Astarion/Approval

Astarion likes displays of power and cruelty, and appreciates snarkiness and mocking. He is inspired when the player gains access to areas/information by deceiving others. The player does not have to be "evil" to gain his approval, however — he approves when the player makes choices that support independence and autonomy, and when the player helps certain characters in need.

Astarion dislikes displays of weakness and does not like acts of kindness or charity that offer no reward. He disapproves when the player tries to reign him in or restrict him in some way.

The actions and choices listed on this page will raise or lower Astarion's Approval.

For more information about the approval system, see Approval.

Approval

The following story and dialogue choices will cause Astarion to gain approval.

Act One

Act 1 Spoilers! This section reveals details about the story of Baldur's Gate 3.

Ravaged Beach

Accept his apology for attacking you +1
Attack the Tieflings holding Lae'zel in a cage +1
Ask Lae'zel to say 'please' after rescuing her +1

Chapel Entrance

Choose the 'Attack' dialogue option when speaking to Taman and Gimblebock +1

Druid Grove

Refuse to help Zevlor persuade Kagha to let the Tieflings stay +1
Scold Elegis for being scared of a few goblins OR tell her to get to digging their own graves +1
While speaking with Arron, say the refugees will be fine due to their devilish powers +1
Tell the Tielfling kids trained by Asharak that they are going to die +1
Make Zorru bow to Lae'zel +1
After the conversation with Zorru tell Lae'zel that she is good at interrogations +1
Offer to heal Pandirna for a price but pocket the money and leave +1
As the Dark Urge, break Pandirna's legs and kill her +1
As a Barbarian, tell Pandirna to hush or you will snap her neck +1
Let Arka shoot Sazza +1
In the Underground Passage, after reviving Findal tell him you are here to finish the job and kill him +1
While using Speak with Animals convince Topaz the bird that the key in its nest is dull OR choose the bard-specific option about a song OR kick at the bird +1
Prod Nettie's bird twice +1
Attack Nettie (no need to kill her) +5
When confronting Kagha about the shadow druids, choose to attack her instead of persuading her +1
Telling Auntie Ethel about the tadpole in your head. +1
When speaking to Mattis, take the ring, pocket the ring and tell him you paid him in experience
As a Rogue, pick Mirkon's pockets while he is distracted by the harpies +1
After saving Mirkon, tell him to "stop snivelling or they'll be back" +1
After agreeing to steal the Idol of Silvanus for Mol and obtaining it, tell her you will be keeping it +1
If Arabella has died, lie and tell Locke and Komira that Kagha will release her soon +1
Attack the Tieflings
Kick Timber the squirrel +1.
- If you miss, try to kick her again +1
- As Dark Urge, when you are confronted by a companion about kicking Timber, say she came right at you OR that your instincts are sharp and to stay out of the way +1
As a Bard, when you walk up to Alfira and talk to the squirrels, first choose the option "Shhh - you're ruining the song", and only afterwards the class-specific "Sing along with them..."

When speaking to Kagha after Arabella is freed or died

Tell Kagha that you would have killed Arabella outright +1
Tell her you just wanted to see what would happen +1
Tell her that it was quite a show +1

While the Druid Grove is preparing for the goblin attack

Tell Zevlor (or Asharak if Zevlor is dead) that you are here to take the grove for the goblins/are here with the goblins +5
As the Dark Urge, tell Zevlor the goblin horde is yours +1
Tell Mirkon you are not here to save them +1
Tell Lakrissa to buy you a drink +1
If you start attacking the Tieflings before Minthara arrives, betray her while speaking to her +5

Forest

Tell Brynna and Andrick to find the owlbear and avenge their brother +1

Sunlit Wetlands

When entering the Sunlit Wetlands, pass the check to break the illusion, then say 'BAA' at the redcaps when you speak to them ( +1)
Say 'BAA' at the redcaps a second time +1
Let him kill Gandrel +10
Tell Auntie Ethel about the tadpole
Speak to Lorin and roar at him
When Auntie Ethel's true form surrenders, accept the deal to let her go, with or without Mayrina +5
After killing Auntie Ethel's true form, use the wand to resurrect Mayrina's dead husband Connor, give her the wand, then tell Astarion that it was funny

