Who is Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3? Our guide provides comprehensive information on this attractive High Elf and his dark past as a vampire. As a Rogue, Astarion has various options for sneaking around the battlefield and attacking enemies with daggers, shortswords, bows, and magic.
To fully understand the companions in Baldur’s Gate 3 and make the most of the game’s strategic D&D combat, it’s important to have knowledge of all the available characters. Among them, Astarion, a handsome and emotionally complex vampire, is perhaps the most famous. Here’s what you need to know about recruiting Astarion into your party.
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How to recruit Astarion
After completing the prologue quest “Escape the Nautiloid,” you will find yourself on Ravaged Beach. Astarion will call for help in the west. When you approach him, he will attempt to attack you. However, the mind flayer’s worm will connect the two of you. He will then apologize and join your party.
Astarion attributes, starting equipment, and skills
Astarion, with his well-balanced stats and high dexterity, 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 possesses 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 can make great use of his stealth skill, as well as acrobatics and sleight of hand. However, his deception and persuasion skills are based on his average charisma stat, so it might be better to rely on another party member for those skills.
Astarion companion quest
Astarion’s companion quest, “The Pale Elf,” will automatically begin when he joins your party. This quest progresses through resting at a campsite and traveling together. Spoilers lie ahead.
During this quest, you will learn that Astarion is a vampire who is fleeing from a vampire lord named Cazador Szarr. Astarion tries to bite you one night, leading to an encounter with a monster hunter named Gandrel in the Sunlit Wetlands. The outcome of this confrontation can vary, including Astarion’s death.
To progress his quest, you must kill the monster hunter, as Astarion believes he was sent by Cazador. This will conclude the Chapter One questline and reveal to you that Cazador has carved poetry onto Astarion’s back in the Infernal language. Astarion warns that he may not be able to resist Cazador’s orders if they were to meet again.
Astarion approval guide
Astarion is both flirty and sarcastic. To gain his approval, it’s best to support him when his vampire nature is revealed to the party, allowing him to drink your blood and the blood of enemies you have slain. However, unlike other party members, helping Astarion won’t result in disapproval as long as you ask for compensation before assisting him.
Disapproval from Astarion comes when you help fellow party member Wyll with the refugees in Druid Grove or express interest in removing the Tadpole from your head at any cost.
How Astarion gains inspiration
Inspiration points can be earned by both your character and companions based on your background. These points can be used to reroll ability checks during important moments.
Astarion has the Noble background, which means that actions related to a life of luxury will earn your party an inspiration point. This includes hoarding over 2,000 gold, hiring ogres as bodyguards, and acquiring a rare Soul Coin. Keep in mind that Astarion prefers to have someone else do the work to keep valuable inspiration points on hand, as he is a hedonistic vampire.
How to romance Astarion
If you want to initiate a romance with Astarion, ensure that you have a high enough approval rating with him.
During a specific dialogue sequence about a celebration, navigate the options without contradicting Astarion’s statements. Various choices can lead to romantic encounters with the vampire, including possible proficiency checks. You can even make him say please and call you a cheeky little pup. Afterward, when you approach your bedroll, you’ll have the option to choose who you want to share a bed with.
Astarion will emerge from the moonlight shirtless. Agree to spend the night with him to start the romance.
By following these tips for Astarion, you’ll have an easier time progressing through Baldur’s Gate 3’s first act. If you want to use Astarion as your Rogue and explore other classes for your own character, be sure to check out our BG3 races guide, which details their bonuses and available skills. Additionally, we have a comprehensive list of BG3 feats that can give you an idea of the character you want to build alongside Astarion.