Regarding creating a separate thread on this topic - maybe you have any suggestions for a thread title? (I can suggest "Fix the problems - don't fix the perfection. Dear Larian, please no need to make Astarion "less evil"). And how to move posts from one thread to another? (I'm very new to the forum and don't fully understand all the technicalities).
Honestly, I've been dreading patches for a very long time. I've noticed the changes in Lord Astarion's face too. In places it was even better. Larian adds a brightness of emotion, but in some places, they overdo it, to the example above. On the other hand, if there is a definitive edition with a magistrate I won't mind. I love the theme of balancing evil, power, and large medieval cities too much.
The topic is "Suggestions and Feedback", in this section you have to be very concrete with specific examples and scenes. If Zayir has allowed the use screenshots so it's a good start.
I wish the complex image of the delicate predator would stay with Astarion. After the ritual, he changes to either more "evil" or "good". If you ask not to make Astarion "less evil", then only before the ritual.
I think it's important to emphasize that we're talking about "keep his fangs" Astarion before the ritual. With the Lord, on the contrary, do not lose the delicacy of "evil", complexity and deepness. However, Larian added a great line when Astarion saw himself in the mirror, so that's a good signal. (They just need to add a romance scene of Tav and Astarion drinking each other's blood, no big deal)
Originally Posted by Marielle
funny aggressive loser
The "babygirl" trend, yeah. Let's hope this trend stays in fandom, not canon. I'm sure even Kratos is called babygirl, my little meow meow (I checked, it's true, dear lord), so rewrite him now eh (?) I understand caring about a strong, powerful man, do the cute thing, but I feel the "babygirl thing" skews the strength, mocks it even. I prefer to enjoy characters in a different way. Astarion has fun, and he's a trickster X) just doesn't make it any less complex and charm-dangerous. And complexity doesn't make him "not fun". Astarion's interesting trait despite his neatness is that he likes pretty things - he likes to be a leader. It's absolutely fascinating. The way his bravery and savagery combine with "silk sheets", sewing, fancying up at the mirror, and back a nice sharp dagger, beautiful armor. And it's fun, but it's realistic. Men decorated their gold armor with rose patterns (not everyone was interested, but some were) They chose bright colors - their sword cut off the enemy's head. And the epee would pierce the heart. Aramis read poetry and could kill a dozen enemies. They loved pink, could be funny, but they didn't buffoon in a bad way, they didn't look like a "funny aggressive loser". Still serious and complex characters. Let's hope Larian understands that balance.
Honestly there's so much in act 3, the same "good ending", Tav should run after him, an option would be appropriate. There's not enough dialog with the companions after the turning. In which we could defend him from their attacks. I'm have fun at the thought that Tav will get emotional after the drama-Wyll, and Astarion will try to calm down Tav and pout at the companions (oh geez connect the mind of a tadpole and find out his thoughts on the relationship, like in act 2)
Act 1 and Astarion there is perfect, while in Act 3, there is really something to work on. I heard a joke that "EA 3 act here now, waiting for the release". For sure, the only change in Act 1 that I want is the return of the scenes from EA. "Little Death" is still at the party, in the release version, the dialog is constructed as a reference to this scene, which it isn't. Just take a look at this:
