Embarking on the quest to save Faerûn in Baldur's Gate 3, you will be ed by a team of fascinating and complex characters, each of whom will have their own problems. Found a little further up the beach early in Act 1 is Astarion, who, after getting to know you a little better, will open up about his true nature as a vampire. However, this presents its own set of problems when the master vampire who turned him wants Astarion returned.

Almost every party member in Baldur's Gate 3 has wonderfully woven personal companion quests that span all three acts of the game, some of which interact with the main quest in multiple ways. In the final act, as the battle against the Absolute comes to a head, these personal quests also reach their conclusions and will need to be resolved. For Astarion, that means returning to his former master, Cazador, and the mansion that was his home and prison for over two centuries to interrupt a dark ritual.

Astarion's Companion Quest Is All About The Cycle Of Abuse

Face Cazador To Stop The Black Mass Ritual

Astarion’s personal quest is a slow burn to begin with, and you will need to speak to Astarion in camp in Act 1 to learn about Cazador. One way to do this is to gain his approval and spend the night with him after the tiefling party, which will reveal that Astarion’s back is covered in large, intricate scarring. Keen to learn more about it, Astarion will enlist your help going into Act 2, where he decides to ask Raphael.

If Astarion isn't romanced, then a scene will play at camp during a long rest once his approval is high enough, usually in Act 2. In it, Astarion will be shirtless and trying to figure out the scars alone, allowing him to be asked about them.

Raphael will agree to assist if Yurgir is killed in the Gauntlet of Shar. If this is one, then Astarion will learn that the scars are part of a ritual that will allow Cazador to become a Vampire Ascendant, a much more powerful type of vampire. Another way to find this information without making a deal with Raphael is to give Astarion the Necromacy of Thay and later the Tharchiate Codex in Act 3.

Finally, in Act 3, Astarion will need to confront Cazador, and the party can either learn the location of the ritual from fellow vampire spawns or the Gur. Heading to Cazador's Palace in Baldur's Gate, Astarion and the party will need to defeat Cazador to prevent him from sacrificing the 7000 spawn needed to fuel his ascension. From there, Astarion faces a choice, to either kill Cazador or complete the ritual and ascend himself.

What Happens If Astarion Completes The Ritual

Astarion Becomes More Powerful

As Astarion asks for your help, the first option is to agree and help him with the dialogue choice: “All right, what do you need?” Using the link between the illithid parasites, Astarion will then copy the scars from his back onto Cazador. Cazador will then take Astarion's place in the ritual circle as he begins the incantation. At this point, another companion will usually interject, pointing out the cost of the ritual, offering one last chance to stop Astarion.

Once the ritual is complete, the change in Astarion is immediate, and he will speak about his lack of hunger as well as the power he now feels. Astarion will also gain some new abilities with an his bite attack and a vampire variant of Gaseous Form. Both of these recharge on a short rest and can be used as bonus actions, making them work very well with the Thief subclass, which has an extra bonus action per round.

The Gur will be waiting outside the ritual chamber and, after a short conversation, will become hostile, making them unable to be recruited for “Gather Your Allies”. However, in their place, an ascended Astarion will offer forces in the final battle as a Vampire Ascendant in BG3. Retinue of the Vampire Lord allows you to summon two shadows, two giant skeletons, a ghast, a shadow mastiff, and a werewolf when facing the forces of the Netherbrain.

What Happens If Astarion Kills Cazador

Astarion Can Turn Away From Power

The other option is to talk Astarion out of completing the ritual by choosing either the second or third dialogue options to remind Astarion of the cost of life. It is a DC 18 Persuasion check to stop Astarion. However, this will drop to DC 15 if an Insight check is done first, which itself is DC 20. The Insight check will give a second Persuasion option, which reminds Astarion that power does not always mean freedom.

Once persuaded, Astarion will kill Cazador before turning his attention to the other vampire spawn. Here, you will have to help Astarion decide whether to free or kill Cazador’s spawn, as there are 7000 ravenous spawn in the dungeon. The choices are to either kill them, release them into the Underdark, or leave them, but whatever the choice, the party will be free to leave.

Don’t forget to loot Cazador as he carries the rare dagger Rhapsody, which makes an excellent end game weapon for Astarion.

Outside, the Gur will be waiting, and their response to the party will depend on what was done with the 7000 spawn. If the spawn were released, Ulma will be shocked but grateful and plans to seek the Gur children in the Underdark. However, if they were killed, after some initial anger, she will offer the Gur as allies in the final battle.

Why You Should Stop Astarion From Ascending

An Ascended Astarion Is Too Dangerous In The Long Run

Overall, it is best to prevent Astarion from completing Cazador’s ritual and ascending. Although the mechanical benefits are significant from a roleplay and character perspective, it is the wrong path for him in the long run. Of course, this might vary from playthrough to playthrough, but the ascended path for Astarion is very much the evil option.

There are two further options which will both result in Astarion leaving the party. The first is to refuse to help Astarion at all, while the second is to agree to help him but then interrupt the ritual. This second option will immediately turn Astarion hostile, forcing the party to defeat him.

When I chose to help him ascend, I found the change in his personality startling and Astarion is noticeably colder and often dismissive, even when speaking to a romanced player character. It was also interesting that although an ascended Astarion sees the power his new form brings as freedom, he is very quick to plan to dominate others.

In the epilogue, he speaks of being Baldur's Gate's puppet master and already thinks very little of the other companions. If told they are happy and well, Ascended Astarion acts completely surprised that they have lives that don't revolve around him. Whereas, if Astarion doesn't ascend, he seems genuinely happier and understands how breaking the cycle was true freedom.

It is very telling that Astarion will give plus-three approval when he is persuaded not to complete the ritual. This outcome feels much better, not just for Astarion, but for the world after Baldur’s Gate 3. In the epilogue, Astarion will be happy for the other companions and talk about his adventures helping others.