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, specifically in the Sunlit Wetlands, where you can find Gandrel searching for Astarion. The Gur are a group of monster hunters, and Gandrel is specifically tasked with capturing Astarion to bring him back to his master, Cazador. 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.
First, letÔÇÖs break down the mechanics of the encounter. When you approach Gandrel, he will reveal that he is hunting Astarion. If Astarion is in your party, he will immediately recognize Gandrel and react with hostility. At this point, you have several dialogue options. You can choose to side with Astarion, side with Gandrel, or attempt to mediate the situation. If you decide to let Astarion kill Gandrel, the encounter will turn into combat, with Gandrel as the sole enemy. Astarion will be eager to fight, and you can choose to support him or let him handle it alone.
To let Astarion kill Gandrel, you need to ensure that Astarion is in your party when you approach Gandrel. This is crucial because if Astarion is not present, the dialogue options will be different, and you wonÔÇÖt have the opportunity to let him take the lead. Once the conversation starts, choose dialogue options that indicate you trust AstarionÔÇÖs judgment or that you are willing to let him handle the situation. This will lead to Astarion confronting Gandrel directly, and the combat will begin.
During the combat, itÔÇÖs important to position your party effectively. Gandrel is a single enemy, but he is a skilled fighter with abilities that can deal significant damage. Astarion, being a rogue, excels in stealth and sneak attacks. Use his abilities to gain advantage in combat. For example, you can have Astarion hide and then attack Gandrel from stealth to deal extra damage. If you have other party members with crowd control abilities, such as ShadowheartÔÇÖs Hold Person spell, you can use these to immobilize Gandrel and make the fight easier.
One important tip is to ensure that Astarion lands the killing blow on Gandrel. This is not strictly necessary for the story, but it reinforces AstarionÔÇÖs agency in the situation and can affect his approval of you. If you or another party member kills Gandrel, Astarion may react negatively, as he wants to be the one to eliminate the threat. Additionally, make sure to loot GandrelÔÇÖs body after the fight. He carries a unique item, the Gur HunterÔÇÖs Crossbow, which can be a valuable addition to your arsenal.
There are several considerations to keep in mind when making this decision. Letting Astarion kill Gandrel will increase his approval of you, as it shows that you trust him and are willing to support his desires. However, it also means that you are condoning his violent tendencies, which could have implications later in the game. AstarionÔÇÖs personal questline revolves around his struggle with his vampiric nature and his relationship with his master, Cazador. By allowing him to kill Gandrel, you are reinforcing his darker impulses, which could influence how his story unfolds.
On the other hand, if you choose to intervene and spare Gandrel, you may gain information about AstarionÔÇÖs past and the GurÔÇÖs mission. Gandrel can provide valuable insights into AstarionÔÇÖs backstory, and sparing him could lead to future encounters with the Gur. This choice may also affect AstarionÔÇÖs approval, as he may see it as a betrayal of his trust.
A common mistake to avoid is not considering the long-term consequences of your decision. While letting Astarion kill Gandrel may seem like the easiest option in the moment, itÔÇÖs important to think about how it aligns with your characterÔÇÖs moral compass and the overall story. If you are playing a character who values mercy and justice, sparing Gandrel may be more in line with your roleplay. Conversely, if you are playing a character who prioritizes loyalty to their companions, letting Astarion kill Gandrel may be the better choice.
In terms of advanced techniques, you can optimize the combat by using environmental factors to your advantage. The Sunlit Wetlands have areas with high ground, which can provide a tactical advantage in combat. Positioning your ranged characters, such as Astarion or Gale, on high ground can give them a better line of sight and increase their chances of hitting Gandrel. Additionally, you can use the terrain to block GandrelÔÇÖs movement and prevent him from reaching your more vulnerable party members.
From a D&D rules perspective, this encounter is a good example of how alignment and character motivations can influence gameplay. AstarionÔÇÖs alignment as a chaotic neutral character means that he is driven by self-interest and personal freedom. Allowing him to kill Gandrel aligns with his chaotic nature, while sparing Gandrel may push him towards a more neutral or even good alignment, depending on how you handle the situation. The encounter also highlights the importance of dialogue choices and their impact on companion relationships, a key mechanic in both BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 and traditional D&D gameplay.
In conclusion, the decision to let Astarion kill the Gur hunter, Gandrel, is a pivotal moment in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 that affects both AstarionÔÇÖs personal questline and your relationship with him. By understanding the mechanics, strategies, and implications of this choice, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your characterÔÇÖs values and the story you want to tell. Whether you choose to support AstarionÔÇÖs darker impulses or take a more merciful approach, the consequences of your decision will shape the narrative and your journey through the game.
