Best Baldur’s Gate 3: Astarion Companion Build Guide

In this guide, we will explain the best Astarion Companion Build in Baldur’s Gate 3, the Thief subclass, and the optimal setup.

This build page has been updated for the patch 6 version of Baldur’s Gate 3.

Astarion Companion Introduction

Astarion is Baldur’s Gate 3 charming vampire companion, cursed with an eternal existence and a thirst for blood. Despite his dark nature, he possesses a charm and cunning that make him an asset in the chaotic world of Baldur’s Gate. As a character with a secretive past and uncertain loyalties, Astarion’s journey will be filled with twists and surprises, keeping you on your toes as you unravel the mysteries that surround him.

This build will use the Rogue class and Thief Subclass because it gets an additional bonus action and extra skill proficiency. This allows you to have great damage and utility outside of combat. Having a character in your party who can scout ahead, disarm traps and lockpick is essential. The Rogue Thief does it better than any other build in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Companions in Baldur’s Gate 3 are a group of non-player characters (NPCs) who join the player’s party and accompany them throughout their journey in the game. These companions are essential characters that offer various benefits, such as providing additional combat support, contributing to the story, and offering different perspectives on the events unfolding in the game world. 

Companions can be avoided entirely, die, be romanced, and have their sprawling background. In this build guide for Astarion, we will explore his character and how to make a powerful Rogue build using this original character. 

Astarion Pros	Astarion Cons
High Damage	Lacks Spellcasting
Outside Combat Utility	Weak Durability
Unique Story	Easily Killed in Intro

Astarion Companion Features & Mechanics

The following list presents all the essential Astarion Companion Class Mechanics and Features in Baldur’s Gate 3:

• Class: Rogue
• Race: High Elf
• Background: Noble
• Proficiencies: Acrobatics, Deception, History, Perception, Persuasion, Sleight of Hand, Stealth
• Origin Character: Yes
• Romance: Yes
• Location: Southwest of Roadside Cliffs here

Your companion can be respecced or rerolled early in the game. This means you can change their class, subclass, ability score, and more. The only feature that cannot be adjusted is their race and story. We suggest using Withers at Camp after he’s unlocked to optimize the build.

Where to find Astarion and How to Recruit Him?

Astarion can be found on Ravaged Beach, to the west of where you land after the Nautiloid ship crash. He will be calling for help from a nearby cave, but this is a trap. When you approach, he will attempt to kill you, however, the mind flayer parasites that are connected to both of your brains will prevent him from doing so. This will startle Astarion and he will let you go. During the dialogue, agree and he will join your party. While Astarion will be on your side, he will still be wary of you. It will take time and effort to gain his trust and friendship. However, if you are successful, you will have a powerful ally in your quest to survive in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Recommended Subclass

The Best Subclass for Astarion build is Thief, because it provides additional bonus actions, can pick locks, disarm traps, and has high movement. The Thief subclass can be unlocked at level 3 and is great in combat and outside to provide your team with high damage and great group utility.

Here are all the Baldur’s Gate 3 Rogue Subclasses:

• Thief: Thieves can pick locks, disarm traps, and move quickly and quietly. They also get several bonus actions that they can use to gain an edge in combat. Thieves are perfect for players who want to be able to sneak around and take out enemies from behind.
• Arcane Trickster: Arcane Tricksters can cast spells, use magic items, and even sneak attack while invisible. They are versatile and powerful, making them a good choice for players who want to be able to do a little bit of everything.
• Assassin: The Assassin is a rogue subclass that focuses on stealth, surprise attacks, and dealing devastating blows to unsuspecting foes.

For the Best Baldur’s Gate 3: Astarion Companion Build, we recommend taking the Thief Subclass at level 3. You gain two features: Fast Hands: Gain an additional bonus action and Second-Story Work: Gain resistance to falling damage.

Baldur’s Gate 3 Rogue Thief Features & Progression

The Rogue Thief subclass unlocks the following features and spells:

• Fast Hands (Level 3): Gain an additional Bonus Action.
• Second-Story Work (Level 3): You’ve mastered the art of falling and gaining Resistance to Falling damage.
• Supreme Sneak (Level 9): Blend into the environment so completely that you become Invisible.

Astarion Race

Astarion by default is a High-Elf race.  As a High-Elf, you find yourself at the crossroads of human and elven heritage, allowing for a versatile and charismatic character that can excel in various roles. In this guide, we’ll explore how the High-Elf race works in Baldur’s Gate 3 and discuss some effective builds to make the most of your character.

