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Should You Let Astarion Bite You in Baldur’s Gate 3? A Comprehensive Guide

The question of whether to let Astarion, the charming but undeniably vampiric rogue in Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3), sink his fangs into your character is a pivotal one, fraught with consequences and brimming with roleplaying potential. The short answer? Yes, you should probably let Astarion bite you, but with careful consideration of the ramifications and your desired playthrough experience. While there’s a small risk of temporary death, the benefits, both in terms of gameplay mechanics and narrative depth, generally outweigh the drawbacks. Here’s a detailed breakdown to help you make an informed decision.

Weighing the Pros and Cons: A Bite-Sized Analysis

Letting Astarion bite you isn’t just about a simple stat buff; it’s a significant moment that impacts your relationship with him, your party dynamics, and even Astarion’s personal questline.

The Alluring Advantages

Increased Approval: One of the most immediate benefits is a massive boost to Astarion’s approval rating. He’s notoriously difficult to befriend, let alone romance. Allowing him to indulge his vampiric needs demonstrates trust and understanding, paving the way for a deeper connection.
The “Happy” Buff: After a successful feeding (on your part, at least), Astarion gains the “Happy” buff. This provides a +1 bonus to all attack rolls and ability checks, making him a more effective combatant and skill monkey until your next Long Rest.
Vampire Bite Ability: Astarion permanently gains the “Vampire Bite” action in combat. While it deals a small amount of damage, it also heals him, providing valuable sustain in longer encounters.
Narrative Depth and Romance Potential: Allowing the bite opens up unique dialogue options, reveals more about Astarion’s past and motivations, and strengthens your bond. It’s practically essential for progressing a meaningful romance with him.

The Potential Pitfalls

Risk of Death (Temporary): There is a small chance that Astarion’s first bite will kill your character. Don’t panic! Death in BG3 is rarely permanent. Your companions can use a Revivify scroll or spell to bring you back. Plus, the ensuing dialogue is often hilarious.
The “Bloodless” Debuff: Your character receives the “Bloodless” debuff, granting a -1 penalty to attack rolls and ability checks until the next Long Rest. This is the counterpart to Astarion’s “Happy” buff.
Moral Implications: It’s important to consider your character’s personality and moral compass. Do they condone Astarion’s vampirism? Are they willing to sacrifice their own well-being for his benefit?

Beyond the First Bite: Long-Term Considerations

The initial bite is just the beginning. Your choices regarding Astarion’s vampirism will have significant consequences throughout the game.

The Cazador Questline and Astarion’s Ascension

Astarion’s personal questline revolves around his former master, the ancient vampire Cazador Szarr. You’ll eventually face a crucial decision: whether to allow Astarion to complete a dangerous ritual that could transform him into a Vampire Ascendant.

Ascended Astarion: Granting him ascension provides immense power but comes at a great moral cost. He becomes more ruthless and detached, potentially leading to a tragic end.
Refusing Ascension: Persuading Astarion to reject ascension allows him to break free from Cazador’s influence and potentially find redemption. This path is generally considered the “good” ending but requires a high Persuasion skill and a strong relationship.
- Consider the impact on innocent lives: Astarion becoming a vampire lord will lead to the deaths of many innocent spawn, reinforcing the moral implications of your choice.

The Araj Oblodra Encounter

During Act II, you’ll meet Araj Oblodra, a drow alchemist obsessed with vampires. She offers to let Astarion drink her blood, promising unique benefits.

Drinking Araj’s Blood: If Astarion drinks her blood, she’ll give you a powerful potion with a permanent effect. However, Astarion himself will express that something about Araj’s blood is “wrong” and that he can’t quite explain it.
- Consider the potion reward: The potential benefits of this interaction make it worth considering, though it is wise to reflect on Astarion’s reservations.

Romance and Relationships

Your decisions regarding Astarion’s vampirism will heavily influence your romantic relationship with him. Supporting his desires and showing him empathy are crucial for progressing the romance. However, pushing him towards redemption can also lead to a fulfilling (albeit more complex) relationship.

