Hey folks! Let's dive into the awesome world of Baldur's Gate 3 and talk about everyone's favorite vampire spawn, Astarion. We're going to explore the best ways to build him, specifically focusing on the Rogue, Ranger, and Fighter classes. Choosing the right class for Astarion can be a game-changer, and trust me, there are some seriously fun options. Whether you're looking for insane damage, incredible stealth, or a bit of both, we'll break down the pros and cons of each class and help you decide which one best suits your playstyle. Get ready to unleash Astarion's full potential, and maybe even get him to crack a smile (good luck with that!). So, are you ready to optimize Astarion for his best build? Let's get started!

Understanding Astarion: Strengths and Weaknesses

Before we jump into the builds, let's take a look at what makes Astarion tick. He's got a unique backstory, and his inherent abilities play a huge role in how you might want to build him. Astarion's a High Elf, which gives him some nice bonuses like proficiency in Perception and Darkvision, meaning he can see in the dark – super handy, right? Also, his race gives him access to Elven weapon proficiency. Moreover, he comes with the Vampire Spawn condition, which gives him some sweet perks like a bite attack for healing and a vulnerability to certain things like sunlight. This will affect our build decisions.

His starting stats are decent, with a focus on Dexterity and a bit of Charisma. This means he's naturally inclined towards classes that benefit from high Dexterity, such as Rogues and Rangers. His backstory as a former servant also hints at skills like Deception and Stealth, so you'll want to lean into those. Astarion's ability to turn invisible is not to be underestimated, it is an advantage when choosing his class. He's also got a pretty high initiative, making him great for going first in combat. Understanding these strengths is key to building him effectively. He will be a great ally for your party, and he will be able to do a lot of damage during combat. Choosing a class that leverages these stats is the key to creating a powerful and effective Astarion build. He is a versatile character and can be used in many different ways. So, keep an eye out for his weaknesses.

Now, let's get into the classes.

Astarion as a Rogue: The Sneaky Assassin

Okay, guys, let's talk about the Rogue class for Astarion. This is a classic choice, and for a good reason! Astarion's natural talents make him a perfect fit for a sneaky, backstabbing assassin. If you love stealth, dealing massive burst damage, and controlling the battlefield through positioning, then this is the build for you. The Rogue class provides fantastic options for stealth and dealing a lot of damage, making Astarion a deadly enemy in the shadows. The expertise feature is incredible, doubling your proficiency bonus for skills like Stealth, Sleight of Hand, and Acrobatics. This means he'll be virtually impossible to detect and super handy for picking locks and disarming traps. This is one of the best choices for Astarion's class.

Subclasses for Rogues

• Assassin: This subclass is all about dealing maximum damage. If you want to be the ultimate damage dealer, this is the way to go. You get advantage on attack rolls against any creature that hasn't taken a turn in combat, and if you hit, you deal extra damage. This is a game-changer for starting combat and taking out priority targets quickly. The Assassin subclass fits Astarion perfectly, maximizing his initial burst damage and making him a threat. His ability to go first is also very important. This is one of the best subclasses for the Rogue.
• Thief: The Thief is all about versatility and action economy. You get an extra bonus action, which means you can do a lot more on your turn, such as hide, dash, or use a potion. This makes Astarion incredibly mobile and gives him a lot of options in combat. He can move around the battlefield, set up flanking attacks, and generally cause chaos. The Thief is a solid choice for a more versatile build.
• Arcane Trickster: This subclass combines rogue skills with spellcasting. You gain access to illusion and enchantment spells, which can be used to control the battlefield, create diversions, or enhance your stealth. This build is all about manipulating the battlefield and outsmarting your opponents. This is a great choice if you like versatility and enjoy using magic.

Key Skills and Feats for the Rogue Build

• Skills: Prioritize Stealth, Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand, and Perception. These will make you a stealth master. These are critical for the Rogue build. Remember the expertise we mentioned earlier? Apply it here! This will make your Astarion one of the most effective stealth characters you have ever seen.
• Feats: Sharpshooter is a must-have for ranged rogues. It increases your range and damage with ranged weapons, which is crucial for Astarion. Crossbow Expert is also amazing, allowing you to make an extra attack with your bonus action after attacking with a hand crossbow. Alert is another great option, giving you a huge bonus to initiative, so you can go first in combat and gain an advantage. Remember to make the most of it.

Astarion as a Ranger: The Deadly Tracker

Alright, let's switch gears and explore Astarion as a Ranger. This class turns him into a deadly hunter and tracker. Rangers have a unique mix of martial prowess, spellcasting, and survival skills, making them incredibly versatile. If you like playing a character who can deal consistent damage, control the battlefield, and survive in the wilderness, the Ranger is a solid choice. Rangers are masters of the outdoors, and can deal a lot of damage, particularly to their favored enemies, which can make Astarion very effective in combat. With the right subclass, this class can be very powerful.

