What are the best ways to gain Astarion's approval in Baldur's Gate 3?
Gaining Astarion's approval 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 sometimes cruel, while disapproving of overly altruistic or lawful decisions. 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 a hidden numerical value that increases or decreases based on your decisions. Each companion has their own approval rating, and Astarion's is influenced by how you handle situations that involve deception, manipulation, and self-preservation. When you make choices that resonate with him, you will see a notification that says "Astarion approves" or "Astarion disapproves." These notifications are key to understanding how your actions affect your relationship with him.
To start gaining Astarion's approval, you should focus on making choices that reflect his personality. For example, during the early stages of the game, when you encounter the dying mind flayer on the Nautiloid ship, Astarion approves if you choose to kill it rather than leave it to suffer. This sets the tone for his preference for decisive, sometimes ruthless actions. Similarly, when you meet the tieflings who have captured Lae'zel, Astarion approves if you side with Lae'zel and intimidate or deceive the tieflings to free her. This shows his appreciation for cunning and strength.
Another important aspect of gaining Astarion's approval is how you handle combat and exploration. Astarion enjoys when you take risks and use underhanded tactics. For instance, if you sneak attack enemies or use stealth to gain an advantage in combat, he will often approve. Additionally, he appreciates when you explore dark or dangerous areas, such as the Underdark or the Goblin Camp, as these environments align with his adventurous and thrill-seeking nature.
Dialogue choices are crucial for building approval with Astarion. When speaking with NPCs, choose options that are sarcastic, dismissive, or manipulative. For example, when dealing with the goblins at the Goblin Camp, Astarion approves if you use deception to gain their trust rather than resorting to violence immediately. He also likes it when you mock or belittle others, especially those in positions of authority. However, be cautious not to overdo it, as some choices may lead to negative consequences with other companions or NPCs.
One of the most significant opportunities to gain Astarion's approval is during his personal questline. As you progress through the game, you will learn more about his past as a vampire spawn and his desire for freedom. Supporting his goals and helping him achieve his objectives will greatly increase his approval. For example, when you encounter the monster hunter Gandrel, who is searching for Astarion, you can choose to protect Astarion by lying to Gandrel or even attacking him. Astarion will approve of these actions, as they demonstrate your loyalty to him.
It's important to note that Astarion disapproves of overly altruistic or lawful choices. For instance, if you choose to help the tieflings at the Druid Grove without expecting anything in return, Astarion may disapprove. Similarly, he dislikes when you show excessive concern for others or make decisions based on moral principles rather than self-interest. To avoid losing his approval, try to balance your actions and consider the potential impact on your relationship with him.
A common mistake players make is assuming that Astarion will approve of all chaotic or evil actions. While he does favor self-serving and manipulative choices, he also has moments where he appreciates cleverness and wit. For example, during the party at the Druid Grove, if you choose to flirt with him or engage in playful banter, he will approve. This shows that his approval is not solely based on cruelty but also on your ability to match his personality and charm.
Advanced techniques for gaining Astarion's approval involve leveraging his backstory and understanding his motivations. As a vampire spawn, Astarion has a deep-seated desire for freedom and control over his own life. By supporting his quest for autonomy and helping him confront his past, you can earn significant approval. Additionally, paying attention to his reactions during key story moments and tailoring your choices to align with his values will help you build a strong relationship with him.
In terms of D&D 5E rules, Astarion's approval system reflects his alignment, which is typically chaotic neutral. This means he values personal freedom and self-interest over strict adherence to laws or moral codes. Understanding this alignment can help you predict his reactions to various situations and make choices that align with his worldview.
Specific examples of gaining Astarion's approval include siding with him during conflicts, such as when he argues with other companions about their methods or goals. For instance, if Shadowheart suggests a cautious approach to a problem, Astarion may prefer a more daring solution, and supporting his viewpoint will earn his approval. Additionally, during the romance progression, choosing dialogue options that are flirtatious or playful will help deepen your relationship with him.
In summary, gaining Astarion's approval in Baldur's Gate 3 requires a combination of strategic decision-making, understanding his personality, and aligning your actions with his values. By focusing on self-serving, cunning, and sometimes ruthless choices, you can build a strong relationship with him and unlock the full potential of his character arc. Pay attention to his reactions, support his personal quest, and avoid overly altruistic decisions to maximize his approval.
