What are the consequences of letting Astarion kill the Gur in Act 2 of Baldur's Gate 3?
In Baldur's Gate 3, the decision to let Astarion kill the Gur in Act 2 is a significant narrative choice that can have lasting consequences on both the story and your relationship with Astarion. This choice occurs during the questline involving Astarion's personal story, where you encounter a Gur hunter named Gandrel who is searching for Astarion. The Gur are a group of monster hunters, and Gandrel is specifically tasked with capturing Astarion to bring him back to his master, Cazador. The encounter with Gandrel can happen in Act 1, but the consequences of your choices carry over into Act 2, where the situation escalates.
To let Astarion kill the Gur in Act 2, you must first ensure that Astarion is in your party when you encounter Gandrel. In Act 1, you have the option to either help Gandrel or side with Astarion. If you choose to side with Astarion, you can either let him kill Gandrel or convince him to spare the Gur. If you let Astarion kill Gandrel in Act 1, this sets the stage for further conflict with the Gur in Act 2. In Act 2, you will encounter more Gur hunters who are seeking revenge for Gandrel's death. This is where the choice to let Astarion kill the Gur becomes relevant again.
When you encounter the Gur in Act 2, they will confront you and demand that Astarion be handed over to them. At this point, you have several options. You can choose to fight the Gur, negotiate with them, or let Astarion handle the situation. If you decide to let Astarion kill the Gur, you must allow him to take control of the conversation and make the decision to attack. This will lead to a combat encounter where Astarion will fight the Gur hunters. It is important to note that this choice will have significant consequences for Astarion's character development and your relationship with him.
One of the key mechanics involved in this choice is the approval system. Astarion has a unique approval system that tracks how your actions and decisions align with his personal goals and desires. Letting Astarion kill the Gur will increase his approval of you, as it shows that you support his desire for freedom and revenge against those who seek to control him. However, this choice may also have negative consequences for your relationship with other companions, particularly those who value justice and mercy, such as Wyll or Karlach. They may disapprove of your decision to let Astarion kill the Gur, which could lead to tension within the party.
In terms of combat tactics, if you choose to let Astarion kill the Gur, you should be prepared for a challenging fight. The Gur hunters are skilled combatants, and they will use a variety of tactics to try to defeat you. Astarion's abilities as a rogue will be crucial in this encounter, as he can use his sneak attack to deal significant damage to the Gur. You should also make sure that your party is well-prepared for the fight, with healing potions and spells ready to use. Positioning is also important, as the Gur may try to flank you or use environmental hazards to their advantage.
One common mistake to avoid is underestimating the Gur hunters. They are not to be taken lightly, and if you are not prepared, they can quickly overwhelm your party. It is also important to consider the long-term consequences of your decision. Letting Astarion kill the Gur may strengthen your bond with him, but it could also lead to further conflict with the Gur in the future. Additionally, this choice may impact the overall story, as it could influence how other factions and characters view you.
Advanced techniques for this encounter include using crowd control spells to disable the Gur hunters and focusing your attacks on the most dangerous targets first. Spells like Hold Person or Sleep can be very effective in this situation, as they can prevent the Gur from taking actions or reduce their numbers quickly. You should also make use of Astarion's stealth abilities to gain the upper hand in the fight. By positioning him in a hidden spot before the battle begins, you can ensure that he gets the first strike, which can be a decisive advantage.
In terms of D&D rules and mechanics, this encounter reflects the importance of alignment and moral choices. Astarion's actions are driven by his chaotic neutral alignment, which values personal freedom and self-interest above all else. By letting him kill the Gur, you are aligning yourself with his chaotic nature, which can have ripple effects throughout the game. The Gur hunters, on the other hand, represent a lawful good alignment, as they are seeking to bring a dangerous vampire spawn to justice. The conflict between these two alignments is a central theme in this encounter, and your choice will determine which side you ultimately support.
Specific examples of how this choice can impact the story include the potential for future encounters with the Gur. If you let Astarion kill the Gur in Act 2, you may face more Gur hunters in Act 3 who are seeking revenge. This could lead to additional combat encounters and further complicate your relationship with Astarion. On the other hand, if you choose to spare the Gur, you may gain their assistance in future quests, which could provide valuable resources or information.
