Baldur’s Gate 3 BEST Astarion Build [Ultimate Guide]

Astarion is a charismatic High Elf Companion in Baldur’s Gate 3 that you can quickly recruit on Ravaged Beach. He is a powerful Rogue with great Dexterity and is a master of sneaking behind the enemy to land the final blow. This guide will look at best Astarion build and what items you should equip on him.

Baldur’s Gate 3 Best Astarion Build Summary

Here is a summary table of my best Astarion Build in Baldur’s Gate 3. Each stat is given below for your convenience:

Stats	Recommendation
Class	Rogue
Subclass	Thief
Race	High Elf
Background	Charlatan
Weapon 1	The Joltshooter
Weapon 2 (Main Hand)	Shortsword +1
Weapon 2 (Off-Hand)	Shortsword +1
Helmet	Shadow of Mezoberranzan
Chest Armor	Drow Studded Leather Armor
Gloves	Gloves of Archery
Boots	Disintegrating Night Walkers
Ring 1	Emerald Ring
Ring 2	Caustic Band
Amulet	Amulet of Selune's Chosen
Skills	Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand, Stealth, Deception (Expertise), Perception (Expertise)
Ability Scores	STR: 9 DEX: 16 CON: 14 INT: 8 WIS: 14 CHA: 14
Additional Features	Sharpshooter, Lucky
Cosumable Items	Potion of Healing, Potion of Invisibility, Feather Fall Scroll, Caustic Bulb, Smokepowder Bomb, Arrow of Lightning

Astarion Overview

Astarion is a High Elf Companion that you meet in Baldur’s Gate 3. Like many other Companions, Astarion will join the player in combat, requiring its loadout and build.

As a High Elf Rogue, Astarion is a master of cunning trickery and artful movement. He is a humanoid Charlatan that weighs 75 kilograms and can carry up to 120 kilograms.

How To Find Astarion?

To find Astarion, head to Ravaged Beach after landing with your Nautiloid ship and crashing on the beach. Proceed west from the crash site to find him in a nearby cave, calling for help. Despite his initial attempt to take your life, thwarted by the parasites in both your minds, engage in dialogue and choose to recruit him by saying “Yes” when he offers to join your team.

While gaining his trust and friendship may take time and effort, you can utilize Astarion in combat from the moment he joins your party.

Astarion Class, Race, And Background

Astarion has the default Rogue Class with the High Elf Race and Charlatan Background.

Class: Rogue

• Primary Ability: Dexterity
• Hit Points: 1d8 at Level 1 + Constitution
• Proficiencies: Simple Weapons, Longswords, Shortswords, Hand Crossbows, Rapiers, Light Armor, Dexterity Saving Throws, Intelligence Saving Throws.
• Available Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Insight, Stealth, Performance, Persuasion, Investigation, Intimidation, Deception, Acrobatics, Perception, and Sleight of Hand.
• Starting Items: 2 Grease Bottles, Scroll of Revivify, 2 Health Potions, Thieves’ Tools.
• Starting Weapon: Shortsword
• Starting Armor: Leather Armor, Leather Boots.
• Features Unique To Rogues: Sneak Attack (Ranged), Sneak Attack (Melee).

Race: High Elf

• Base Racial Speed: 9 meters per turn.
• Size: Medium
• Cantrips With Subclass: Blade Ward (Arcane Trickster), Minor Illusion (Arcane Trickster), Poison Spray (Arcane Trickster), Ray of Frost (Arcane Trickster), Shocking Grasp (Arcane Trickster), True Strike (Arcane Trickster), Bone Chill (Arcane Trickster), Dancing Lights (Arcane Trickster), Fire Bolt (Arcane Trickster), Friends (Arcane Trickster), Light (Arcane Trickster).
• Traits:
  • Fey Ancestry: Magic will not send you into a slumber. Additionally, you will have an Advantage when using a Saving Throw against being hexed.
  • Darkvision: You can see 60 feet in front of you in dim light and darkness.
  • Keen Senses: You gain Proficiency in Perception.

Background: Charlatan

• Background Features: Deception Proficiency, Sleight of Hand Proficiency.
• Proficiencies: History, Deception, Perception, Medicine, Sleight of Hand
• Using an Action corresponding to your Background will grant you +25 EXP and +1 Inspiration Point. You may use these Points to reroll a check for any Ability. This effect also works for companions.

Astarion Starting Stats

Stat	Value
Class	Rogue
Race	High Elf
Background	Charlatan
Movement Speed	9 meters
Boots	Leather Boots
Armour	Padded Armour
Clothing	Astarion's Eccentric Clothing
Melee Weapon	Dagger
Two-Handed Ranged Weapon	Shortbow
Skill 1	Acrobatics
Skill 2	Perception
Skill 3	Performance
Skill 4	Persuasion
Skill 5	Deception
Skill 6	Stealth (Expert)
Skill 7	Sleight of Hand (Expert)
Initiative	+3

Astarion is of the Rogue Class with the High Elf Race. As a Rogue, he has high initial Dexterity. Hence, you’ll be better off building Dexterity-based weapons than Strength-based ones. This also allows Astarion to go first in battle with a relatively high Initiative.

