Subclass for Astarion

[e11]

My main is a melee paladin, and I keep Shadowheart around because, well, she's the healer. I find Gale the most likable of the bunch, and magic is handy, so I keep him around a lot as well. My second favorite is Karlach.
I haven't been using Astarion much, because he's simply a ♥♥♥♥. But I guess I'll need an archer on hand on occasion.

So... just wanted to ask for recommendations.

[Mander]

Fertilizer for mushrooms.
He has +2 on growth modifier for boletus.

[e11]

Originally posted by Mander:

Fertilizer for mushrooms.
He has +2 on growth modifier for boletus.

... so, he's not your favorite either?

[Mander]

Originally posted by e11:

Originally posted by Mander:

Fertilizer for mushrooms.
He has +2 on growth modifier for boletus.

... so, he's not your favorite either?

Complicated question, with a complicated answer.

-Inhale-

My “gripe” with Astarion is that, as a character, he is a memetic imbecile.
Wonderfully voiced (all awards to Neil Newbon are well deserved), but the plot of BG3 makes of Astarion a character that only lawfully stupid should bend to.
He is a vampire spawn who: doesn't know how to lie (his gratuitous sadism shines through way too much for someone who is pretending to be a magistrate).
Doesn’t have an ounce of charisma: -It’s not what it looks like, I swear… I just need… well, blood- So it’s exactly what it looks like!
Plays parasite to a team of survivors (I’m a magistrate in the city, not an adventure), when he should be a predator.
He is such a poor predator, that on the first time he tries to nibble on a person, he is caught on the act! (Bonus point if your character is an elf, races who DO NOT SLEEP!)
He can't provide a relatable reason to not get staked here and there, after the episode of “friendly fire” in the night… (I dunno, ugly cry, for pity’s sake).
He is not in control of even his own hunger, but at the same time, whine and whinges to steer the party with his own needs, often in ways detrimental to the whole team of survivors.
He demands trust, but offers zilch in return (you’ve seen Gale being spoon fed with magical items, because he provided reasons, yes? Why didn’t you mentioned you may need blood?).
He has the intelligence of a very bright dog, and he believes himself a genius.

All (and more) of the above, compounded by how vampires are perceived in DnD: in a heavy roleplay campaign, a paladin (or a druid) for example, should stake Astarion just because… especially because we don’t know he is “just” a spawn until later…

And why not? Let’s add that in BG3, you don’t need a rogue: wizards can unlock any and all door with “Knock”, and by the blighted village, there are 2 pieces of equipment that basically can substitute for a rogue.

It’s not that Astarion, as a character, is an arsehole: Lae’Zel is often worse, without being suave.
It’s that Astarion is really really dumb.

I would have loved to see Astarion and Minthara roles reversed. Minthara is an exceptional character, even in a good playthrough. But sadly, you can’t pick her up atm, if you side with the Grove (and I can hardly justify a roleplay siding with the goblin).

-exhale -

[thufirhawat333]

Used him as an assassin as the subclass' name has his most defining feature in it twice...
Works fine. Strap the Risky Ring (from the Act 2 drow vendor at the Tower) and his output is not bad. I actually enjoy having him around for his comments on my... more pragmatic playthroughs.

[Heu, Iterum Id Feci]

Assassin rogue 4/gloomstalker ranger 8 (or 3/9, if you wanna let the ASI go) is quite popular choice I hear, for massive first round dmg. Probably should either get alert feat or stock up on potions to make sure he goes before the enemies to get the maximum out of that build.
I personally enjoy pure classes, so I usually go with ranged thief rogue.
Arcane Trickster is otherwise rather popular because of added utility. I don't know the spelllist, but I'd imagine disguise self adds a bit of utility outside of combat and invisibility can be useful both in and out of combat.

[Supply Slut]

I respec him to bard (except if playing bard). Some multiclass with rogue can make sense - but he works really well as a bard, can still do all the stealth and sleight of hand skills very well, but is a full spellcaster which is really nice for the extra utility, support and CC potential. Lore bard or swords, either works.

[Quacksalber]

I find Asti much better for melee. If you want him to really kick ass, multi into Gloomstalker. Other than that, Karlach does fine with that bow you get in act 1 that adds strength to the damage - so if he annoys you, just use someone else to shoot arrows. I like him, but I know characters that annoy you can make games less fun - so that is what I'd do.

[victorvnv]

I respec him into a shadow monk/ assasin or shadow monk/ thief .

Shadow step is amazing as he can teleport to his enemies , cloak of shadows is perfect for surprise ambushes as it has no cooldown so he can sneak - cloak of shadows then shadow step and surprise attack the enemies giving him guaranteed crits and advantage round 1 and overall he can solo many encounters like this.
He also gets some cool abilities this way like Darkness and silence, sometimes I give him 2 levels of warlock for devils sight and one with shadows for even more stealth options and he becomes unkillabke murder machine

[Scheneighnay]

The thief subclass is my favorite for him, gives him an extreme amount of mobility and lets him spam the 400 poisons you'll accumulate.

[Murgen]

He's a decent Thief. As a Thief he'll get a ton of bonus actions, which can be used for extra attacks if you're dual wielding (which you should be).

[nuther]

I turn him into a Paladin.

[Hawke]

There's a hireling rogue. Otherwise, Fighter/Rogue (Thief) with Archery and dual hand crossbows.

[FunkyMonkey]

I've played him as Ranger / Rogue. Just take 5 levels of Ranger (Hunter or Gloom stalker) and honestly, any of the Rogues will work and he will do absolute work for you, pun intended.

[Brian Sirith]

Originally posted by Hawke:

There's a hireling rogue. Otherwise, Fighter/Rogue (Thief) with Archery and dual hand crossbows.

This. He was the main damage dealer in my party. Even better than Laz. There’s a video on this build somewhere.

[Hawke]

Originally posted by Brian Sirith:

Originally posted by Hawke:

There's a hireling rogue. Otherwise, Fighter/Rogue (Thief) with Archery and dual hand crossbows.

This. He was the main damage dealer in my party. Even better than Laz. There’s a video on this build somewhere.

https://youtu.be/PEWnGa-GSJg?feature=shared&t=1170