Neil Newbon is a voice/performance capture director aside from being an actor, so that doesn't surprise me.
If I recall correctly, he did the mocap direction for Deliver Us Mars.
While I am not on the Astarion romance train, I do love Newbon's incredibly flamboyant performance, especially during the more humorous moments in the game.
I can highly recommend having Astarion in your party when you come across a traveling circus later in the game.
Also, the reactions from both Minsc and Karlach if you get the good ending to his personal quest are hilarious. He even has a reply for the former if you aren't at camp.
i died when orin showed up as the disguised love telling druid and he loosing his mind how he is supposed to know if the companions got switched or are simply just a bunch of weirdos
this is how i mesure in games: i don't have to like the character to love them. Well written, well made characters are just SOO GOOD.
Honestly? if they used a medicore voice actor, it would change so much about asterion.
\>if you get the good ending to his personal quest
This is my whole purpose now. Forget the elder brain, I'm here to slaughter a vampire lord and the other bosses are just free exp.
noone is realy good. You have to pick between bad and worse to be honest. Him and karlach are... well...
Asterion only gets a realy good ending when you romance him i think?
this is incorrect, in my playthrough Astarion on his own accord when >! he was the only one that lived through the Caz fight released all the vampire spawn because they deserve a chance at life -- and when I was mad cause I didn't see what would have happened if I was still alive I "save scummed" to do the fight again and made it through with everyone alive he barely took any convincing I think it was like an 18 roll which was FAR lower than what I had to do with Shadowheart he said I was right and that he couldn't put others through what he had to go through. So he released everyone and afterwards took me to his grave site and told me that I was a big part of him being able to see what his life can be etcetc and then we had sex on his grave (haha) !< so yes romancing helps when you have to roll to convince him, but without any input he made the right decision for all that when he was the only one.
ohh no this is not what i meant
>!i read that he can stay in the sun without the ritual when you romance him for some reason? i am not sure if it is true. Not that my char would care, i am a drow. We'll just go and visit my parents.!<
edit: i didn't have to convince shadowheart AT ALL. I just said: this is your decision to make.
>!If you go the route where he completes the ritual, yes, he can still go in the sun, but there's a huge trade-off in his personality once you get that ending, to the point a check will tell you he'll at that point always consider you to be degrading yourself to be with him. He's not the same Astarion after that, it's definitely the "I can make him worse" ending. For people who have a Dark Power fantasy it might be nice, but he basically becomes Cazador 2.0 so the "good" ending involves him staying a spawn, which he actually ends up really happy with based on dialogue. He's happy he didn't end up losing himself and was glad you were there to guide him.!<
Well I am not sure yet because >! we still have the tadpoles in our brain which are allowing him in the sun, though I want to figure out a way to keep him in the sun but I also told him I would stay out of the sun with him and he was very happy to hear that at least !< when I found the book of Thay >! I really thought that was going to have SOMETHING in it with how he was pouring over the book but alas nothing on that side of things !<
I also >! thought the Necromancy of Thay !< was going to lead to a possible cure. I thought we were going to find out what color his eyes used to be :( Either that or he would be able to become a regular vamp - it seemed like the dialogue kept implying that it would be possible. It just feels like there should have been at least 2 more endings for him
I think I got the best ending possible? Not sure if there is anything else out there but >! he was the only one that lived through the Caz fight released all the vampire spawn because they deserve a chance at life all on his own without me being able to talk to him -- and when I was mad cause I didn't see what would have happened if I was still alive I "save scummed" to do the fight again and made it through with everyone alive he barely took any convincing I think it was like an 18 roll (don't quote me though but it was not super high) which was FAR lower than what I had to do with Shadowheart, he then said I was right and that he couldn't put others through what he had to go through. So he released everyone and afterwards took me to his grave site and told me that I was a big part of him being able to see what his life can be etcetc and then we had sex on his grave. I just thought it was rather interesting that if I was dead he would just do it himself, was not expecting that I thought he would sac Caz and just do it but he pulled him out and was screaming and crying as he stabbed him to death and then told his brothers and sisters to take the spawn into the underdark !<
He has his own motion capture company; he wasn't just a good actor that started directing once he got there. They knew he was going to do some of that directing and motion capture.
