Our comprehensive Baldur’s Gate 3 companion guide reveals where to recruit Astarion, as well as his romance, approval, best subclass, and all stats for this handsome vampire, high-elf.
Astarion is a companion character in Baldur’s Gate 3 game, developed by Larian Studios. This handsome Rogue cursed with vampirism but not a full-fledged vampire, plays a significant role in the game’s story and can be recruited by the player as a companion. Throughout the game, you can interact with Astarion, learn about his past, and form a bond with him.
Deservedly, Astarion is one of the best and most popular companions in Baldur’s Gate 3, he is a complex and interesting character and a valuable addition to any party. He can provide both combat and utility. This comprehensive guide explains his background, abilities, and skills. You’ll learn where to find him and how to gain high approval, which can eventually lead to a romance.
Who is Astarion?
Astarion is a High Elf Rogue with a charismatic personality and charming vampire attitude that makes it hard to believe how shady and complex his life was before. He has been a vampire spawn for years, and only recently, walks in the daylight, free from his sadistic vampire lord. He escaped and now seeks to find a new place in the world and tries to outrun his dark past. As a result, he can be also manipulative and self-serving. Quick to lie and deceive in order to get what he wants.
Here are all of Astarion’s features, unique skills, and abilities in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Class: Rogue
- Race: High Elf
- Background: Noble
- Best Build: Rogue, Assassin, Dual Rapiers Melee Build
- Origin Charcter: Yes
- Romance: Yes
- Recruit Location: Ravaged Beach next to the crashed Nautiloid ship, Act 1, Escape the Nautiloid Quest
- Unique Abilities: Cunning Action, Expertise, Sneak Attack, Darkvision, Vampiric Bite
- Base Ability Scores:
- Strength – 8
- Dexterity – 17
- Constitution – 14
- Intelligence – 13
- Wisdom – 13
- Charisma – 10
- Base Proficiencies: Acrobatics, Deception, History, Perception, Persuasion, Sleight of Hand, Stealth
Read on our companion guide to learn more about Astarion romance, best subclass, recommended equipment, stats, and Approval in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Astarion Location in Baldur’s Gate 3
To recruit Astarion, you must locate and approach him near the Nautiloid ship crash, where you land on the Ravaged Beach. He will be calling for help, but it’s a trap! Upon your approach, Astarion will attempt to slit your throat. Yet, then, the mind-flayer parasites will connect your brain with Astarion’s and that will change everything. He will let you go, apologize and agree to join your party. However, it’ll only convince him that you are on the same team, seeking help, but a journey to gain his trust and friendship has only just begun.
How to Recruit Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3 and Where to Find Him?
To find and recruit Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3 you must complete the following steps:
- Start the game and complete the Prologue on the Nautiloid ship.
- Survive the Nautiloid crash and wake up on the Ravaged Beach
- Head to the west of the Ravaged Beach. (Location marked on the map above)
- Find Astarion and interact with him.
- Pass the skill checks to convince him that you are not the enemy and that you both need a healer.
- The mind-flayer parasites will connect your brains and he will want to join your party.
- During Dialogue with Astarion, select the option “You should travel with me…”
- He will accept your offer and join your party.
- Recruit Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3.
He can join your active party or if it’s full he will return to the camp, and wait for you there. You can always visit your camp to rest, interact with your companions and swap out the party combination.
What is the Best Build and Gear for Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3?
The best build for Astarion is the Thief subclass, fantastic for almost any party combination, taking on the role of a typical rogue thief companion. Astarion is a master of deception and disguise. He can easily blend in with any crowd, and he is always one step ahead of his enemies. He is also a skilled fighter, and he can use his vampiric abilities to his advantage in combat. You can successfully build Astarion as a melee and range damage dealer with dual rapiers or Light Crossbow for ranged build.
Companions have their classes, abilities, and statistics, making each unique. After recruiting them, they will match your power, and simultaneously gain new levels. You can equip gear for your companions and advance them however you like and what type of party you wish to build. When creating Astarion’s build in Baldur’s Gate 3, you should pick the thief subclass at level 3 and focus on Dexterity and Constitution. In short, the first statistic will give him more damage and also will help him avoid being hit. Because Astarion is the best as a dual-wielding Rogue in the middle of the battlefield you’ll need extra health points just in case something will go wrong.
Always try to hide when playing Astarion, it’s a bonus action that you can perform after a successful attack. When you deal damage from the shadows you’ll deal more decent hits and critical hits. Also, don’t forget to use Fast Hands to gain a bonus action. You will get the best results with Potion of Speed, which allows Astarion to attack multiple times and get many critical powerful hits on your enemies.
Astarion starts with Shortbow, a Dagger, Padded Armour, and Leather Boots but you will want to replace those as soon as possible to get better combat effectiveness. Upgrade his gear with the best you can find rapiers or shortswords, and light armor for example Spidersilk Armour that can be looted from Minthara’s body. At level 4 pick Dual Wielder feat to be able to fight with two melee weapons.
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Astarion’s Background and Inspiration Points
Astarion has a Noble background and will gain inspiration during specific events with defined outcomes. Companions’ backgrounds and Inspiration Points work similarly to players. When Astarion embodies actions that align with his origin, your companion becomes inspired. These inspiration points allow you to reroll dice during skill checks, and you can accumulate up to four points. Any additional inspiration earned beyond this limit grants you experience points. Also, if your protagonist also has a Noble background you’ll get inspiration from the same sources.