Blighted Village

Enter the Village by either attacking the goblin an the East gate, or by persuading or performing as a Bard at the South gate. +1
Deliver the final blow to the goblin Fezzerk +1
Intimidate The Ornate Mirror into letting you pass +1
Give him the Necromancy of Thay +5
Request to be compensated by Barcus Wroot after saving him from the windmill +1
Interrupt the bugbear and ogre in the barn +1 OR let Astarion interrupt them +5

The Risen Road

Side with Karlach during Wyll's confrontation with her
At the tollhouse, tell the merchant Cyrel that you'll take the supplies and everything else she owns
Pass the check to order Flind, the Gnoll warlord to attack the survivors in the cave instead of you +1
Pass the check to order Flind to feast on other Gnoll +1
Pass the check to order Flind to kill herself +1
Obey and eliminate Rugan when asked by Zarys
Speak to the artist and call him a slave

Zhentarim Hideout

Kill Rugan when Zarys asks you to do so. +1
After purchasing Oskar Fevras, tell him "my slaves do not speak until they are spoken to" and then say "I don't make jokes with my slaves". +1

Goblin Camp

Deceive the goblins, say 'you can't be serious', then fling poo at them
Boo Volo as he performs +1
Tell Tracker Grikka (or another goblin NPC) that you will "get answers for them" when discussing their prisoners +1
Tell Torturer Spike to let you show him how it's done. +1
- Then torture the prisoner. +1
Remove the ring from Crusher's foot after you kneel in front of him
Make Crusher kiss your foot +1
Make Crusher kiss your foot after defeating him in a fight.. +1
Continue to attack Crusher after he is defeated, if he attacks you. This will make the whole camp hostile +1
Pick a fight with Priestess Gut in the throne room or in her chambers +1
Tell Roah Moonglow that you killed her friends in the Zhentarim Hideout +1
Agree to endure Abdirak's teachings on Loviatar's love +5
Tell Minthara that Sazza was too stupid to understand you +1
Agree to attack the Grove with Minthara +1
Turn down Halsin's request to help him save the grove in favor of saving yourself first

Crèche Y'llek

Vandalise the portrait of Vlaakith +1
When convincing Varsh Ko'kuu to give you the Githyanki egg, tell him you will use it for an omelet or sell it +1
Ask the Inquisitor how he knows so much about you +1
Ask the Inquisitor what you'll get in return for producing the weapon +1
Tell the Inquisitor you accept gold as a reward
If Lae'zel is chosen to use the zaith'isk, succeed a difficult (30) persuasion or Wisdom check to have her get out of it before it harms her
If Lae'zel is chosen to use the zaith'isk, succeed a difficult deception check or a Wisdom check followed by a persuasion check (21) to have her get out of it during the second phase. Will permanently lower Lae'zel's INT by 2.
If Lae'zel is chosen to use the zaith'isk, succeed a difficult deception check or a Constitution check followed by a persuasion to have her get out of it during the third phase. Will permanently lower Lae'zel's INT and WIS by 2.

Underdark

Tell BOOOAL he is a fake god and tell him you'll just kill him and take his power +5
Agree to be BOOOAL's chosen +1
Tell Spaw "Sure, I can handle those Duergar nearby" +1
Tell Glut you will kill Spaw for him
Tell Glut "I'll have no part of this" or "If you're so eager for blood..." option when asked to eliminate Spaw
Steal the Boots of Speed from Thulla +1
Ask Baelen for compensation before giving him a Misty Step scroll for escaping the Bibberbang field
Push Corsair Greymoon off of the boat on your first voyage to Grymforge +1

