The dryad's love test in Act 3: even if you take the test after freeing Astarion from Cazador, the answers are still the same. His greatest desire is vengeance on Cazador. This breaks immersion a lot for me. Would be nice to see some change in his responses. Ascended version might crave to rule the whole world with his consort, the non-ascended version might be more sincere, just 'want to live'.
Yes, the answers should definitely be different post-Cazador.
Originally Posted by onebadEVEning
I would just add one thing regarding the Halsin romance:
After we refused Halsin`s proposition (for players that don´t want a "polyromance" ) we could still talk about it with Astarion where he gives his consent at first, which Tav sees through via an insight check or reading his mind. If they succeed and they realise that Astarion is indeed lying about beeing ok with the whole Halsin thing, they could tell Astarion that he can talk about everything with them and he confesses that he agreed only because he was afraid to loose Tav. After their talk Astarion could hug Tav (we have far too few romantic interactions in my oppinion :)) and Tav could reasure him of their love and devotion to him.
It would fit with his story much better but if someone wants to pursue a relationship with both, they still can.
The insight check and a followup would be really nice, pre-Cazador it's clear he's only agreeing to it out of fear of losing Tav and not being confident to say no. Even romanced Shadowheart can step away from Tav at some point to let Astarion have them, saying he's fragile deep down and she can see he's not into sharing. He's not even fond of Halsin! He calls him annoying if he's obducted by certain someone, mocks him for being obsessed with nature, doesn't appreciate his comments about Tav and Astarion's relationship in party banter. His approval post-Cazador still feels forced, he speaks in a somewhat passive aggressive manner and it seems like he treats it as a reluctant reward for Tav for helping him out.
Originally Posted by onebadEVEning
And the old romance scene from before the patch should be reinstated, the new one lacks somehow the hotness from the old one!
Which scene? What was changed? I saw that they removed the last full body shot with Astarion's hips gyration (how could they?!) during the ascended romance scene.
Originally Posted by Juicebox1696
Here's what I'm thinking:
I would accept any way of of showing Astarion how he looks like, some of them are already in the game! For example, artisan Tav could just draw him. He could have additional dialogue after Act 3
where you can buy a statue of him
. In act 3 you could also ask specifically
for the painter to paint him
.
These are good suggestions too!
Originally Posted by Juicebox1696
I am specifically upset I cannot hug him first, then tell him I will wait for as long as he takes for him to be ready.
I wish I could use the tadpole first so he eases up and gets all warm and fuzzy and then be able to give him a hug.
Originally Posted by Juicebox1696
I would like instead an insight check option with an additional dialogue option along the lines of "I don't think this was a good idea after all, you are not okay, should we stop?". Checking in during the act and stopping it is a great option to allow Astarion the space to explore while being conscious of his trauma responses.
Yes! You could then decide to stop, continue without Astarion or say nothing and keep going but want to have a chat afterwards. The next conversation would be about the outcome of that encounter.
Originally Posted by Juicebox1696
Yup, latest patch added some new and cute, unique animations for companion kisses in general I think - but not for all of them. They should all get a unique one to add variety.
I love that Astarion approaches Tav now, makes it look like he's more into it (although it makes the end of the world kiss less unique). Sadly, it's still that lame peck. And when you compare it to that new Karlach and Halsin kiss... oofffff it feels bad. The kiss is also a bit broken now, the spoken dialogue doesn't always match up with ingame text, Astarion sometimes makes weird faces and says nothing. His lines still cut off mid sentence. I also saw two new written lines when asked for a kiss where he supposedly says something like 'you don't need to ask but it's nice that you do' and a super "romantic" 'if you must' lol.
Originally Posted by Juicebox1696
Ad 17. Yes and the lines you wrote out are ridiculously in character for him
Thanks!
Originally Posted by Juicebox1696
Additionally, spawn Astarion storyline could again be tidied up by fleshing out something ALREADY in the game
the creepy necromancy book combined with the creepier necromancy book you find in act 3. Together, if read, they should provide at least a recipe to craft a sun immunity ring/cape/diadem - whatever. Or a spell to bring him back from the undeath.
.
It really feels like there was some cut content related to the necromancy book. I wish there was also an option to allow him to read the book after Tav does it to not miss out on extra dialogues with him. If Tav reads it themselves, they should be able to share more information about the rite of profane ascension as well.
Originally Posted by Juicebox1696
Ad 25. Ending slides or scenes would be great. (...) Alternatively a DLC
like the Citadel for Mass Effect.
I would love a small celebration before going to the point of no return and a reunion party DLC.
I was also wishing for romance specific lines during combat and apparently they DO exist but they never triggered in my game! He only kept shouting 'get up gods damn you' when my Tav was downed I feel so salty after watching this:
And now I wonder how to trigger the start conversation because it's impossible to target Tav when selecting to interact with them as Astarion. I performed a test after patch 4 and he also has generic shouts when casting heals as a cleric and bard, no romantic tones. Does it only work during Astarion origin playthrough? Also, that 'maybe they like being restrained?' and 'you look good helpless' coupled with Loviatar's priest scene (especially the 'I had my hopes' line when talking to Shadowheart) and DU tying up remark. He obviously wants to get kinky with Tav but somehow only gets confident enough to do it as ascendant. Could we get an extra scene related to that in act 2 or 3 perhaps? :3
