What happens if I let Astarion kill Cazador in Baldur's Gate 3?

In Baldur's Gate 3, Astarion is a vampire spawn with a deep-seated vendetta against his creator, Cazador Szarr. Allowing Astarion to kill Cazador is a pivotal moment in his personal questline, and it has significant consequences for both his character development and the story. To achieve this outcome, you need to navigate several key mechanics, make specific choices, and prepare for a challenging encounter. HereÔÇÖs a detailed breakdown of how to let Astarion kill Cazador, along with important tips and considerations.

First, you need to progress AstarionÔÇÖs personal questline, which involves uncovering his past and his connection to Cazador. This questline begins early in the game when Astarion reveals his vampiric nature and his desire to find a way to break free from CazadorÔÇÖs control. As you explore the world, youÔÇÖll encounter clues and NPCs that provide more information about Cazador and his plans. One of the key moments in this questline occurs in Act 3, when you reach BaldurÔÇÖs Gate and confront Cazador in his palace.

To ensure that Astarion can kill Cazador, you need to build a strong relationship with him. This involves making choices that align with his personality and goals, such as supporting his desire for power and freedom. Astarion approves of pragmatic and self-serving decisions, so siding with him in key moments will increase his approval of you. High approval is crucial because it influences his willingness to follow your lead during the confrontation with Cazador.

When you reach CazadorÔÇÖs palace, youÔÇÖll face a challenging combat encounter. Cazador is a powerful vampire lord with a variety of abilities, including summoning minions, casting spells, and draining life from his enemies. To prepare for this fight, make sure your party is well-equipped and leveled. Astarion should be in your party, as his personal stakes are central to this encounter. Consider bringing characters with strong healing abilities, such as Shadowheart, and those who can deal high damage, like LaeÔÇÖzel or Karlach.

During the fight, focus on taking down CazadorÔÇÖs minions first to reduce the number of threats on the battlefield. Use crowd control spells like Hold Person or Hypnotic Pattern to disable enemies and give your party an advantage. AstarionÔÇÖs sneak attack ability can be particularly effective against Cazador, so position him strategically to maximize his damage output. Keep an eye on CazadorÔÇÖs health and be ready to adapt your strategy as the fight progresses.

Once CazadorÔÇÖs health is low, the game will present you with a critical choice. You can either kill Cazador yourself or allow Astarion to deliver the final blow. To let Astarion kill Cazador, choose the dialogue option that supports his desire for revenge. This choice will trigger a cutscene where Astarion confronts Cazador and ultimately kills him, fulfilling his long-standing vendetta.

There are several important considerations to keep in mind. First, allowing Astarion to kill Cazador has significant implications for his character arc. It solidifies his independence and freedom, but it also reinforces his darker tendencies. If youÔÇÖre pursuing a romance with Astarion, this choice can deepen your bond, but it may also lead to more morally ambiguous outcomes. Additionally, killing Cazador affects the broader story, as it removes a major antagonist from the game and influences the political landscape of BaldurÔÇÖs Gate.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting AstarionÔÇÖs approval, which can make him less likely to follow your lead during the confrontation. Another mistake is underestimating CazadorÔÇÖs abilities, which can lead to a party wipe if youÔÇÖre not prepared. Make sure to save your game before the fight so you can reload if things go wrong.

Advanced techniques include using environmental hazards to your advantage, such as pushing enemies off ledges or using explosive barrels to deal area damage. You can also optimize your party composition by selecting characters with abilities that complement AstarionÔÇÖs strengths, such as buffing his attacks or providing healing support.

In terms of D&D 5E rules, CazadorÔÇÖs abilities are based on the vampire stat block, with additional powers to make him a more formidable boss. AstarionÔÇÖs sneak attack ability is a key feature of the rogue class, allowing him to deal extra damage when he has advantage on an attack roll or when an ally is within 5 feet of the target. Understanding these mechanics can help you make the most of AstarionÔÇÖs abilities during the fight.

In summary, letting Astarion kill Cazador in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 is a complex and rewarding process that requires careful planning and strategic gameplay. By building a strong relationship with Astarion, preparing for the fight, and making the right choices, you can help him achieve his goal of revenge and freedom. This outcome has lasting consequences for AstarionÔÇÖs character and the story, making it a memorable moment in the game.