High-Elf in Baldur’s Gate 3 shares the physical traits typical of elves, including tall, slender frames, pointed ears, and graceful movements. They have a natural lifespan of several centuries, granting them a longer perspective on the world compared to shorter-lived races. High Elves are renowned for their keen intellect and quick reflexes, making them well-suited for roles such as wizards, sorcerers, or rogues.

High-Elf Racial Features

• Fey Ancestry
• Darkvision
• Keen Senses
• Proficiency in Longsword, Shortsword, Longbow, and Shortbow

High-Elf isn’t the ideal race for a Rogue, but it’s what Astarion comes equipped with. This is one feature you cannot re-roll or change, however it is not a terrible overall race.

Recommended Skills for Astarion Build

Stealth, Insight, Acrobatics, and Persuasion are the best skills for the Best Baldur’s Gate 3: Astarion Companion Build because they complement your class abilities and enhance your effectiveness in various situations. In Baldur’s Gate 3, skills represent the abilities and proficiencies of your character that allow them to perform various actions and interact with the game world. Skills are associated with specific attributes and are used to determine the success or effectiveness of certain actions or abilities. They can be edited during character creation or with companions, during respec or reroll screen.

Here are the best skills for Rogue in Baldur’s Gate 3:

1. Stealth is a Dexterity Skill.
2. Acrobatics is a Dexterity Skill.
3. Insight is a Wisdom Skill.
4. Persuasion is a Charisma skill.

Astarion Ability Score

Here’s the best ability score for the Best Baldur’s Gate 3: Astarion Companion Build:

Ability	Score
Strength	9
Dexterity	16
Constitution	14
Intelligence	8
Wisdom	14
Charisma	14

With ability scores, you generally want to aim for even numbers because that’s when you gain a benefit. Astarion is likely to come with an odd distribution and will require a manual respec with Withers during Act 1. Moreover, you can gain permanent bonuses, specifically a +1 one to any ability score in Act 1. However, you typically want to use this for my main character, but it’s worth considering if you enjoy Astarion or use him as an origin character.

Astarion Level Progression

Level 1

At level one, your companion will be already equipped with their basic skills, class, etc. Unique to Astarion is the Vampire Bite skill. We suggest speaking with WIthers NPC and respecing the ability score for this companion. He will likely not have optimal numbers, and you’ll need to follow the recommendations in the table above.

Vampire Bite: 2d4 Hit Points 2d4 Piercing You suck the blood from a living creature and regain 2d4 hit points. The target takes 2d4 Piercing damage, unless it is unconscious, or you are Hiding. Biting a creature does not break stealth. This is very useful early on as a heal and a bonus action ability. Keep in mind, you will need to long rest to use it again, so don’t expend it unless you need it.

Class Feature and Mechanics

• Sneak Attack (Ranged & Melee): Deal an additional to an enemy you have Advantage against. Attack/Save: Ranged Attack Recharge: Once per turn. When using this keep in mind that to gain Advantage, you need to be hiding or that enemy to be engaged with another within 1.5 meters.

Sneak Attack Explained

Sneak Attack is a core class feature of Rogues in Baldur’s Gate 3. It allows Rogues (Astarion build) to deal extra damage to a target if they have Advantage on the attack roll. The easiest way to get Advantage is to start combat in stealth or have a target that is attacking. For this build, you’d send in a melee companion or character to soak up the damage and target that enemy. Spells like True Strike and Guiding Bolt can help grant Advantage and remove some of the issues with gaining it.

At level one, your main goal is to get into stealth, before a fight or during and use a sneak attack. For now, enter the User Interface and either enable “auto sneak attack” our hit the ask button. This means, you can attack with a normal melee or ranged attack, and if Advantage is present, Astarion will deal extra damage passively. Look for high ground, targets who are engaged in melee battle, and stealth constantly to trigger extra damage passively.

Level 2

At level two, you will unlock the Cunning Action class feature, more health, and one more level until subclass choice.

Rogue Class Features

• Cunning Action Hide: Hide from enemies by succeeding Stealth checks. Stick to the dark and avoid enemy sightlines. Attacking or casting a spell will reveal your location.
• Cunning Action Dash: Cover more distance this turn: double your Movement Speed.
• Cunning Action Disengage: Retreat safely: moving won’t provoke Opportunity Attacks.

This gives you the ability to use Dash, Hide, and Disengage as a bonus action. Bonus actions are the theme of the build, using attacks and Cunning Actions to free up your action for Sneak Attack. Dash is useful to create space or close the distance, while disengage allows you to flee a fight without an opportunity attack. Use these to either move in and out of fights and the hide bonus action at the end of the turn to go into stealth.

