Baldur's Gate 3: Unleashing Astarion's Supernatural Allure

Highlights

Astarion, the party's elven rogue in Baldur's Gate 3, is highly valuable due to his unparalleled rogue abilities, especially in picking locks, pickpocketing, and combat.

Astarion's character quest and arc delve into complex emotions, delving into themes of liberty, servitude, and authority, and offer poignant and heartwarming moments.

Astarion's distinct interpretation of the Illithid parasites in the game brings added complexity and diversity to the central conflict, as he is captivated by their power and urges the player to fully embrace their influence.

In Baldur's Gate 3, players are provided with a diverse selection of party members, reminiscent of a good RPG. With a total of ten companions, players can make choices that determine the party's composition, as some companions may leave based on the player's decisions. The game ensures that each companion is well-developed, featuring character quests, extensive voice lines, and the potential for a romance storyline that strengthens the bond between the player and the companion. However, not all companions in Baldur's Gate 3 are equal. Astarion, the elven rogue of the party, distinguishes himself with unparalleled usefulness, an intriguing character story, and distinct perspectives on the game's central conflict.

Similar to the player character and other "Origin" companions, Astarion has been captured and infected by Illithid parasites within BG3. Joining forces with the party, Astarion's initial motivation is to uncover more information about the parasites and potentially find a cure. However, as he becomes enticed by the power the parasites offer, his initially snarky, cruel demeanor and lack of concern for others, gradually transform, especially if romanced. Astarion begins to exhibit genuine care and empathy towards his fellow adventurers. Players have the opportunity to delve deeper into his background as a servant to a formidable vampire, and even decide whether to free him from this torment.

Having A Rogue In The Party Is Extremely Valuable

Players have the option to select three characters, aside from themselves, to form their active party and can switch them during their time at the camp, as long as they are not in the middle of a dungeon. While each character possesses combat and non-combat skills, Astarion is exceptionally proficient as a Rogue. His remarkable Sleight of Hand ability enables him to open numerous locked chests and doors that players come across on their adventure. Additionally, he can pilfer gold and items from non-playable characters, potentially eliminating the need for challenging social encounters or combat situations.

Alternatively, players can return to the camp to recruit Astarion whenever they require a Rogue, although this may prove inconvenient, especially considering the frequency of locked items. This becomes particularly significant during Act 1, as various locations like the Goblin Camp in BG3, the Zhentarim hideout, and the Emerald Grove contain numerous treasures and sealed areas to entice players. It is worth noting that Astarion is also a formidable combatant, effortlessly dual-wielding weapons and dispatching formidable adversaries with the aid of Sneak Attacks.

Astarion's Character Quest And Arc Feature Deep Emotions

On the surface, Astarion appears to be just another attractive High Elf. However, there is much more to him than meets the eye. He was turned into a vampire spawn by the cruel vampire Cazador in Baldur's Gate 3, many centuries ago. Before the events of the game, Astarion endured centuries of slavery under Cazador, where he was subjected to torture and forced to capture humans for his master. Meanwhile, he could only sustain himself by feeding on rats and flies. Unlike the other party members, Astarion sees his capture by mindflayers as a fortunate event rather than a curse.

If the player chooses to embark on Astarion's character quest, they have the opportunity to defeat Cazador once and for all, granting Astarion the freedom he longs for. This moment is one of the most emotionally impactful in Baldur's Gate 3, as it showcases Astarion's genuine gratitude despite his snarky demeanor. However, the player is faced with a choice - allowing Astarion to take Cazador's place and become a true vampire will unlock new dialogue, scenes, and multiple endings for his romantic path as a vampire spawn. This intriguing story delves into themes of morality, freedom versus servitude, and the complexities of power and relationships.

Astarion Has A Unique Take On The Parasite Situation

Astarion, the pale elf, has one of the game's most well-written romance plotlines. At first, he seduces the player character to maintain control over them. Their initial intimate encounter is casual, almost dismissive, lacking any genuine emotion. However, should the player choose to pursue a romance with him, Astarion begins to experience true feelings for the first time in his life. He finds himself bewildered by this unfamiliar sensation of "love," but ultimately decides to embrace these emotions and stand by the player's side. Unlike other companions, Astarion remains loyal to the player regardless of the choices they make, even if it means transforming into a mindflayer. Witnessing this once self-centered vampire learn to truly cherish and love another is a truly masterful tale.

In addition to the player, there are six characters, namely Astarion, Shadowheart, Lae'zel, Gale, Wyll, and Karlach in BG3, who have become hosts to Illithid parasites. This serves as the central conflict in Baldur's Gate 3, as these characters must embark on a quest to find a cure in order to avoid a complete transformation into mindflayers. Each character holds unique perspectives on the parasites, which greatly influences their interactions and conflicts throughout the game. However, the majority of the group opposes the presence of these parasites and is eager to eliminate them as soon as possible.

Astarion stands out as an exception. Instead of being deterred or scared by the parasites, he is fascinated. In Baldur's Gate 3, he urges the player character to test and eventually embrace their new Illithid powers, especially when they can be used to manipulate and control others. Unlike most companions, Astarion actually approves when the player employs their abilities, rather than losing favor. This stems partly from his desire to maintain his freedom and avoid being controlled by Cazador, and partly because the parasite eliminates his vampire weaknesses, enabling him to walk in sunlight.

Astarion's perspective on the parasites in Baldur's Gate 3 brings a refreshing twist and prevents players from feeling that everyone shares the same approach to dealing with their situation. It also encourages players to experiment with their Illithid abilities, which they might otherwise dismiss due to the cautions of companions like Wyll or Lae'zel. Baldur's Gate 3's appeal heavily relies on its replayability, and aligning with Astarion and embracing the parasite's influence offers a distinct playthrough that delves into the game's darker aspects.

Baldur's Gate 3 is currently available for PC, with a PlayStation 5 version available on September 6. An Xbox Series X/S release is planned for late 2023.