A Baldur’s Gate 3 player discussed a different approach to romancing Astarion, leading to a debate in the community about his character.
Astarion might just be the most popular character in Baldur’s Gate 3. Sure, you could make a case for Shadowheart or Karlach, but no one quite comes close to the instantly recognizable vampire spawn voiced by Neil Newbon.
Astarion is the companion that even people who didn’t play Baldur’s Gate are familiar with, and as the most-romanced male character in the game, his love life is one of the most well-developed, and Larian has put a lot of effort into his backstory and character.
However, one player on the Baldur’s Gate 3 subreddit posted an “unpopular opinion” about romancing Astarion, suggesting that players who romanced him were treating him in a similar way to Cazador.
Baldur’s Gate 3 community debates ethics of romancing Astarion
The player said: “He’s an excellent character, for sure, and I am emotionally invested in helping him find closure. But given what he’s dealing with, the idea of romance with him at this juncture feels awfully predatory.
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“Further, seeing the way people online are simping over him feels gross. Yes, he’s pretty, and charismatic, two traits that his abuser took advantage of for over 200 years.
“Astarion was forced to use his body on behalf of Cazador, his entire questline is about coming to terms with years of abuse and parts of the fandom have reduced him to little more than object of desire. I don’t know. It feels icky and as a character he deserves better.”
However, others disagreed, with one Astarion enjoyer suggesting: “It’s all about how you play and interpret the interactions. Could having a relationship with Astarion be predatory given what he’s going through?
“Yes, but you can also view it as him reaffirming his sexual autonomy and personal agency, something he’s been unable to do for the past 200 years.”