Grymforge

Decide to attack Morghal and Orgath after finding out they use slaves
Ask Ward Magmar how to get a slave of your own
When talking to Ward Magmar about traveling to Moonrise Towers, choose "Moonrise Tower holds the answers we need"
After finding Philomeen, talk to Lunkbug and mention she wants Laridda to move on
Instigate a fight against Elder Brithvar by either taunting him to take your gold or suggesting involving Sergeant Thrinn in the conspiracy against Nere
After rescuing Nere, tell him to finish the slaves, or choose to say nothing

Camp/Conversation

Tell him you'll sleep better for it when he says he'll keep watch +1
In camp on the first night, tell Shadowheart to remain cautious +1
Tell him how you'd like to die (decapitation, stabbing, or poison) +5

Alternatively: Tell him you'll spill his guts if he tries -1, then tell him you'll take him down with you +5

Feed the Owlbear Cub when it arrives at the Camp
Pet the Owlbear Cub in your camp
After he asks you to describe his beauty, choose "Is that all you want? Shallow praise?" Or "You're beautiful." +1
Threaten to kill Mizora during her first appearance +1
Agree to sleep with him. +5

As the Dark Urge: Confess to murdering the bard +1

Raphael's deal

Meeting Raphael

"You're mad if you think I'll make a deal with a devil." +1
"Then fix it. Or die by my hand!" +5

Tell him that you are not the devil's plaything in regards to Raphael's offer +1

Vampirism

Tell him you trust him after he reveals to you that he is a vampire +5

Letting him bite you

Let him bite you without threatening him +10
Let him bite you but threaten to stake him if he goes too far +1

When the rest of the camp finds out Astarion is a vampire, tell them you trust him or tell them that if they don't like it, they can leave +5
Agree with Astarion that him feeding on your enemies sounds good +5
When he asks whose blood you'd hypothetically drink, choose any option +1
While speaking about Cazador, tell him that you'll watch his back or that you'll keep each other safe +5

Any Area

After summoning Lump the Enlightened and telling him your deal is done, let him have one lick +1

Act Two

Act 2 Spoilers! This section reveals details about the story of Baldur's Gate 3.

Last Light Inn

Tell Jaheira that you are here on holiday +1
Help Mol win the game against Raphael using the Sleight of Hand, Bard, or Wizard options
Tell His Majesty that you wanted to admire him up close, and then quietly admire him
Do not drink the truth serum-spiked wine Jaheira offers you
Tell Isobel you should "go with the winged freak" after Flaming Fist Marcus arrives
Talk to the Strange Ox in the stables and agree to keep its secret +1
As The Dark Urge, after Marcus attempts to kidnap her, tell Isobel that your blood is telling you to kill her. Resist the urges, and then say, "I'm not going to follow my order. You will live."
Call Wulbren a prick.

Shadowed Battlefield

When Lassandra asks who's there, say:

A nightmare in the dark +1
(Wild Magic Sorcerer) I'm a sorcerer, so kindly lower your weapons - or who knows what my magic might do +1

Run from the shadow ambush +1
Convince Gronag the warrior to look for the bone in the shadows
Convince the hyena in the convoy that they don't belong to the goblins.
Tell the drider they are amazing after watching them berate a goblin who "fed the shadows"
Convince the drider to not attack you when you killed the convoy before summoning him
Convince the drider through deception to give you the lantern +1
Convince the drider through deception to walk into the shadows +1
If you're traveling with the convoy when it's ambushed, protect the convoy and maintain your cover as a True Soul
If you're traveling with the convoy when it's ambushed, side with the Harpers, and loot the Moonlantern, tell the Harper leader "How about I just kill you and keep the lantern for myself?"
Persuade Madeline to stab herself
Tell Madeline to prove she's sorry

