How to Become a Vampire in Baldur’s Gate 3
The allure of becoming a creature of the night, imbued with incredible power and cursed with eternal thirst, is a strong draw for many players of Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3). While a full vampire transformation isn’t directly achievable for your player character (with a few specific exceptions and caveats), you can certainly embrace aspects of vampirism and gain significant benefits. In short, you become a partial vampire by embracing Astarion’s vampiric nature and allowing him to bite you, leading to the acquisition of the “Happy” status effect. However, the story around vampirism is deep, complex, and far more intricate than simply getting a quick bite.
The Path to Partial Vampirism and its Implications
The Astarion Connection
The primary route to experiencing vampirism in BG3 involves the character Astarion, a High Elf Rogue companion you encounter early in the game. Astarion is a vampire spawn, meaning he’s not a full vampire, but possesses many vampiric traits, including a thirst for blood, vulnerability to sunlight, and enhanced strength and speed.
The first step is to recruit Astarion to your party. As you travel with him, he will eventually reveal his nature. The crucial decision point arises when Astarion attempts to bite you in your sleep. You have a few options:
- Allow Astarion to bite you: This is the path towards the “Happy” status. After the initial bite, you can periodically allow Astarion to feed on you.
- Refuse Astarion: This will impact your relationship with him, potentially causing him to leave the party or become hostile.
- Attempt to stake him: This is a permanent decision to remove Astarion from your party.
Understanding “Happy” and Its Benefits
If you choose to allow Astarion to bite you (with a persuasion check if needed initially), you’ll gain the “Happy” status effect. This status effect grants you +1 to all Attack Rolls, Saving Throws, and Ability Checks. It’s a significant buff, making your character substantially more effective in combat and during skill checks.
The “Happy” condition remains active as long as Astarion is well-fed, meaning he regularly consumes blood. If he becomes too hungry, you will lose the benefits. The frequency with which you must allow him to feed depends on various factors in the story and how you handle Astarion’s personal quest.
Beyond “Happy”: Astarion’s Ascension
A more profound transformation becomes possible if you pursue Astarion’s personal questline to its conclusion. Without giving away major spoilers, Astarion has the potential to ascend and become a full vampire. This choice has significant consequences for him, your party, and the world around you.
- For Astarion: Ascension grants him immense power, but also amplifies his negative traits and forces him to make difficult choices.
- For You: Whether Astarion ascends or not will influence your relationship with him and can have ripple effects on your gameplay experience. A fully ascended Astarion will have new abilities that you may be able to benefit from via party buffs or similar interactions.
Important Note: Even if Astarion ascends, you, as the player character, do not become a full vampire. You remain in a state of partial vampirism due to the “Happy” status or through passive benefits gained via being in Astarion’s party.
Dealing with the Downsides
While the benefits of the “Happy” condition are enticing, there are also drawbacks to consider.
- Negative Approval: Some companions will disapprove of you allowing Astarion to feed. This can impact your relationship with those characters and potentially lead to them leaving your party. Consider your party composition and prioritize relationships accordingly.
- Moral Implications: Allowing a vampire to feed on you might not align with your character’s moral compass. This can lead to internal conflict and influence your roleplaying decisions.
- Dependency: The “Happy” status effect is reliant on Astarion’s well-being. If Astarion is incapacitated or leaves the party, you lose the buff.
FAQs about Vampirism in Baldur’s Gate 3
H3 Can my character become a full vampire in BG3?
No, your player character cannot become a full, traditional vampire in Baldur’s Gate 3. You can, however, experience elements of vampirism through your relationship with Astarion and the “Happy” status effect.
H3 What happens if I refuse to let Astarion bite me?
Refusing Astarion can have a negative impact on your relationship with him. He may become distrustful, resentful, or even leave the party. However, it’s a valid roleplaying choice if your character opposes vampirism.
H3 Does sunlight affect my character if Astarion bites me?
No, obtaining the “Happy” status effect from Astarion does not make you vulnerable to sunlight. That limitation applies to Astarion himself, not to those he feeds upon.
H3 How often does Astarion need to feed for me to keep the “Happy” buff?
The frequency varies depending on Astarion’s hunger level and story progression. You’ll usually receive a notification when Astarion is hungry and the “Happy” effect is at risk.
H3 Can other companions become vampires or vampire spawn?
No, other origin characters cannot become vampires or vampire spawn in the same way that Astarion is already afflicted.
H3 Is there a cure for vampirism in BG3?
There is no direct “cure” for Astarion’s vampirism. However, his personal questline allows him to embrace or reject his nature, ultimately shaping his destiny.
H3 Can I play as Astarion?
Yes, Astarion is an origin character. You can choose him as your starting character and experience the game from his perspective, embracing his vampiric nature from the outset.
H3 What happens if Astarion dies? Do I lose the benefits?
If Astarion dies permanently, you will lose the “Happy” status effect. It’s crucial to keep him alive if you want to maintain the bonuses.
H3 Can Astarion bite other companions instead of my main character?
Yes, Astarion can bite other companions if you prefer. The chosen companion will then receive the “Happy” status effect.
H3 Does my race or class affect my relationship with Astarion?
Yes, your race and class can influence Astarion’s initial perception of you and your relationship. Some races or classes might be more appealing (or repulsive) to him.
H3 What are the consequences of allowing Astarion to ascend?
Allowing Astarion to ascend grants him immense power, but comes with significant moral and narrative consequences. He becomes more ruthless and controlling, potentially alienating some companions.
H3 Can I prevent Astarion from ascending?
Yes, you can prevent Astarion from ascending by intervening during his personal questline. This will lead to a different outcome and alter his character arc.
H3 Are there other ways to gain benefits similar to “Happy” without Astarion?
Yes, there are other ways to gain similar buffs in the game through equipment, potions, and completing specific quests. Exploring different options can provide alternative advantages.
H3 Does being bitten by Astarion affect my ending in BG3?
Yes, your choices regarding Astarion and his vampirism can influence your ending and the fates of various characters. Your decisions have far-reaching consequences in the game’s narrative.
H3 Can I become a Vampire Lord in BG3?
While you cannot become a traditional, fully-fledged Vampire Lord, the benefits granted to you in the game alongside the Ascended Astarion could be considered comparable to the benefits that a Vampire Lord would have. The player should pursue these outcomes to experience a power similar to that of a Vampire Lord.
By carefully navigating the complexities of vampirism and making informed choices, you can craft a unique and engaging playthrough in Baldur’s Gate 3. The allure of the night awaits – how you embrace it is up to you.