Baldur’s Gate 3: A Complete Guide to Astarion’s Best Feats and Builds

Astarion is one of Baldur’s Gate 3’s most beloved companions. You’ll encounter him early in your journey, and his sharp wit is matched only by his skill with a blade. As a Rogue, Astarion brings unique advantages to the table, particularly his ability to select four feats as he levels up—one more than most other characters. These occur at Levels 4, 8, 10, and 12.

But which feats are the best for Astarion? In this guide, we’ll explore the top feats for him, focusing on maximizing his potential as a stealthy sharpshooting Rogue while offering alternative options for those who prefer a melee or utility build.

Recommended Feats for Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3

Here’s a quick overview of the four feats we recommend to amplify Astarion’s damage output and versatility:

1. Ability Improvement (Dexterity)
2. Sharpshooter
3. Dual Wielder
4. Mobile

These feats focus on creating a ranged build for Astarion that capitalizes on his natural Dexterity and stealth abilities, allowing for massive damage potential in the late game.

Ability Improvement (Dexterity)

• Description: Increase one ability score by 2 or two abilities by 1, up to a maximum of 20.
• Recommended Level: 4

The Ability Improvement feat is a must-have early on. Pumping two points into Dexterity enhances Astarion’s stealth skills, Initiative, and damage output, especially with finesse and ranged weapons. Improved Dexterity also bolsters abilities like Sleight of Hand, critical for sneaky gameplay.

Take this feat as soon as possible to enjoy its benefits throughout the game. It pairs perfectly with the right items and equipment to give Astarion an edge in both combat and exploration.

Sharpshooter

• Description: Ranged attacks ignore penalties from High Ground Rules. You can toggle a -5 penalty to Attack Rolls to gain an extra 10 damage.
• Recommended Level: 8

Sharpshooter turns Astarion into a ranged powerhouse. The ability to bypass penalties for low ground and deal an additional 10 damage makes this feat invaluable. Pair it with high Dexterity to mitigate the -5 Attack Roll penalty, ensuring consistent damage output.

Switch to ranged weapons for the best results and watch Astarion dominate from a distance.

Dual Wielder

• Description: Enables two-weapon fighting with non-light weapons and grants +1 to Armor Class while dual-wielding.
• Recommended Level: 10

For a versatile build, Dual Wielder lets Astarion dual-wield crossbows or melee weapons. This feat shines in the late game when you’ll have access to rare and legendary gear that synergizes beautifully. The bonus to Armor Class provides extra survivability, making Astarion harder to hit while dealing devastating damage.

Mobile

• Description: Increases movement speed, negates difficult terrain penalties when dashing, and prevents Opportunity Attacks after moving from melee range.
• Recommended Level: 12

Mobile is ideal for maintaining Astarion’s stealth and agility. Use it to dash in and out of combat, avoiding retaliation while repositioning for another attack. This feat excels when combined with Cunning Action: Hide, allowing Astarion to slip back into stealth and continue dealing critical damage.

Honorable Mention Feats for Astarion

If you’re considering alternative builds, these feats are also worth exploring:

• Alert: +5 to Initiative and immunity to being surprised, perfect for Assassin builds.
• Crossbow Expert: Removes disadvantage for crossbow attacks in melee range and buffs Gaping Wounds.
• Lucky: Grants 3 Luck Points for rerolls on attack rolls, saving throws, or ability checks.
• Savage Attacker: Roll damage twice on melee attacks and use the higher result.
• Tough: Adds 2 HP per level, enhancing survivability, particularly for melee-focused builds.

Astarion’s Role in Combat

Astarion excels as a stealthy ranged attacker or a shadowy melee assassin.

• Ranged Build: Focus on feats like Sharpshooter and Dual Wielder to maximize damage from a distance. With high Initiative, Astarion can take the first strike, retreat, and vanish into the shadows.
• Melee Build: Utilize feats like Savage Attacker and Tough to create a high-damage, stealthy melee Rogue capable of infiltrating enemy lines.

Tips for Optimizing Astarion’s Stealth

• Subclass Selection: Choose Assassin for maximum stealth and critical hit bonuses. For utility, consider Thief or Arcane Trickster.
• Respec Options: If you’re unsatisfied with your choices, you can respec with Withers for 100 gold to experiment with different feats and builds.

Astarion’s versatility makes him a valuable asset in any party. Whether you prefer a precise ranged attacker or a cunning melee assassin, the right feats and playstyle can turn him into an unstoppable force in Baldur’s Gate 3.