotic evil. His preferences are rooted in his desire for freedom, power, and self-preservation. Understanding these traits can help you predict how he will react to certain choices. For example, in D&D terms, a chaotic character values personal freedom over societal rules, which explains why Astarion dislikes lawful or altruistic behavior.
Specific examples of gaining Astarion's approval include siding with him during the confrontation with the Gur monster hunter, allowing him to feed on enemies or yourself, and choosing dialogue options that involve deception or cruelty. For instance, when dealing with the hag in Act 1, if you manipulate the situation to your advantage rather than seeking a peaceful resolution, Astarion will approve. Similarly, during the goblin camp, if you participate in their chaotic behavior or betray the tieflings, he will react positively.
In summary, gaining Astarion's approval requires embracing his chaotic and self-serving nature. Support his desire for freedom, indulge his darker tendencies, and avoid overly altruistic or lawful choices. Be mindful of the trade-offs with other companions, and focus on his personal questline to deepen your bond. By understanding his personality and aligning your actions with his values, you can build a strong relationship with Astarion and unlock unique story outcomes.