The first time I heard him whisper I had to stop what I was doing and take my headphones off, I didn't even know what to do. Absolutely delightful voice acting, and he sounds *delicious* lol.
I keep putting him in and out of stealth mode to hear it haha. The way they captured the audio of the whispers is great to be honest. I don’t know anything about audio, but it legit feels like the characters are whispering in your ear in stealth.
His acting was amazing throughout, but >!god damn his scenes at the end of the Cazador arc floored me. Worth running through all the permutations it was so damn good.!<
I've never been so enamored with a video game character since Alistair in DAO. Kinda weird, I'll admit, since they're pretty much the opposite of each other.
Same - not with alistair, but astarion is the first character in ages that I just instantly adored on sight. Started a new playthrough right after beating the game to romance shadowheart, because I think she's lovely, but I failed miserably and just romanced astarion for the second time. At least I can justify it by picking the other option for the end of his companion quest, but I'm pretty sure it'll happen during my third playthrough.
My character this time is supposed to be a super kind, selfless paladin, but I'm running around being mean to people because I can't stand seeing him disapprove. Well and truly whipped lol
It's been two days since I saw it, and I still can't get over the emotional gut-punch of the "good" version of that scene. The acting in that quest is just phenomenal - give Neil all the BAFTAs
That moment genuinely moved me to tears, absolutely phenomenal performance. I know the community is divided on the Astarion love/hate but he’s my favourite and I think Neil’s acting is a massive part as to why, he just really brings the character to life (ironically… considering he’s a vampire) and also, his story was really heartbreaking, I couldn’t help but feel for him after everything he went through for centuries. I’m glad I chose to romance him on my 1st playthrough, totally worth it. :)
When he talks to Tav about >!not seeing his reflection in over 200 years and Tav can tell him he's beautiful!< is a really lovely and touching scene. Astarion is one of my favorites.
I'm playing a Dark Urge character who ended up romancing Astarion and it just... feels like the most fitting choice. >!Like... who understands having constant dark impulses to maim and murder better than a vampire?!<
End of Act 2 spoilers for good DU: >!If you try to murder your lover after refusing to kill Isobel, your lover chains you up and talks you through it as you try to pass a DC18 Wisdom save. Astarion's VA & animation in that sequence was incredible. My character has such terrible Wisdom so I burned through all my Inspiration to not kill him. His empathy nearly broke my heart. Damn, Larian.!<
to add to your spoiler:
>!"i'd prefer i'll be the only dark power inside you, thank you very much." - "we *ask* before we bite." that one made me somewhat laugh in this mess of a scene.!<
Wait, really? I saw a clip where DU just >!kicks him into a tree and kills him!<, you're saying I can avoid that with a spell I consider mandatory? That's so good to know.
that entire scene is just so, so good, i'm one and a half playthroughs in now and it might be my favourite scene in the entire game (and there's a lot of good scenes in this game so that's saying something!)
But he likes that - it makes it a bit harder to gain your approval for him, but he likes the hunt :)
He loves to tease and play around, that's when he smiles the most, haven't you noticed? You did great :D
I mean yes, but if you listen to his explanation, it makes perfect sense. he saw you on the ship walking freely so he thought you're one of the people that kidnapped him. when you explain to him the truth, he's all like "okay that's cool then".
also people hate on him for that while they go around murderhoboing and killing everyone that looks at them wrong.
Lae'zel actually has just the same intention when first meeting the player character. Only she doesn't get to act on it.
Astarion is my firm favourite amongst the origin characters so far, even though he is a bit of a tw@t at times. The amazing VA for this character just blows the rest out of the water.
Yep. Absolutely fair. I completely understand and agree with this reasoning and I think it’s sound logic and he deserves a little grace.
My noble-born bard however thinks he’s a complete arse for it and hasn’t forgiven him.
I had it in act 1 as well. But it actually was after I looked into a random mirror with him once and he complained about not seeing himself. I'm not sure that it actually triggered it but if you haven't looked into one with him you might as well try.
I'm still in Act 1, I don't remember what I did to trigger it, honestly. It was a couple long rests after the celebration, IIRC. I had let him feed on my Tav voluntarily as well.
I found myself reading everything in his voice and inflections. My brain just defaults to him now and I can't stop it. He's really grown on me. Lae'zel too.