Making the Right Choice for Your Playthrough

Ultimately, the decision of whether to let Astarion bite you is a matter of personal preference and roleplaying. Consider your character’s values, your desired gameplay experience, and the long-term consequences of your actions.

For a “good” playthrough: Emphasize empathy and support, guiding Astarion towards redemption. Allow the first bite to foster trust, but discourage his more destructive tendencies.
For an “evil” playthrough: Embrace Astarion’s darker side, encouraging his bloodlust and ambition. Support his desire for power, even if it comes at a cost.
For a “neutral” playthrough: Weigh the pros and cons of each decision, prioritizing your own survival and goals. Use Astarion’s abilities to your advantage, but be wary of his manipulative tendencies.

No matter what you choose, remember that your decisions have consequences. Be prepared to live with the consequences of your actions and embrace the rich, dynamic story that Baldur’s Gate 3 has to offer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can you romance Astarion without letting him bite you? Yes, you can absolutely romance Astarion without letting him drink your blood. All that seems to matter is having his approval high enough. Building trust and showing genuine care for his well-being goes a long way.
What exactly happens if Astarion bites you? If Astarion bites you, there’s a small risk of death, but you can be revived. Astarion gets the “Happy” buff (+1 to attack rolls and ability checks), and you get the “Bloodless” debuff (-1 to attack rolls and ability checks) until the next Long Rest.
Should I let Astarion drink my blood for the “Happy” buff? If you plan to make Astarion a permanent part of your party, you should consider letting him suck your blood for the “Happy” buff. This buff will add a +1 to all his checks, and he will also permanently gain the “Vampire Bite” action in battle.
What happens if you let Astarion complete the ritual and become the Vampire Ascendant? Astarion will become incredibly powerful, but at the cost of his compassion and morality. He will likely become more ruthless and detached, which can negatively impact relationships with party members.
Should I let Astarion turn me into a vampire? While there’s no definitive option to become a full vampire like Astarion (at least in the current game state), you might be offered the chance to consume his blood, granting you minor vampire-like abilities. This is generally safe and can provide some minor benefits.
Should you let Astarion become a vampire lord, or stop him? This is a major moral choice. Letting him ascend grants him immense power but leads to the death of many innocent vampire spawn. Preventing it allows him to potentially find redemption, but he remains vulnerable.
Can you turn Astarion good? While you can’t completely erase his vampiric nature, you can guide Astarion towards a more compassionate path by consistently making choices that promote empathy and discourage his more destructive impulses. You’ll be able to undergo a DC 18 Persuasion check to persuade Astarion to be a better person than Cazador.
What happens if Astarion drinks Araj’s blood? If Astarion drinks her blood, she’ll give you a powerful potion, one that has a permanent effect. Astarion will express discomfort with the blood, saying that something about it is “wrong.”
How do you get Astarion to bite you again after the first time? While there isn’t a mechanic to repeatedly request bites, Astarion will occasionally feed on enemies during combat if his health is low and the opportunity presents itself.
Does letting Astarion drink blood improve the relationship or grant approval points? Yes, letting Astarion bite you gives you massive approval points and demonstrates that you trust him enough to accept him for who he is.
How many Long Rests until Astarion attempts to bite you? The timing can vary, but it usually occurs after a couple of Long Rests after you’ve encountered the dead boar near the Emerald Grove and passed a check to investigate the death.
Who is the best character for Astarion to bite? In terms of gameplay, it doesn’t matter which character Astarion bites. The effects are the same regardless of the victim. Choose the character you feel is most appropriate from a roleplaying perspective.
How do you know if Astarion likes you? You can check Astarion’s approval rating on your character sheet. High approval means he’s more likely to share his thoughts and feelings with you, and it’s essential for romance.
How do you get Astarion to confess his feelings and trigger his romance scene? You must have high approval and complete his companion quest, which involves confronting and defeating Cazador.
What are some general tips for successfully romancing Astarion? Support his desires, be understanding of his vampiric condition, align yourself with his goals, and be ruthless towards those he deems weak. Remember, empathy and understanding are key.

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Should you let Astarion bite you?