What are the best dialogue choices to increase Astarion's approval in Baldur's Gate 3?
Increasing Astarion's approval in Baldur's Gate 3 requires understanding his personality and preferences. Astarion is a vampire spawn with a dark, sarcastic, and self-serving nature. He appreciates cunning, manipulation, and a willingness to embrace morally ambiguous or outright evil actions. To gain his approval, you need to make dialogue choices that align with his worldview, which often involves prioritizing self-interest, indulging in cruelty, or showing a disdain for authority and altruism.
The approval system in Baldur's Gate 3 is tied to the D&D 5E ruleset, where companions react to your decisions based on their personalities and backstories. Astarion, being a rogue and a vampire, values independence, wit, and a lack of moral rigidity. When you make choices that reflect these traits, his approval increases. Conversely, acting overly heroic, selfless, or lawful will likely decrease his approval.
To start increasing Astarion's approval, focus on dialogue choices that demonstrate a willingness to deceive, manipulate, or harm others. For example, during the early interactions with the Tieflings and the Druids in the Emerald Grove, siding with the goblins or making choices that lead to chaos will earn his favor. When speaking to Zevlor or Kagha, choosing sarcastic or dismissive responses will also help. Astarion enjoys seeing others squirm or fail, so any opportunity to undermine authority figures or cause mischief is a good way to gain his approval.
Another key strategy is to indulge Astarion's vampiric nature. When he reveals his secret and asks to drink your blood, allowing him to do so will significantly boost his approval. This choice not only shows trust but also aligns with his self-serving desires. Additionally, during combat or exploration, letting Astarion take the lead in sneaky or underhanded tactics, such as pickpocketing or ambushing enemies, will further increase his approval.
In Act 1, there are several specific scenarios where you can gain Astarion's approval. For instance, when encountering the dying Mind Flayer on the Nautiloid, choosing to mock or kill it will please him. Similarly, during the encounter with the Owlbear, encouraging violence or indifference toward the creature will earn his favor. When dealing with the goblins at the Goblin Camp, siding with them or using deception to manipulate the situation will also increase his approval.
One common mistake to avoid is acting too altruistic or lawful. Astarion dislikes characters who prioritize the greater good over personal gain. For example, helping the Tieflings without expecting anything in return or showing excessive concern for others will lower his approval. Additionally, being overly critical of his vampiric nature or refusing to indulge his desires will also negatively impact your relationship with him.
Advanced techniques for maximizing Astarion's approval involve leveraging his personal questline. As you progress through the game, Astarion's story will reveal more about his past and his relationship with his master, Cazador. Supporting his quest for freedom and revenge against Cazador will significantly boost his approval. This includes making choices that empower him and validate his desire for independence. For example, during the encounter with the Gur hunter in Act 1, siding with Astarion and helping him deal with the hunter will earn his approval.
In terms of related D&D rules and mechanics, Astarion's approval system reflects his alignment as a chaotic neutral character. He values freedom and self-interest over strict moral codes, which is why he responds positively to chaotic or evil-aligned actions. Understanding this alignment can help you predict which choices will increase his approval. Additionally, his rogue class emphasizes stealth, deception, and cunning, so any actions that align with these traits will also earn his favor.
Specific examples of dialogue choices that increase Astarion's approval include mocking the Tieflings for their plight, encouraging violence during confrontations, and using deception to manipulate NPCs. For instance, when speaking to Auntie Ethel in the Sunlit Wetlands, choosing to deceive her or exploit her for personal gain will please Astarion. Similarly, during the confrontation with the Hag, siding with Astarion's desire to use the Hag's power for personal benefit will increase his approval.
In summary, increasing Astarion's approval in Baldur's Gate 3 requires embracing his chaotic and self-serving nature. Focus on making dialogue choices that prioritize personal gain, deception, and cruelty, while avoiding overly altruistic or lawful actions. By understanding his personality and leveraging his personal questline, you can build a strong relationship with Astarion and unlock unique story outcomes.
The approval system in Baldur's Gate 3 is tied to the D&D 5E ruleset, where companions react to your decisions based on their personalities and backstories. Astarion, being a rogue and a vampire, values independence, wit, and a lack of moral rigidity. When you make choices that reflect these traits, his approval increases. Conversely, acting overly heroic, selfless, or lawful will likely decrease his approval.
To start increasing Astarion's approval, focus on dialogue choices that demonstrate a willingness to deceive, manipulate, or harm others. For example, during the early interactions with the Tieflings and the Druids in the Emerald Grove, siding with the goblins or making choices that lead to chaos will earn his favor. When speaking to Zevlor or Kagha, choosing sarcastic or dismissive responses will also help. Astarion enjoys seeing others squirm or fail, so any opportunity to undermine authority figures or cause mischief is a good way to gain his approval.
Another key strategy is to indulge Astarion's vampiric nature. When he reveals his secret and asks to drink your blood, allowing him to do so will significantly boost his approval. This choice not only shows trust but also aligns with his self-serving desires. Additionally, during combat or exploration, letting Astarion take the lead in sneaky or underhanded tactics, such as pickpocketing or ambushing enemies, will further increase his approval.
In Act 1, there are several specific scenarios where you can gain Astarion's approval. For instance, when encountering the dying Mind Flayer on the Nautiloid, choosing to mock or kill it will please him. Similarly, during the encounter with the Owlbear, encouraging violence or indifference toward the creature will earn his favor. When dealing with the goblins at the Goblin Camp, siding with them or using deception to manipulate the situation will also increase his approval.
One common mistake to avoid is acting too altruistic or lawful. Astarion dislikes characters who prioritize the greater good over personal gain. For example, helping the Tieflings without expecting anything in return or showing excessive concern for others will lower his approval. Additionally, being overly critical of his vampiric nature or refusing to indulge his desires will also negatively impact your relationship with him.
Advanced techniques for maximizing Astarion's approval involve leveraging his personal questline. As you progress through the game, Astarion's story will reveal more about his past and his relationship with his master, Cazador. Supporting his quest for freedom and revenge against Cazador will significantly boost his approval. This includes making choices that empower him and validate his desire for independence. For example, during the encounter with the Gur hunter in Act 1, siding with Astarion and helping him deal with the hunter will earn his approval.
In terms of related D&D rules and mechanics, Astarion's approval system reflects his alignment as a chaotic neutral character. He values freedom and self-interest over strict moral codes, which is why he responds positively to chaotic or evil-aligned actions. Understanding this alignment can help you predict which choices will increase his approval. Additionally, his rogue class emphasizes stealth, deception, and cunning, so any actions that align with these traits will also earn his favor.
Specific examples of dialogue choices that increase Astarion's approval include mocking the Tieflings for their plight, encouraging violence during confrontations, and using deception to manipulate NPCs. For instance, when speaking to Auntie Ethel in the Sunlit Wetlands, choosing to deceive her or exploit her for personal gain will please Astarion. Similarly, during the confrontation with the Hag, siding with Astarion's desire to use the Hag's power for personal benefit will increase his approval.
In summary, increasing Astarion's approval in Baldur's Gate 3 requires embracing his chaotic and self-serving nature. Focus on making dialogue choices that prioritize personal gain, deception, and cruelty, while avoiding overly altruistic or lawful actions. By understanding his personality and leveraging his personal questline, you can build a strong relationship with Astarion and unlock unique story outcomes.