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 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, cunning, and sometimes cruel, while disapproving of overly altruistic or lawful decisions. To maximize 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, or self-preservation. High approval can lead to deeper conversations, romance opportunities, and loyalty, while low approval may result in him leaving your party or even turning against you.
To gain Astarion's approval, focus on making choices that reflect his personality. For example, during the early interactions with the Tieflings who capture Lae'zel, siding with Astarion's suggestion to let them handle the situation or making sarcastic remarks can earn his approval. Similarly, when encountering the goblins at the Druid Grove, choosing dialogue options that mock or belittle the goblins will please him. Astarion also appreciates when you allow him to feed on enemies or even on yourself during the camp scene where he reveals his vampiric nature. Letting him bite you not only increases his approval but also strengthens his abilities in combat.
Another key moment is during the encounter with the Gur monster hunter in Act 1. When the hunter confronts Astarion about his past, siding with Astarion and defending him will significantly boost his approval. Additionally, during the quest involving the hag Ethel, choosing to deceive or manipulate her rather than confront her directly aligns with Astarion's preferences. He also approves of decisions that prioritize personal gain over helping others, such as keeping valuable items for yourself instead of giving them to NPCs.
In combat, Astarion thrives in stealth and ranged attacks, so positioning him strategically to take advantage of his Sneak Attack ability can make him more effective. Using his vampiric abilities, such as Bite, can also be beneficial, especially if you allow him to feed on enemies during battles. This not only heals him but also increases his approval if you support his vampiric nature.
One common mistake to avoid is making overly altruistic or lawful decisions in front of Astarion. For example, helping NPCs without expecting anything in return or choosing dialogue options that emphasize justice and fairness will likely result in his disapproval. Additionally, being overly critical of his vampirism or trying to control his actions can lower his approval. It's important to strike a balance between supporting his darker tendencies and maintaining a cohesive party dynamic.
Advanced techniques for gaining Astarion's approval include leveraging his backstory and personal quest. As you progress through the game, you'll uncover more about his past and his relationship with his master, Cazador. Supporting his desire for freedom and revenge against Cazador will earn his trust and approval. Additionally, engaging in his romance path by choosing flirtatious or supportive dialogue options during camp scenes can deepen your relationship with him.
From a D&D 5E perspective, Astarion's approval mechanics are tied to his alignment and personality traits. As a chaotic neutral character, he values freedom, self-interest, and cunning over strict adherence to rules or morality. Understanding these traits can help you predict his reactions to various situations and make choices that align with his worldview.
In summary, gaining Astarion's approval requires a combination of strategic dialogue choices, supporting his vampiric nature, and aligning with his morally ambiguous outlook. By focusing on self-serving decisions, deception, and manipulation, you can build a strong relationship with him, unlock his personal quest, and potentially pursue a romance. Avoiding overly altruistic or lawful choices, while leveraging his combat strengths, will ensure that Astarion remains a loyal and effective companion throughout your journey in Baldur's Gate 3.
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, or self-preservation. High approval can lead to deeper conversations, romance opportunities, and loyalty, while low approval may result in him leaving your party or even turning against you.
To gain Astarion's approval, focus on making choices that reflect his personality. For example, during the early interactions with the Tieflings who capture Lae'zel, siding with Astarion's suggestion to let them handle the situation or making sarcastic remarks can earn his approval. Similarly, when encountering the goblins at the Druid Grove, choosing dialogue options that mock or belittle the goblins will please him. Astarion also appreciates when you allow him to feed on enemies or even on yourself during the camp scene where he reveals his vampiric nature. Letting him bite you not only increases his approval but also strengthens his abilities in combat.
Another key moment is during the encounter with the Gur monster hunter in Act 1. When the hunter confronts Astarion about his past, siding with Astarion and defending him will significantly boost his approval. Additionally, during the quest involving the hag Ethel, choosing to deceive or manipulate her rather than confront her directly aligns with Astarion's preferences. He also approves of decisions that prioritize personal gain over helping others, such as keeping valuable items for yourself instead of giving them to NPCs.
In combat, Astarion thrives in stealth and ranged attacks, so positioning him strategically to take advantage of his Sneak Attack ability can make him more effective. Using his vampiric abilities, such as Bite, can also be beneficial, especially if you allow him to feed on enemies during battles. This not only heals him but also increases his approval if you support his vampiric nature.
One common mistake to avoid is making overly altruistic or lawful decisions in front of Astarion. For example, helping NPCs without expecting anything in return or choosing dialogue options that emphasize justice and fairness will likely result in his disapproval. Additionally, being overly critical of his vampirism or trying to control his actions can lower his approval. It's important to strike a balance between supporting his darker tendencies and maintaining a cohesive party dynamic.
Advanced techniques for gaining Astarion's approval include leveraging his backstory and personal quest. As you progress through the game, you'll uncover more about his past and his relationship with his master, Cazador. Supporting his desire for freedom and revenge against Cazador will earn his trust and approval. Additionally, engaging in his romance path by choosing flirtatious or supportive dialogue options during camp scenes can deepen your relationship with him.
From a D&D 5E perspective, Astarion's approval mechanics are tied to his alignment and personality traits. As a chaotic neutral character, he values freedom, self-interest, and cunning over strict adherence to rules or morality. Understanding these traits can help you predict his reactions to various situations and make choices that align with his worldview.
In summary, gaining Astarion's approval requires a combination of strategic dialogue choices, supporting his vampiric nature, and aligning with his morally ambiguous outlook. By focusing on self-serving decisions, deception, and manipulation, you can build a strong relationship with him, unlock his personal quest, and potentially pursue a romance. Avoiding overly altruistic or lawful choices, while leveraging his combat strengths, will ensure that Astarion remains a loyal and effective companion throughout your journey in Baldur's Gate 3.