How do you make Astarion any good?

[Space Cowboy]

Crappy damage, terrible chance to hit with bows and spells, and the spells themself aren't too effective either. Only thing he's been good for so far is opening locks - otherwise he's a burden in any fight. How do you make him effective?

[Slaieth]

Just kill him, lol.

[Chaosolous]

Asterion is probably one of my better characters in my party (even if he missed every ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ shot he took at the Hag). Made him a thief build. He does a lot of sneak attacks.

[Ashling]

Publicado originalmente por Space Cowboy:

How do you reliably get an advantage to be able to use his ranged sneak attack other than height which is rarely achievable?

Sneaking will always grant the advantage you need unless there's some disadvantage canceling it out. Sneaking is easier if you're behind the enemy, but other ways could be things like hiding around a corner or hiding behind a slight hill.
door frames are really good for his stealth.

It can get harder to hide him in big combat situation, but look for things like ladders or other elevated platforms just outside of the main battle (they usually have something) could be worth your time. If all else fails he has a lot of good movement and can attack the mages/backline (if there is one) until the numbers are small enough to reliably stealth.
(I don't think you can stealth if someone is directly looking at you)

[Space Cowboy]

Alright, alright, apparently this isn't my good old BG2 anymore and I have to put in some work. I'm really not much of a number cruncher so this'll be a bit of a chore, but I guess that's the price to pay for more complex and intricate systems.

[Kozzy]

Make him whatever class you want. Back at camp you can change his class to something you need in your party more. If he is not good as a Rogue for you, change him to a Monk or Wizard or something you are good with.

[lilalur]

Tip for playing sneaky. Before the fight split the group (pc its a G by default) Pull Astarion out. Hide. Go with Astarion a place he can see but its hard to spot him. Start with a sneak attack then go hide him with the cunning action or if you can use the normal and use the dash for cunning. Reposition and no it again. You can kill a large group of enemies just with him if you can find a good spot. Sometimes its good to do a quick snipe by switching to turn based move.

He is also the best thief in the group (unless you play as a thief) so he can be the main source of the money if you have no problem stealing from merchants. Go to the merchant and speak with it with any character, don't ask anything just switch to Astarion while he still in conversation mode. Well the merchant is now tied and don't notice the action unless you fail. You can pickpocket anything. Once you done just move far away the group so the merchant cant see them anymore. Switch back the character just spoken with and finish the conversation. Now run! It take a few second to the merchant to realize the thievery and if you not around you get no trouble ;) (in busy places you can perform a music with one character a little bit further away, luring all the people around to listen so you can do)

He also the best disarming traps... I think as thief he function really well :)

[Chaosolous]

Publicado originalmente por Space Cowboy:

Alright, alright, apparently this isn't my good old BG2 anymore and I have to put in some work. I'm really not much of a number cruncher so this'll be a bit of a chore, but I guess that's the price to pay for more complex and intricate systems.

It’ll come to you more naturally with time. Focus on putting him into stealth and attacking with sneak attacks (ranged is best because it’s easier to go back into stealth after).

I have thief on him so it’s two bonus actions. I go;

Move outside enemy sight.
Hide
Sneak attack with bow
Move outside enemy sight
Hide

End Turn.

[MrSoul]

Pick assassin sub class.

[MarcusDavidus]

i put him down after first time he hit on me.

[sajmon]

he was good for first few levels (i went with thief), but then he fell off and was swapped for Karlach. for locks and traps i have MC bard with 18 dex gloves

[>//The_FALCON]

lmao you spec him into arcane trickster and you expect him to lob fireballs like a wizard? maybe spec him into a wizard if you wanted that? eldrich knight, arcane trickster, ranger etc spells are supposed to be utility only. if you want big damage, focus on the big damage.

[Kalil]

Staple him to the floor.

[Jom]

2 good short swords and now in act 2 there is a good chance he kills an enemy with a single attack and i don't even use stealth or multi classing. Also if you have any pets or summons, try to attack the same enemy before he does do give him an advantage and allow for the better attacks which should help in act 1.

[Kebabmaster5000]

Have him take the Assassin subclass and give him the Deathstalker Mantle. The moment he gets a single kill in a fight he's gonna be unstoppable.

[Frostea]

Spec him in to assassin, play or respec your main character to bard. And cast invis and buffs on him.

Watch as he shreds bosses before they can even move.