Gameplay you want to now use your bonus action hide to get in stealth gain an advantage and use sneak attack. That’s essentially the gameplay loop to open up for simple big damage. You also want to do your best to start encounters FROM stealth. You will not be able to dictate the terms of every fight. But even during dialogue, you can select the character to select the screen and move the non-talking party members to your ideal area. Buff up, get in stealth, and get ready to open for a big stealth attack.

Level 3

At level three, you can pick your subclass and we recommend the Thief which unlocks the below subclass features:

• Fast Hands (Level 3): Gain an additional bonus action.
• Second-Story Work (Level 3): You’ve mastered the art of falling and gaining Resistance to Falling damage.

With two bonus actions per turn, Astarion becomes much more powerful. You can now use bonus actions to gain an advantage with sneak, along with applying oils or poison to your weapons. Moreover, you can use Misty Step, or off-hand attacks in conjunction with potions. This is one of the reasons Rogue and Thief is the most common multiclass selection. We will get additional feats that amplify this effect and make it easier for us to do range damage and so forth.

Level 4

At level four you get an important decision, between a feat or ability improvement.  We recommend forgoing the ability improvement to select the Sharpshoot feat.  The Sharpshooter feature gives you two bonuses. Your ranged weapon attacks do not receive penalties from High Ground Rules. Ranged weapon attacks with weapons you are Proficient with have a -5 penalty to their Attack Roll but deal an additional 10 damage.

This makes you hit much harder and ignore high-ground rules, so you don’t receive a penalty when not at a height advantage. You will lower your chance to hit, and this can be troubling in the early part of the game with a lower ability score and gear. You can click your passives on the toolbar and toggle this off but still get the high-groud rule. I always left this on and had great luck with a range build on my rogue.

Alternatively, you can use Dual Wielder feat here and play a double Rapier dual-wield build. I played that until level 8, but found my damage was the same as a range build, and my survivability was significantly diminished. The premise behind the dual-wield build is using your off-hand attack with a bonus action for multiple attacks. And yes, in theory, this works. But in reality, your bonus action often goes for hiding to get a sneak attack, which you can do at range. It’s MUCH easier to hide behind a bush, bonus action hides, and snipe with a sneak attack at range than playing melee and trying to time it all. Your choice, but I saw drastic improvements in my survivability using a bow at range.

Multiclass Astarion Options

From this point forward, the pure Rogue build has few desirable combat improvements outside of 3 more feats. The common meta-strategy is to multiclass this build to the Ranger for Extra Attack. With Extra Attack, you gain two attacks per action, radically increasing your combat performance. However, you will lose out on some of the extra proficiency bonuses.

If you intend to play this build solo or on Honour Mode difficulty, then Multiclassing the build is a must. Follow this build template here in the leveling progression if so. For those that want to simplify and skill proficiency (easier dialogue and exploration) continue below. Additionally, the below gear sections will feature relatively the same sets and items if you wish to respec and try the build later on.

Level 5

At level five, you gain access to Gain Uncanny Dodge when an attack hits you, you only take half the usual damage.  This will help with your survival and sneak attack damage will be increased to 3d6.  The gameplay remains unchanged at this point. Look for gear, potions, arrows, and poison to amplify damage.

Level 6

Level 6 you get to add expertise into two skills.  Deception and Acrobatics are good choices. This simply helps you in overland, dialogue, and exploration rather than combat generally. Soon, we will get another feat that will help with damage.

Level 7

At level 7 the Rogue gains access to Evasion: Your agility lets you dodge out of the way of certain spells. When a spell or effect would deal half damage on a successful Dexterity Saving Throw, it deals no damage if you succeed, and only half damage if you fail. This class feature helps with avoiding damage but gameplay remains unchanged.

Level 8

At level 8, you get access to another feat. This time you’ll want to take the Ability Improvement, and put +2 into Dexterity. This should get you to 18, allowing for huge damage with sneak attacks at range. Eventually, we will get a couple more feats and Lucky along with another Ability Improvement which will give us even more damage and control over Advantage.

Level 9

At level 9, the Rogue Thief gets a new subclass feature, Supreme Sneak. Blend into the environment so completely that you become Invisible. This essentially gives you the ability to become invisible which can be used every short rest. The downside is it costs an action, so it’s not as useful in combat considering you want to attack with your action. But, out of combat, it’s a great way to sneak around and avoid detection and punishment.

The Astarion build gameplay remains unchanged at this level. You now have on-demand Invisibility after you disengage and run away from attackers and heal up with bonus action.

Level 10

At level 10 we get to choose an ability improvement or a feat. We will choose the Lucky feat.

