Astarion is a High Elf Rogue vampire you encounter during the early sections of Act 1 in Baldur’s Gate 3. Getting Astarion approval is a plus for you as he is one of the earliest party members in Baldur’s Gate 3. You will find him shortly after the Nautiloid’s crash on the beach.
Astarion can be recruited as a companion shortly after, provided you allow him to join your party. As you progress into Act 2 of Baldur’s Gate 3, you can help Astarion with his companion quest, which allows you to earn massive approval points from him.
If you raise his approval high enough (very good/green), you can romance Astarion as early as Act 1. You can also check the companion approval rating in Baldur’s Gate 3, so make sure that you keep checking that out as well.
How to gain Astarion approval in BG3
Astarion is inherently an evil character by nature. If you decide to follow the path of evil and hurt others, this will massively raise Astarion’s approval for you in Baldur’s Gate 3. To get to his good side and strengthen your relationship with him, you must commit acts that are ethically wrong and morally questionable.
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Act 1 Astarion approval choices
You will meet and recruit Astarion during Act 1 of the game. Below are the choices for Act 1 that will make Astarion happy and will let you earn his approval in Baldur’s Gate 3.
- If you allow Astarion to suck your blood in the night while he is at camp. However, stopping him can prove a bit difficult.
- Defending Astarion while your party members question him and his antics will gain you a lot of Astarion’s approval.
- Siding with Minthara and Goblins to destroy Emerald Grove and kill all the Tieflings and Druids.
- Doing anything in your power to protect the mind flayer parasite and not remove it from your brain.
- Being supportive towards him and his kind. Showing kindness towards and agreeing with him can raise your rank in his eyes.
- Accepting torture from Abdirak in Goblin Camp to obtain Loviatar’s love during Act 1 of the game.
- Making fun of and insulting others make Astarion happy beyond words and will let you earn his approval in Baldur’s Gate 3.
- Handing over the Necromancy of Thay to him in Blighted Village.
- Letting Auntie Ethel go once she surrenders after the defeat.
- Attacking Halsin’s apprentice Nettie inside Druid Grove.
- Kicking Timber, the squirrel, amuses Astarion, and you will earn his approval in Baldur’s Gate 3 for the cruel act.
- Allowing Astarion to kill Gandrel in Sunlit Wetlands earns you massive approval from Astarion.
- Threatening Boooal in the Underdark and telling him that you will take his powers for yourself.
- Rescuing True Soul Nere from Grymforge cave-in and telling him to kill the gnomes.
Act 2 Astarion approval choices
- Making fun of Jaheira in Last Light Inn and refusing the wine offered by her.
- Make Malus Thorm and his nurses kill themselves in the house of healing.
- Reply with the following dialogue option, “A Nightmare in the Dark,” when Lassandra inquires about you.
- During Punish the Wicked quest, persuade Madeline to stab herself, resulting in killing He Who Was.
- Killing Thisobald Thorm by over-drinking will result in you gaining approval from Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3.
- Telling the merchant Araj Oblodra that Astarion is a free person and doesn’t pressure him into doing what Araj asks.
- When playing as Dark Urge origin, select the following dialogue option while talking to Isobel: “I am not going to follow my own orders. You will live.”
- Attack Yurgir in the Gauntlet of Shar and make him kill his minions, the Displacer beast, and then finally himself.
- Reassure Astarion at camp that you will kill Cazador to earn his approval in Baldur’s Gate 3.
- When talking to Arabella, reply with, “Your parents are dead” at the camp.
Act 3 Astarion approval choices
- Sacrificing Valeria, the Olyphant, to Bhaal and becoming his unholy assassin during Act 3 of the game.
- During the Find the Missing Letters quest, extort more money from Danzo Arkwright.
- Using Illithid powers and accepting the Emperor’s offer to evolve will result in gaining you Astarion’s Approval in Baldur’s Gate 3.
- Make fun of Dribbles the Clown by selecting “Boo” from dialogue options.
- Accept to kill the gnomes for Manip Falcao during the Deal with Gnomes side quest.
- Persuade Astarion not to ascend. This is a DC61 persuasion check.
- When the Drow twins recommend an orgy session in Sharess’ Caress, reply with the dialogue choice, “I will never ask such a thing of you.”
- Refuse advancements of Harleep in House of Hope and attack him as soon as you get the chance.
- In the Circus of Last Days, reply to Zethino with the following dialogue options. “When he is elbows deep in gore.” Followed by “Revenge/Me”. And finally, “Most things fear him, actually.”
What not to do if you want Astarion approval
Astarion absolutely hates it if you try to be heroic or kind during any situation unless it affects him. Astarion is the walking definition of evil, so anything pure or good means a hit to approval rating from him in Baldur’s Gate 3. If Astarion’s approval meter hits the red part, he will break off his relationship with you and leave your party instantly.
Following are the choices that will make you lose Astarion’s approval in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Not allowing Astarion to drink your blood.
- Siding with Halsin and protecting the Druid grove from Goblin attack.
- Not stealing the idol from Druid Grove during Act 1 and mending the differences between Druids and Tieflings.
- Not showing support to his kind and not being supportive when it comes to his Vampiric condition.
- Showing care and concern for others and nature. Taking actions that act to benefit someone can displease Astarion’s selfish nature as well.
- Killing Mayrina’s husband during the Save Mayrina quest in Act 1 of the game.
- Save Valeria from the hideout of Bhaal worshipper during Act 3 of the game.
- Sparing the goblin Fezzerk in the Moonrise Towers during Act 2 of the game.
- Give the struggling artist some gold when he asks for some money.
- Trying to stop True Soul Nere after saving him from the rubble in the Grymforge cave-in.
- Trying to find Philomeen in the Grymforge during Act 2 will make you lose approval from Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3.
- When talking to Priestess Gut inside Goblin camp, reply with, “I am ready to clear my head.”
- While talking to Volo, reply with the following dialogue option: “I brought you back, didn’t I?”
Impact of Approval on Astarion’s Romance
Approval plays an important role for a party member to develop feelings for you. Once you manage to increase Astarion’s approval by any means necessary, the game will prompt you to have a nice long chat with him in the camp. Don’t reject Astarion’s offers, and you will be able to romance him successfully. On the contrary, if you keep losing Astarion’s approval, he won’t leave you outright. Once Astarion’s approval rating turns red, he will leave the camp without notice and end his relationship with you.