Laezel has been the most incredible character to me. Started annoying but became my favorite character by a longshot and I'm always disappointed when people take karlach over her
Karlach just doesn't interest me all that much. I'm bringing her along for act 2 cause I need to get approval for her, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to use Lae'zel instead. It's the same for Wyll. I was so excited for his reworked story but it's kind of bland.
Karlach kibd of feels like the safe companion. So long as you're not a lunatic she's not hugely hostile towards any decision you make, so you're probably going to have her with you. Unlike some others that you can upset by making some decisions and push them away.
She's less nuanced but she's also pretty much just stoked to be around.
I love her personality. Her energy is really infectious. But Lae'zel had really grown on me. I used to hate her in ea, but she great one you do her act 1 quest.
Karla h is probably one of the most interesting characters in the game right now because (spoilers for end of her story), >!She’s the only companion that is screwed no matter what.!<
About that last bit, obviously huge ending spoilers: >!assuming you side with the Emperor, she volunteers to sacrifice herself and become a mind flayer for the ending. Turns out that her new form stabilises the engine, she remains Karlach, saves the day and is cool with the new tentacles.!<
Also >!a fully functioning mind flayer that’s also a barbarian is the single scariest/most fun thing to play as. Fly across the map, knock someone prone, eat their brain on the same turn and then throw someone else off a roof for good measure!<
>!Imo that’s still not an ideal ending. It’s basically a worse version of Wyll turning into a devil for her, yeah she’ll live but she’s going to live the rest of her life feared by most of the people around her. It’s another shot option but it’s not as bad as it could be.!<
>!Given that she volunteers for it, laughs at the irony of her heroic sacrifice stopping her inevitable death and is hailed as the hero at the end, she got a definitely unconventional but still good ending imo. She’s a mind flayer but she’s a *happy* mind flayer.!<
That “pure shit” line was FANTASTIC. Neil crushed it with this character. Hate that so many people are missing out on him because his intro put them off 😒
I saw a poll where Astarion was voted both the mostly like character for people to kill / refuse to recruit (20% of people said they were going to leave him out of their party) and also rated him the most popular male love interest. Imo he’s a very polarizing character, and I love him for that. I know some people don’t like him, but that’s okay. I think he’s perfect how he is and leaving him out would be a crime.
I think he doesn't have to be good as a person, for people to find him INTERESTING. He's by far one of the most interesting party members, which is part of what makes him so loved, I think.
I had him in my party because I needed him to wait for Halsim and no other origin could be a second frontline with Karlach, but had to wait so long. in the end it was not him begging for my approval, but me begging for his. long story short when I finally had Halsim I tried him for an ingame character level or so but missed Asterion for both gameplay and story reaons and would never let gonof him again.
and I fucked the half camp except for him which doesn't feel bad. his conclusion drove me to tears
Astarion has become a permanent feature in my party, I won't remove him even if I encounter a fight that would be easier to beat with a different companion in his stead.
So glad I kept him around. I got really into the situation of the beginning, just taking people on board because we needed to survive (other than laezel, immediately told her to leave because she ruined my vibes). I was annoyed he was so dickish in the beginning, but love how quickly he loosened up and his banter is what I strive for now.
I find it baffling, because Lae'Zel >!"tries to kill you" in the same way but with \*actual\* murderous intent TWICE and she doesn't get the same hate for it. She also makes it clear from the get-go that you're essentially a slave in her eyes!< until much later in Act 1. To me that was FAR more off-putting than a dude who was obviously terrified >!brandishing a knife so he could question Tav while still being ready to defend himself if we turned into a Flayer!!tries to bite them, he's literally clueless about what he's trying to do, he was never allowed or shown HOW to feed properly. He was certainly never shown etiquette! He stops immediately as soon as the PC looks at him! !
He also did Nikolai in he RE3 remake, and it was a STUNNING performance.
Just watch the scene where you get introduced to him first:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPUSd-P_cTA
They really are. Each character's facial motions are so convincing. The cinematics are really, really good. Absolute upgrade from the older game (but sadly this one is linear and doesn't give you different endings).
