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 impacts both Astarion's personal questline and your relationship with him. This encounter occurs in Act 1, when you meet Gandrel in the Sunlit Wetlands, near the Riverside Teahouse. Gandrel is a monster hunter searching for Astarion, who is a vampire spawn. The choice to let Astarion kill Gandrel or to intervene has lasting consequences, so itÔÇÖs important to understand the mechanics, strategies, and implications of this decision.
First, letÔÇÖs break down the mechanics of the encounter. When you approach Gandrel, he will reveal that he is hunting Astarion, believing him to be a dangerous vampire. If Astarion is in your party, he will react strongly to this revelation, and you will have the option to either support Astarion or side with Gandrel. If you choose to let Astarion handle the situation, he will confront Gandrel, and the dialogue will lead to a choice: let Astarion kill Gandrel or stop him. If you allow Astarion to kill Gandrel, he will gain approval, which is crucial for building a positive relationship with him. However, this choice also locks you into a darker path for AstarionÔÇÖs character arc, as it reinforces his more ruthless tendencies.
To achieve this outcome, you need to ensure that Astarion is in your party when you encounter Gandrel. If he is not present, the dialogue options will be different, and you wonÔÇÖt have the opportunity to let him kill the hunter. Once you initiate the conversation with Gandrel, choose dialogue options that align with AstarionÔÇÖs perspective. For example, when Gandrel asks about Astarion, you can say something like, ÔÇ£HeÔÇÖs with me, and heÔÇÖs not going anywhere.ÔÇØ This will prompt Astarion to step forward and take control of the conversation. From there, you can choose to let him kill Gandrel, which will result in a brief combat encounter where Astarion attacks the hunter. Gandrel is not particularly strong, so the fight should be manageable, especially if you have a well-balanced party.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind when making this decision. First, allowing Astarion to kill Gandrel will increase his approval of you, which is beneficial if you are trying to romance him or build a strong bond. However, this choice also has moral implications, as Gandrel is not inherently evil and is simply doing his job as a monster hunter. If you are playing a morally good character, this decision may conflict with your alignment. Additionally, killing Gandrel will prevent you from learning more about AstarionÔÇÖs backstory through GandrelÔÇÖs perspective, as he has information about AstarionÔÇÖs master, Cazador.
A common mistake to avoid is not having Astarion in your party when you encounter Gandrel. If he is not present, you wonÔÇÖt have the option to let him kill the hunter, and the encounter will play out differently. Another mistake is failing to consider the long-term consequences of this decision. While it may seem like a quick way to gain AstarionÔÇÖs approval, it can lead to a more morally ambiguous path for his character, which may not align with your overall playstyle or goals.
Advanced techniques or optimizations for this encounter include preparing your party for combat, even though the fight with Gandrel is relatively easy. Make sure your party members are well-equipped and have their abilities ready, just in case the situation escalates. Additionally, if you are playing a character with high Charisma or Persuasion, you can use dialogue options to manipulate the situation in your favor, potentially avoiding combat altogether while still gaining AstarionÔÇÖs approval.
From a D&D 5E rules perspective, this encounter reflects the alignment and moral choices that are central to the game. AstarionÔÇÖs actions in this situation are influenced by his chaotic neutral alignment, which prioritizes personal freedom and self-interest over moral codes. Allowing him to kill Gandrel aligns with this alignment, while stopping him would reflect a more lawful or good-aligned approach. Understanding these alignment dynamics can help you make more informed decisions about how to handle the encounter.
In conclusion, letting Astarion kill the Gur hunter, Gandrel, is a pivotal moment in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 that affects both your relationship with Astarion and the overall narrative. By following the steps outlined above, you can navigate this encounter successfully, but itÔÇÖs important to weigh the moral and strategic implications of your choices. Whether you choose to support Astarion or intervene, this decision will shape your journey through the game and your bond with one of its most complex companions.
First, letÔÇÖs break down the mechanics of the encounter. When you approach Gandrel, he will reveal that he is hunting Astarion, believing him to be a dangerous vampire. If Astarion is in your party, he will react strongly to this revelation, and you will have the option to either support Astarion or side with Gandrel. If you choose to let Astarion handle the situation, he will confront Gandrel, and the dialogue will lead to a choice: let Astarion kill Gandrel or stop him. If you allow Astarion to kill Gandrel, he will gain approval, which is crucial for building a positive relationship with him. However, this choice also locks you into a darker path for AstarionÔÇÖs character arc, as it reinforces his more ruthless tendencies.
To achieve this outcome, you need to ensure that Astarion is in your party when you encounter Gandrel. If he is not present, the dialogue options will be different, and you wonÔÇÖt have the opportunity to let him kill the hunter. Once you initiate the conversation with Gandrel, choose dialogue options that align with AstarionÔÇÖs perspective. For example, when Gandrel asks about Astarion, you can say something like, ÔÇ£HeÔÇÖs with me, and heÔÇÖs not going anywhere.ÔÇØ This will prompt Astarion to step forward and take control of the conversation. From there, you can choose to let him kill Gandrel, which will result in a brief combat encounter where Astarion attacks the hunter. Gandrel is not particularly strong, so the fight should be manageable, especially if you have a well-balanced party.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind when making this decision. First, allowing Astarion to kill Gandrel will increase his approval of you, which is beneficial if you are trying to romance him or build a strong bond. However, this choice also has moral implications, as Gandrel is not inherently evil and is simply doing his job as a monster hunter. If you are playing a morally good character, this decision may conflict with your alignment. Additionally, killing Gandrel will prevent you from learning more about AstarionÔÇÖs backstory through GandrelÔÇÖs perspective, as he has information about AstarionÔÇÖs master, Cazador.
A common mistake to avoid is not having Astarion in your party when you encounter Gandrel. If he is not present, you wonÔÇÖt have the option to let him kill the hunter, and the encounter will play out differently. Another mistake is failing to consider the long-term consequences of this decision. While it may seem like a quick way to gain AstarionÔÇÖs approval, it can lead to a more morally ambiguous path for his character, which may not align with your overall playstyle or goals.
Advanced techniques or optimizations for this encounter include preparing your party for combat, even though the fight with Gandrel is relatively easy. Make sure your party members are well-equipped and have their abilities ready, just in case the situation escalates. Additionally, if you are playing a character with high Charisma or Persuasion, you can use dialogue options to manipulate the situation in your favor, potentially avoiding combat altogether while still gaining AstarionÔÇÖs approval.
From a D&D 5E rules perspective, this encounter reflects the alignment and moral choices that are central to the game. AstarionÔÇÖs actions in this situation are influenced by his chaotic neutral alignment, which prioritizes personal freedom and self-interest over moral codes. Allowing him to kill Gandrel aligns with this alignment, while stopping him would reflect a more lawful or good-aligned approach. Understanding these alignment dynamics can help you make more informed decisions about how to handle the encounter.
In conclusion, letting Astarion kill the Gur hunter, Gandrel, is a pivotal moment in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 that affects both your relationship with Astarion and the overall narrative. By following the steps outlined above, you can navigate this encounter successfully, but itÔÇÖs important to weigh the moral and strategic implications of your choices. Whether you choose to support Astarion or intervene, this decision will shape your journey through the game and your bond with one of its most complex companions.