I play Baldur’s Gate 3 a lot, and I like Astarion. He starts as a High Elf rogue and with the right tweaks he hits hard and stays useful. I’ll tell you what to pick, why it matters, and where most players waste points.
Quick fact: as of November 25, 2025 the game includes a respec option, so you can experiment without long-term regret. In my experience, that freedom changes how aggressively I try weird builds.
🗡️ Who Astarion is and why Dexterity matters
Astarion arrives tuned for Dexterity. That stat controls attacks with finesse weapons, your AC in light armor, and many skill checks. Increase DEX first. Why? Higher DEX raises hit chance and damage, and it makes raw survivability better without changing gear. Honestly, it’s just the fastest power spike.
| Base | Value |
|---|---|
| STR | 8 |
| DEX | 17 |
| CON | 14 |
| INT | 13 |
| WIS | 13 |
| CHA | 10 |
There are exceptions (depends on your niche). If you plan ranged sharpshooting, DEX still wins but consider feats that boost range options.
Class path: keep rogue or multiclass?
Staying pure rogue gives steady sneak attack scaling and utility. Go pure for consistent damage as you level. I’ve noticed many players multiclass too early and lose sneak scaling momentum.
Multiclass picks can work. Gloom Stalker Ranger (5 levels) pairs well with Astarion because the first-turn damage bonus and extra attack fit his hit-and-run style. Fighter dip for Action Surge is great if you want burst damage. But here’s the controversial bit: Alert isn’t always the best pick—some folks treat it like a must-have, and that can waste your ASI if your playstyle doesn’t use it (to be fair, it’s excellent in many fights).
Equipment that actually moves the needle
Pick finesse weapons and light armor. Weapons that boost crit range or add piercing damage are top tier for him. Hand crossbows are strong if you exploit multiple attacks—but they won’t work the way you expect without Crossbow Expert.
- Rapier/shortsword for melee finesse.
- Hand crossbow for ranged burst (consider Crossbow Expert).
- Studded leather or stealthy armors to keep AC high without penalty.
Here’s a short code-style turn plan I use (simple):
Move -> Hide -> Attack (with advantage) -> Bonus: Hide/DashWatch this: use high ground and darkness to secure advantage. That single trick multiplies his damage output more than fancy gear sometimes.
Feats and skills — pick with purpose
Expertise on Sleight of Hand and Stealth is a must if you want him to scout and open locks reliably. For feats, prioritize ability increases to DEX up to 20, then pick options that suit your setup: Sharpshooter for ranged builds, Crossbow Expert if you go that route, Alert if you need consistent initiative. There are exceptions—Lucky is rarely wrong, though.
“If Astarion can’t get advantage, help him get it—use Help or control spells.”
Combat tips — positioning and the vampire bite
Sneak attack triggers once per turn when you have advantage or an ally is adjacent to the target. Coordinate with your tanks. Ask yourself: who will hold aggro? If no one will, you might need to reposition or use Help. Surprisingly, using the vampire bite as a heal is often smarter than using it for damage; save it for when you’re low or to finish a target.
Three quick reminders (short): Hide first. Hit with advantage. Back out.
Advanced tactic: pair Thief extra bonus action with dual hand crossbows to push three attacks in a turn (yes, that requires setup). That can be decisive in tight encounters, but it’s fiddly to manage.
Party combos that work
He needs friends who control the field and soak damage. Tanks like Karlach or Lae’zel are perfect for drawing attention. Shadowheart provides healing and spells that force enemies to stay put, which sets up sneak attack. Spellcasters who create difficult terrain or restraint spells make Astarion’s job easy.
| Role | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Tank | keeps enemies busy so Astarion can flank |
| Support | heals and applies control for guaranteed hits |
One counterintuitive tip
Sometimes lowering risk beats chasing max DPR. Astarion with 15 CON and reliable positioning often survives longer and deals more total damage across a fight than a glass-cannon with 20 DEX but 10 CON. That surprised me the first time it happened; I switched builds mid-campaign (and I’m glad I did).
Here’s another slightly controversial take: multiclassing to Ranger for Extra Attack can be overrated if you sacrifice too many sneak attack dice. Think about the math before you split levels—sneak attack scaling matters a lot.
Final pointers (short and practical)
- Prioritize DEX, then CON or a feat that complements your plan.
- Use Hide and terrain; high ground is real advantage.
- Coordinate party actions to grant advantage—Help is undervalued.
Between us, experimentation is half the fun (I respec often). There are exceptions to every rule, and sometimes the best build is simply the one that feels fun for you. Go try a few setups. If something breaks, change it; the respec button is there for a reason.
May your sneak attacks land and your crits be memorable. 🦇