• Lucky: You gain 3 Luck Points, which you can use to gain Advantage on Attack Rolls, Ability Checks, or Saving Throws, or to make an enemy reroll their Attack Rolls. So, Lucky gives you a replenishable resource that helps gain Advantage which we need for our max damage setup. You can also use it for ability checks and saving throws so it comes in handy when you need to land big damage you can choose via reaction.

You will need to long rest to replenish your Luck points, but use them in critical situations where you need an extra d20, which will take the higher of the two.

Level 11

At level 11, not much happens with the Rogue Thief build. We are one level from another feat which is helpful. You gain access to another non-combat related skill Reliable Talent. When you make an Ability Check with a Skill you are Proficient with it, the lowest result you can roll on the die is 10.

Level 12

And now you can reach level 20 in your primary ability Dexterity with another +2 via Ability Improvement. This build excels at simple ranged combat and is amazing outside-of-combat utility.

Recommended Weapons and Armor

Beginner: Act 1

Here’s the best beginner gear for the Best Baldur’s Gate 3: Astarion Companion Build:

Gear Slot	Best Gear Item	Effect
Head	Shadow of Menzoberranzan	Invisibility Skill
Cape	–
Chest	Drow Studded Leather Armour	12 Armour Class
Gloves	Gloves of Archery	+2 Range Damage
Boots	Disintegrating Night Walkers	Misty Step Spell
Necklace	Moondrop Pendant	No Opporunity Attacks
Ring	Crusher’s Ring	Increased Movement
Ring	Caustic Band	Acid Damage
Weapon 1 Primary (Ranged)	Titanstring Bow	Adds STR Modifier
Weapon 2 Main Hand	Knife of the Undermountain King
Weapon 2 Off-Hand	Hunter’s Dagger

• Shadow of Menzoberranzan: Looted from the Pale Corpse in the Myconid Colony, Underdark (X:50, Y:75) (Alternative Haste Helm).
• Drow Studded Leather Armour: Inside a Heavy Chest at Lolth’s Cultist’s cache (X:71 Y:-220) in Underdark (Alternative Studded Leather Armour +1).
• Gloves of Archery: Bought from Grat the Merchant in the Goblin Camp (Alternative Gloves of Dexterity, or Gloves of Hail of Thorns).
• Disintegrating Night Walkers: Can be looted from True Soul Nere in Grymforge (Alternative Boots of Genial Striding).
• Moondrop Pendant: Found in a Selûnite Glided Chest in the Owlbear Nest (Alternative Amulet of Misty Step).
• Crusher’s Ring: Looted or stolen from Crusher in the Goblin Camp (Alternative Ring of Absolute Force).
• Caustic Band: You can buy it from Derryth in Myconid colony, Underdark (Alternative The Sparkswall, or Ring of Colour Spray).
• Titanstring Bow: Brem in Zhentarim Hideout Act 1 (Alternative Spellthief, or Joltshooter).
• Knife of the Undermountain King: Sold in in Crèche Y’llek by A’jak’nir Jeera (Alternative Shortsword +1).
• Hunter’s Dagger: 1d4 + 1 Piercing and Rupturing on hit. Bought from Roah Moonglow in Shattered Sanctum Act 1.

Titanstring Bow

Regarding Titanstring Bow, you can use Elixir of Hill Giant Strength to add +5 damage for every attack! Consider using these until long rest Elixir if you acquire the bow because it makes the weapon radically more powerful early in BG3.

Advanced: Acts 2 & 3

Here’s the best-advanced gear for the Best Baldur’s Gate 3: Astarion Companion Build:

Gear Slot	Best Gear Item	Effect
Head	Circlet of Hunting	Increase Hunter’s Mark DMG
Cape	Shade-Slayer Cloak	Lowers Critical Roll
Chest	Elegant Studded Leather	14 Armour Class
Gloves	Gloves of Soul Catching	+2 Constitution
Boots	Helldusk Boots	Cannot be Moved
Necklace	Surgeon’s Subjugation Amulet	Stun on Critical
Ring	Killer’s Sweatheart	Auto Critical
Ring	Shifting Corpus Ring	Free Spells
Weapon 1	Gontr Mael	+3 Legendary Bow
Weapon 2 Main Hand	Bloodthirst	Lowers Critical Roll
Weapon 2 Off-Hand	Rhapsody	+1 Rolls