Subclasses for Rangers

• Hunter: This is a classic Ranger subclass that focuses on dealing damage to specific types of enemies. You get abilities that allow you to deal extra damage to your favored enemies, making you an expert at taking down specific threats. This is a great choice if you want to be a specialist at taking down certain types of enemies. The Hunter subclass is a straightforward and effective choice.
• Gloom Stalker: The Gloom Stalker subclass is perfect for Astarion. This subclass excels in stealth and ambushing. Gloom Stalkers gain advantage on attack rolls against creatures that haven't taken a turn in combat, similar to the Assassin Rogue. In addition, they can become invisible to creatures that rely on darkvision, making them incredibly difficult to detect in the dark. This is a perfect match for Astarion and his natural stealth skills. His Darkvision will be handy for this class.
• Beast Master: The Beast Master subclass gives you a companion animal to fight alongside you. This can be a wolf, a bear, or other creatures. This is a great choice if you want to have a companion and enjoy a more tactical playstyle. The Beast Master adds another dimension to combat.

Key Skills and Feats for the Ranger Build

• Skills: Prioritize Stealth, Survival, and Perception. These are critical for Rangers. As Astarion is naturally good at Stealth, you can start building the other skills. Survival will help with his wilderness skills, and Perception will help him be a master tracker.
• Feats: Sharpshooter is still a great choice for Rangers using ranged weapons. Dual Wielder is an option if you want to use two weapons. Alert is a solid pick for increasing initiative. Consider feats that enhance your chosen fighting style, such as Archery for ranged combat.

Astarion as a Fighter: The Martial Expert

Last, but not least, let's consider Astarion as a Fighter. This class makes him a powerful and resilient martial combatant. If you prefer a more straightforward, damage-dealing character who can take a hit and keep fighting, the Fighter might be a good fit. Fighters are masters of combat and can excel in various fighting styles, from archery to melee combat. This is a great choice if you want to go the martial route, and deal a lot of damage.

Subclasses for Fighters

• Battle Master: This subclass is all about tactical combat. Battle Masters gain access to special maneuvers that can be used to control the battlefield, deal extra damage, or gain an advantage in combat. This is a great choice if you enjoy a more tactical and strategic playstyle. The maneuvers add a layer of complexity to combat.
• Champion: This subclass focuses on raw power and critical hits. Champions get increased critical hit range and deal more damage on critical hits. This is a great choice if you want to deal massive damage and watch enemies fall quickly. The Champion is a simple, yet effective, subclass.
• Eldritch Knight: This subclass combines the Fighter's martial skills with spellcasting. Eldritch Knights gain access to a limited number of spells, which can be used to enhance combat effectiveness, control the battlefield, or deal extra damage. This is a great choice if you want a more versatile build. The Eldritch Knight is a good option if you like versatility.

Key Skills and Feats for the Fighter Build

• Skills: Prioritize Athletics, Acrobatics, and Perception. These will help with combat. Athletics is great for grappling and resisting shoves, and Acrobatics will help with avoiding difficult terrain and getting around the battlefield. Perception is a universal skill.
• Feats: Great Weapon Master is amazing for melee fighters, allowing you to deal extra damage at the cost of accuracy. Sharpshooter is still useful for ranged fighters. Polearm Master is a great choice for polearm builds. Sentinel is fantastic for controlling the battlefield. The choices depend on your fighting style. Choose feats to enhance your build.

Which Class is Best for Astarion?

So, which class is the best for Astarion? Well, it depends on your playstyle! The Rogue and Ranger classes are the best choices for him.

• Rogue: If you want a stealthy assassin who deals massive damage and controls the battlefield through positioning, the Rogue is the best choice. With the Assassin subclass, he can be a devastating first-turn attacker, and the Thief subclass offers amazing mobility.
• Ranger: If you prefer a versatile character who can deal consistent damage, excel in stealth, and utilize survival skills, the Ranger is a strong choice. The Gloom Stalker subclass provides Astarion with great synergy, increasing his stealth capabilities, and adding to his damage potential.
• Fighter: While not the best fit, the Fighter can still be a viable option. If you want a straightforward damage dealer who can take a hit, the Fighter can work. However, his skills are more naturally suited to the Rogue or Ranger.

Conclusion: Building Your Perfect Astarion

Ultimately, the best class for Astarion is the one you'll have the most fun playing. I hope this guide helps you make an informed decision and create an awesome Astarion build. Experiment with different subclasses, skills, and feats to find what suits your playstyle best. Enjoy the game, and happy adventuring, everyone! Don't forget to consider his backstory and abilities when making your choice. Have fun building Astarion!

I hope this guide has helped you in choosing the best class for Astarion and how to make the most out of your game. Don't be afraid to experiment. Let me know in the comments below which build you're going with! Happy gaming, folks!