Baldur’s Gate 3: Best Astarion Build Guide

Best Astarion Build in Baldur’s Gate 3

The best Astarion build centers around his Thief subclass which gives him the ability to commit bonus actions per turn. This gives him a lot of versatility to do a lot within a small amount of time. Keep his default class as a Rogue to gain access to this subclass and its potent abilities.

BG3 Astarion Build – Best Class

The best class for Astarion is the Rogue. He’s already one by default. Being a Rogue means that Astarion is a master of technicalities dealing high single target damage but it does require a lot of strategic thinking to play efficiently.

You can respec Astarion’s class by talking to Withers at your camp. For a fee, he’ll allow you to change almost everything about him. This is what you should make Astarion out to be:

• Race: High Elf
• Class: Rogue
• Subclass: Thief
• Proficiencies: Stealth, Acrobatic

BG3 Astarion Build – Best Ability Score

For Astarion’s Ability Score, you should make it like this:

• Strength: 12
• Dexterity: 16
• Constitution: 16
• Intelligence: 13
• Wisdom: 8
• Charisma: 10

BG3 Astarion Build – Best Subclass

The best subclass for Astarion is the Thief. This subclass gives you the ability to move around the battlefield freely and stealthily while allowing you to take Bonus Action every turn. Here are the features you can expect from this subclass:

• Fast Hands: Gain an additional Bonus Action
• Second-Story Work: Gain resistance to Falling Damage halving it.

Level 1

At Level 1, Astarion will get two actions courtesy of his Rogue class. Here’s what you can expect for this level:

• Sneak Attack: For both melee and ranged, Astarion gets an additional 1d6 damage against enemies he has an Advantage against. You’ll get +1d6 damage for every 2 levels of Rogue.

Sneak attacks are done usually by striking an enemy when hidden. They can also trigger when attacking targets within 3m that are Prone or when they’re 1.5m near an ally. Restrained enemies also give you Advantage. It won’t trigger if you have Disadvantage.

As a bonus, Astarion can use Vampire Bite to restore his health. This will require a Long Rest per use so best used in emergencies. This also doesn’t break Stealth so you can feed on enemies without exposing yourself.

Your main focus should be getting into stealth while letting your allies deal with enemies. Once they’re within 1.5m of your party’s tank, you strike and gain bonus damage thanks to Sneak Attack. Because of this, we recommend you go with bows for this one and use a Barbarian like Karlach to attract enemies.

Level 2

When Astarion gets to Level 2, he gets Cunning Actions which are bonus actions you should take advantage of. Here’s what you can expect for this level:

• Cunning Action: Hide – Let’s Astarion hide from enemy sight by passing a Stealth check.
• Cunning Action: Dash – Doubles Astarion’s movement speed.
• Cunning Action: Disengage – Moving won’t trigger Bonus Attacks from enemies.

Level 3

At Level 3, you can finally pick the Thief subclass. This grants you the class features that you need for this build, Fast Hands and Second-Story Work.

You’ll be utilizing Fast Hands a lot for an extra action every turn. Second-Story Work is more situational but can be useful when you’re constantly moving Astarion around high places. It won’t take away fall damage completely, but it reduces it significantly.

Level 4

At Level 4 you can pick a feat that gives Astarion an additional feature. While you can choose to increase his Ability Score instead, we recommend going for the Sharpshooter feat instead as this is excellent for this build. Here’s what it does:

• Sharpshooter: Ranged weapon attacks don’t suffer from High Ground Rules. Attacks with ranged weapons Astarion is proficient in receives a -5 to their Attack Roll but the damage is increase by +10.

This feat is pretty much a requirement for any character going for a ranged build. Since we’re focusing on Astarion as a ranged damage dealer by taking advantage of his proficiency in longbows, shortbows, and crossbows the Sharpshooter is the most ideal feat to pick.

Level 5

At Level 5, you’ll get a class feature for Rogue. Here’s what you can expect at this level:

• Uncanny Dodge: When attacks hit you, you only take half the usual damage.

Level 6

At Level 6, you can add 2 expertise to Astarion’s proficiencies. You should invest in proficiencies that revolve around the Dexterity stat. Here’s what we recommend you invest in:

• Deception
• Sleight of Hand

Level 7

At Level 7, Astarion gets a class feature. Here’s what you can expect at this level:

• Evasion: Astarion can dodge certain spells on Dexterity Saving Throws. A successful dodge means taking no damage while a fail only gives him half damage.

Level 8

At Level 8, you can pick another feat again. However you should invest into your Dexterity points instead of picking one. While Mobile and Skilled are incredibly good picks for a feat, the best option is to increase Astarion’s Dexterity.

Level 9

At Level 9, Astarion gets a new action thanks to his subclass. Here’s what you can expect for this level:

• Supreme Stealth: Blend into the environment so perfectly that you’re practically invisible.

Level 10

At Level 10, you get to pick a feat. We recommend taking Skilled and using it to invest proficiencies in heavy crossbows. It opens up new ranged options for Astarion to use.

Level 11

At Level 11, you get a Rogue class feature. Here’s what you can expect for this level:

• Reliable Talent: Ability checks with skills you are proficient in can’t roll lower than 10.

Level 12

At Level 12, you can pick another feat. We recommend taking the Lucky feat as you can get 3 Luck Points that you can use to reroll your attacks and Saving Throws including Ability Checks, or force an enemy to reroll their Attack Rolls potentially saving your from a devastating hit.

BG3 Astarion Build – Best Gear

This build for Astarion should be using ranged weapons like longbows, shortbows, and hand crossbows. After reaching higher levels, you can invest in a feat that lets him become proficient with heavy crossbows. This is only enhanced by Sneak Attack (Ranged) to help him deal more damage.

For armour, you should be looking for ones that help him move faster or increase his Dexterity. As a Rogue, Astarion has proficiency for Light Armour which is better for him since he doesn’t need heavier protection so long as you utilize stealth to his advantage.

How to Recruit Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3?

You can recruit Astarion by heading west of the Nautiloid crash site where you find yourself shortly after the prologue. Talk to him and he’ll tell you about a Destroyer he wants you to kill. Accept, and he’ll pounce on you instead. Keep peaceful and pass several checks and you’ll be able to invite him to your party.