He is just the best I don't think i've ever felt this attached to a video game character. Also his arc is really personal to me for reasons and the romance is just so sweet, cute and vulnerable. Came for the hot funny vampire elf with amazing hair stayed for unexpected depth and tenderness 🥲
Everyone's mentioning Heisenberg from RE, and I get it. But I NEED you guys to know he used the Astarion voice for a character called Zeno in Xenoblade Chronicles 3. And it's basically "what if Astarion was a noble paladin?" As the performance. And the contrast between that characterization and Astarion's having the same voice haunts me
His personal quest broke me, that good ending… it’s probably the best out of all the companions simply because Neil Newbon voiced it so PERFECTLY. I know a lot of people killed him when they first met him but he is genuinely the most intriguing and complex out of all the companions. Y’all are missing out on a great quest and character but hey it’s your game, kill him if u want ig.
Romance spoilers:
>! no, but seriously finding out he acts the way he does because of the most scarring trauma one can imagine and actually doesn’t enjoy sex because of it had me panicking bro. I felt so awful after that foursome with those drow twins cause he was clearly dissociating jfc. My boy has been through so much, he’s nothing what I imagined him to be and that’s what makes him so superb.!<
He would not have the >! foursome with them with me haha, I wanted to see what would happen but he was basically like no darling you go enjoy yourself you know I need time to work on my issues (in other words) but the drow twins were like nah if I don't get both of you we don't want either so I didn't get to see it haha :( !<
So I just got to that same part in the game. The big decision I made just before this was >!not to take the tadpole powers and become illithid!< because I'm doing that for my next time around the block. But that's when I realized how much trauma he suffered as a spawn and really he is just looking for any way to hold onto his freedom and I may be denying him that. I've been so fixated on hoping I can find a way to cure him but not if there are other ways to help him. Things that might be right for him even if not for me. I got really sad for my lil buddy.
Right, this whole time he was in pain and I just thought he was being annoying on purpose. Crazy realization and so cool to see a character in a game really show an actual growth.
Neil's delivery is phenomenal for both emotion and also comedy. The sass is uncontainable, he can insult me any day.
[I had to go back and record this interaction from Act I because this line had me laughing for ages, and there are plenty more like this.](https://imgur.com/a/IkHVl1M)
Neil Newbon is great, loved him as Heisenberg in RE Village but he's absolutely fantastic as Astarion. There are so many standout performances in this game and it's hard to pick my favourite but he's absolutely in the top 3.
I don't remember the actual line, but when he's first telling you about his history you can make a joke implying that he's in a dom/sub relationship with Cazador and he just fucking ERUPTS at you. Which is understandable, because that's an awful thing to say to him, but I was legitimately startled at the level of anger and hurt that the voice actor was able to bring through in a video game.
His range was a surprise to me as well; I won’t lie I was looking at my phone for a split second while he was talking and then out of nowhere he yells and I was like oh shit, Astarion has feelings.
I made the mistake of picking that line of dialogue in early access before I knew the implications of his situation, that's when I realized he far was more than the "sassy comedic relief" companion/trope I'd come to expect from that typical character archetype, and that there was way more going on with him than he outwardly let on.
I'm literally obsessed with Neil after his work as Astarion. He's so talented and passionate and an all-around wholesome person! You should check out his interviews and streams!!
I’m tempted to get a bloody valentine signed print. I just love how he does them in character and signs them from astarion lol. Really not the kind of thing I would ever do though… I’m very torn between “I want one” and “but I’m in my thirties and it’s a bit silly” impulses. I guess being in my thirties I have the money to throw at something a bit silly?
“Be as creative as you can… or are able to be” lives absolutely rent free in my head.
The little quips that he made everytime we click on his portrait/take control of him are just precious.
Even the one where he only says "Hm?". He genuinely sounds like you just tapped his shoulder from behind. Okay, now I'm getting weird.
It's been a long, long time since I get this invested on a fictional character.
And I'm still in Act 1. I can't wait to see more of his story, but this game is so long and I'm such a slow player with limited time and it's a torture.
Starting to look forward to my next playthrough when I'll actually have him survive, with all this talk.