Moreover, Astarion features a high Constitution, which will help you last longer in battle, and Intelligence, which is helpful for specific Skills such as Arcana and History.

Astarion also has relatively high Wisdom, perfect for casting spells like Medicine, and moderate Charisma, which is the best option for a deceitful Rogue like Astarion.

You start with specific Skills and Clothing, default Weapons, and Armor. This guide will show you the best choices for each of these.

Best Astarion Subclass: Thief

• Primary Ability: Dexterity
• Saving Throw Proficiency: Dexterity, Intelligence.
• Weapon Proficiency: Simple Weapon, Longsword, Hand Crossbow, Shortsword, Rapier.
• Armor Proficiency: Light Armor
• Hit Dice: 1d8

In my playthrough, I found that Thief was the best Rogue Subclass for Astarion. This Subclass is a master of manipulation. It has several Actions that are specific to this Subclass, as well as some Actions related to the Rogue Class in general.

Additionally, you can enjoy all of the Rogue Class Feats and three of the Theif Subclass’s Feats. Personally, the manipulation and sneak attack features came in very handy with Astarion in my party, which is why I never removed him during the entirety of my playthrough, players should definitely invest in his subclass.

Thief Actions

Thieves have the following actions available to them:

• Sneak Attack (Melee and Ranged): Deal an extra 1d6 damage to a single target when you have Advantage. Damage increases by 1d6 every two levels above Level 1.
• Supreme Sneak: Become briefly invisible at Level 9. Invisibility ends if you take damage, cast a spell, or attack.
• Cunning Action: Disengage: Safely disengage from combat at Rogue Level 2, avoiding Opportunity Attacks.
• Cunning Action: Dash: Double your Movement Speed at Rogue Level 2.
• Cunning Action: Hide: Pass Stealth checks and hide from enemies at Rogue Level 2. Visibility breaks if you attack or cast a spell.

Thief Features

The Thief Subclass has a few initially unlocked features and some Class Features that gradually get unlocked as your Level progresses.

Fast Hands (Thief Subclass, Rogue Level 3):

• Grants Bonus Action

Second-Story Work (Thief Subclass, Rogue Level 3):

• Halves Falling damage received

Evasion (Rogue Level 7):

• Dodges specific Spells
• Completely evades Spells that deal half damage on Dexterity Saving Throw success

Uncanny Dodge (Rogue Level 5):

• Swiftly dodges next attack
• Receives half usual damage

Reliable Talent (Rogue Level 11):

• Lowest die roll becomes 10 on Proficient Ability Check with Skill

Best Astarion Weapon Loadout

Stats	Weapon 1: The Joltshooter	Weapon 2 (Main Hand): Shortsword +1	Weapon 2 (Off-Hand): Shortsword
Type	Longbow, Ranged, Two-Handed	Shortsword, Finesse, Light	Shortsword, Finesse, Light
Damage	1d8	1d6+1	1d6+1
Range	18 meters	N/A	N/A
Special Effect	Electric Blood: You recieve 2 Lightning Charges with every hit from Joltshooter.	N/A	N/A
Weapon Actions	Hamstring Shot, Brace (Ranged)	Flourish, Piercing Strike	Flourish, Piercing Strike
Rarity	Rare	Uncommon	Uncommon
Price	310	40	40
Weight	1.1	0.9	0.9
How To Unlock	A possible reward from the Rescue the Grand Duke quest.	You can get it as loot from some barrels and chests.	You can get it as loot from some barrels and chests.

For Astarion, I would highly suggest building the Weapons mentioned above.

Joltshooter: A rare Longbow for Rogues like Astarion, dealing significant piercing damage. Grants 2 Lightning Charges per hit and unlocks Brace (Ranged) and Hamstring Shot actions.

Brace (Ranged): Sacrifice 6 meters of Movement Speed to roll ranged damage twice, keeping the highest result. Usable once per short rest.

Hamstring Shot: Halves enemy Movement Speed with a ranged attack, with a range of 18 meters.

Shortsword +1: Recommended for Main Hand and Off-Hand, featuring +1 Weapon Enchantment. Actions include Flourish, causing enemies to lose balance, and Piercing Strike, dealing stabbing damage and potentially inflicting Gaping Wounds.

