Astarion is an origin character in Baldur’s Gate 3 with a unique storyline of his own. Being a High Elf Rogue, this cute-looking vampire has some sinister plans for world domination.
Astarion plays an important role in your party. He is nimble, can move stealthily, and can use some spells to further enhance his abilities. For this reason, a proper build for Astarion is extremely important in Baldur’s Gate 3.
In this guide, we will help you craft the best build for Astarion that uses not one, not two, but three different classes. We will also mix things up for some spicy gameplay. Before we can start with the build, let’s recruit Astarion first.
How to Recruit Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3
Astarion is one of the easiest party members to recruit. Once Nautiloid crashes on the shore, you can find him standing directly opposite the site of the crash (X: 170, Y: 287).
Once you talk to Astarion, things will turn ugly as he will point a dagger at your throat. However, things will calm down eventually, and he will ask to join your party.
Level 1 Selections for Astarion Build
Upon recruiting Astarion successfully, you can now access his character management screen. He is an origin character, which means you can’t change his race or background. However, you select his class, subclass, and attributes.
Race: Elf
Subrace: High Elf
Class: Rogue
Background: Charlatan
Skill Points: Strength 8, Dexterity 15+1, Constitution 14, Intelligence 10, Wisdom 10, Charisma 14+2.
For this build, we will be focusing mainly on Charisma as the subclass we will be working with uses Charisma as its main modifier.
Due to the selection of the above attributes, you will get the following proficiencies.
Weapons: Simple Weapons, Hand Crossbows, Longswords, Rapiers, Shortswords, Longbows, Shortbows.
Armor: Light Armor
Skills: Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand x2, Stealth x2, Perception, Deception, Performance, Persuasion.
Level 2 Selections for Astarion Build
As soon as you reach level 2, your HP will increase to 17 from 10. You will also get the following class actions.
Cunning Action Hide: Allows you to hide from enemies by succeeding the Stealth Checks.
Cunning Action Dash: Doubles your movement speed for 1 turn.
Cunning Action Disengage: Allows you to retreat without provoking Opportunity Attacks.
Level 3 Selections for Astarion Build
Upon reaching level 3, your HP will now increase to 24 from 17. This is the level where the real fun begins. You can now choose your subclass, which will be our main focus from now on.
Subclass: Swashbuckler
Fancy Footwork: This subclass action saves you from opportunity attacks if you hit an enemy with the melee attack.
Rakish Audacity: This subclass feature gives you a +2 advantage on your Initiative rolls.
Level 4 Selections for Astarion Build
Upon reaching level 4, your HP increases to 31 from 24. At this point, you will get various important actions and features.
Class Action: Dirty Trick Flick of the Wrist. Allows you to disarm an opponent.
Cantrip: Dirty Trick Vicious Mockery. Allows you to deal 1d4 psychic damage to the enemy, and they will get a disadvantage on their next attack rolls.
Bonus Action: Dirty Trick Sand Toss. Deals 1d6 Bludgeoning damage to enemies and blinds them for the next 2 turns.
At this point, your first Feat slot also unlocks.
Ability Improvement: Invest both points in Charisma ability to increase it up to 18.
Level 5 Selections for Astarion Build
Upon reaching level 5, your HP increases to 38 from 31. It is about time to Multiclass your best Astarion build in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Class: Bard
Cantrips: Vicious Mockery (deals 1d4 psychic damage and the enemy has a disadvantage on their next attack roll), Mage Hand (summons a celestial hand that can manipulate objects).
Spells: Healing Word (allows you to heal a creature with 1d4 + 4), Thunderwave (deals 2d8 damage and pushes away enemies), Dissonant Whispers (deals 3d6 psychic damage and enemies have a disadvantage on skill checks and attack rolls), Longstrider (increases movement speed by 3m).
Level 6 Selections for Astarion Build
As soon as you reach level 6, your HP will increase to 45 from 38. You will also get a class action called Song of the Rest.
Song of the Rest: Revitalize yourself and your allies, as you have taken a short rest.
Choose another spell at this point for your bard.
Disguise Self: Magically change all aspects of your appearance.
Level 7 Selections for Astarion Build
At this level, you will now a level 3 bard multiclass with a level 4 rogue. Your HP will increase to 52 from 45. You can also choose the subclass for your bard.
Subclass: College of Swords to get the following bonuses.
Slashing Flourish: Deals 1d6 slashing damage up to 2 enemies at once.
Mobile Flourish (ranged): Deals 1d6 slashing damage to enemies and pushes them back. You can then teleport to their location.
You also get access to level 2 spells at this point.
Hold Person: Allows you to hold a creature that can’t act, react, or move. The next attack against it is always a critical attack from within 3m.
Fighting Style: Twin Weapons Fighting (upon using a weapon with your off-hand, you can add your attack modifier to the attack).
