Why is ascended astarion exactly the same?

[Helldivers™ 2]

I had heard about all the personality changes after he ascends, he becomes "power hungry, evil" etc. So in my new evil run i decided to ascend him.

And to my surprise absolutely nothing changed. Besides the free damage and bite, there is literally 0 difference to any dialogue or reaction to anything.

[Helldivers™ 2]

any ideas?

[seeker1]

I have never either romanced or ascended Astarion, but folks who have done both say the Ascended Astarion romance is quite different (including an option he offers to Tav). Also, even if not romanced, Ascended Astarion is quite a bit different acting in the Epilogue.

Mechanically ... JMHO: he gets 1/7th the damage bonus Cazador gets from ascending (Caz gets 7d10, Astarion 1d10 necrotic), he does get a better 'ascendant' vampire bite (does 6d6 necrotic damage and heals him for same amount), he gains Misty Escape, and no summoning powers until the endgame, although in the endgame (only through the "GYA" interface) he can summon giant skeletons, shadow mastiffs, ghasts, and werewolves.

As vampire gods go, while the damage bonus is nothing to sneeze about, the better vampire bite is nice, and the summon is quite good (if limited in where it can be used) ... he really ain't that much of a vampire god. (And while Ascended Cazador is a bit better, not by much, if you check his stats. Reason there might be Larian wants players who fail to stop him from ascending to still be able to beat him.)

[Helldivers™ 2]

Hmm i never romanced him so it could be possible outside of romance it doesnt matter? I also did not seen his epilogue because i became absolute

[seeker1]

Here's what the Wiki says. Spoilers, obviously.

https://bg3.wiki/wiki/Astarion#Act_Three

If the party allowed Astarion to complete the ritual, Astarion takes over the Szarr Palace as his own and becomes an ascended vampire lord, rising in status and power in Baldur's Gate. When spoken to at the Reunion Party, Astarion brags about his rising status as the city's "puppet-master" and generally looks down upon the player character. He can be challenged on his new behavior and compared to Cazador, but Astarion brushes off these callouts.

If romanced and turned into a vampire spawn, Astarion asks the player character to talk with the other companions at the Reunion Party, gather information, and share it with him later while he stays behind and drinks wine. He is surprised to hear that the others are somehow succeeding in life without his supervision, but he is uninterested to engage in conversation with them himself. If romanced as a mind flayer, the player character is simply an ally to Astarion, as they can't be turned into a spawn, but his Reunion Party dialogue remains the same as if they were one.
[snip][end]

Looks like most of the changes are noticeable at the Reunion Party, after he's finished taking over the Szarr palace.

Again, they didn't quite say it there, but alluded to it; my understanding is Ascended Astarion can offer to turn a romanced player into a vampire spawn (although, I believe, some would argue really a "vampire bride" but the stats for the bite you gain are a spawn's bite).

I believe in certain other ways, his "ascended" dialogue with Tav changes, even prior to the endgame/epilogue, and even if not romancing Tav. He apparently doubles down on being haughty, arrogant, and disdainful (LOL).

[Favonius]

There is a very noticeable difference in behaviour if you romance AND ascend him.
Also obviously his future is not the same is he's ascended or not.