Recommended Armor For Astarion

Stats	Helmet: Shadow of Menzoberranzan	Chest: Drow Studded Leather Armor	Gloves: Gloves of Archery	Boots: Disintegrating Night Walkers
Type	Light Armor	Light Armor	Light Armor	Light Armor
Weight	0.5	5.85	N/A	0.55
Price	190	500	N/A	360
Proficiency	Light Armor Proficiency	Light Armor Proficiency	Light Armor Proficiency	Light Armor Proficiency
Effects	N/A	Superior Padding: You receive -1 Blugeoning Damage.	Corelon's Guiding Hand: You acquire extra Proficiency when using Shortbows and Longbows. All Ranged Weapons deal +2 more damage.	Night Walker: You're immune to Ensnaring, Enwebbing, and Entanglement. Additionally, you will not slip on ice or grease.
Actions	Shrouded in Shadow: Gain invisibility for the next 2 turns. This Action requires Concentration and reset after every Short Rest. You break invisibility if you use a spell, take damage, do another Action, or attack an enemy.	N/A	N/A	Misty Step: You will teleport to any space within your vision that is unoccupied. This is a Level 2 Conjuration School Spell and has a range of 18 meters.
How To Unlock	Found in (X:50, Y:75) in Myconid Colony during the "Protecting the Myconid" quest.	You'll find it in Overgrown Tunnel. It will be dropped by Mask of Terror and Mask of Vengeance.	You can buy them during Act 1 in the Goblin Camp.	You can find these boots dropped by the True Soul Nere as well as in Grymforge.

You want to go extra Light for the Armor with Astarion. This is because he relies on fast movement and doesn’t need a lot of heavy Armor.

Shadow of Mezoberranzan: Helmet granting extra invisibility for two turns, akin to Supreme Sneak but available earlier.

Drow Studded Leather Armor: Light Armor effective against opponents dealing Bludgeoning Damage.

Gloves of Archery: Enhances proficiency with Longbows and Shortbows, ideal for Rogues.

Disintegrating Night Walkers: Provides immunity to Crowd Control effects and slipping, alongside a new teleporting Action synergizing with Supreme Sneak and Shadow of Mezoberranzan.

Best Accessories For Astarion

Stats	Ring 1: Emerald Ring	Ring 2: Caustic Band	Amulet: Amulet of Selune's Chosen
Type	Ring	Ring	Amulet
Weight	0.05	0.05	0.05
Price	120	84	450
Rarity	Uncommon	Uncommon	Uncommon
Bonuses	3 meters of additional Movement Speed.	Malefic Excretion: All weapons deal +2 Acid Damage to enemies.	Selune's Dream (Spell): Deals 1d8 hit points of damage. Touching an ally regenerates 1d8 HP but it may also make the ally fall asleep. There is no effect on constructs or the undead. This Spell requires Concentration and is a Cantrip-Level Spell. It only charges after every Long Rest.
How To Unlock	Can be bought from several merchants as well looted from chests and barrels.	Can be bought from Derryth, who can be found in the Myconoid Colony.	You'll find this inside the Shattered Sanctum goblin camp. Simply go upstairs and enter the gateway behind the throne to find it.

You can equip two Rings and one Amulet. Here is my recommendation for the Amulet and Rings:

• Emerald Ring: The first Ring I’d recommend is the Emerald Ring. It’s a simple accessory that boosts Movement Speed, allowing you to move farther on the battlefield. Quickly moving about is essential for a Baldur’s Gate 3 best Astarion build with the Thief Subclass.
• Caustic Band: I would highly suggest the Caustic Band for the second Ring due to its additional Poison Damage. It passively damages your foes, depleting their health while you move through the arena.
• Amulet of Selune’s Chosen: We have the Amulet of Selune’s Chosen, which grants you an extra Spell called Selune’s Dream. It deals damage and lets you heal an ally to an extent. It comes with a caveat: the partner may fall asleep. But it’s a great support, Amulet, for keeping your team alive.

Astarion Best Skills

For Astarion’s best skills, focus on maximizing Dexterity and Charisma while avoiding Strength and Intelligence-based skills. 

Here are my recommended Skills for Astarion that I found to be most helpful:

1. Acrobatics: A Dexterity skill useful for maintaining balance, preventing slips on surfaces, and aiding in jumping safely.

   

2. Sleight of Hand: Another Dexterity skill for manual trickery, such as hiding items, pickpocketing, and disarming traps.

   

3. Stealth: Essential for Astarion, this Rogue Class skill allows for sneaking past enemies, escaping unnoticed, and hiding effectively.

   

4. Deception: A Charisma-based skill for concealing the truth through words and actions, useful for bluffing, disguises, and manipulation.

5. Perception: A Wisdom-based skill for detecting hidden items, treasures, and dangers, enhancing situational awareness and detecting stealthy individuals.