House in Deep Shadows

Beat Oliver at hide-and-seek without being spotted

Reithwin Tollhouse

Beat Gerringothe Thorm through either persuasion or deception +1

The Waning Moon

Drink with Thisobald Thorm +1 and tell him stories. +1

Kill Thisobald Thorm by making him burst due overdrinking. +1

House of Healing

Persuade Malus Thorm to have the Sisters practice on each other +1
Persuade Malus Thorm to have the Sisters practice on on him +1

Moonrise Towers

Sever the connection between Linsella and Barnabus
Tell Araj Oblodra that Astarion is his own person +5
Tell Astarion to not do anything he doesn't want to when Araj Oblodra asks you to pressure him into agreeing with her offer +5
Kill Fezzerk without combat (through dialogue options)
Successfully distract Disciple Z'rell with "your lusts for Astarion" when she searches your mind for proof of your faith (if you are in a relationship with Astarion) +1
Ask Disciple Z'rell to show the power the Absolute has given her
Tell Ketheric Thorm that seeing your enemies cowed never gets old

Gauntlet of Shar

Persuade Balthazar to give you the bell to summon Flesh +1
Tell him his scars must have hurt after the initial conversation with Raphael +1
Attack Yurgir +5
Talking to Yurgir about his pact instead of attacking him immediately -2, then pass an insight check (unless playing as a Bard) and three Persuasion checks to get him to kill his Merregons, his Displacer Beast and himself. +5

Camp/Conversation

Tell him it makes sense to enlist Raphael's help with investigating his scars
Tell him that of course you'll help hunt down and kill Cazador +5
Tell Arabella her parents are dead +1

Act Three

Act 3 Spoilers! This section reveals details about the story of Baldur's Gate 3.

Rivington

Tell Yenna to get lost +1
Give Yenna coin, food, offer to go find a guard, or tell her that her mum is probably dead +1
Agree with Astarion that Ulma's children already dead when talking with Ulma in Gur Camp
As a Baldurian, tell Saer Grotpoll that his accent sounds more Rivington than Baldur's Gate +1
Get more money out of Danzo Arkwright when returning the Zhentarim letters +1
Tell Commander Lightfeather that his soldiers died horrible, painful deaths
Tell Commander Lightfeather that his soldiers were eaten by a flying cat
Say "Woof" a second time to Mar'hyah +1
Tell the Strange Ox you will keep its secret

Circus of the Last Days

Boo at Dribbles the Clown +1
Volunteer anyone other than Astarion to Dribbles' show. +1
Resist the madness when accepting the monk's curse after delivering his amulet. +1
Answer Zethino's questions correctly:

First Question: "When he's elbow deep in gore." . +1
Second Question: "Revenge" or (if romancing) "Me" +1
Third Question: "Breaking a nail" or "Most things fear him, actually." +1

Wyrm's Crossing

Accept the Deal with the Gnomes quest from Manip Falcäo +1
Tell Adventurer Drin in Fraygo's Flophouse that "'Adventurer' means nothing here anymore"
Pass the Investigation check to find the body in Fraygo's Flophouse during Solve the Open Hand Temple Murders questline +1
Tell Blase Elin you're needed by Valeria and get past the drawbridge
In Wyrm's Rock Fortress, convince the Flaming Fist quartermaster to trade with you
In Wyrm's Rock Fortress, tell Fist Reynash to get a grip
In Wyrm's Rock Fortress, agree to watch Gortash coronation
In Wyrm's Rock Fortress, escort Counsellor Florrick out of the prison

Sharess' Caress

Tell him you would never ask such a thing of him when he expresses discomfort with the drow twins' offer of an orgy +1

Lower City

Szarr Palace

Successfully persuade him not to ascend +3

Requires 61+ approval (Very High) to persuade him.

House of Hope

Persuade Helsik to give you free passage to the House of Hope in exchange for one of Raphael's artefacts +1
Tell Haarlep you are there to kill them or attack Haarlep +1
Refuse to remove your clothes for Haarlep +1
Refuse to pledge your body to Haarlep +1

Disapproval

The following story and dialogue choices will cause Astarion to lose approval.