What happens if I let Astarion kill the Gur hunter in Baldur's Gate 3?
In Baldur's Gate 3, the decision to let Astarion kill the Gur hunter, Gandrel, is a significant moment that impacts both Astarion's personal questline and your relationship with him. This encounter occurs in Act 1, when you meet Gandrel, a Gur hunter who is searching for Astarion. The Gur are a nomadic people, and Gandrel has been tasked with capturing Astarion to bring him back to his master, Cazador Szarr. The choice to let Astarion kill Gandrel or to intervene has lasting consequences, so itÔÇÖs important to understand the mechanics, strategies, and implications of this decision.
To begin, you will encounter Gandrel in the Sunlit Wetlands, near the Riverside Teahouse. He will approach your party and ask if you have seen Astarion. If Astarion is in your party, he will immediately recognize Gandrel as a threat and will urge you to let him deal with the situation. At this point, you have several options. You can choose to let Astarion handle it, which will lead to him killing Gandrel, or you can intervene and try to resolve the situation peacefully. If you choose to let Astarion kill Gandrel, the mechanics of the encounter are relatively straightforward. Astarion will attack Gandrel, and you will enter combat. Gandrel is not particularly strong, so the fight should be manageable, especially if you have a well-balanced party.
One important tip is to ensure that your party is prepared for combat before engaging Gandrel. While he is not a formidable opponent, he can still deal damage, and you donÔÇÖt want to risk losing any party members. Make sure your characters are healed and have their abilities ready. If you have a spellcaster in your party, consider using crowd control spells like Sleep or Hold Person to incapacitate Gandrel quickly. This will make the fight easier and reduce the risk of taking unnecessary damage.
If you choose to let Astarion kill Gandrel, it will have a significant impact on your relationship with him. Astarion will appreciate your trust and willingness to let him handle the situation, which will increase his approval of you. This is important if you are trying to build a strong relationship with Astarion, as his approval affects his loyalty and willingness to pursue a romance with your character. However, itÔÇÖs worth noting that letting Astarion kill Gandrel will also have consequences later in the game. The Gur are a persistent group, and killing Gandrel may lead to further encounters with them in future acts. This could complicate your interactions with the Gur and potentially lead to more conflict down the line.
One common mistake to avoid is underestimating the importance of this decision. While it may seem like a minor choice at the time, it can have far-reaching consequences for your playthrough. If you are trying to maintain a good relationship with Astarion, letting him kill Gandrel is a good way to earn his approval. However, if you are trying to play a more morally upright character, you may want to consider intervening and finding a peaceful resolution. This could involve using persuasion or deception to convince Gandrel to leave Astarion alone. Keep in mind that Astarion may not approve of this choice, but it could lead to a different outcome in the long run.
In terms of advanced techniques, you can optimize this encounter by using stealth and positioning to your advantage. If you have a rogue or a character with high stealth, you can position them to get a surprise attack on Gandrel, giving you an early advantage in combat. Additionally, if you have a character with high charisma, you can attempt to persuade Gandrel to leave without a fight. This will require a successful persuasion check, but it can be a good way to avoid combat and maintain a more peaceful playthrough.
From a D&D rules perspective, this encounter is a good example of how alignment and moral choices can impact the game. Astarion is a chaotic neutral character, and his actions often reflect this alignment. Letting him kill Gandrel aligns with his chaotic nature, while intervening and finding a peaceful resolution aligns more with a lawful or good alignment. Understanding these alignment dynamics can help you make more informed decisions and roleplay your character more effectively.
In conclusion, the decision to let Astarion kill the Gur hunter Gandrel is a pivotal moment in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 that affects your relationship with Astarion and the overall story. By understanding the mechanics, preparing for combat, and considering the long-term consequences, you can make the best choice for your playthrough. Whether you choose to let Astarion handle the situation or intervene, this encounter is a great example of the complex moral choices and character dynamics that make BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 such a compelling game.
To begin, you will encounter Gandrel in the Sunlit Wetlands, near the Riverside Teahouse. He will approach your party and ask if you have seen Astarion. If Astarion is in your party, he will immediately recognize Gandrel as a threat and will urge you to let him deal with the situation. At this point, you have several options. You can choose to let Astarion handle it, which will lead to him killing Gandrel, or you can intervene and try to resolve the situation peacefully. If you choose to let Astarion kill Gandrel, the mechanics of the encounter are relatively straightforward. Astarion will attack Gandrel, and you will enter combat. Gandrel is not particularly strong, so the fight should be manageable, especially if you have a well-balanced party.
One important tip is to ensure that your party is prepared for combat before engaging Gandrel. While he is not a formidable opponent, he can still deal damage, and you donÔÇÖt want to risk losing any party members. Make sure your characters are healed and have their abilities ready. If you have a spellcaster in your party, consider using crowd control spells like Sleep or Hold Person to incapacitate Gandrel quickly. This will make the fight easier and reduce the risk of taking unnecessary damage.
If you choose to let Astarion kill Gandrel, it will have a significant impact on your relationship with him. Astarion will appreciate your trust and willingness to let him handle the situation, which will increase his approval of you. This is important if you are trying to build a strong relationship with Astarion, as his approval affects his loyalty and willingness to pursue a romance with your character. However, itÔÇÖs worth noting that letting Astarion kill Gandrel will also have consequences later in the game. The Gur are a persistent group, and killing Gandrel may lead to further encounters with them in future acts. This could complicate your interactions with the Gur and potentially lead to more conflict down the line.
One common mistake to avoid is underestimating the importance of this decision. While it may seem like a minor choice at the time, it can have far-reaching consequences for your playthrough. If you are trying to maintain a good relationship with Astarion, letting him kill Gandrel is a good way to earn his approval. However, if you are trying to play a more morally upright character, you may want to consider intervening and finding a peaceful resolution. This could involve using persuasion or deception to convince Gandrel to leave Astarion alone. Keep in mind that Astarion may not approve of this choice, but it could lead to a different outcome in the long run.
In terms of advanced techniques, you can optimize this encounter by using stealth and positioning to your advantage. If you have a rogue or a character with high stealth, you can position them to get a surprise attack on Gandrel, giving you an early advantage in combat. Additionally, if you have a character with high charisma, you can attempt to persuade Gandrel to leave without a fight. This will require a successful persuasion check, but it can be a good way to avoid combat and maintain a more peaceful playthrough.
From a D&D rules perspective, this encounter is a good example of how alignment and moral choices can impact the game. Astarion is a chaotic neutral character, and his actions often reflect this alignment. Letting him kill Gandrel aligns with his chaotic nature, while intervening and finding a peaceful resolution aligns more with a lawful or good alignment. Understanding these alignment dynamics can help you make more informed decisions and roleplay your character more effectively.
In conclusion, the decision to let Astarion kill the Gur hunter Gandrel is a pivotal moment in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 that affects your relationship with Astarion and the overall story. By understanding the mechanics, preparing for combat, and considering the long-term consequences, you can make the best choice for your playthrough. Whether you choose to let Astarion handle the situation or intervene, this encounter is a great example of the complex moral choices and character dynamics that make BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 such a compelling game.