So, you are wandering the complex world of Baldur’s Gate 3 and want to know more about the dashing (and perhaps a tad bit dangerous) High Elf named Astarion? This guide will explain the mysteries behind that blood-sucking rogue with the striking looks. Whether you’re curious about his sneaky battlefield moves, his intriguing backstory, or want to ensure he doesn’t try any funny business (like maybe trying to bite you), we’ve got you covered.
How to Recruit Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3
You don’t have to wait long if you’re itching to add Astarion to your squad. After you get through the game’s wild prologue (the Escape the Nautiloid quest, and trust me, it’s quite the roller-coaster ride!), you’ll be teleported to Ravaged Beach. Picture this: sand, sea, and a sly High Elf who needs some help.
Before you stroll over and extend a helping hand, be warned: Mr. Astarion has a flair for the dramatic. The moment you go to him, he’ll make an instead… daring attempt to smother you. But, the mind flayer’s worm in your head comes into play, connecting the two of you in a way neither of you expected. So, instead of being enemies, you’ve got this shared weird brain thing going on. After this close encounter with the Elven kind, Astarion will swiftly make amends, giving you a quick “my bad,” and then, just like that, he’s in your team.
Character Profile: Stats, Equipment, and Skills
If we’re going to journey together, it’s good to know what our blood-thirsty (literally) elf brings to the table.
Stats
To start with, let’s talk about the character numbers. Astarion has:
- Strength: 8 (Not his strongest suit. See what I did there?)
- Dexterity: 17 (Super nimble. Makes sense for a Rogue!)
- Constitution: 14 (He’s got some staying power.)
- Intelligence: 13 (Fairly sharp, if I do say so.)
- Wisdom: 13 (He’s more than just a pretty face.)
- Charisma: 10 (He’s got his moments.)
Gear
For his equipment, this NPC rocks a:
- Shortbow (for those long-range nuisances),
- Dagger (you never know when you’ll need a quick stab),
- Padded Armor (comfort and protection, a win-win!) and some striking
- Leather Boots (for sneaking and style)
Skills
Beyond his gear, Astarion’s got a bag of tricks – or, should I say, skills?
- Acrobatics: Perfect for those “I didn’t mean to fall” moments.
- Deception: Handy if you’re trying to… bend the truth slightly.
- History: Surprisingly, he’s a bit of a scholar.
- Perception: Nothing gets past him, well, almost nothing.
- Persuasion: When he turns on the charm… it kind of works.
- Sleight of Hand: Quick fingers, great for “borrowing” items.
- Stealth: He’s like a shadow in the night – silent but deadly.
So, that’s Astarion in a nutshell. Remember that he’s a Rogue with style, skills, and a little sass. Keep him close; he’ll be your sneaky ace in the hole.
Astarion’s Quest: The Pale Elf
If you thought Astarion’s surprise throat-slitting greeting was a shocker, wait until you start his quest, “The Pale Elf.” Now, once Astarion is your buddy, this quest will take place. You don’t need to do much; it happens naturally as you go on your adventure. A lot of the action takes place when you kick back and rest at your campsite, but some other bits are sprinkled throughout your journey.
Remember when I mentioned Astarion has a blood-sucking past? Yes, he’s a vampire, but not just any vampire. He’s on the run from the vampire lord named Cazador Szarr. And just when you thought camping nights were for marshmallows and ghost stories, Astarion will try to sneak a nibble during one of your evening’s rests.
But things escalate when the Gandrel, a monster hunter with a vendetta, shows up in the Sunlit Wetlands. This isn’t your typical “hello, nice to meet you” encounter. Nope, there’s drama, tension, and a face-off that could end really badly for our elven vampire friend.
To move things along, you’ll have to deal with Gandrel. And here’s a hint: Astarion thinks the hunter was sent by his old enemy, Cazador. As the first chapter of this quest wraps up, you’ll discover a dark secret: Cazador left a poetic mark on Astarion, etched on his back in the Infernal language. The real kicker is that Astarion may not be able to resist Cazador’s commands if their paths cross again.
How to Get Astarion Approval to Make Him Your Companion
If you’re aiming to get on Astarion’s good side (and honestly, with his background, you probably should), here’s the rundown on gaining – and losing – his approval.
The Do’s:
- This guy loves a good flirt. Astarion is both cheeky and sarcastic, so don’t be afraid to match his energy.
- When his big “I drink blood for breakfast” secret comes out in the form of a vampire, be understanding. Maybe even offer a sip of your blood (consensually, of course). It sounds a bit weird, I know, but it works.
- He’s not good enough to help others. If you’re assisting someone out, make sure there’s something in it for you.
The Don’ts:
- If you’re siding with Wyll to help the refugees in Druid Grove, Astarion isn’t a fan of that.
- Sounding desperate to get rid of the Tadpole in your noggin? He’s not on board with that.
Inspiration Mechanic: How Astarion Gains Inspiration
In BG3, Inspiration Points can turn the tide of a sticky situation. Imagine you flub an important ability check… and then BAM! Use an Inspiration Point, and you get a redo. Now, every companion has their own flavor of what inspires them. For our favorite elf-vamp, Astarion, it’s all about that high life. Let’s break it down:
- Astarion’s got a taste for the finer things. Accumulate a whopping 2000 gold, and you’ll earn an Inspiration Point because nothing says “inspiration” like a heavy coin purse.
- Ever thought of hiring an ogre as a bodyguard? Well, for Astarion, this screams luxury. Do it, and another point in the bag.
- Nab one of these, and Astarion will be impressed a lot. It’s like giving him a limited edition, super-exclusive collector’s item.
Remember, Astarion is all about luxury and leisure, and this character doesn’t like to do the work by himself. Play into his noble and slightly decadent background; you’ll keep those valuable Inspiration Points flowing.
Astarion Character Build
Whether you’re a min-maxed or want to ensure that Astarion’s living up to his full potential, here are some crucial details. Once Astarion hits level 3, you’ve got a decision to make. Do you fancy him dabbling in magic as an Arcane Trickster? Or would you prefer him lurking in the shadows, striking when least expected as a Thief? Here’s a hint: Given that our friend doesn’t have a high level in the intelligence department, you might want to lean toward the Thief.
Now, if you’re set on the Arcane Trickster route, there’s a cheeky workaround: the Warped Headband of Intellect. Choose this option and watch the stat points soar to an 18. Still, even with that boost, the Thief class might be the better choice. As a Thief, Astarion gets the feature called “Fast Hands.” In layman’s terms? His off-hand weapon allows him to deal two hits at a time. At level 4, collect Dual Wielder feat. With this in your toolkit, Astarion can dance around the battlefield, twirling two short blades alongside his valuable sneak attacks.
For most of your gameplay, especially in that meaty first act, having Astarion focus on stealth and sneak attacks is the way to go. Don’t forget to glance over our other BG3 guides given below.
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