Larian Studios Forums Baldur's Gate III Baldur's Gate III - Suggestions & Feedback Justice for Astarion (plz give the bb boy better endings)

Listen, I know plenty of people appreciate aspects about a certain Astarion "bad" ending, I get that. But then again, what about a more fleshed out version of his "good" end, or even a new one? If Karlach can get some patched in additions to her epilogue/endings then I certainly believe Astarion should too. As, I feel like the above mentioned "bad" ending completely disregards a large portion of his romance as well as character development; his key points of vulnerability are as if they never happened and your established relationship is seemingly meaningless. That being said, the "good" ending certainly doesn't appear to be much better, albeit lacking to any kind of conclusion to say the least and leaving him in about the same spot as before. Which, of course, leaves more to be desired as certainly the player should feel at least mildly rewarded for "fixing" him or going down the "good" path. However, that accomplishment or reward simply isn't there in any of the current possible endings for Astarion. Nonetheless, I just wanted to put in my two cents and on the off chance someone from Larian actually sees this, make a suggestion to either expand upon/alter the pre-existent Astarion content or at least add some sort of alternate ending(s). Thank you so much for making such a fun game ^^

Although I agree with a lot of this, the "bad" ending, and him being a power hungry prick.. well.. he does very much tell you in the beginning that a "true vampire" is just that. No matter how much he may have changed along the course of your (and my) playthrough, if he does ascend, he becomes exactly what he said a true vampire would be. Took a lot for me to accept that, as I was just in shock at the change in him, like it did indeed disregard all the character development. The changes in the personality, though spot on for what he said would happen, etc.. ugh, they made me cringe. Unless changes are made to this I will probably never go this route with him again.

I definitely agree with you about the good ending. It needs more. What would be great is that if Larian won't change his ending, maybe they can at least give us some DLC in the future.. allowing us to find a way to help him walk in the sun? Or something like that. But make the good ending better. (Give us a super steamy scene, even if he doesn't ascend ) And PLEASE give us more closure than just him running off to the shadows. Please. Y'all can appease the Karlach fans, why not us die hard Astarion fans too? Do we also need to be more vocal? Put up an online petition, etc? Seems to have worked for Karlach.

I'm definitely thirding this! The only reason I thought about ascending Astarion is so he can be in the sun! Yes there's the whole sexy domineering side, but that's like empty calories in a way. His whole progress gets shoved down the drain, and it's repeating a cycle of abuse that spawned him! I want a good ending where the player is at least given something better than Astarion ducking off into the shadows by himself! That sucks and honestly I feel like crying when I see it, it's like he's being punished for giving up power, twice! At least let the player follow him to the shadows and comfort him, vowing to find a way to let him be in the sun again, some mystic artifact or magic spell, etc. Something! Karlack you at least get to go off with her to hell and help her fight her battle, why can't we help Astarion fight his?

+1 this, I HATE the "good" ending. They make him a punchline and there's no closure whatsoever. I'm a die-hard Astarion fan; I truly believe he's the best character in the game by far. He deserves better.

Just commenting to support OP's concerns.

I haven't finished Act3 yet, but as I read discourse around the internet, I'm beginning to wonder. Did ANY of our companions get a satisfactory story resolution? Did the game??

"Justice for Astarion" Yes please!!

It's been mentioned - by neil - that there is about 2 hours of VA that no one has unlocked yet when it comes to Astarion. There is something we are missing...

I read somewhere the other day that he was referring to what happens if you don't make it out of the monastery in time before it explodes, if you just grab the mace and don't insert the crest. If Astarion dies and you rez him through Withers he has some EPIC choice words for you. It's definitely worth doing at least once, or watching on YouTube. Some of his best voice acting, IMO. So, unless that was just Larian covering for his "oops"? Or maybe you have to play as Astarion to find what Neil was referring to.

You're definitely not wrong about the why they took that direction with the "bad" endling. It is true that its not like Astarion didn't warn you about what happens to true vampires, but its still pretty yikes imo. Even so, I would 110% be on board with some sort of DLC providing at least SOME closure; whether thats providing a way to get him a cure or at least finding a way to support him. Like one of the other commenters said, they literally just play him off as a joke and have him run away into the dark. Like, our Tav doesn't even say anything about it or try to comfort him, its just sad and leaves a bitter taste .

As for the extra "steamy scene" I couldn't agree more, that shouldn't be exclusive to the "bad" end as it almost makes you feel like you're getting rewarded more if you go down that route. And, yes yes yes, Larian please show some love to the Astarion simps, we are here and we will gladly be more vocal if need be xD I'm all for signing a petition if it will do the trick too!

Seconding a lot of people here, I think Astarion just needs more, especially in Act 3. They did such an amazing job developing his character in Act 1 and provided so much emotional depth to him that I really just want to see more of that in Act 3, especially after you’ve finished his main quest. For instance the level of complexity and depth Larian gave to Astarion attitude toward sex was exceptionally thoughtful, which is why I was surprised that there wasn’t more after his main quest to expand on him learning how to genuinely be with someone. You get some of it, but it just didn’t have the same kind of depth and emotion that he initially delivered in Act 1.

For me I’d just like a few more scenes after the initial graveyard scene to sort of flesh out who he’s becoming now that he’s gotten his revenge. How his story concludes just doesn’t give justice to the development of his character and his relationship with Tav given the amount of times you are given the opportunity to reassure him that you’ll be with him every step of the way.

All that said thank you Larian Studios for making such and amazing game and giving us such amazing characters that we obviously care so much about!!!

100% this!

Came in to agree. His final scene felt so... stagnant compared to how emotional the rest of his arc was. It was like a camp conversation after being brushed aside as a joke.

In general, I can say the following about Astarion.

I am incredibly offended by the details of his past. He didn’t tell us anything, initially, I thought that besides Kasador, something would pop up in Baldur’s Gate, but no. And it’s strange, even though he says he doesn’t remember anything.
The way Gur simply forgave him is very superficial.
His and Cazador's interactions are so short. I don't believe that they have nothing to say to each other. Everything is too simple and seems unfinished.

And also, Astarion lived in BG, where his home is, his parents, he is only 300 years old. His past as a corrupt judge. I think we should know this if we return to where most of our companions live
Why in the end no one came to his grave, it was abandoned, and if there is a reason, I would like to know this reason.

I also agree with the hot scene, this is a very sore subject in his novel, you have to understand that everything is getting better, otherwise I have the feeling that he is forcing himself as before.