   

Astarion Ability Scores

Abilities are the primary stats that affect several aspects of your gameplay. For this Astarion build, I highly suggest making Dexterity, Constitution, Charisma, and Wisdom. I wouldn’t recommend building Strength or Intelligence, as players won’t use any specific Skills that enhance those Abilities.

1. Dexterity – Allocate 16 points: Vital for hitting enemies, dealing damage with Dexterity-based weapons, and determining initiative and evasion. Invest the most points here for combat effectiveness.

2. Constitution – Allocate 14 points: Enhances your ability to withstand damage, providing necessary defense for maneuvering through shadows and surviving encounters.

3. Wisdom – Allocate 14 points: While primarily used by Druids, Clerics, and Rangers, Wisdom offers benefits for a Rogue like Astarion. Allocate points here for improved perception and situational awareness.

4. Charisma – Allocate 14 points: Though primarily a spellcasting ability, Charisma also offers utility for Astarion. Invest points for social interactions, deception, and charm.

Avoid investing in:

• Strength: Unnecessary for this build as it doesn’t significantly impact Astarion’s abilities or combat effectiveness.

• Intelligence: Not relevant for Astarion’s playstyle, as it mainly affects spellcasting abilities more suited for Wizards.

How To Level Astarion?

As you progress through, you can level up Astarion to 12 levels. And with each Level, you gain extra Skills and Features, some of which you can choose.

Here’s how you should level up Astarion:

Level 1:

• Utilize Vampire Bite for damage and healing, focusing on stealth and ranged attacks.
• Unlock Sneak Attack (Melee) and Sneak Attack (Ranged) for combat versatility.

Level 2:

• Increase health to 17 and unlock Cunning Action features: Dash, Hide, and Disengage.
• Prioritize evasion and stealth tactics to avoid direct confrontation.

  

Level 3:

• Choose the Thief subclass for increased mobility and agility.
• Gain Fast Hands and Second-Story Work abilities for improved combat maneuverability.

  

Level 4:

• Choose the Sharpshooter feat for enhanced ranged damage and flexibility in combat.

Level 5:

• Increase health to 38 and unlock Uncanny Dodge for additional defensive capabilities.

Level 6:

• Gain Expertise in Perception and Deception to enhance situational awareness and deception skills.

Level 7:

• Increase health to 52 and unlock Evasion for improved defense against spells.

Level 8:

• Increase Dexterity by two points to enhance damage output and combat effectiveness.

Level 9:

• Unlock Supreme Sneak for invisibility and improved mobility in combat.

Level 10:

• Choose the Lucky feat for advantages in attack rolls, saving throws, and ability checks.

Level 11:

• Increase health to 80 and unlock Reliable Talent for improved skill proficiency.

Level 12:

• Increase Dexterity by two points to maximize damage potential and combat efficiency.

Throughout leveling, focus on utilizing Astarion’s stealth, agility, and ranged capabilities to effectively navigate encounters and overcome challenges.

Astarion Best Items

Besides the Weapons, Armor, and Accessories, you should also consider some useful Consumables. These are single-use items but will help you tons in battle.

I recommend using any of the following Consumables with this Theif build.

• Potion of Healing/Greater Healing/Superior Healing: Potion of Healing regenerates 2d2 +2 Hit Points. You can opt for better variants, such as the Potions of Greater and Superior Healing, which recover 4d4 +4 and 8d8 +8 HP, respectively.
• Potion of Invisibility: You gain invisibility for a minute that ends on casting spells or attacking. You can use this before Level 9 to acquire short-term invisibility.
• Feather Fall Scroll: You don’t receive any fall damage. It works well with Second-Story Work that you obtain at Level 3.
• Caustic Bulb: Generate a puddle of damaging liquid that lands 1d4 Acid Damage every turn.
• Smokepowder Bomb: You throw a grenade that detonates on impact. It deals 3d4 +3 Force Damage.
• Arrow of Lightning: You deal 1d4 Lightning Damage and electrify water and blood.

My Thoughts

Astarion is one of the most charming and dextrous companions in Baldur’s Gate 3. With the right build, this manipulative vampire can be a very useful ally.

A lot of new players are rightfully obsessed with Astarion, not only cause of his amazing abilities in battle and general gameplay but also because of his Character and Wit. He fits the Byronic Hero type of character, which entails a man who lives his life on his own terms, damn the consequences. One who is intelligent enough that living his life on his own terms actually means something. 

Astarion’s entire character arc throughout the game centers on acquiring enough power to be truly free, making him the only character who tries to take advantage of the Ceremorphosis process. This unparalleled kind of storytelling and character building is one of the many reasons I found him to be the most charming among characters and kept him throughout my playthrough of the game.

Up Next:

• Baldur’s Gate 3: Tavern Brawler
• Baldur’s Gate 3: Best Guardian
• Baldur’s Gate 3: Best Druid Build