In Baldur’s Gate 3 Astarion can gain Inspiration by doing the following:
- Lest Ye Be Judged – Learn about Astarion’s past as a magistrate.
- Noblesse Oblige – Dismiss any companion for interrupting a conversation.
- Protector Of The Duke – Rescue Counsellor Florrick from the burning inn.
How to Get and Increase Astarion Approval? – Astarion Approval Guide
Astarion is a valuable asset to any party, but he can also be a liability. He is not afraid to put his own interests ahead of the party’s, and he can be quite manipulative. However, if he is treated with respect and trust, Astarion can be a loyal and valuable companion. The first and most important moment when he will truly start trusting you is your party learns he’s a vampire, and you will support him. Stand on his side, and convince all your companions that Astarion is part of the team to gain a big approval bonus from him.
To get and increase Astarion’s approval allow him to drink the blood of your enemies or even from yourself. Additionally, he loves innocent flirts and sarcasm, so play those games with him and you’ll get along just well. Generally, Astarion doesn’t mind whether your decisions are good or bad, but he will appreciate it if you ask for compensation when coming to the rescue.
For Example, in the Underdark, Myconid Colony, you can steal the boots from Tulla, a wounded and dying woman. Or kiss a Goblin’s (Novice Crusher) foot just to steal his ring, in the Goblin Camp. On the other hand, if you agree to help Karlach, you will gain his approval. In general, this companion likes chaos and if you will create it, he will be pleased. Full list of Astarion approval you can find on wiki.fextralife.
Astarion Companion Quest Guide
To progress through Companion Questiline in Baldur’s Gate 3 interact with Astarion often, especially in the camp during the many rests you’ll probably take. It will trigger naturally a series of cutscenes so you won’t miss anything from his story. In the early access, we don’t have the full story and conclusion of Astarion’s questline, however, we can learn a lot about his past. Spoilers ahead in this section! (Astarion companion quest guide)
Astarion is a vampire spawn on the run from his master, Cazador Szarr. One night, in the camp, after the long rest, he will attempt to bite you. However, the mind flayer’s tadpole in your head creates a connection between both of you, leading him to apologize. He discloses that Cazador is after him and will seek your aid. At certain staps if you agree to help him you may gain some approval from him.
Later, in the Sunlit Wetlands, a monster hunter named Gandrel tracks down Astarion. You have the option to assist Astarion in defeating Gandrel or let Gandrel kill Astarion. If you choose to help your companion, he reveals that Cazador engraved poetry in the Infernal language onto his back, making it difficult for him to resist Cazador’s orders should they cross paths again. All he wants is to be free from his master and admits that he will never forget what that vampire did to him. This marks the completion of Astarion’s Act One questline.
What awaits you in the following chapters of the game? If you have high approval and Astarion trusts your protagonist, he will share his future plans and desires. He wants to become a “True” vampire and start his own Coven. But to achieve his goals and become the “true vampire” he must drink the blood of his master.
How to Start a Romance With Astarion?
In short to romance Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3, you must have high approval with him and interact often to reach a certain point in the Act 1 questline. But how hard can it be to romance a vampire? Well, it depends. He is nothing like the blood-suckers you know from other games, and becoming his friend can be a fantastic journey. In the full version of the game, you’ll be able to fully appreciate the story and his romance, but for now, in the early access, there is only one way, a short episode, when you can be close to Astarion. Spoilers ahead in this section! (How to Start a Romance with Astarion?)
Firstly, rescue the Druid Halsin and complete the Save the Refugees Quest. After that, during the final celebration at the camp, you can approach Astarion to start a romance. Endure his statement about the party and its guests without challenging his opinions. During the conversation, you’ll be able to pass multiple checks that will lead to the love scene. Some of the outcomes, and dialogue results may be funny other sweet, so you can save before you start interacting with him and experiment with different choices.
When you both agree to the plans, interact with your bedroll to start a shirtless Astarion cutscene and confirm the romance with him. In the morning, you’ll be able to have one more conversation with him. If you managed to convince more than one companion to share a bed with you that night upon approaching the bedroll you’ll be able to choose among your options.
Now that we explained Astarion romance, approval, best subclass, stats, and how to locate and recruit this fascinating companion character in our Baldur’s Gate 3 Guide. Let’s ask the final question, should you choose Astarion as your companion?
Why Should You Choose Astarion Companion in Baldur’s Gate 3?
If you are looking for a companion who is charming, charismatic, and dangerous, then Astarion is the perfect choice for you. However, be warned that he will always put his own interests first. Also, if you play as a good protagonist it may be hard to get a high approval from him. Similarly, if you plan to start a steamy romance with this companion it’s best to focus on pleasing him during the playthrough and prioritize choices that will increase Astarion’s approval.
Thanks to his stats, he is a fantastic companion to help you open locked chests, and doors, and sneak into secured areas. For example, if you play as a Bard, while you’ll be performing for crowds, Astarion can easily sneak around and steal valuables from the distracted audience. He will be less useful if you or a different party member is a rogue or ranger with Stealth, Sleight of Hand skills, and high Dexterity score.
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