Baldur’s Gate 3 Astarion companion guide – best build, stats, and inspiration

Want to know every detail about Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3? This vampire spawn who is a High Elf Rogue is an interesting addition to the game. While he’s great at stealth and sneak attacks, you might find yourself drawn to his dark past.

While other Baldur’s Gate 3 classes and subclasses might be better at direct combat, Astarion can even learn a spell or two with the right subclass. Read on to know more about one of the more memorable Baldur’s Gate 3 companions. D&D’s strategic combat backed up by Larian Studios’ gorgeous visuals and storylines makes for quite the combination.

Who is Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3?

Astarian is a potential companion in Baldur’s Gate 3. He’s an elf rouge, and also, as you’ll find out a little later, a vampire, hailing from Baldur’s Gate. He’ll be calling for aid but beware, it’s a trap. While you can protect yourself, the Mind Flayer’s tadpole in your mind will connect with Astarion’s. This will convince him to let you go and join your party.

He values deception and narcissism so he won’t hesitate to prioritise himself or the party over other people. Remember that these choices will be at direct odds with kind companions like Gale and Wyll. You’ll uncover more of his story in Act 1 when you meet a monster hunter at the Sunlit Wetlands. He’ll be on the hunt for a vampire spawn. Astarion’s odd behaviour is when his facade begins to wear off.

Astarion’s background and inspiration

Inspiration points let you reroll dice rolls at important moments. You gain these by performing actions that correspond to a character’s background. As a Noble, Astarion can gain Inspiration by doing the following:

• Protector Of The Duke – Rescue Counsellor Florrick from the burning inn.
• Lest Ye Be Judged – Learn Astarion’s history as a magistrate.
• Noblesse Oblige – Dismiss a companion for interrupting a conversation.

Check out our Baldur’s Gate 3 backgrounds guide for a more comprehensive list. In short, selfish actions are a good way to win Astarion some Inspiration points.

Astarion’s starting skills and attributes

Astarion will possess a Shortbow, a Dagger, Padded Armour, and Leather Boots when he joins your party. He has a rather balanced set of skills and attributes, except for a rather low Strength. While he has proficiency in Persuasion and Deception, his low Charisma makes it a bad idea to use those skills. I’m surprised he doesn’t have a higher Charisma stat. But his Dexterity makes him a solid stealth option, with a high Armour class bonus and proficiency in Stealth and Sleight of Hand. Here are Astarion’s skills:

• Acrobatics
• Deception
• History
• Perception
• Persuasion
• Sleight of Hand
• Stealth

And here are Astarion’s ability scores:

• Strength: 8
• Dexterity: 17
• Constitution: 14
• Intelligence: 13
• Wisdom: 13
• Charisma: 10

Where to find Astarion

Astarion is one of the earliest companions you’ll encounter, appearing just after the Nautiloid ship crashes in the tutorial. To find him, head through the wreckage of the crash site, up towards the back end of the ship.

You’ll find a chamber with a dying Mind Flayer inside, whether or not you choose to interact here is up to you. Take the left exit out from this chamber. On the map this will appear as a circular ring road, half in the ship, half outside of it. You’ll find Astarion just up ahead on this road, where he’ll either ambush you or confront you depending on your success in passing a perception check.

Best Astarion build

At level 2, Astarion gains access to Cunning Actions. This includes a modified Dash action that can be used to swiftly enter combat or cover large distances. It pairs decently with the Rogue’s stealth attacks.

As a Rogue, Astarion can pick between the Arcane Trickster and Thief subclasses on reaching level 3. I’d pick the Arcane Trickster solely because this grants access to spells. But the Thief might make more sense for players who prefer stealth. His low Intelligence stat means that he won’t be great at spells either way. As a Thief, Astarion can use Fast Hands to gain a bonus action. This lets him attack twice with his offhand weapon, making for a total of three attacks. Thieves also get Uncanny Dodge at level 5, letting Astarion take half damage when struck by a normal attack.

Reaching level 4 lets you pick from Baldur’s Gate 3 feats. Dual Wielder lets Astarion use two rapiers or shortswords. It’s a solid pick if you want to go on the offensive. Rember to hide between rounds to use sneak attacks. These devastating attacks require you to have an advantage over an enemy to use. High ground and darkness help with this.

Astarion companion quest guide

His quest is called The Pale Elf. You don’t have to go out of your way to complete this quest. Over time, you will learn that Astarion is a vampire fleeing from a vampire lord named Cazador Szarr. Astarion will try to bite you at the camp and that’s when you’ll learn more about his past.

Meeting the monster hunter Gandrel is also a loaded encounter. The wrong choice could lead to Astarion’s death. You need to kill Gandrel as Astarion believes his master sent the monster hunter. This is when the Elf reveals that Cazador carved poetry onto his back written in the Infernal language. Astarion is worried that he might not be able to refuse his master if they cross paths again. That’s about it for Act 1. We’ll get to know more as we work through the campaign and proceed to Act 2 and Act 3.