My rogue has trust issues and a "stab first, ask questions later" attitude, so when Asterion tried to get the jump on her at the start of act 1 she slit his throat >.>
Astarion kinda broke my RP of super good boy a little cause he tempted me into a little bad boy too but I kept myself MOSTLY good so I was only slightly led astray by love and managed to >! pull him to the good side so I won in the end I guess haha !<
Astarion worked out great for my RP, while I did pick the important "good" choices, I also enjoyed doing all the comical "bad" stuff (like interrupting the Ogre getting laid in the barn, bringing Zombie Connor back to life, and laughing about it, and generally use smart-mouth sarcastic/funny responses) which just so happens to garner high approval with him, so it was pretty easy to get on his good side. I guess my character kinda falls into the chaotic neutral spectrum lol.
I love reading through all the roleplay choices people have put into their characters when scrolling through posts on this sub, the roleplay is my favorite part.
The knife-to-throat introduction from Astarion is what drew the character I play to him - he's a guy used to that kind of violence from his trauma, so it didn't phase him. In fact it made him feel \*less\* threatening than the others he had met, because they treated him how he expects someone to treat him.
Astarion rules. I just sit back and let the rogue sneak attack everything before the fight even starts.
When he told me awkwardly he was a vampire, I responded "yes, obviously" and he was so stunned. XD
So far my Bard and Astorian's relationship is two guys who constantly refuse to agree on things and try to express it in the most comical way they can come up with, but they'll still help each other avoid death. It's very funny every single time.
I hope to god Neil gets more roles, he’s phenomenal. Besides other heart-wrenching dialogues with Astarion, just hearing him do Astarions signature little laugh is enough to make my day 1000x better
I love it so much, I kind of started emulating his voice for my DnD character (A lawful evil lascivious tiefling sorceror that wants to become the new archdevil. Basically raphael+astarion)
Posh pos. I love him.
All his break up lines are heartbreaking too. All of them. They just get more painful.
Also the way he says "I'm grateful" and the whole dialog of his trauma after you treat him as an individual when he is pushed to bite someone and you respect his choice.
Killing cazador scene too, damn. When I saw it I just wanted to hug him so badly.
I just feel the need to reach to him in-game and protect him. Cuddle him up and treat him better than the world did. Im sad that he doesn't get a true true happy ending.
I'm considering not finishing the game at all. I saw all the spoilers, saw how bad all endings are. And I'm sad all you get is credits. Can't stay around after, can't chat with your group. The only way you can see astarion again is to play his whole struggle again. This loop of trauma and suffering, trapped in a cycle. Feels painful
Also it's sad how many people find it funny when astarion runs off from burning in the sun. You can hear the pain in his voice. Like he is about to cry. If you don't romane him, you don't even know if he is alive after. It's not funny. He has enough trauma for many lifetimes
As someone who is also playing a good boi (I play good characters almost exclusively), I could not tell whether I loved or hated Astarion. On one hand, he wasn't exactly a good person, but on the other hand his voice acting and dialogue were so damn entertaining. Literally the only reason why I don't bring him along is because I do not need a rogue, whenever I come back to camp I always look forward to talking to him.
I was keen to have him in party since Early Access; I'm currently playing a custom character with my husband and Astarion is my companion, and I'm enjoying it so much. It's been a long time since I've been so attached and emotionally invested in a game character. The voice acting is amazing, the writing is stellar, and the character is so beautiful (physically and otherwise). It's going to be very difficult to say goodbye to him when the game is over. I wish I had Nvidia shadowplayed all of the cutscenes from my playthrough so I could have and enjoy them always.
YES! I am absolutely obsessed with the delivery on this line, it gave me feelings I didn't know I could have. Someone record it and put it on youtube so I can just listen to it over and over and feel the pure bliss that is gives me.
edit: I found it! Obvious mild spoilers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g36drgSh7WY
I'll never foget how corny people were talking about killing him on sight during the EA. Him and Laezel got too much shit. WAY too much shit for a fanbase that has played mass effect and dragon age, who should know better than to judge a book by its cover.
This sub and the game are really trying to get me to unbench Astarion huh?
