If this should be in Story let me know but I feel its feedback for this change (and also general changes for Romances).
I also posted this in the reddit as well:
https://www.reddit.com/r/BaldursGat...share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3Patch 3 Act 2 change kinda sucks for Story telling reasons.
The love confession now only triggers
once his personal quest progresses with the Orton being dead.
Prior it would occur with high approval at moonrise at first long rest I believe (sans Drow convo).
I remember when this triggered on my first playthrough. It felt spontaneous, organic and kind of a shock. I loved that because it's essentially his character really taking a leap of faith that Tav won't just drop him (or stake him) for his manipulative ways. Also it's his character expressing affection after 200 yrs of emotional turmoil and trauma. It felt like such a beautiful moment of vulnerability.
Now with the quest completion it feels more transactional. Whichreally dulls the emotional impact. Tav has given him something, now he knows he can give back. It's an exchange and I find that cheapens the interaction. Moreover there's nothing for Astarion to lose,
Tav is willing to fight the enemy of a damn devil for him
. And walk into a lions den for him. The confession holds little risk for him. And thus I find it less vulnerable.
From a game play perspective I think they did this to draw out his content more, which is problematic as instead of addressing the lull in content they extend it which really messes with pace. At least for me I like to explore and take my time while doing companion quests and now it's pushed further down. I was not in love with the rush I felt (I was actually on this new run playing around with juggling two romances and didn't want to lock out either just yet).
Anyways just the tone and pace feels different so I'm kinda meh about it. It'd a shame because it's such a poignant moment. It seems to only affect new playthroughs though so I always have my old saves.
This probably wont get alot of air time like the other articles on the site but I feel like changes like this for pacing and story sequence really concern me because - thats significant change from the release product. If this trend continues alot of guides will be out of date (some of them already are for the romance ones) and the final state of the game will differ alot.
My main concern is that these decisions are being made and theres zero direction to them. I dont understand why the change was made but its now changed the story in an unneeded way. I rather they focus on things that *do* need to be changed. Like Endings. Like broken quests. Like fleshing out dialogue. Or Banter. etc.
