Astarion's Approval Decisions Are Hella Weird

[Shadow The Innkeep]

Ok, so, for the record, he is my second least fav character ( soon to be THE least fav character bc by comparison to him, even Laezel is less annoying). I'm not looking to be his BFF, but it I do love exploring character development arks in every game I play, and BG3 is no exception. Even if I don't like a character, I find their personalities interesting.

Anyway, I noticed smth odd. He approves when I refuse to accept Raphael's deal, but then he suddenly backpedals and shows he wants to explore the option. Even yelled at me for trying to prevent him having fun or smth along those lines. He is incredibly inconsistent. Is he bipolar or smth?!

He also initially is against the tadpoles, much like other companions. While others need persuading to give into the very idea of utilizing tadpoles, Astarion flat out threatened me while in Goblin Camp because I refused to allow him to consume one... huh?! Even if I were exploring an option to raise standings with him, it's very confusing as I would have no idea how he would react to my choices.

I have only played first two acts, but man, he gets worse by the minute.

[❃ Galiäna Krüger ❃]

If a character just blindly approves every action your avatar (main character) makes then what's the point of having multiple characters. People have emotions and hesitates, etc. That is exactly what Larian want to reflect upon, some actions/decisions will be approved/disapprove by your party member or even characters you invited to your camp.

[Lamp]

Don't worry about approval, they'll all love you eventually.

Astarion can be dynamic, like Lae'zel and Shadowheart. I mean turning Shadowheart good doesn't really change anything about her other than her life choices. Cracking Lae'zel's tough exterior for the soft, yellowy-green goodness within is also possible. She softens up considerably by lategame, don't know if it's romance dependant.

Astarion is the same, he might disapprove of stuff here and there but you can steer him down the path of light and he becomes a significantly better person.

I'd say Wyll and Karlach are some of the least dynamic tadpole friends in that way, don't think you can turn them evil.

[whatdoesthisbuttondo?]

He generally approves pragmatic decisions that have a clear benefit for him.

He doesn't want a rash decision with Raphael, but keep his options.

He doesn't want to be the first risking to use the tadpoles, but once he can see it didn't harm the first guinea pig, he wants the powers. He actually gives a hint in the dialogue when you first meet him.

[アンジェル]

Originally posted by Shadow The Innkeep:

Astarion's Approval Decisions Are Hella Weird
Ok, so, for the record, he is my second least fav character ( soon to be THE least fav character bc by comparison to him, even Laezel is less annoying). I'm not looking to be his BFF, but it I do love exploring character development arks in every game I play, and BG3 is no exception. Even if I don't like a character, I find their personalities interesting.

Anyway, I noticed smth odd. He approves when I refuse to accept Raphael's deal, but then he suddenly backpedals and shows he wants to explore the option. Even yelled at me for trying to prevent him having fun or smth along those lines. He is incredibly inconsistent. Is he bipolar or smth?!

He also initially is against the tadpoles, much like other companions. While others need persuading to give into the very idea of utilizing tadpoles, Astarion flat out threatened me while in Goblin Camp because I refused to allow him to consume one... huh?! Even if I were exploring an option to raise standings with him, it's very confusing as I would have no idea how he would react to my choices.

I have only played first two acts, but man, he gets worse by the minute.

"chaotic evil" or something like that...

I recommend just to ignore the approval messages and focus entirely on what the companions have or have not to say about things.

Currently I suspect that some triggers are completely messed up in the background, either skipping branches in the what-if-trees or being left-over-messes from early access not aligning with the adjusted storyline.

[Shadow The Innkeep]

Originally posted by ❃ Galiäna Krüger ❃:

If a character just blindly approves every action your avatar (main character) makes then what's the point of having multiple characters. People have emotions and hesitates, etc. That is exactly what Larian want to reflect upon, some actions/decisions will be approved/disapprove by your party member or even characters you invited to your camp.

I dont have an issue with approval/disapproval system itself, i have an issue with companions being inconsistent without reason. Astarion's approval/disapproval opinions are all over the place without explnation or obvious reasons. That's my issue with him in particular.

