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 and take actions that align with his worldview. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to achieve this.
First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics of approval. Each companion in Baldur's Gate 3 has an approval rating that reflects how much they like or dislike your character. This rating is influenced by your dialogue choices, actions, and decisions throughout the game. AstarionÔÇÖs approval increases when you act in ways that reflect his values, such as being deceitful, cruel, or self-serving. Conversely, he disapproves of altruistic, lawful, or overly kind behavior. The approval system is tied to the D&D 5E rules, where alignment and personality traits play a significant role in character interactions.
To increase AstarionÔÇÖs approval, focus on the following strategies. During dialogue, choose options that show a willingness to manipulate or deceive others. For example, when encountering the tieflings who have captured LaeÔÇÖzel near the beginning of the game, siding with LaeÔÇÖzel and threatening the tieflings will earn AstarionÔÇÖs approval. Similarly, when dealing with the goblins in the Goblin Camp, choosing aggressive or deceitful dialogue options will please him. Astarion also approves of actions that prioritize personal gain over the well-being of others. For instance, if you encounter the dying mind flayer on the nautiloid ship, choosing to kill it rather than help it will earn his approval.
Another key strategy is to embrace morally ambiguous or evil actions. Astarion appreciates when you take advantage of situations for personal benefit. For example, during the encounter with the hag Ethel in the Sunlit Wetlands, choosing to side with her or make a deal for power will increase his approval. Additionally, when dealing with the Zhentarim or other shady factions, choosing to align with them or exploit their resources will please Astarion. He also approves of actions that involve cruelty or violence, such as killing NPCs who pose no immediate threat or betraying allies for personal gain.
ItÔÇÖs important to note that Astarion disapproves of overly kind or altruistic behavior. For example, helping the tieflings in the Druid Grove or showing mercy to enemies will lower his approval. Therefore, avoid making choices that prioritize the greater good or the well-being of others. Instead, focus on actions that benefit yourself or your party, even if they come at the expense of others.
One common mistake players make is trying to balance AstarionÔÇÖs approval with that of other companions. This can be challenging, as many companions, such as Wyll or Karlach, have opposing values and prefer altruistic or lawful behavior. To maximize AstarionÔÇÖs approval, you may need to prioritize his preferences over those of other companions. This can lead to tension within the party, so itÔÇÖs important to manage your relationships carefully.
Advanced techniques for increasing AstarionÔÇÖs approval include leveraging his personal questline. As you progress through the game, youÔÇÖll encounter opportunities to learn more about AstarionÔÇÖs past and help him confront his former master, Cazador. Supporting Astarion in these moments, such as encouraging him to embrace his vampiric nature or helping him gain power, will significantly increase his approval. Additionally, engaging in romantic interactions with Astarion can further boost his approval, as he appreciates flattery and attention.
In terms of related D&D rules and mechanics, AstarionÔÇÖs approval system reflects his chaotic evil alignment. In D&D 5E, chaotic evil characters prioritize personal freedom and self-interest above all else, often resorting to manipulation and cruelty to achieve their goals. Understanding this alignment can help you make choices that align with AstarionÔÇÖs values and increase his approval.
Specific examples of scenarios where you can increase AstarionÔÇÖs approval include the encounter with the goblins in the Goblin Camp. Choosing to deceive or intimidate the goblins, rather than fighting them outright, will earn his approval. Another example is the encounter with the Zhentarim in the Risen Road. Choosing to side with them or exploit their resources will please Astarion. Additionally, during the encounter with the hag Ethel, choosing to make a deal for power or siding with her will increase his approval.
In conclusion, increasing AstarionÔÇÖs approval in Baldur's Gate 3 requires a focus on cunning, manipulation, and morally ambiguous actions. By making dialogue choices and taking actions that align with his chaotic evil alignment, you can build a strong relationship with him. Be mindful of the potential conflicts with other companions and prioritize AstarionÔÇÖs preferences to maximize his approval. Leveraging his personal questline and engaging in romantic interactions can further enhance your relationship with him. Understanding the underlying D&D 5E mechanics and alignment system will help you make informed decisions that align with AstarionÔÇÖs values.
