Should You Let Astarion Make You a Vampire in Baldur’s Gate 3? A Comprehensive Guide
The short answer: it depends entirely on your playstyle, moral compass, and desired ending in Baldur’s Gate 3. There’s no objectively “right” answer. Becoming a vampire spawn under Astarion’s control, particularly if he’s ascended, locks you into an evil playthrough with significant consequences. Refusing offers a path towards a more “good” aligned ending, but may come with its own set of sacrifices and difficult choices for Astarion’s future.
The Allure of the Bite: Pros and Cons
Astarion, the charming rogue with a dark secret, is one of the most popular companions in Baldur’s Gate 3. His vampiric nature adds a unique layer to the game, and the decision to allow him to turn your character into a vampire spawn carries considerable weight.
Advantages of Embracing the Darkness
- Increased Approval: Allowing Astarion to bite you significantly boosts his approval, which is crucial for romancing him and progressing his personal quest line. A high approval unlocks deeper conversations and important story moments.
- Vampiric Gifts: While initially minor, letting Astarion drink your blood can grant temporary bonuses. Depending on your choices throughout the game, you may receive additional vampiric abilities further down the line.
- Roleplaying Opportunities: Embracing your character’s vampiric transformation opens up new roleplaying possibilities, allowing you to explore the darker side of the game and make choices that a “good” character wouldn’t consider.
- Astarion’s Ascension (Conditionally): If Astarion completes the ritual and becomes a Vampire Ascendant, he gains immense power. While this comes at a terrible cost, it potentially leads to some unique scenarios. This is where you will get the opportunity to become his vampire spawn.
The Price of Immortality: Drawbacks and Consequences
- Alignment Shift: Aligning yourself with Astarion’s darker tendencies can steer your overall alignment toward evil. If you’re playing a paladin or another character with strict moral codes, this can lead to conflicts and consequences.
- Moral Implications: Ascending Astarion involves sacrificing thousands of vampire spawn. Even if you believe this is the lesser of two evils, it’s still a morally questionable choice. Consider the impact on your character’s conscience.
- Astarion’s Transformation: Astarion’s actions after ascending can be considered selfish and evil. Ascended Astarion sees Tav as a possession.
- Gameplay Restrictions: Becoming a vampire spawn might introduce certain gameplay restrictions, such as vulnerability to sunlight, holy damage, or other vampiric weaknesses.
- Ending Implications: The ending you achieve in Baldur’s Gate 3 is heavily influenced by your choices throughout the game. Astarion’s ascension, and your role in it, can dramatically alter the final outcome.
Ascended vs. Spawn Astarion: The Crucial Decision
The pivotal moment arrives when Astarion either chooses to ascend or is stopped. If he ascends, he becomes a powerful, but undeniably evil, Vampire Ascendant. Choosing to become his spawn then cements your position on an evil path. He sees you as property.
If you prevent the ascension, Astarion is forced to grapple with his past and his thirst. This choice, while potentially leading to a more “good” ending for him, doesn’t mean it is a fairy tale outcome.
Making the Right Choice: Questions to Ask Yourself
- What is my character’s alignment? Does their moral code align with Astarion’s ambitions, or are they diametrically opposed?
- What kind of story do I want to tell? Do I want to explore the darker side of Faerûn, or do I want to be a beacon of hope?
- What are my feelings for Astarion? Am I willing to sacrifice innocents for his power, or do I want to help him overcome his darkness?
- What ending do I want to achieve? Consider the long-term consequences of your choices and how they will impact the final outcome of the game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Astarion and Vampirism
1. Can Astarion become good?
Yes, Astarion can have a “good” ending, or at least, the least evil outcome. This involves preventing his ascension and helping him confront his trauma and find a new purpose. However, even in this scenario, he will remain a vampire spawn, unable to walk in sunlight.
2. Is Ascended Astarion evil?
Yes, Ascended Astarion is generally considered evil. He becomes more manipulative, power-hungry, and sees others as tools to achieve his goals. Ascended Astarion sees Tav as a possession.
3. What happens if you let Astarion do the ritual?
If you allow Astarion to complete the ritual, he will sacrifice the thousands of vampire spawn to ascend and gain immense power. This comes at a heavy moral cost and has significant consequences for the world and your character’s alignment.
4. What happens if Astarion doesn’t bite you?
Refusing Astarion’s bite will lead to a decrease in his approval rating and a missed opportunity to gain minor bonuses early in the game. It can also limit your chances of romancing him. However, it doesn’t prevent you from pursuing a relationship or helping him with his personal quest later on.
5. Can you romance Astarion if you don’t let him bite you?
Yes, it is possible to romance Astarion even if you don’t let him bite you. While accepting the bite is a quick way to increase his approval, there are other ways to gain his favor and build a strong relationship.
6. How do you get Astarion to reveal he’s a vampire?
Traveling with Astarion for a certain amount of time and taking long rests will eventually trigger a scene where he attempts to drink your blood, revealing his vampiric nature.
7. What are Astarion’s ascended abilities?
Ascended Astarion gains significant boosts to his combat abilities, including increased necrotic damage, a powerful vampiric bite attack, and the ability to weaken humanoid enemies.
8. Is it better to let Astarion ascend?
It depends on your perspective. From a purely power-gaming standpoint, Ascended Astarion can be a formidable ally. However, the moral cost is high, and it locks you into an evil playthrough. It is morally the least wrong choice from the view of the article, as the unleashing of 7000 vampires into the world would be devastating.
9. Can you free Astarion from the ritual?
Yes, you can free Astarion from the ritual during the Cazador boss fight. Using the Help action or killing the spawn can interrupt the process.
10. What is the good Astarion ending?
The “good” ending for Astarion involves stopping him from ascending and helping him confront his past traumas. This ending typically results in him remaining a vampire spawn who cannot walk in sunlight but gains newfound resolve and freedom from Cazador’s control.
11. What happens if you don’t recruit Astarion?
If you don’t recruit Astarion, he will remain in the Nautiloid crash site until you either recruit him or progress beyond Act 1. His storyline and personal quest will not be available to you.
12. Should I ask Astarion about his scars?
Yes, asking Astarion about his scars is an important step in building a relationship with him. It triggers a significant dialogue scene and provides valuable insight into his past.
13. Will Astarion break up with you if you’re manipulative?
Yes, Astarion will break up with you if you consistently make manipulative choices, particularly if they involve using him for pleasure or disregarding his feelings.
14. Can you keep Astarion without ascending him?
Yes, you can keep Astarion without ascending him, which results in the ‘good’ ending. It is one of two options.
15. Who was Astarion before he was a vampire?
Before becoming a vampire spawn, Astarion was a magistrate.
Final Verdict
The decision to let Astarion make you a vampire in Baldur’s Gate 3 is a complex one with far-reaching consequences. Carefully consider your character’s alignment, your desired ending, and your relationship with Astarion before making this crucial choice. There’s no easy answer, but hopefully, this guide has provided you with the information you need to make the right decision for your unique playthrough. Whether you decide to walk in the sun, or embrace the darkness with Astarion, the Games Learning Society wants you to consider the consequences of your choices for all the characters involved, as well as yourself. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org for more insights on gaming and character choices.