What happens if I let Astarion refuse to ascend in Baldur's Gate 3?
In Baldur's Gate 3, Astarion is a complex companion with a deeply personal questline that revolves around his vampiric nature and his desire for power. One of the key moments in his story is the decision to ascend or refuse ascension during his personal quest, "The Pale Elf." This decision has significant consequences for Astarion's character, your relationship with him, and the overall story. If you choose to let Astarion refuse to ascend, it leads to a more morally positive outcome, but it requires careful navigation of dialogue and choices throughout the game.
To achieve this outcome, you must first progress through Astarion's personal questline. This begins in Act 1 when you learn about his vampiric nature and continues into Act 2 and Act 3 as you uncover more about his past and his connection to Cazador, his former master. In Act 3, you will confront Cazador in his palace, where Astarion has the opportunity to complete a ritual that would grant him immense power by sacrificing thousands of souls, including his own. This is the moment where you can influence his decision to ascend or refuse.
The mechanics involved in this decision are tied to dialogue choices and approval. Astarion's approval of your character plays a significant role in how he responds to your suggestions. If you have built a strong relationship with him and gained his trust, he is more likely to listen to your advice. During the confrontation with Cazador, you will have the option to encourage Astarion to complete the ritual or to convince him to refuse. To let him refuse, you must choose dialogue options that emphasize the moral implications of the ritual and the importance of breaking free from his past rather than perpetuating the cycle of cruelty.
Step-by-step, here is how to guide Astarion to refuse ascension. First, ensure you have high approval with Astarion by making choices that align with his personality, such as supporting his independence and showing empathy for his struggles. During the confrontation with Cazador, choose dialogue options that highlight the cost of the ritual, such as pointing out the thousands of innocent lives that will be sacrificed. Emphasize that true freedom comes from rejecting the power Cazador offers and choosing a different path. If your approval is high enough and your arguments are persuasive, Astarion will ultimately decide to refuse the ritual, destroying Cazador and freeing the trapped souls.
Important tips and considerations include maintaining a strong relationship with Astarion throughout the game. This means engaging in conversations with him, supporting his goals, and avoiding actions that would lower his approval, such as being overly altruistic or dismissive of his needs. Additionally, be prepared for a challenging fight with Cazador and his minions. Ensure your party is well-equipped and leveled for the encounter, as it can be difficult if you are not prepared.
Common mistakes to avoid include pushing Astarion too hard to embrace his vampiric nature or making choices that undermine his trust in you. If you consistently encourage him to seek power or act selfishly, he may be more inclined to ascend, even if you try to convince him otherwise at the last moment. It is also important to avoid rushing through his questline without building a strong rapport, as this can make it harder to influence his final decision.
Advanced techniques involve optimizing your party composition and combat strategy for the fight with Cazador. Bringing characters with high damage output and crowd control abilities can help you manage the fight more effectively. Additionally, using spells like Daylight or Sunbeam can weaken Cazador and his minions, giving you an advantage in the battle.
From a D&D rules perspective, the ritual Astarion is tempted by is a form of necromantic magic that requires the sacrifice of sentient beings to achieve ultimate power. This aligns with the lore of vampires in Dungeons & Dragons, where they often seek to transcend their limitations through dark rituals. The moral implications of such actions are a recurring theme in D&D, emphasizing the importance of choice and the consequences of seeking power at any cost.
In specific scenarios, if you successfully convince Astarion to refuse ascension, he will express gratitude for helping him break free from his past and choose a more hopeful path. This outcome strengthens your bond with him and can lead to a deeper romantic relationship if you have pursued one. It also aligns with a more heroic narrative, as you have helped him reject the darkness and embrace a better future.
Overall, letting Astarion refuse to ascend is a rewarding choice that requires careful attention to his character and your relationship with him. By understanding the mechanics, making thoughtful dialogue choices, and preparing for the challenges ahead, you can guide him toward a more positive outcome and enrich your experience in Baldur's Gate 3.
To achieve this outcome, you must first progress through Astarion's personal questline. This begins in Act 1 when you learn about his vampiric nature and continues into Act 2 and Act 3 as you uncover more about his past and his connection to Cazador, his former master. In Act 3, you will confront Cazador in his palace, where Astarion has the opportunity to complete a ritual that would grant him immense power by sacrificing thousands of souls, including his own. This is the moment where you can influence his decision to ascend or refuse.
The mechanics involved in this decision are tied to dialogue choices and approval. Astarion's approval of your character plays a significant role in how he responds to your suggestions. If you have built a strong relationship with him and gained his trust, he is more likely to listen to your advice. During the confrontation with Cazador, you will have the option to encourage Astarion to complete the ritual or to convince him to refuse. To let him refuse, you must choose dialogue options that emphasize the moral implications of the ritual and the importance of breaking free from his past rather than perpetuating the cycle of cruelty.
Step-by-step, here is how to guide Astarion to refuse ascension. First, ensure you have high approval with Astarion by making choices that align with his personality, such as supporting his independence and showing empathy for his struggles. During the confrontation with Cazador, choose dialogue options that highlight the cost of the ritual, such as pointing out the thousands of innocent lives that will be sacrificed. Emphasize that true freedom comes from rejecting the power Cazador offers and choosing a different path. If your approval is high enough and your arguments are persuasive, Astarion will ultimately decide to refuse the ritual, destroying Cazador and freeing the trapped souls.
Important tips and considerations include maintaining a strong relationship with Astarion throughout the game. This means engaging in conversations with him, supporting his goals, and avoiding actions that would lower his approval, such as being overly altruistic or dismissive of his needs. Additionally, be prepared for a challenging fight with Cazador and his minions. Ensure your party is well-equipped and leveled for the encounter, as it can be difficult if you are not prepared.
Common mistakes to avoid include pushing Astarion too hard to embrace his vampiric nature or making choices that undermine his trust in you. If you consistently encourage him to seek power or act selfishly, he may be more inclined to ascend, even if you try to convince him otherwise at the last moment. It is also important to avoid rushing through his questline without building a strong rapport, as this can make it harder to influence his final decision.
Advanced techniques involve optimizing your party composition and combat strategy for the fight with Cazador. Bringing characters with high damage output and crowd control abilities can help you manage the fight more effectively. Additionally, using spells like Daylight or Sunbeam can weaken Cazador and his minions, giving you an advantage in the battle.
From a D&D rules perspective, the ritual Astarion is tempted by is a form of necromantic magic that requires the sacrifice of sentient beings to achieve ultimate power. This aligns with the lore of vampires in Dungeons & Dragons, where they often seek to transcend their limitations through dark rituals. The moral implications of such actions are a recurring theme in D&D, emphasizing the importance of choice and the consequences of seeking power at any cost.
In specific scenarios, if you successfully convince Astarion to refuse ascension, he will express gratitude for helping him break free from his past and choose a more hopeful path. This outcome strengthens your bond with him and can lead to a deeper romantic relationship if you have pursued one. It also aligns with a more heroic narrative, as you have helped him reject the darkness and embrace a better future.
Overall, letting Astarion refuse to ascend is a rewarding choice that requires careful attention to his character and your relationship with him. By understanding the mechanics, making thoughtful dialogue choices, and preparing for the challenges ahead, you can guide him toward a more positive outcome and enrich your experience in Baldur's Gate 3.