Lae'Zel has her opinions, even if she is rude as Hell showing them, I'm okay with it bc she generally sticks to them and shows where my character and hers differ in the points of view and choices. Same goes for Wyll, Shadowheart and Karlach (and mostly Gale). I know where their preferences lie. With Astarion I never know bc he changes his mind all the time. He doesn't pick a lane, he drives all over the freaking road.

[Action Man]

The more you learn about Astarian's character, the more his actions make sense (to me).

I believe most people approve of you not getting into a deal with the devil. It very rarely works out in your favor. Given his situation, he could find himself desperate enough to make that deal.

Also, mind flayers are usually a condition to be avoided, but as Astarian is discovering, his tadpole is giving him advantages he never had. Immunity to the usual vampire weaknesses, as well as a freedom. He wants more of that power.

Don't want to spoil anything.

[Lamp]

Originally posted by Shadow The Innkeep:

He doesn't pick a lane, he drives all over the freaking road.

I can picture this

[Estevan Valladares]

It seems you are not seeing the patterns. The companions have archetypes. For example, Shadowheart approves what is secretive, what is crude, like she disapproves of senseless mercy, but approves you end the suffering of a dying guy. Laezel approves commanding and decisive action, even against her kin.
Astarion approves powerful decisions, so you standing up to something meaning you are powerful he likes, standing for something because it is noble he disapproves.
For a game that I find many problems with attention to detail, the companion approval I still think is very well made. You just need to find the pattern. You cant just see the small picture.
Astarion is not against the tadpoles, and their use, he is against "surrendering to them". He approves of dominating and controlling the powers.

Like Laezel, she is bossy and dislke being confronted, until you beat her up and shows whos the boss. Then you lay her. The classic "beef woman". Gotta take some tenderizing before you eat.

[Shadow The Innkeep]

Originally posted by Lamp:

Astarion can be dynamic, like Lae'zel and Shadowheart.

Is he though? Lae'zel and Shadowheart have clear event influence that direct their development (with a bit of our input ofc). But Astarion? I'm not sure, at least not within Acts 1 & 2 where he is incredibly spontaneous.

[Nauct]

Him and Lae'zel agreed with me most. There's multiple "deals" with Raphael, maybe you're getting one or another confused

[Shadow The Innkeep]

Originally posted by アンジェル:

I recommend just to ignore the approval messages and focus entirely on what the companions have or have not to say about things.

Well, Astarion threatened me (as mentioned before) and Lae'Zel implied my character bangs entire camp (all of a sudden). I guess being friendly with ppl = i wanna bang them in her perception.

[Midas]

He seems self-interested and concerned with acquiring power. He likes things that benefit him, he likes when people take power, he doesn't like when they submit to someone else's power, or do things selflessly.

[Lamp]

Originally posted by Shadow The Innkeep:

Originally posted by Lamp:

Astarion can be dynamic, like Lae'zel and Shadowheart.

Is he though? Lae'zel and Shadowheart have clear event influence that direct their development (with a bit of our input ofc). But Astarion? I'm not sure, at least not within Acts 1 & 2 where he is incredibly spontaneous.

I don't wanna spoil anything, but his clearer events are near the end and its really just dependant on how much he likes you. As opposed to how light side or dark side he is, (not the best system but it works.)

Edit: well not super near the end, but they're in act 3.

[Avedon]

None of that lines up with my own Astarion conversations.

From the start he's always been pro-tadpole and repeatedly said to be interested in controlling their power rather than getting rid of them, and after speaking to him after the first Raphael appearance he said he'd rather go with the devil he doesn't know than the devil he does (Cazador) but doesn't mind being wary around a devil.

He's fairly consistent to what he wants for better or worse. He's been a tortured slave for 2 centuries and will do anything for the power be the one in charge of others. Making him come around away from that mindset has been a ton of fun in my good play-through personally.

[Douchebag Extraordinaire]

He's a very selfish BUT morally conflicted character. A lot of his approvals are based off survival and gain, so agreeing with Raph the first time is risky but then when he realizes he needs to deal with his own problems, making a deal with Raph is more beneficial.

Yes, it might seem inconsistent at first glance, especially if you aren't into the character enough to pay attention but there are signs that he feels alone and just wants to survive, even at the cost of morality. Probably what he's been doing for the past century.