First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics of approval. Each companion in Baldur's Gate 3 has an approval rating that reflects how much they like or dislike your character. This rating is influenced by your dialogue choices, actions, and decisions throughout the game. AstarionÔÇÖs approval increases when you act in ways that reflect his values, such as being deceitful, cruel, or self-serving. Conversely, he disapproves of altruistic, lawful, or overly kind behavior. The approval system is tied to the D&D 5E rules, where alignment and personality traits play a significant role in character interactions.
To increase AstarionÔÇÖs approval, focus on the following strategies. During dialogue, choose options that show a willingness to manipulate or deceive others. For example, when encountering the tieflings who have captured LaeÔÇÖzel near the beginning of the game, siding with LaeÔÇÖzel and threatening the tieflings will earn AstarionÔÇÖs approval. Similarly, when dealing with the goblins in the Goblin Camp, choosing aggressive or deceitful dialogue options will please him. Astarion also approves of actions that prioritize personal gain over the well-being of others. For instance, if you encounter the dying mind flayer on the nautiloid ship, choosing to kill it rather than help it will earn his approval.
Another key strategy is to embrace morally ambiguous or evil actions. Astarion appreciates when you take advantage of situations for personal benefit. For example, during the encounter with the hag Ethel in the Sunlit Wetlands, choosing to side with her or make a deal for power will increase his approval. Additionally, when dealing with the Zhentarim or other shady factions, choosing to align with them or exploit their resources will please Astarion. He also approves of actions that involve cruelty or violence, such as killing NPCs who pose no immediate threat or betraying allies for personal gain.
ItÔÇÖs important to note that Astarion disapproves of overly kind or altruistic behavior. For example, helping the tieflings in the Druid Grove or showing mercy to enemies will lower his approval. Therefore, avoid making choices that prioritize the greater good or the well-being of others. Instead, focus on actions that benefit yourself or your party, even if they come at the expense of others.
One common mistake players make is trying to balance AstarionÔÇÖs approval with that of other companions. This can be challenging, as many companions, such as Wyll or Karlach, have opposing values and prefer altruistic or lawful behavior. To maximize AstarionÔÇÖs approval, you may need to prioritize his preferences over those of other companions. This can lead to tension within the party, so itÔÇÖs important to manage your relationships carefully.
Advanced techniques for increasing AstarionÔÇÖs approval include leveraging his personal questline. As you progress through the game, youÔÇÖll encounter opportunities to learn more about AstarionÔÇÖs past and help him confront his former master, Cazador. Supporting Astarion in these moments, such as encouraging him to embrace his vampiric nature or helping him gain power, will significantly increase his approval. Additionally, engaging in romantic interactions with Astarion can further boost his approval, as he appreciates flattery and attention.
In terms of related D&D rules and mechanics, AstarionÔÇÖs approval system reflects his chaotic evil alignment. In D&D 5E, chaotic evil characters prioritize personal freedom and self-interest above all else, often resorting to manipulation and cruelty to achieve their goals. Understanding this alignment can help you make choices that align with AstarionÔÇÖs values and increase his approval.
Specific examples of scenarios where you can increase AstarionÔÇÖs approval include the encounter with the goblins in the Goblin Camp. Choosing to deceive or intimidate the goblins, rather than fighting them outright, will earn his approval. Another example is the encounter with the Zhentarim in the Risen Road. Choosing to side with them or exploit their resources will please Astarion. Additionally, during the encounter with the hag Ethel, choosing to make a deal for power or siding with her will increase his approval.
In conclusion, increasing AstarionÔÇÖs approval in Baldur's Gate 3 requires a focus on cunning, manipulation, and morally ambiguous actions. By making dialogue choices and taking actions that align with his chaotic evil alignment, you can build a strong relationship with him. Be mindful of the potential conflicts with other companions and prioritize AstarionÔÇÖs preferences to maximize his approval. Leveraging his personal questline and engaging in romantic interactions can further enhance your relationship with him. Understanding the underlying D&D 5E mechanics and alignment system will help you make informed decisions that align with AstarionÔÇÖs values.