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 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 a particularly strong opponent, so the fight should be manageable, especially if you have a well-balanced party.
One important tip is to ensure that Astarion is in your party when you meet Gandrel. If he is not present, you will not have the option to let him kill Gandrel, and the encounter will play out differently. Additionally, if you want to maximize AstarionÔÇÖs approval, letting him kill Gandrel is a good way to do so. Astarion appreciates being given the freedom to handle his own problems, and this decision will increase his approval of you. However, itÔÇÖs worth noting that this choice will also have consequences later in the game, particularly in Act 3 when you encounter the Gur again.
A common mistake to avoid is underestimating GandrelÔÇÖs abilities. While he is not the most challenging opponent, he can still pose a threat if you are not prepared. Make sure your party is well-equipped and that you have a good understanding of your abilities and spells before engaging in combat. Additionally, be mindful of the environment. The Sunlit Wetlands can be a tricky area to navigate, with uneven terrain and potential hazards, so positioning your party effectively is key.
From a roleplaying perspective, letting Astarion kill Gandrel aligns with his character and backstory. Astarion is a vampire spawn who has been under the control of his master, Cazador, for centuries. Allowing him to take control of his own fate and eliminate a threat to his freedom is a powerful moment for his character development. However, itÔÇÖs important to consider the moral implications of this decision. Gandrel is not inherently evil; he is simply doing his job, and killing him may weigh on your conscience, especially if you are playing a good-aligned character.
In terms of advanced techniques, you can use this encounter to further explore AstarionÔÇÖs abilities and combat style. Astarion is a rogue, so he excels in stealth and sneak attacks. Positioning him to get the drop on Gandrel can give you a significant advantage in combat. Additionally, using spells or abilities that incapacitate Gandrel, such as Sleep or Hold Person, can make the fight even easier. If you have other party members with crowd control abilities, such as Shadowheart or Gale, you can use them to support Astarion and ensure a quick victory.
From a D&D rules perspective, this encounter is a good example of how the game implements the 5th Edition rules. AstarionÔÇÖs sneak attack ability, for instance, is a core feature of the rogue class in D&D 5E, and it allows him to deal extra damage if he has advantage on the attack roll or if an ally is within 5 feet of the target. Understanding these mechanics can help you make the most of AstarionÔÇÖs abilities and ensure a successful outcome in combat.
In conclusion, letting Astarion kill the Gur hunter, Gandrel, is a significant decision that impacts both your relationship with Astarion and the overall story of BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3. By understanding the mechanics of the encounter, preparing your party, and considering the roleplaying implications, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your characterÔÇÖs values and goals. Whether you choose to let Astarion take control of his own fate or intervene to spare Gandrel, this moment is a key part of AstarionÔÇÖs personal questline and your journey through the 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 a particularly strong opponent, so the fight should be manageable, especially if you have a well-balanced party.
One important tip is to ensure that Astarion is in your party when you meet Gandrel. If he is not present, you will not have the option to let him kill Gandrel, and the encounter will play out differently. Additionally, if you want to maximize AstarionÔÇÖs approval, letting him kill Gandrel is a good way to do so. Astarion appreciates being given the freedom to handle his own problems, and this decision will increase his approval of you. However, itÔÇÖs worth noting that this choice will also have consequences later in the game, particularly in Act 3 when you encounter the Gur again.
A common mistake to avoid is underestimating GandrelÔÇÖs abilities. While he is not the most challenging opponent, he can still pose a threat if you are not prepared. Make sure your party is well-equipped and that you have a good understanding of your abilities and spells before engaging in combat. Additionally, be mindful of the environment. The Sunlit Wetlands can be a tricky area to navigate, with uneven terrain and potential hazards, so positioning your party effectively is key.
From a roleplaying perspective, letting Astarion kill Gandrel aligns with his character and backstory. Astarion is a vampire spawn who has been under the control of his master, Cazador, for centuries. Allowing him to take control of his own fate and eliminate a threat to his freedom is a powerful moment for his character development. However, itÔÇÖs important to consider the moral implications of this decision. Gandrel is not inherently evil; he is simply doing his job, and killing him may weigh on your conscience, especially if you are playing a good-aligned character.
In terms of advanced techniques, you can use this encounter to further explore AstarionÔÇÖs abilities and combat style. Astarion is a rogue, so he excels in stealth and sneak attacks. Positioning him to get the drop on Gandrel can give you a significant advantage in combat. Additionally, using spells or abilities that incapacitate Gandrel, such as Sleep or Hold Person, can make the fight even easier. If you have other party members with crowd control abilities, such as Shadowheart or Gale, you can use them to support Astarion and ensure a quick victory.
From a D&D rules perspective, this encounter is a good example of how the game implements the 5th Edition rules. AstarionÔÇÖs sneak attack ability, for instance, is a core feature of the rogue class in D&D 5E, and it allows him to deal extra damage if he has advantage on the attack roll or if an ally is within 5 feet of the target. Understanding these mechanics can help you make the most of AstarionÔÇÖs abilities and ensure a successful outcome in combat.
In conclusion, letting Astarion kill the Gur hunter, Gandrel, is a significant decision that impacts both your relationship with Astarion and the overall story of BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3. By understanding the mechanics of the encounter, preparing your party, and considering the roleplaying implications, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your characterÔÇÖs values and goals. Whether you choose to let Astarion take control of his own fate or intervene to spare Gandrel, this moment is a key part of AstarionÔÇÖs personal questline and your journey through the game.