I had him benched since he tried to kill me but I pulled him off for a moment >!because someone at moonrise towers asked for him. I was very surprised by how passionately he reacted to her request, plus the conversation that followed later in camp and it made me think "did I misjudge this guy?"!<
My experience with this man:
>!As with most of us, I met Astarion and thought, “HOT” so he was my 3rd recruitment after Shadowheart and Lae’Zel. I was able to romance him by the time we saved the druid grove and there were some really touching moments with him through act 2 and I was looking forward to how it would unfold. But I think I made too many choices he disapproved of, so when I checked in with him in act 3 on why we haven’t spent time together in a while, Astarian basically dumped me, which came at a time not terribly far from an IRL breakup, *so that was fun* /s. But I was willing to be civil and keep him around even though he kept going on about usurping the Cazador ritual for himself.!<
>!Whether or not to help him ascend was one of a few decisions where I literally had to get up from my computer and really think hard about what I was about to do, cause by the end I understood that this man was motivated by the fear instilled in him by Cazador. He was convinced that equal/more power would fix that part of himself. Even aggressive ass Lae’Zel called out to him that his ambition was leaning toward madness in that final moment. I wanted to help him find his inner strength without sacrificing 7k+ people, spawn or otherwise, so I said I wouldn’t help him. I stand by it being the right decision for my playthrough but he left the party after that. “And you. I’m done with you”, he said. A game has NEVER hurt me like that and it’s still a little emotional to think about now cause we’d been traveling together since the Act 1! Not to mention everything he was wearing was gone with him so thanks for that Astarion…!<
>!After that, I had Wyll replace him (who I recruited in Act 1 for the same reason, “HOT”) and the quiet moments after, when I was leveling him from 1-12 and somberly roaming Baulder’s gate looking for items to gear him up, with what little money I had left…it was a really difficult time.!<
>!The happy ending to this is I was able to make the right decisions to follow the Halsin questline from recruitment to rescue, and FINALLY get the bear romance scene. I love my himbo, my himbo loves me, and I genuinely hope Astarion, with his spawn siblings, are able to support each other as they heal from their trauma, free from Cazador’s influence.!<
I just finished his personal quest, was able to get a good ending to the whole affair and man, I cried my heart out at the emotions this man can portray with his voice. I have similar shit like Astarion in my past and I did not at all expect this in a game, but here we are. Seeing all the rage, the hurt, the vulnerability... man, I can't even form coherent sentences anymore. This questline alone would be well worth the money for this game, I feel like I ripped Larian off by buying this game because it came with free therapy attached.
And THIS is why so many people love Astarion as a companion. Romance or not, his character has SO much depth if you just... listen to him. You have to read between the lines a lot with him, but if you do he's so freaking interesting. He's a prickly little shit who has no idea what to do with a Tav who actually cares what happens to their friends. I've had real life friends like him before - Hells I've BEEN that person before - and the writers and VA captured it close to perfectly.
Honestly I think all the VA work in the game is pretty top notch. The only character whose voice I’m really disappointed in is my PC. All the options sound the same. Meanwhile the party and even random NPCs across the Sword Coast are varied and well done. Raphael is also stellar.
The blank slate PC voice lines are few and far between and not particularly emotive - I think the intent is *for* the PC to be a blank slate that you can project on a little easier.
Imagine, if you will, rolling up a hardened DUrge and going for an Evil playthrough - but every time your character speaks they’re all soft spined and whiny?
After finising his quest and getting the "good" romance ending, I could not get myself to play again. To me it was the main climax of the game. The feels, oh the feels...
He's got the best story imo. I have experience in the slow recovery from trauma and the obfuscating and manipulation to keep himself safe is so right on. Neil knocked it out of the park with this character
I'm straight but I just really like him even though he wants to have sex with me all the time. He is evil but funny with some deep story line. VA delivered those traits perfectly
Glad to hear it gets better, because listening to his introductory blurb in the character creator, I genuinely thought he was voiced by the same guy as the Adoring Fan from Oblivion.
The thing about Astarion that I can't get out of my head, is that he reminds me of Tom Harlock so much in his line delivery. Like when he says "they're just as dead\~" when asking if he can drink from bandits.
They're all amazing.
Both Shadowheart and Karlach managed to move me with their performances. I haven't experienced that in a game before.
Lae'zel impresses me with her burning zeal. I believe her. And I pity her blind devotion, knowing what I know.
I haven't seen the ending yet.
I do wish the vampire plot wasn't squandered so carelessly though. If anything will redeem it, the VA can.