The approval system in Baldur's Gate 3 is based on a hidden numerical value that increases or decreases based on your decisions. Each companion has their own approval rating, and Astarion's is influenced by how you handle situations that involve deception, manipulation, and self-preservation. When you make choices that resonate with him, you will see a notification that says "Astarion approves" or "Astarion disapproves." These notifications are key to understanding how your actions affect your relationship with him.
To start gaining Astarion's approval, you should focus on making choices that reflect his personality. For example, during the early stages of the game, when you encounter the dying mind flayer on the Nautiloid ship, Astarion approves if you choose to kill it rather than leave it to suffer. This sets the tone for his preference for decisive, sometimes ruthless actions. Similarly, when you meet the tieflings who have captured Lae'zel, Astarion approves if you side with Lae'zel and intimidate or deceive the tieflings to free her. This shows his appreciation for cunning and strength.
Another important aspect of gaining Astarion's approval is how you handle combat and exploration. Astarion enjoys when you take risks and use underhanded tactics. For instance, if you sneak attack enemies or use stealth to gain an advantage in combat, he will often approve. Additionally, he appreciates when you explore dark or dangerous areas, such as the Underdark or the Goblin Camp, as these environments align with his adventurous and thrill-seeking nature.
Dialogue choices are crucial for building approval with Astarion. When speaking with NPCs, choose options that are sarcastic, dismissive, or manipulative. For example, when dealing with the goblins at the Goblin Camp, Astarion approves if you use deception to gain their trust rather than resorting to violence immediately. He also likes it when you mock or belittle others, especially those in positions of authority. However, be cautious not to overdo it, as some choices may lead to negative consequences with other companions or NPCs.
One of the most significant opportunities to gain Astarion's approval is during his personal questline. As you progress through the game, you will learn more about his past as a vampire spawn and his desire for freedom. Supporting his goals and helping him achieve his objectives will greatly increase his approval. For example, when you encounter the monster hunter Gandrel, who is searching for Astarion, you can choose to protect Astarion by lying to Gandrel or even attacking him. Astarion will approve of these actions, as they demonstrate your loyalty to him.
It's important to note that Astarion disapproves of overly altruistic or lawful choices. For instance, if you choose to help the tieflings at the Druid Grove without expecting anything in return, Astarion may disapprove. Similarly, he dislikes when you show excessive concern for others or make decisions based on moral principles rather than self-interest. To avoid losing his approval, try to balance your actions and consider the potential impact on your relationship with him.
A common mistake players make is assuming that Astarion will approve of all chaotic or evil actions. While he does favor self-serving and manipulative choices, he also has moments where he appreciates cleverness and wit. For example, during the party at the Druid Grove, if you choose to flirt with him or engage in playful banter, he will approve. This shows that his approval is not solely based on cruelty but also on your ability to match his personality and charm.
Advanced techniques for gaining Astarion's approval involve leveraging his backstory and understanding his motivations. As a vampire spawn, Astarion has a deep-seated desire for freedom and control over his own life. By supporting his quest for autonomy and helping him confront his past, you can earn significant approval. Additionally, paying attention to his reactions during key story moments and tailoring your choices to align with his values will help you build a strong relationship with him.
In terms of D&D 5E rules, Astarion's approval system reflects his alignment, which is typically chaotic neutral. This means he values personal freedom and self-interest over strict adherence to laws or moral codes. Understanding this alignment can help you predict his reactions to various situations and make choices that align with his worldview.
Specific examples of gaining Astarion's approval include siding with him during conflicts, such as when he argues with other companions about their methods or goals. For instance, if Shadowheart suggests a cautious approach to a problem, Astarion may prefer a more daring solution, and supporting his viewpoint will earn his approval. Additionally, during the romance progression, choosing dialogue options that are flirtatious or playful will help deepen your relationship with him.
In summary, gaining Astarion's approval in Baldur's Gate 3 requires a combination of strategic decision-making, understanding his personality, and aligning your actions with his values. By focusing on self-serving, cunning, and sometimes ruthless choices, you can build a strong relationship with him and unlock the full potential of his character arc. Pay attention to his reactions, support his personal quest, and avoid overly altruistic decisions to maximize his approval.