First, letÔÇÖs break down the mechanics of the encounter. When you approach Gandrel, he will reveal that he is hunting Astarion. If Astarion is in your party, he will immediately recognize Gandrel and react with hostility. At this point, you have several dialogue options. You can choose to side with Astarion, side with Gandrel, or attempt to mediate the situation. If you decide to let Astarion kill Gandrel, the encounter will turn into combat, with Gandrel as the sole enemy. Astarion will be eager to fight, and you can choose to support him or let him handle it alone.
To let Astarion kill Gandrel, you need to ensure that Astarion is in your party when you approach Gandrel. This is crucial because if Astarion is not present, the dialogue options will be different, and you wonÔÇÖt have the opportunity to let him take the lead. Once the conversation starts, choose dialogue options that indicate you trust AstarionÔÇÖs judgment or that you are willing to let him handle the situation. This will lead to Astarion confronting Gandrel directly, and the combat will begin.
During the combat, itÔÇÖs important to position your party effectively. Gandrel is a single enemy, but he is a skilled fighter with abilities that can deal significant damage. Astarion, being a rogue, excels in stealth and sneak attacks. Use his abilities to gain advantage in combat. For example, you can have Astarion hide and then attack Gandrel from stealth to deal extra damage. If you have other party members with crowd control abilities, such as ShadowheartÔÇÖs Hold Person spell, you can use these to immobilize Gandrel and make the fight easier.
One important tip is to ensure that Astarion lands the killing blow on Gandrel. This is not strictly necessary for the story, but it reinforces AstarionÔÇÖs agency in the situation and can affect his approval of you. If you or another party member kills Gandrel, Astarion may react negatively, as he wants to be the one to eliminate the threat. Additionally, make sure to loot GandrelÔÇÖs body after the fight. He carries a unique item, the Gur HunterÔÇÖs Crossbow, which can be a valuable addition to your arsenal.
There are several considerations to keep in mind when making this decision. Letting Astarion kill Gandrel will increase his approval of you, as it shows that you trust him and are willing to support his desires. However, it also means that you are condoning his violent tendencies, which could have implications later in the game. AstarionÔÇÖs personal questline revolves around his struggle with his vampiric nature and his relationship with his master, Cazador. By allowing him to kill Gandrel, you are reinforcing his darker impulses, which could influence how his story unfolds.
On the other hand, if you choose to intervene and spare Gandrel, you may gain information about AstarionÔÇÖs past and the GurÔÇÖs mission. Gandrel can provide valuable insights into AstarionÔÇÖs backstory, and sparing him could lead to future encounters with the Gur. This choice may also affect AstarionÔÇÖs approval, as he may see it as a betrayal of his trust.
A common mistake to avoid is not considering the long-term consequences of your decision. While letting Astarion kill Gandrel may seem like the easiest option in the moment, itÔÇÖs important to think about how it aligns with your characterÔÇÖs moral compass and the overall story. If you are playing a character who values mercy and justice, sparing Gandrel may be more in line with your roleplay. Conversely, if you are playing a character who prioritizes loyalty to their companions, letting Astarion kill Gandrel may be the better choice.
In terms of advanced techniques, you can optimize the combat by using environmental factors to your advantage. The Sunlit Wetlands have areas with high ground, which can provide a tactical advantage in combat. Positioning your ranged characters, such as Astarion or Gale, on high ground can give them a better line of sight and increase their chances of hitting Gandrel. Additionally, you can use the terrain to block GandrelÔÇÖs movement and prevent him from reaching your more vulnerable party members.
From a D&D rules perspective, this encounter is a good example of how alignment and character motivations can influence gameplay. AstarionÔÇÖs alignment as a chaotic neutral character means that he is driven by self-interest and personal freedom. Allowing him to kill Gandrel aligns with his chaotic nature, while sparing Gandrel may push him towards a more neutral or even good alignment, depending on how you handle the situation. The encounter also highlights the importance of dialogue choices and their impact on companion relationships, a key mechanic in both BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 and traditional D&D gameplay.
In conclusion, the decision to let Astarion kill the Gur hunter, Gandrel, is a pivotal moment in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 that affects both AstarionÔÇÖs personal questline and your relationship with him. By understanding the mechanics, strategies, and implications of this choice, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your characterÔÇÖs values and the story you want to tell. Whether you choose to support AstarionÔÇÖs darker impulses or take a more merciful approach, the consequences of your decision will shape the narrative and your journey through the game.