by theygamesHow do you use Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3? Our comprehensive guide on this handsome High Elf with a blood-suckingly dark past will make sure he pulls his weight on your Baldur’s Gate 3 adventure. As a Rogue, Astarion has plenty of options when it comes to sneaking around the battlefield, sneak striking bandits and spiders with daggers, shortswords, bows, and even magic if you so choose.
Be sure to check out our detailed guide for all playable Baldur’s Gate 3 classes to get a more in-depth look at the Rogue class, and while you’re at it, our comprehensive list of feats will give you a good idea of what kind of character you might want to build alongside Astarion. Having comprehensive knowledge of all five companions will make sure Baldur’s Gate 3’s deep, strategic D&D based combat doesn’t run away from you like a cowardly goblin.
How to recruit Astarion
You’ll find Astarion pretty early in Baldur’s Gate 3 – he’s hard to miss. After the prologue (the Escape the Nautiloid quest), you’ll find yourself on Ravaged Beach. To the west, Astarion will call for aid. When you approach, he will try to slit your throat. Before he can do so, however, the mind flayer’s worm will connect the two of you. He’ll quickly apologise and join your small party.
Astarion attributes, starting equipment, and skills
With these well-balanced stats and high dexterity, Astarion truly excels as a stealthy Rogue.
Here are Astarion’s stats:
- Strength: 8
- Dexterity: 17
- Constitution: 14
- Intelligence: 13
- Wisdom: 13
- Charisma: 10
Here is Astarion’s starting equipment:
- Shortbow
- Dagger
- Padded Armor
- Leather Boots
He also comes primed with a variety of skills that benefit his class.
Here are Astarion’s skills:
- Acrobatics
- Deception
- History
- Perception
- Persuasion
- Sleight of Hand
- Stealth
With his high dexterity, Astarion will be able to make great use of his stealth skill for your party, as well as acrobatics and sleight of hand. However, deception and persuasion are based off of his mediocre charisma stat; it might be wise to rely on someone else in your party for these skills.
Astarion companion quest
Astarion’s companion quest – The Pale Elf – will automatically trigger when he joins your party. For the most part, this quest will progress when resting at a campsite or naturally through travelling together. Be warned, spoilers are ahead.
During this quest, you will learn that Astarion is a vampire fleeing from a vampire lord named Cazador Szarr after he tries to take a bite out of you during an evening respite. Eventually, a monster hunter named Gandrel will come for Astarion in the Sunlit Wetlands. This confrontation has several outcomes, including Astarion’s demise.
To progress his quest, you must kill the monster hunter, which Astarion believes was sent by his Cazador. This will conclude the Chapter One questline when he reveals to you that Cazador carved poetry onto his back written in the Infernal language, and that he might not be able to refuse orders from Cazador should they meet again.
Astarion approval guide
Equal parts flirty and sarcastic, the best way to gain Astarion’s approval is to support him when he is revealed to the party as a vampire, allowing him to drink your blood and the blood of your slain enemies. Yes, really. He isn’t particularly keen on helping others, but unlike other party members, doing so will not often net disapproval – if you make sure to ask for compensation before coming to the rescue, that is.
Major points of disapproval come from helping fellow party member Wyll with the refugees in the Druid Grove, or expressing interest in removing the Tadpole from within your head at any cost. For more detailed approval choices, be sure to check out Fextralife’s comprehensive list.
How Astarion gains inspiration
Inspiration points can be gained by both your own character and your companions based on your background. These points then can be used to reroll ability checks during key moments.
Astarion has the Noble background, which means actions that pertain to a life of luxury will net your party an inspiration point. This includes hoarding over 2000 gold, hiring ogres as bodyguards, and acquiring a rare Soul Coin. In short, keep in mind that this roguish vampire is a bit hedonistic and would prefer someone else do the work for him to keep valuable inspiration points on hand.
Astarion romance
Astarion is generally pretty flirtatious, but the first real opportunity you have to get romantic comes after you rescue the druid Halsin, during the celebration event at the camp. He bemoans the lack of ‘excitement’ on offer, and directly propositions you for ‘a night of passion’. Accept, and you can choose to spend the evening with him after clicking on your bedroll. Unfortunately, for now, there isn’t a saucy scene to watch – instead you get a placeholder image with a disapproving mind flayer glaring at you above the words ‘Under Construction’. Bit of a mood killer, sorry.
The dialogue options still show up, though, and you’ll be able to choose whether to trust Astarion not to bite you, or bare your neck to him. What a dilemma.
Astarion build guide
As a Rogue, Astarion will have to choose between becoming an Arcane Trickster or Thief when reaching level 3, which is where you will have to make difficult build decisions. Arcane Tricksters utilise basic magic spells, whereas the Thief class focuses on dealing quite a lot of damage from the shadows. As Astarion’s Intelligence isn’t very high, we recommend making him a Thief unless you plan to use Warped Headband of Intellect to buff it up to 18.
Even then, a Thief build is more powerful for Astarion. He gains Fast Hands, which gives him an additional bonus action, which can be used to attack twice with an offhand weapon. You’ll want to choose the Dual Wielder feat at level 4 to ensure you can make the most of these attacks. For most of the first chapter, you’ll want Astarion to wield two shortswords or rapiers and sneak attack as much as possible.
With these tips in mind for Astarion, you’ll have an easier time getting through Baldur’s Gate 3’s lengthy first act. If you’re keen on using Astarion as your Rogue and want to look at a different class or two for your own character, be sure to check out our BG3 races guide which details their bonuses, as well as all of the skills available.