Highlights
- Baldur's Gate 3 offers many outcomes for its story and character arcs, including Astarion, the vampire high-elf heartthrob.
- Astarion's best ending involves completing his personal quest and gaining a newfound resolve, but it also means he can no longer stand in sunlight.
- Despite giving up the ability to see the sun, Astarion's emotionally satisfying ending allows him to live knowing his tormentor is gone and he has people who care for him.
Due to being a massive RPG where player choice dictates where the story goes, Baldur's Gate 3 offers several different outcomes for its main story and many subplots. This includes numerous outcomes for the eclectic cast of characters who join the party as the story progresses, and whose possibilities will vary greatly among the hundreds of thousands playing the game right now.
Among the most popular party candidates is Astarion, the vampire high-elf heartthrob whose morally questionable viewpoints are swiftly countered by his wit and flirty personality. His story can lead to several conclusions for his arc as it coincides with the main quest, and arguably one of the best outcomes for it also acts as a massive double-edged sword.
Astarion's Best Ending Means No More Basking in the Sun
Because Astarion is a vampire whose depiction matches that of many popular vampires, he would burn if exposed to sunlight. Due to the Mind Flayer tadpole's effects on his body, this is no longer the case as he can safely travel alongside the party during the daylight hours.
He mentions his surprise at being able to wander during the day a few times during the story, but this point only sets in when players find him attempting to look in a mirror. While not a big part of the conversation, it's clear that Astarion is testing to see what side effects of his vampirism have remained after the tadpole was inserted in his head, and it's a somber moment that hints towards how reflective he is over everything he lost after being turned. The tension gets cut short by some more flirting, but it's clear that something as seemingly common as going out to greet the sun is something Astarion wouldn't take for granted.
To get what is arguably the most emotionally satisfying ending Baldur's Gate 3 has for Astarion, players need to complete his personal quest of hunting down his former master Cazador. Something the game does an excellent job at is highlighting how emotionally and psychologically damaging Astarion's time with Cazador was, as the centuries he had to endure as a thrall took a massive toll on his well-being, and any encounter led to physical or emotional abuse.
Where Astarion's fate is eventually decided is after Cazador's defeat. The main path involves Astarion completing the ritual for himself, gaining the power his former master would have otherwise gotten, or attempting to talk him out of going through with this plan. Convincing him to stop the ritual still leads to Cazador's death, but Astarion ends up with a newfound resolve that he is surrounded by people who care about him. It's a powerful moment as the game approaches its climax, and helps solidify his relationship as one of Baldur's Gate 3's best.
Where the ending becomes a double-edged sword for Astarion is during the game's last scene if players choose to destroy the Netherbrain. Whatever direction players choose to destroy the being, the cast spends the final moments standing on a dock watching the sunset and knowing they saved the world. With the tadpole's effects waning, the protections it granted also begin going away, with Astarion's being no exception. Unfortunately for him, this includes not being able to stand in sunlight anymore, and his story concludes with him scurrying away to find shade before his body burns.
It's a funny and not bittersweet moment that his most emotionally satisfying ending involves giving up the ability to see the sun again while also forever remaining a far weaker vampire than he could have been. At the same time, he still knows he has people who genuinely care for him and can live life knowing the man who tormented him for so long is gone.
Baldur's Gate 3 is out now on PC and will release September 6 on PS5. A version for Xbox Series X/S is in development.