• Circlet of Hunting: Sold by Araj Oblodra Act 2 Moonrise Tower (Alternative Helmet of Grit, Mask of Soul Perception, or Helldusk Helmet).
• Shade-Slayer Cloak: Purchased at the Thieves Guild in Act 3 (Alternative Cloak of Protection).
• Elegant Studded Leather: Obtained by completing Return Rakath’s Gold Act 3 Counting House (Alternative Bhaalist Armour, or Helldusk Armour).
• Gloves of Soul Catching: Reward for Save Hope in House of Hope Act 3 (Alternative Legacy of the Masters, Helldusk Gloves, or Gloves of Dexterity).
• Helldusk Boots: Locked Chest, Wyrm’s Rock Fortress X: -32 Y: 219 Act 3 (Alternative Disintegration Night Walkers)
• Surgeon’s Subjugation Amulet: Looted from Malus Thorm at the House of Healing in Act 2 (Alternative Amulet of Bhaal, Periapt of Wound Closure, or Amulet of Greater Health).
• Killer’s Sweatheart: Trial inside the Gauntlet of Shar ( X: -833 Y: -729) (Alternative Ring of Regeneration, or Risky Ring).
• Shifting Corpus Ring: Drop by Fist Marcus at the Last Light Inn (Alternative Ring of Free Action).
• Gontr Mael: Looted from the Steel Watcher Titan in Steel Watch Foundry (Alternative The Dead Shot, or Blightbringer)
• Bloodthirst: Reward for defeating Orin in Act 3 (Alternative Knife of the Undermountain King).
• Rhapsody: Dropped by Cazador Szarr in Act 3 Astarion Sidequest (Alternative Stillmaker).

Best Consumable Items 

Consumables are items that can be used once and then destroyed. They are typically used to restore health or other resources. Some common types of consumables include potions, scrolls, food, drinks, and arrows.

The following list represents the best individual use consumable items that will aid in our Best Baldur’s Gate 3: Astarion Companion Build:

• Potion of Speed: Gain extra action, +2 AC, Advantage on Dexterity Saving Throws, and double movement speed.
• Elixir of Bloodlust: Once per turn when you kill a foe, you gain HP 5 temporary hit points and an additional action.
• Drow Poison: Weapon poison that adds Constitution Saving Throw or becomes Poisoned and falls Asleep.
• Potion of Flying: Drink to gain a flying speed of 60ft for one hour.
• Elixir of Heroism: Gain 10 temp HP and become Blessed until a long rest.
• Potion of Greater Healing: 4d4 + 4 hit points restored.
• Oil of Accuracy: Coat Weapon. Bonus of +2 in Attack Rolls.
• Elixir of Vigilance: Drink to gain a +5 bonus to Initiative and you can’t be Surprised.

The strongest Ammunition for the Best Baldur’s Gate 3: Astarion Companion Build is listed below:

• Arrow of Ice: Deals weapon damage + 2d4 Cold and creates ice surface for 2 turns in a 2m radius.
• Arrow of Roaring Thunder: deals weapon damage, knocks back 5 meters if failed strength throw.
• Arrow of Many Targets: Deals weapon damage and an additional half of that damage to three other targets in range.
• Arrow of Dragon/Aberration/Humanoid: Deals weapon damage, and double damage against Dragon, Aberration, or Humanoid.
• Arrow of Salving: Cures a target of poisoned, paralyzed, and blinded conditions.
• Arrow of Transposition: teleports the shooter wherever this arrow is fired.

Astarion Combat, Gameplay Tips, and Tricks

Here are 10 gameplay tips and tricks for playing the Best Baldur’s Gate 3: Astarion Companion Build:

1. Stealth: Always try to end or start combat stealth by using the Hide bonus action before your turn ends.
2. Advantage: Remember to attack targets that are engaged with melee allies for easy advantage, usually this is easy with a melee aggressor on your team.
3. High Ground: Use elevation when melee isn’t impossible to improve damage with range weapon.
4. Consumables: Consume a potion of speed or shot a fire arrow at range for increased combat effectiveness.
5. Prepare: Always get in sneak with Control + C prior to combat.
6. Sneak Attack: Use your action primarily for a sneak attack and double off-hand for three attacks in one turn.
7. Movement: Use the cunning dash to close the distance while still allowing an action
8. Disengage: You can move to the flank or back of the opposition while in an engagement without taking an opportunity to attack.
9. Vampire Bite: When in desperate need of healing, use Vampire Bite to do damage and return some health.
10. Grouping: You can ungroup as an Astarion Rogue, then break away from your group and set up a high-ground potion when the first starts.

Remember, this build guide serves as a foundation, and you can always adapt it to suit your preferences and the needs of your campaign. Enjoy playing as a formidable The BestAstarion Companion Build!

Baldur’s Gate 3 Astarion Companion Build Summary Guide

If you followed the guide, this is how your Baldur’s Gate 3 Astarion with all Build components should look:

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