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

Letting Astarion kill Cazador in Baldur's Gate 3 is a significant moment in his personal questline, and it has major implications for his character development and your relationship with him. To achieve this outcome, you need to navigate the game's mechanics, story choices, and combat strategies carefully. Here's a detailed breakdown of how to let Astarion kill Cazador, along with important tips and considerations.

First, you need to recruit Astarion early in the game. He can be found near the Nautiloid crash site in Act 1. Once recruited, you must build a strong relationship with him by making choices that align with his personality. Astarion approves of cunning, selfish, and morally ambiguous decisions, so keep this in mind when interacting with NPCs and making story choices. Gaining his approval is crucial for unlocking his personal quest, which revolves around his history with Cazador, the vampire lord who turned him.

As you progress through the game, you will eventually reach Act 3, where Astarion's personal quest comes to a head. In this act, you will learn more about Cazador's plans and his connection to Astarion. Cazador is preparing to perform a ritual that will grant him immense power, and Astarion is a key part of this ritual. To confront Cazador, you must travel to his palace in Baldur's Gate. This location is heavily guarded, so be prepared for combat.

When you enter Cazador's palace, you will face several vampire spawn and other enemies. It's important to have a well-balanced party for this encounter. Astarion should be in your party, as his personal quest is directly tied to this fight. Other companions like Shadowheart, Gale, or Lae'zel can provide support with healing, crowd control, and damage output. Make sure your party is well-equipped with potions, scrolls, and other consumables to handle the challenges ahead.

Once you reach Cazador, the real battle begins. Cazador is a powerful vampire with high health and devastating abilities. He can summon additional vampire spawn to aid him in combat, so you need to focus on crowd control and area-of-effect spells to manage the battlefield. Astarion will have a unique dialogue option during this fight, allowing him to confront Cazador directly. This is your opportunity to let Astarion take revenge.

To let Astarion kill Cazador, you must ensure that he lands the final blow. This requires careful management of the fight. Focus on weakening Cazador with your other party members, but leave the final hit for Astarion. Use abilities like Hold Person or other crowd control spells to keep Cazador from escaping or regenerating health. Astarion's sneak attack ability can deal significant damage, so position him strategically to maximize his effectiveness.

After Astarion kills Cazador, you will have a choice to make. Astarion can either complete the ritual and gain immense power, or he can reject it and remain as he is. Letting him complete the ritual will change his character significantly, making him more powerful but also more ruthless. Rejecting the ritual allows him to break free from Cazador's influence and find a measure of peace. Both choices have long-term consequences for your relationship with Astarion and the story's outcome.

There are a few common mistakes to avoid during this quest. First, don't neglect Astarion's approval rating. If he doesn't trust you, he may not follow your lead during the confrontation with Cazador. Second, don't underestimate Cazador's abilities. He can quickly turn the tide of battle if you're not prepared. Finally, make sure Astarion is in your party when you confront Cazador. If he's not present, you won't have the option to let him kill Cazador.

In terms of advanced techniques, consider using environmental factors to your advantage. Cazador's palace has several hazards that can be exploited during combat. For example, you can use fire or radiant damage to weaken Cazador and his minions. Additionally, positioning your party members to control choke points can help you manage the flow of battle and prevent Cazador from overwhelming you.

From a D&D rules perspective, Cazador's abilities are based on the vampire stat block from the 5th edition rules. He has high health, regeneration, and powerful melee attacks. He can also charm and dominate characters, so be prepared with spells like Protection from Evil and Good to counter these effects. Astarion's abilities are based on the rogue class, with a focus on sneak attacks and mobility. Use his cunning action to position him for maximum effectiveness.

In conclusion, letting Astarion kill Cazador is a pivotal moment in Baldur's Gate 3 that requires careful planning and execution. By building a strong relationship with Astarion, preparing your party for combat, and managing the fight strategically, you can achieve this outcome and shape the story in a meaningful way. Whether you choose to let Astarion complete the ritual or reject it, your decision will have lasting consequences for his character and your journey through the game.