How do I unlock Astarion's personal quest in Baldur's Gate 3?

To unlock Astarion's personal quest in Baldur's Gate 3, you need to build a strong relationship with him by gaining his approval and progressing through the story. Astarion is a high elf vampire spawn with a complex and dark backstory, and his personal quest revolves around his past and his connection to his former master, Cazador. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to unlock and progress through his quest.

First, you need to recruit Astarion. You can find him early in Act 1, near the Nautiloid crash site. He will approach you and ask for help, pretending to be in danger. After a brief conversation, you can invite him to join your party. Once heÔÇÖs in your group, youÔÇÖll need to focus on gaining his approval. Astarion approves of morally ambiguous or selfish decisions, such as lying, manipulating others, or choosing options that benefit you at the expense of others. He also appreciates displays of power and cunning. Avoid making overly altruistic or lawful choices, as these will lower his approval.

As you travel with Astarion, youÔÇÖll have opportunities to learn more about his past. He will eventually reveal that he is a vampire spawn and that he was enslaved by a powerful vampire named Cazador. This revelation is a key moment in his personal quest. To trigger this, you need to gain enough approval with him and progress through the story. One way to speed up this process is to let him feed on you during a long rest. This will increase his approval and lead to a deeper conversation about his vampirism.

Once Astarion has revealed his true nature, his personal quest will begin to unfold. In Act 2, youÔÇÖll encounter a group of vampire hunters who are searching for him. This is a pivotal moment in his quest. You can choose to help Astarion deal with the hunters, either by fighting them or by persuading them to leave him alone. Your choices here will affect his approval and the direction of his quest. If you side with Astarion and protect him, he will trust you more and open up further about his past.

In Act 3, AstarionÔÇÖs personal quest reaches its climax when you confront Cazador in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate. Cazador is planning a ritual that will grant him immense power, and Astarion is a key part of this ritual. YouÔÇÖll need to decide whether to help Astarion take revenge on Cazador or to prevent him from completing the ritual. This decision will have significant consequences for AstarionÔÇÖs character and your relationship with him. If you support him in his quest for revenge, he may undergo a transformation that changes his personality and abilities. If you convince him to abandon the ritual, he may find a measure of peace and redemption.

Throughout AstarionÔÇÖs personal quest, itÔÇÖs important to pay attention to his approval and dialogue choices. His approval can be influenced by your actions in both major story moments and smaller interactions. For example, he approves of you using intimidation or deception in conversations, and he dislikes when you show mercy to enemies. Keep these preferences in mind when making decisions that affect him.

One common mistake is neglecting to build AstarionÔÇÖs approval early in the game. If you wait too long to gain his trust, you may miss key moments in his quest. Another mistake is making choices that conflict with his personality, such as being overly kind or lawful. These choices can lower his approval and make it harder to progress his quest.

Advanced techniques for optimizing AstarionÔÇÖs quest include using his rogue abilities to your advantage in combat. Astarion is a skilled sneak attacker, and you can use his stealth and cunning to gain the upper hand in battles. Additionally, you can use his vampiric bite ability to heal himself and deal extra damage to enemies. These abilities make him a valuable asset in combat, especially when paired with other characters who can support him.

In terms of D&D rules, AstarionÔÇÖs vampirism and rogue abilities are based on the 5th Edition ruleset. His sneak attack ability allows him to deal extra damage when he has advantage on an attack roll or when an enemy is within 5 feet of an ally. His vampiric bite is a unique ability that reflects his nature as a vampire spawn. These mechanics are important to understand if you want to maximize his effectiveness in combat.

Specific examples of scenarios where AstarionÔÇÖs approval can be influenced include the encounter with the goblins in Act 1. If you choose to side with the goblins and help them attack the druid grove, Astarion will approve of your decision. Conversely, if you side with the druids and defend the grove, he will disapprove. Another example is the encounter with the hag in Act 1. If you choose to make a deal with the hag for personal gain, Astarion will approve. If you try to save the hagÔÇÖs victim, he will disapprove.

In conclusion, unlocking and progressing through AstarionÔÇÖs personal quest requires careful attention to his approval and the choices you make throughout the game. By understanding his personality and preferences, you can build a strong relationship with him and guide him through his quest for revenge and redemption. Pay attention to the story moments that trigger key events in his quest, and use his abilities effectively in combat to maximize his potential. With the right approach, you can help Astarion confront his past and shape his future in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3.