In the world of Baldur’s Gate 3, few companions are as captivating and enigmatic as Astarion, the charming vampire spawn with a dark past. As players navigate the treacherous landscapes following the crash of the Nautiloid, the opportunity to recruit this rogue presents itself early on, but not without its challenges. Will you be able to charm him into joining your quest, or will his sinister nature lead to your demise? Discover the essential steps to secure Astarion’s allegiance and uncover the secrets that lie beneath his alluring facade.
How to recruit Astarion in Act 1?
To recruit Astarion in Act 1 of Baldur’s Gate 3, you need to find him shortly after completing the prologue aboard the Nautiloid ship. Upon landing on Ravaged Beach, head west towards the wreckage where Astarion will be calling for help. However, this is a trap; as you approach, he will attempt to attack you. It’s crucial not to retaliate during this encounter, as doing so can lead to his death, making recruitment impossible. Instead, allow the mind-flayer parasites to connect your minds, prompting Astarion to apologize and offer to join your party. To finalize his recruitment, simply choose the dialogue option inviting him to travel with you. If your active party is full, he will wait at your camp until you’re ready to include him.
- You can encounter and recruit Astarion soon after the beginning of Act 1 i.e. after appearing on the beach following the crash of Nautiloid.
- Explore the area west from Overgrown Ruins. A cut-scene should be initiated where the Elf attempts to outsmart the protagonist. You can either set off in pursuit of the alleged monster or stay put.
- Astarion may knock you to the ground if you followed the elf’s order and failed the passive perception test. This is associated with the possibility of taking one of the skill tests (e.g. dexterity, strength, hand-to-hand combat, in order to free oneself faster.
- During the meeting with Astarion, a mind link will occur. Through this, the elf will realize that he is in the exact same situation as the hero and his attitude will change to more friendly.
- In the final part of the conversation, you can either ask Astarion to join the party right away, or send him to Camp. Don’t choose the dialogue option to part ways permanently.
How to gain approval of the elf?
To gain the approval of Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3, players should align their actions with his morally ambiguous worldview. This can be achieved by making choices that resonate with his character, such as aiding goblins in attacking the Druid Grove or displaying sarcasm during conversations with NPCs. Additionally, allowing Astarion to feed on both the protagonist and enemies will further endear him to you. Engaging in a romantic relationship with him is also an option, appealing to both male and female characters, which can deepen your bond and enhance his loyalty within the party.
You can curry favor with Astarion thanks to:
- making decisions according to his worldview e.g. help goblins attack the Druid Grove.
- being sarcastic in conversations with NPCs;
- allowing him to feed on the protagonist and enemies.
Romancing Astarion is possible, and is available to both genders. We described the romance in a separate chapter of the guide.
Astarion – best stats
Astarion is a formidable companion in Baldur’s Gate 3, known for his exceptional stats that enhance his effectiveness in various roles within a party. As a High Elf Rogue and vampire spawn, he boasts high Dexterity, which significantly boosts his stealth and attack capabilities. His skill proficiencies include Stealth and Sleight of Hand, allowing him to excel in sneaking and lock-picking, making him invaluable for exploration and combat. Additionally, Astarion’s Charisma enhances his ability to manipulate and deceive others, which can be crucial during social interactions. With a unique blend of combat prowess and utility skills, Astarion stands out as one of the best companions to recruit early in the game, providing both charm and lethal efficiency to any adventuring party.
Astarion is a maleHigh Elf. Additionally, he is a vampire, with skills like vampiric bite that allows him to feed on his victims. Astarion doesn’t have to hide from the sun, but he cannot come in contact with water – more on this on a dedicated page (Why waters harm Astarion?).
The elf is a Rogue, which makes him a good candidate for stealth actions and ambushes.
His base statistics are as follows:
- Strength – 8
- Dexterity – 17
- Constitution- 14
- Intelligence – 13
- Wisdom – 13
- Charisma – 10
What are Astarion’s best skills and abilities
Astarion, a High Elf Rogue in Baldur’s Gate 3, boasts a unique blend of skills and abilities that make him a formidable companion. Here are his standout attributes:
Key Skills and Abilities
- Sleight of Hand: Astarion excels in this skill, allowing him to pickpocket and manipulate objects with ease, making him invaluable for acquiring loot and disarming traps.
- Stealth: With a high Dexterity score, Astarion is adept at sneaking around enemies, enabling him to execute powerful sneak attacks and remain undetected in combat situations.
- Perception: This skill enhances his ability to spot hidden items and traps, which is crucial for exploration and avoiding ambushes.
- Deception: Astarion’s proficiency in deception allows him to manipulate conversations and gain advantages in social interactions, although his lower Charisma may limit effectiveness in some scenarios.
- Sneak Attack: This core Rogue ability lets Astarion deal extra damage when he has advantage on an attack or when an ally is nearby, significantly boosting his combat effectiveness.
- Vampire Bite: Unique to Astarion, this ability allows him to heal himself while dealing damage to enemies without breaking stealth, adding a strategic layer to his gameplay.
- Supreme Sneak: At level 9, he gains the ability to become completely invisible for short durations, enhancing his stealth capabilities even further.
Ability Scores
Astarion’s starting ability scores support his role as a stealthy attacker:
- Strength: 8
- Dexterity: 17 (primary stat for attacks and stealth)
- Constitution: 14
- Intelligence: 13
- Wisdom: 13
- Charisma: 10
These attributes make him particularly well-suited for roles that require agility and cunning, allowing players to leverage his skills effectively throughout their adventure.
What are the best equipment items for Astarion
Astarion, the charming and cunning Rogue in Baldur’s Gate 3, benefits greatly from specific equipment that enhances his stealth and combat capabilities. Here are some of the best items to equip him for both melee and ranged combat:
Best Equipment for Astarion
Armor
- Spidersilk Armor: This light armor provides a +1 bonus to Stealth checks and Advantage on Constitution saving throws, making it ideal for maintaining stealth while concentrating on spells or abilities.
- Yuan-ti Scale Mail: Although medium armor, it allows Astarion to apply his full Dexterity modifier to his Armor Class without imposing disadvantage on Stealth checks. It also grants a +1 to initiative rolls, helping him act sooner in combat.
Weapons
- Rapiers: As finesse weapons, rapiers allow Astarion to use his high Dexterity for attack rolls. They are excellent choices for melee combat, especially when dual-wielded.
- Longbow or Heavy Crossbow: For ranged attacks, a high-quality longbow or heavy crossbow is essential. These weapons provide better damage output and range, allowing Astarion to strike from a distance effectively.
- Crimson Mischief: This legendary shortsword deals both piercing and necrotic damage and has abilities that enhance damage against weakened foes, making it a powerful option for melee encounters.
Accessories
- Gloves of Dexterity: These gloves increase Astarion’s Dexterity to 18 and provide a +1 bonus to attack rolls, significantly enhancing his combat effectiveness early in the game.
- Gloves of Power: Offering a +1 bonus to Sleight of Hand checks and additional damage penalties with melee hits, these gloves are great for boosting Astarion’s thieving capabilities.
- Covert Cowl: This helmet increases critical hit chances, making it a valuable addition for maximizing damage output during stealth attacks.
Magic Items
- Deathstalker Mantle: Available in specific campaigns, this item grants invisibility after defeating an enemy, perfectly complementing Astarion’s playstyle focused on sneak attacks.
Equipping Astarion with these items will enhance his ability to deal damage while remaining undetected, making him an invaluable asset in any party.