In conclusion, the decision to let Astarion kill the Gur in Act 2 is a complex and morally challenging choice that can have significant consequences for the story and your relationships with your companions. It is important to carefully consider the implications of this decision and be prepared for the challenges that may arise as a result. By understanding the mechanics involved, using effective combat tactics, and considering the long-term consequences, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your character's goals and values.
To let Astarion kill the Gur in Act 2, you must first ensure that Astarion is in your party when you encounter Gandrel. In Act 1, you have the option to either help Gandrel or side with Astarion. If you choose to side with Astarion, you can either let him kill Gandrel or convince him to spare the Gur. If you let Astarion kill Gandrel in Act 1, this sets the stage for further conflict with the Gur in Act 2. In Act 2, you will encounter more Gur hunters who are seeking revenge for Gandrel's death. This is where the choice to let Astarion kill the Gur becomes relevant again.
When you encounter the Gur in Act 2, they will confront you and demand that Astarion be handed over to them. At this point, you have several options. You can choose to fight the Gur, negotiate with them, or let Astarion handle the situation. If you decide to let Astarion kill the Gur, you must allow him to take control of the conversation and make the decision to attack. This will lead to a combat encounter where Astarion will fight the Gur hunters. It is important to note that this choice will have significant consequences for Astarion's character development and your relationship with him.
One of the key mechanics involved in this choice is the approval system. Astarion has a unique approval system that tracks how your actions and decisions align with his personal goals and desires. Letting Astarion kill the Gur will increase his approval of you, as it shows that you support his desire for freedom and revenge against those who seek to control him. However, this choice may also have negative consequences for your relationship with other companions, particularly those who value justice and mercy, such as Wyll or Karlach. They may disapprove of your decision to let Astarion kill the Gur, which could lead to tension within the party.
In terms of combat tactics, if you choose to let Astarion kill the Gur, you should be prepared for a challenging fight. The Gur hunters are skilled combatants, and they will use a variety of tactics to try to defeat you. Astarion's abilities as a rogue will be crucial in this encounter, as he can use his sneak attack to deal significant damage to the Gur. You should also make sure that your party is well-prepared for the fight, with healing potions and spells ready to use. Positioning is also important, as the Gur may try to flank you or use environmental hazards to their advantage.
One common mistake to avoid is underestimating the Gur hunters. They are not to be taken lightly, and if you are not prepared, they can quickly overwhelm your party. It is also important to consider the long-term consequences of your decision. Letting Astarion kill the Gur may strengthen your bond with him, but it could also lead to further conflict with the Gur in the future. Additionally, this choice may impact the overall story, as it could influence how other factions and characters view you.
Advanced techniques for this encounter include using crowd control spells to disable the Gur hunters and focusing your attacks on the most dangerous targets first. Spells like Hold Person or Sleep can be very effective in this situation, as they can prevent the Gur from taking actions or reduce their numbers quickly. You should also make use of Astarion's stealth abilities to gain the upper hand in the fight. By positioning him in a hidden spot before the battle begins, you can ensure that he gets the first strike, which can be a decisive advantage.
In terms of D&D rules and mechanics, this encounter reflects the importance of alignment and moral choices. Astarion's actions are driven by his chaotic neutral alignment, which values personal freedom and self-interest above all else. By letting him kill the Gur, you are aligning yourself with his chaotic nature, which can have ripple effects throughout the game. The Gur hunters, on the other hand, represent a lawful good alignment, as they are seeking to bring a dangerous vampire spawn to justice. The conflict between these two alignments is a central theme in this encounter, and your choice will determine which side you ultimately support.
Specific examples of how this choice can impact the story include the potential for future encounters with the Gur. If you let Astarion kill the Gur in Act 2, you may face more Gur hunters in Act 3 who are seeking revenge. This could lead to additional combat encounters and further complicate your relationship with Astarion. On the other hand, if you choose to spare the Gur, you may gain their assistance in future quests, which could provide valuable resources or information.
In conclusion, the decision to let Astarion kill the Gur in Act 2 is a complex and morally challenging choice that can have significant consequences for the story and your relationships with your companions. It is important to carefully consider the implications of this decision and be prepared for the challenges that may arise as a result. By understanding the mechanics involved, using effective combat tactics, and considering the long-term consequences, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your character's goals and values.