What happens if I let Astarion refuse ascension in Baldur's Gate 3?
If you let Astarion refuse ascension in Baldur's Gate 3, it significantly impacts his character arc and the story. Astarion's personal quest, "The Pale Elf," revolves around his desire to break free from his vampiric curse and his former master, Cazador. The climax of this quest occurs in Act 3, where Astarion has the opportunity to ascend and become a full vampire lord by completing a ritual that requires the sacrifice of thousands of souls. However, you can influence him to refuse this path, leading to a different outcome for his character.
To achieve this, you need to build a strong relationship with Astarion throughout the game. His approval of your actions and decisions plays a crucial role in whether he will listen to your advice. Astarion approves of pragmatic, self-serving, and sometimes cruel choices, but he also values loyalty and respect from those he trusts. To gain his approval, you should support his autonomy and avoid being overly judgmental about his vampiric nature. Engaging in conversations that show empathy for his plight and encouraging him to make his own choices will help build a positive relationship.
When you reach the ritual site in Act 3, you will face a critical decision. Cazador will attempt to complete the ritual, and Astarion will be tempted to take his place. At this point, you can persuade Astarion to refuse the ascension. To do this, you need to pass a persuasion check. The difficulty of this check depends on your relationship with Astarion. If you have high approval, the check will be easier. If your relationship is strained, it will be more challenging. It is advisable to have a high Charisma score or proficiency in Persuasion to increase your chances of success.
If you succeed in persuading Astarion to refuse ascension, he will destroy the ritual and spare the lives of the sacrificial victims. This decision reflects his growth as a character, as he chooses to reject the power and corruption that come with ascension. Instead, he opts for a path of redemption and self-determination. This outcome also strengthens your bond with him, as he acknowledges your influence in helping him make the right choice.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind. First, ensure that you consistently make choices that align with Astarion's values to maintain high approval. Second, be prepared for the persuasion check by having a character with high Charisma or relevant skills. Third, consider the long-term implications of your decision. Refusing ascension means Astarion remains a spawn, which has its own challenges and limitations, but it also allows him to retain his humanity and moral compass.
Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting Astarion's approval, making choices that alienate him, or failing to prepare for the persuasion check. Additionally, rushing through his personal quest without engaging in meaningful dialogue can result in a weaker relationship, making it harder to influence his decision.
Advanced techniques involve optimizing your character build to maximize persuasion chances. For example, selecting the Bard or Sorcerer class, which naturally have high Charisma, can be beneficial. Feats like Actor or Skill Expert can also enhance your persuasion abilities. Additionally, using spells or items that boost Charisma or provide advantage on persuasion checks can be advantageous in critical moments.
In terms of D&D 5E rules, the persuasion check is a Charisma-based skill check. The difficulty class (DC) is determined by the game based on your relationship with Astarion and the context of the situation. High Charisma and proficiency in Persuasion lower the DC, making it easier to succeed.
Specific examples and scenarios include moments where Astarion's approval can be influenced. For instance, supporting his desire for freedom and autonomy in early conversations, such as when he reveals his vampiric nature, can build trust. Additionally, during his personal quest, showing empathy and understanding when he discusses his past with Cazador can further strengthen your bond.
In conclusion, letting Astarion refuse ascension in Baldur's Gate 3 requires careful relationship management, strategic preparation for persuasion checks, and thoughtful decision-making. By following these steps and considering the tips and techniques outlined, you can guide Astarion towards a path of redemption and self-determination, enriching both his character arc and your overall experience in the game.
To achieve this, you need to build a strong relationship with Astarion throughout the game. His approval of your actions and decisions plays a crucial role in whether he will listen to your advice. Astarion approves of pragmatic, self-serving, and sometimes cruel choices, but he also values loyalty and respect from those he trusts. To gain his approval, you should support his autonomy and avoid being overly judgmental about his vampiric nature. Engaging in conversations that show empathy for his plight and encouraging him to make his own choices will help build a positive relationship.
When you reach the ritual site in Act 3, you will face a critical decision. Cazador will attempt to complete the ritual, and Astarion will be tempted to take his place. At this point, you can persuade Astarion to refuse the ascension. To do this, you need to pass a persuasion check. The difficulty of this check depends on your relationship with Astarion. If you have high approval, the check will be easier. If your relationship is strained, it will be more challenging. It is advisable to have a high Charisma score or proficiency in Persuasion to increase your chances of success.
If you succeed in persuading Astarion to refuse ascension, he will destroy the ritual and spare the lives of the sacrificial victims. This decision reflects his growth as a character, as he chooses to reject the power and corruption that come with ascension. Instead, he opts for a path of redemption and self-determination. This outcome also strengthens your bond with him, as he acknowledges your influence in helping him make the right choice.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind. First, ensure that you consistently make choices that align with Astarion's values to maintain high approval. Second, be prepared for the persuasion check by having a character with high Charisma or relevant skills. Third, consider the long-term implications of your decision. Refusing ascension means Astarion remains a spawn, which has its own challenges and limitations, but it also allows him to retain his humanity and moral compass.
Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting Astarion's approval, making choices that alienate him, or failing to prepare for the persuasion check. Additionally, rushing through his personal quest without engaging in meaningful dialogue can result in a weaker relationship, making it harder to influence his decision.
Advanced techniques involve optimizing your character build to maximize persuasion chances. For example, selecting the Bard or Sorcerer class, which naturally have high Charisma, can be beneficial. Feats like Actor or Skill Expert can also enhance your persuasion abilities. Additionally, using spells or items that boost Charisma or provide advantage on persuasion checks can be advantageous in critical moments.
In terms of D&D 5E rules, the persuasion check is a Charisma-based skill check. The difficulty class (DC) is determined by the game based on your relationship with Astarion and the context of the situation. High Charisma and proficiency in Persuasion lower the DC, making it easier to succeed.
Specific examples and scenarios include moments where Astarion's approval can be influenced. For instance, supporting his desire for freedom and autonomy in early conversations, such as when he reveals his vampiric nature, can build trust. Additionally, during his personal quest, showing empathy and understanding when he discusses his past with Cazador can further strengthen your bond.
In conclusion, letting Astarion refuse ascension in Baldur's Gate 3 requires careful relationship management, strategic preparation for persuasion checks, and thoughtful decision-making. By following these steps and considering the tips and techniques outlined, you can guide Astarion towards a path of redemption and self-determination, enriching both his character arc and your overall experience in the game.