Astarion is one of the first companions you will come across in Baldur’s Gate 3, but what is the best build for Astarion? Since the character is already one of the pre-made choices, there’s only a little you’ll have to do besides adding a couple of spells into his lineup every couple of levels. However, if you are to start as Astarion, you can influence some of his build. Ideally, he should be a half-elf thief, but the possibilities are endless. Let’s go into more detail about the best Astarion build in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Astarion Vampire Build in BG3
Astarion would benefit best with a build that caters to his vampiric ways, much like any other companion with their strengths in Baldur’s Gate 3. Once you discover Astarion wandering near the crash site of the Nautiloid crash, you might have a tough time getting him into your party. However, it’s not necessary to deal with the near-death experience with the handsome vampire.
Subclass
The best Subclass for Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3 is, without a doubt, the Thief Subclass. The Thief Subclass allows Astarion to perform some bonus actions that can be beneficial, such as picking locks and disarming traps, and its movement speed is quite nice. It can allow you to focus more on the charming and stealthy vampire that he portrays throughout the cinematics and dialogue that Astarion has no problem featuring in.
You can unlock the Thief Subclass once you reach Level 3. The Thief Subclass can be significant in combat and outside of it. However, if you feel the Thief Subclass doesn’t do it for you, you can choose Arcane Trickster or Assassin.
By default. Astarion’s race is Half-Elf. As a Half-Elf, Astarion has access to the following features:
- Fey Ancestry
- Darkvision
- Keen Senses
- Proficiency in Longsword, Shortsword, Longbow, and Shortbow
Darkvision and Keen Senses both play into the Vampire role quite a bit. I mean, how often have you heard of a vampire that can’t see in the dark and doesn’t have any type of supernatural senses? Probably never. If we want Astarion to go full vampire, both in his theatric role and that in which he combats the many enemies Baldur’s Gate 3 has to offer, being a Half-Elf is necessary.
Proficiencies
Since there are so many Skills to choose from in Baldur’s Gate 3, getting the best vampire build for Astarion can sometimes be challenging. If you want the best Skills possible for Astarion, choose Stealth, Perception, Deception, Acrobatics, and Sleight of Hand. The majority of these skills are Dexterity Skills, with the exception of Perception, which is a Wisdom Skill, and Deception, which is a Charisma Skill. That said, you should expect to have high Dexterity, as well as Charisma, and Wisdom.
Abilities
Choosing how to build your Abilities for the Astarion build in Baldur’s Gate 3 relies heavily on what is necessary for his Skills to perform well as a vampire. That said, we’ve already discussed how many of his skills depend on Dexterity, so that will be his highest Ability. Next to Dexterity, you must have high Charisma and Wisdom. Being a vampire, it’s obvious that Astarion has been around for a while, what with his immortality and whatnot. Being able to speak and know your history are essential. What comes with age? That’s right. Charisma and Wisdom.
- Strength – 9
- Dexterity – 16
- Constitution – 14
- Intelligence – 8
- Wisdom – 14
- Charisma – 14
Level Progression
As you level up Astarion throughout your gameplay, put a lot of thought into how you want to turn him into the fiercest vampire Baldur’s Gate has seen. While you could easily stick with the thief subclass, select the recommended level up options, and keep him the way the game intended, you could also tailor him to your needs.
If you want Astarion to be more of a charming vampire, playing more on mind control and charisma, you might consider taking him down the Warlock class path, where he can strengthen his mind control abilities and focus on holding spells. Or maybe, if you want him to be more of a dark, element-wielding vampire, you could give him opportunities with the necromancer path with a Wizard, or a Spore Druid. Maybe, you want him to be a classic vampire who uses no weapons aside from his claws and fangs, which would bring you down the Monk path.
