Should i keep Astarion alive?

[D1PST1CK]

Now that the game is "complete", i'm thinking about finally doing a playthrough once i'm done with what i'm currently playing. But i have questions about Astarion.

To cut a long story short, i find this guy unbearable. I hated him the moment he first appeared. The way he pronounces "Baldur's Gate" alone makes me want to kill him. At first i planned to just ignore him as far as possible and let him rot in the camp, but then i thought, why not get rid of him for good?

So the question is: What's the payoff? Will i miss too much good content? Opinions?

Thanks!

[Mander]

Nothing.
I too, albeit for different reasons, find Astarion a potential companion you benefit more from avoiding (in short, I find him too dim-witted to keep around). Usually, I stake him when he tries to nibble on my character during the “reveal” of his true nature.
That said, you lose nothing by unaliving him: his personal quest happens in a dungeon you can have access to even without him.
And there a couple of items you can find near the blighted village that can make a decent burglar out of even a paladin (proficiency in lock picking). So… yeah.
After more than 1k hours in BG3, Astarion sadly multiclass in fertilizer for me.

[Frostbeast]

He has a "kill the vampire lord" quest in the last Act. A good fight always is fun.
But you can get rid of him, if you want. In the first Act, in the swamps, there is a person that would be happy if you present him Astarion.

[Mander]

Originally posted by Frostbeast:

He has a "kill the vampire lord" quest in the last Act. A good fight always is fun.
But you can get rid of him, if you want. In the first Act, in the swamps, there is a person that would be happy if you present him Astarion.

As said, his "personal" quest can happen without him.
Btw, something I discovered during my runs (and abused in honor mode): if you keep Astarion corpse in your trunk all the way to act 3, Cazador can't ascend

[Favonius]

He has some good content though.
I like the performance of the voice actor behind Astarion personnally. Some of his lines are very funny.

RP-wise, he's a selfish little bastard. He will be the temptation of evil throughout your play if you keep him. And that can add content to your group dynamics, or screw your pleasure depending on your run.
His romance arc is ok albeit weird if you can get along romancing a male character (i feel more comfortable doing this with a female character) .
He has a partial redemption arc but it happens very late in the game and recquires some effort and cunning. He's basically the prototype of chaotic-evil.

Game-play wise, he's a rogue with a special bonus action attack. Good at disarming traps, unlocking things and pick-pocketting if you need a specialist. He makes a very decent ranged attacker.

So yes, you would miss some content, but if it's not a content that you like or that is fit to your playthrough, feel free to dismiss him one way or another.

[Mike Garrison]

Gameplay-wise, the one thing Astarion has that can't be replaced is that he can get you a potion that can permanently give one of your characters +2 strength.

As far as RP, either you like his story or you don't. Not a lot of middle ground out there for Astarion.

Even people who don't like his story often admit the voice actor did good work, though.

[Farsha]

Every companion story is pretty detailed with multiple quests and they evolve based pn your decisions.

It’s RPG you want to do all the stories if only for the XP.
And Astrarion can have redeption arch or you know he can become super vampire lord. Your choise :D

And his voice actor might be the best in the game, some of his deliveries and quotes are really funny.

[hermit0wl]

Astarion is my favorite companion. He has a lot of funny interactions, his storyline is very good, and the actor does an amazing job.
If you haven't played through the game with him yet, I'd recommend keeping him around to see if your opinion changes. But if you really can't stand him, no point torturing yourself, it's up to you what you want to do.

[Renlish]

Astarion has great content. You're missing out without him, but heck, enjoy the game in the way you want to.

[Vexillarius]

Ascended Astarion is pretty much always the top damage dealer in most of my runs since he is uniquely suited to becoming an open hand tavern brawler thief barb. Easily one of the most busted builds in the game.

[Drakken]

I don't read his introduction speech; otherwise, it's becoming bloody for Astarion, as he is acting like any hostile creature you are killing later in the game.
Especially if you fail the first dice and you roll on the floor with him.
Just stay positive and add him... sigh.

[seeker1]

Neil Newbon's voice acting is the payoff.

[Drakken]

Personally I don't blame the acting, far from it, or the character; this is just the way he is introducing himself. It's a kill on sight for half my characters. You are a little on edge after the prologue, and suddenly this clown is jumping you with a knife on your throat. *Fight*

[hermit0wl]

Originally posted by Drakken:

Personally I don't blame the acting, far from it, or the character; this is just the way he is introducing himself. It's a kill on sight for half my characters. You are a little on edge after the prologue, and suddenly this clown is jumping you with a knife on your throat. *Fight*

Tbf, there's a version of this meeting where it doesn't get to the knife at your throat part, if you're a helpful character with good Perception :)

[EASY PETE]

i killed him and threw him in the underpants hamper

[D1PST1CK]

Thanks for the info to you all.

Just to set the record straight: I don't say the voice actor is bad. I just can't stand how Astarion talks, his personality if you will.