How to raise Astarion’s approval

Here’s how to raise Astarion’s approval in Baldur’s Gate 3:

• Deceive Tieflings and ask Lae’zel to say “please” before freeing her from the cage OR join Lae’zel against the Tieflings if you persuade them to free her.
• Tell Auntie Ethel about a Tadpole in your head in Druid Grove.
• Try to persuade the goblin Guard outside the Blighted Village.
• Decline the Devil‘s invitation to remove your Tadpole.
• Respond to Volo in the Goblin Camp with “-“.
• Kiss Novice Crusher’s foot in the Goblin Camp (and steal the ring).
• Let Astarion suck your blood in Camp.
• Support Astarion in the dialogue with the team after the bite in the Camp.
• Tell Astarion that he can feed on enemies.
• Persuade him to share his dream with you.
• Agree to help the Tiefling Karlach from Tyr Followers.
• In the conversation with Shadowheart (after the dream with the city in fire) support the Astarion’s idea to continue usage of Tadpole’s power.
• (After the next dream) say to Wyll that you are not going to excuse for using Tadpoles’ power.
• Let Arka kill Sazza in Druid Grove’s Makeshift Prison.
• Tell Astarion that the refugees are desperate and will do anything after Arka kills Sazza. (Quest: Save the goblin Sazza)
• Tell Kagha the Archdruid you enjoyed her show after she asks if you think she’s a monster. (Quest: Save Arabella)
• Walk in on a bugbear and an ogre named Grukkoh and Buthir having sex in an abandoned barn the Blighted Village.
• – After walking in, tell Astarion it was fun (and disturbing).
• Tell the two brothers (north of the Sunlit Wetlands) they are on their own to find their sister Mayrina. (Quest: Save Mayrina / Deal with Auntie Ethel)
• Resurrect Mayrina‘s husband and give her the wand.
• – Right after that tell Astarion that it was funny.
• Kill Priestess Gut in the Goblin Camp.
• Demand boots in the dialogue with Tulla ( in the Underdark, Myconid Colony)
• Agree to kill the Duergar for Myconid Sovereign.
• Tell Abdirak you’re curious and agree to be tortured (the follower of Loviatar in the Goblin Camp)
• Agree to open the gate for goblin raiders.
• Open the Gate for goblin raiders.
• Join Minthara for the Grove raid (It’s possible without an actual opening of the Gates).
• Fight the fake god Boooal in the Festering Cove OR Let the Koa-Toes bow to you as the Boooal’s chosen.
• Ask for “Compensation for Effort” in dialogue with Bark Root (Deep Gnome who was tied to the windmill) in the Blighted Village.
• Crush the Tadpole that comes out of True Soul Edowin.
• Say “They practically worshipped us, that could be useful” after Edowin‘s siblings leave.
• Attack the Druid Apprentice Nettie.
• Agree to share your bed/sleep with Astarion at the Tiefling party at Camp.
• Choose the option to “Bare your neck, inviting him” in the bed scene.
• Kick the squirrel in Druid Grove.
• Poke the bird Nettie was healing to death during the dialogue.
• Kill the Githyanki patrol.
• Intimidate or provoke human and Zevlor at the Druid Grove.
• Choose “I’d rather not die” when discussing preferred methods of death during the night 2 dialogue at the Camp.
• Then choose a method. (Like Decapitation.)
• Kill Gimblebok and the gang near the ruins.
• Give Astarion the Necromancy of Thay tome.
• After purchasing Oskar, the artist, say he’s your slave.
• Attack the Goblin Camp. (Quest: Save the Refugees)
• Volunteer to torture Liam at Goblin Camp.
• Feed the Owlbear cub at the Camp.
• Laugh at Lorin (the elf in Auntie Ethel‘s house) by pretending that you are the monster he sees. (Quest: Deal with Auntie Ethel)
• Choose to kill Kagha without trying to persuade her.
• Choose to spare Auntie Ethel when she surrenders during battle. (Quest: Save Mayrina / Deal with Auntie Ethel)

How to drop Astarion’s approval

And here’s what you shouldn’t do as they lower Astarion’s approval in Baldur’s Gate 3:

• Agree to help Wyll save the Tiefling refugees in Druid Grove.
• Question Astarion‘s attitude towards the controlled fishermen at Nautiloid wreckage.
• Say that the Druids overreacted when speaking to Marriko and Locke in Druid Grove.
• Agree to help Zevlor.
• Smear dung on your face when Sentinel Olak asks you to.
• Let True Soul Gut in the Goblin Camp clear your mind.
• Promise Nettie to take Wyvern Poison if you feel symptoms of the Tadpole (after intimidating/persuading/deceiving her).
• Agree to help find Mayrina (on the way to Auntie Ethel).
• Read the Necromancer Tome from Search the Cellar.
• Persuade the Zelvor and Human to calm down when they’re arguing at the Druid’s Grove.
• Reveal Astarion‘s identity to the monster hunter, Gandrel.
• Failing to persuade Astarion to explain his dream.
• Insist on helping Mayrina when talking to Auntie Ethel at her house.
• Killing Mayrina‘s zombie husband after bringing him back with the Hag’s wand.
• Tell Raphael you would do anything to remove the Tadpole.
• While playing a Warlock, telling Astarion: “Raphael’s only a cambion – we can handle him” (After speaking to Raphael).
• Find the evidence of Kagha working with Shadow Druids and expose her. (Quest: Save the refugees)
• Tell Edowin‘s siblings to find the beast that attacked them to take revenge.

How to romance Astarion

You can romance Astarion after the refugee celebration. Remember to have won his approval by picking choices that cater to his brand of sly deception. You’ll have a dialogue sequence with Astarion that you’ll have to go through without contradicting him. Some of them involve proficiency checks. You even have the option of making him call you a cheeky little pup. Or you can ask him to say please. After that, you can head to the bedroll and choose to share a bed with Astarion. The scene, however, is currently ‘Under Construction.’

That covers everything you need to know about Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3. If you can work with his narcissistic demeanour, he’s a solid pick as a stealthy ally. Baldur’s Gate 3 companions like Astarion augment your party with unique abilities that help you both in combat and in dialogue. Check out our Baldur’s Gate 3 abilities guide to learn how your companions can give you an edge against the Forgotten Realms and its dice rolls.

How to make Astarion like you?

Support Astarion in the dialogue with the team after the bite in the Camp. Tell him he can feed on enemies.

Can Astarion turn you into a vampire?

Astarion isn’t a vampire, he is a vampire spawn, so no.