Level 8 Selections for Astarion Build
At level 8, your HP now increases to 59 from 52. Your bard will also reach level 4, which means you can now access your second Feat.
Cantrip: Minor Illusion: Create an illusion to deceive enemies.
Spell: Invisibility. Turns any creature invisible. It has an advantage on attack rolls, and any attack roll against it has a disadvantage.
Feat: Ability Improvement. Invest both points into Charisma again to increase it to level 20 (maximum).
Level 9 Selections for Astarion Build
At level 9, your HP increases to 66 from 59. At this point, your Bard level increases to 5, which gives you access to the following.
Class Feature: Font of Inspiration (you regain all of your Bardic Inspiration after a Long or Short Rest).
You can also select one level 3 spell at this point.
Fear: The Enemy becomes fearful and drops everything. They also get a disadvantage on their attack rolls and ability checks.
Level 10 Selections for Astarion Build
Upon reaching level 10, your HP increases to 73 from 66. You also gain access to a bonus action, Countercharm.
Countercharm: You and your allies within 9m have advantage against being charmed or frightened.
Subclass Feature: Extra Attack. Allows you to make an extra attack after you do an unarmed or melee attack.
Spell: Glyph of Warding. Inscribe magic wards on the floor. When an enemy steps on them, the selected magic effect triggers.
Level 11 Selections for Astarion Build
At level 11, we are going to add a Third Class, Warlock. At this point, your HP will increase to 80 from 73.
Class: Warlock
Subclass: Hexblade
Action: Bind Hexed Weapon. Your main hand weapon binds to you. It becomes magical and can’t be thrown. You will also become proficient with it immediately.
Action: Hexblade Curse. Your damage rolls get a bonus equal to your Proficiency Bonus. You will also need 1 less to achieve a critical hit with your attack rolls.
Cantrips: Eldritch Blast (deals 1d10 force damage), Booming Blade (deals an additional 1d8 thunder damage).
Spells: Shield (increases your Armor Class by 5 when an attack is about to hit you. You also become immune to Magic Missile), Wrathful Smite (deals an additional 1d6 damage to enemies and frightens them. They have a disadvantage on their attack rolls and skills).
Level 12 Selections for Astarion Build
Upon reaching level 12, your Paladin will become level 2 and get a chance to get its first Eldritch Invocation. Your HP will also increase to 87 from 80.
Devil’s Sight: You can see both magical and non-magical creatures in darkness up to 24m.
Repelling Blast: Upon hitting an enemy with Eldritch Blast, you can push them away 4.5m.
Spell: Armor of Agathys. Grants you 5 temporary hit points, and an enemy that hits you with a weapon gets 5 cold damage.
The build doesn’t end here, as we will need proper gear, accessories, and weapons to go with the best Astarion build in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Best Armor and Accessories for Astarion Build
Head: Mask of Soul Perception. You get a +2 bonus to your attack rolls, initiative rolls, and perception checks. You will also get the Detect Thoughts spell as a bonus.
Cloak: Cloak of Protection. Grants +1 bonus to both armor class and saving throws.
Armor: Armor of Agility. Allows you to add your Dexterity Modifier to your Armor Class. You also get a +2 bonus to saving throws. It also doesn’t apply a disadvantage to your stealth checks.
Gloves: Wondrous Gloves. Increases your Armor Class by 1. If you have Bardic Inspiration, you gain 1 more bonus to your armor class.
Boots: Disintegrating Night Walkers. You gain the Misty Step spell and can’t be entangled or ensnared.
Rings: Killer’s Sweetheart (upon killing a creature, your next attack roll is always a critical hit. Can be used once per long rest), Ring of Protection (increases Armor Class and Saving Throws by 1).
Amulet: Amulet of Greater Health. Increases the Constitution of its wearer to 23.
Best Weapon for Astarion Build in BG3
For this build, we will be using Crimson Mischief. It has the following weapon properties.
- Deals 1d6 + 5 Piercing, 1d4 piercing, 1d4 necrotic damage.
- Deals an additional 1d4 piercing damage against enemies whose HP is lower than 50%.
- +2 Weapon Enchantment.
- Upon using the weapon with advantage, the enemy takes an additional 7 pierce damage.
For the ranged weapon, use the Hellfire Hand Crossbow, which has the following weapon properties.
- +2 weapon enchantment.
- Scorching Ray shot spell as a bonus.
- Deals 1d6 + 5 piercing damage.
On the off-hand, use Sussur Dagger, which has the following weapon properties.
- Deals 1d4 + 4 piercing damage
- +1 weapon enchantment
For the second ranged weapon, use Ne’er Misser. It has the following weapon properties.
- Deals 1d6 + 4 force damage
- +1 weapon enchantment
- Magic Missile bonus spell
