Summary

  • Baldur's Gate 3 allows the Dark Urge to find love and acceptance through its romance options, including a touching relationship with the vampire Astarion.
  • Astarion supports and fights alongside the Dark Urge, recognizing their shared experiences and encouraging them to defy their controlling authority figures.
  • A romance between the Dark Urge and Astarion offers unique and humorous dialogue, showcasing the character's witty and snarky personality.

Baldur's Gate 3's Dark Urge is tormented by thoughts of murder and violence, but that doesn't mean they cannot find love. All of Baldur's Gate 3's romance options will ultimately accept the Dark Urge, amnesia, twisted thoughts, and all. One particularly touching and memorable romance is formed between the Dark Urge and the vampire Astarion, who feels a connection with a fellow "monster" seeking freedom and desiring to establish their own identity.

astarion best build baldur's gate 3 bg3
Baldur's Gate 3: Best Astarion Build

Astarion is a fan-favorite character from BG3 and here's his best build.

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The Dark Urge And Astarion Have Many Similarities

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From the moment the Dark Urge confesses their hidden impulses, Astarion sees a kindred spirit in them. He recognizes someone who has suffered like he has, who is afraid they will never be more than a monster, and who has a powerful authority figure desperate to regain control over them.

The Dark Urge

Astarion

Controlling Authority Figure

Bhaal

Cazador Szarr

"Monstrous" Self

Slayer Form

Vampirism

Dark Past

History of violence

Finding victims for Cazador

Have A Choice To Make

Accepting/Rejecting Bhaal

Becoming Vampire Ascendant/Staying a spawn

Astarion Is Kind And Supportive To The Dark Urge

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Astarion may not always be the nicest guy - he's generally guarded and defensive, focused on self-preservation, and unafraid to make a cutting remark at any time. But when the Dark Urge confesses their secrets to a romanced Astarion, he supports them without question. Should the Dark Urge's butler, Sceleritas Fel, encourage them to kill Astarion, the vampire spawn will help them fight through the Urges and reassure them that they can get through this.

When the Dark Urge discovers that they are a Bhaalspawn, a child of the god of murder, Astarion immediately draws parallels to his own situation. "I felt paralyzed to do anything about Cazador for so many decades," he confesses. "Bhaal controls you in much the same way. I don't know how you can beat him, but I do know this: you must try." Usually so eager to grab power in any way - embracing the tadpole, reading the Necromancy of Thay - Astarion forsakes his lust for power to stand by his love.

Some Of Astarion's Best Lines Are Exclusive To A Dark Urge Romance

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Astarion's dialogue is some of the best of the game - he's snarky and witty, fluctuating between suave confidence and honest vulnerability. Actor Neil Newbon even earned a Game Awards nomination for bringing Astarion to life. But some of the vampire's best lines are only experienced when he is romanced as a Dark Urge. These include:

  • "Are you all right now, or is today a 'I will wed you with a delicate veil of blood blooming over your white curls' kind of day?"
  • "I'd rather be the only dark power inside your body."
  • "In a thousand years, when I've all but forgotten how to love yet again, you'll flit back into my heart, and I'll weep wondering what happened to my mad love."
  • "My precious little Bhaal-babe!"

He Doesn't Mind The Carnage

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An image of Sceleritas Fel and the Dark Urge from Baldur's Gate 3.

Some of the game's love interests are less than thrilled should the Dark Urge embrace Bhaal and become the God of Murder's Chosen rather than resisting the Urge. Astarion, on the other hand, is more than okay with it - he's familiar with violence and carnage, and is happy to stay with the Dark Urge as they carve their bloody path through Faerun.

Having Astarion become the Vampire Ascendant is a dark, tragic ending for the character. However, the romance between Ascended Astarion and Bhaal's Chosen brings some levity to this macabre ending, as the pair snipe almost humorously about their plans for each other. "When I conquer the world over, perhaps I shall spare you," the Dark Urge muses. Ascended Astarion is confident enough to joke back, "Not if I get there first. The game is on, darling." Their love is a strange one - but, at times, oddly heartwarming.

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Baldur's Gate 3 Tag Page Cover Art
9 /10

Baldur's Gate 3
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RPG
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Systems
PlayStation-1 Xbox-1 PC-1
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Top Critic Avg: 96 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
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Released
August 3, 2023
ESRB
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
Developer(s)
Larian Studios
Publisher(s)
Larian Studios
Engine
Divinity 4.0
Multiplayer
Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op
Cross-Platform Play
Full cross-platform play.
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
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Franchise
Baldur's Gate
Number of Players
1-4
Split Screen Orientation
Vertical Only
Genre(s)
RPG
How Long To Beat
100+ Hours
Metascore
96