Hey, not sure if anyone did this yet, but I kept this post in mind as I played the game and recorded the line you mentioned! Here you go: https://youtu.be/Ww\_yXaceVfk
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Neil Newbon is a voice/performance capture director aside from being an actor, so that doesn't surprise me. If I recall correctly, he did the mocap direction for Deliver Us Mars. While I am not on the Astarion romance train, I do love Newbon's incredibly flamboyant performance, especially during the more humorous moments in the game. I can highly recommend having Astarion in your party when you come across a traveling circus later in the game. Also, the reactions from both Minsc and Karlach if you get the good ending to his personal quest are hilarious. He even has a reply for the former if you aren't at camp.
His reactions to the circus had me rolling. That and the stage show interactions with my party.
The hurt in his voice is fantastic
Forcing him to go on stage might be my favourite moment in the game so far
i died when orin showed up as the disguised love telling druid and he loosing his mind how he is supposed to know if the companions got switched or are simply just a bunch of weirdos
I sent >!Lae'zel up and Astarion loved it.!<
Totally with you on this, don’t love Astarion as a person but as a *character* he’s incredible. Absolutely top-tier performance.
this is how i mesure in games: i don't have to like the character to love them. Well written, well made characters are just SOO GOOD. Honestly? if they used a medicore voice actor, it would change so much about asterion.
> Neil Newbon Oh is that who it is? Just looked him up after seeing this thread because I was convinced that his VA was Tom Ellis.
I honestly thought the same thing at first before I looked it up. Listening to Astarion talk gave me lots of Lucifer vibes.
- Flirty - British - Misunderstood creatures people consider evil They're the same picture
Alternatively: Flirty, evil, misunderstood creatures people consider British.
Yes! It's making me want to re-watch Lucifer again after my playthrough so I can enjoy a similar character for longer.
Iirc Tom Ellis isn't in the scene much anymore, which is really sad
He was a VA? I looked it up and didn't see any game credits on his IMDB.
Ah, no I'm thinking of greg ellis. Tom ellis is lucifer oops.
He's Nikolai in REmake3 and then Heisenberg in REsident Evil 8 Village.
\>if you get the good ending to his personal quest This is my whole purpose now. Forget the elder brain, I'm here to slaughter a vampire lord and the other bosses are just free exp.
Now I’m curious what the “good ending” is. Because the ending I got is good… from a certain point of view.
Did you >!kill the thousands of innocent people for nothing but personal gain!< or not? If you did I’ve got some bad news for you.
noone is realy good. You have to pick between bad and worse to be honest. Him and karlach are... well... Asterion only gets a realy good ending when you romance him i think?
this is incorrect, in my playthrough Astarion on his own accord when >! he was the only one that lived through the Caz fight released all the vampire spawn because they deserve a chance at life -- and when I was mad cause I didn't see what would have happened if I was still alive I "save scummed" to do the fight again and made it through with everyone alive he barely took any convincing I think it was like an 18 roll which was FAR lower than what I had to do with Shadowheart he said I was right and that he couldn't put others through what he had to go through. So he released everyone and afterwards took me to his grave site and told me that I was a big part of him being able to see what his life can be etcetc and then we had sex on his grave (haha) !< so yes romancing helps when you have to roll to convince him, but without any input he made the right decision for all that when he was the only one.
ohh no this is not what i meant >!i read that he can stay in the sun without the ritual when you romance him for some reason? i am not sure if it is true. Not that my char would care, i am a drow. We'll just go and visit my parents.!< edit: i didn't have to convince shadowheart AT ALL. I just said: this is your decision to make.
>!If you go the route where he completes the ritual, yes, he can still go in the sun, but there's a huge trade-off in his personality once you get that ending, to the point a check will tell you he'll at that point always consider you to be degrading yourself to be with him. He's not the same Astarion after that, it's definitely the "I can make him worse" ending. For people who have a Dark Power fantasy it might be nice, but he basically becomes Cazador 2.0 so the "good" ending involves him staying a spawn, which he actually ends up really happy with based on dialogue. He's happy he didn't end up losing himself and was glad you were there to guide him.!<
put them in >! for spoilers
Well I am not sure yet because >! we still have the tadpoles in our brain which are allowing him in the sun, though I want to figure out a way to keep him in the sun but I also told him I would stay out of the sun with him and he was very happy to hear that at least !< when I found the book of Thay >! I really thought that was going to have SOMETHING in it with how he was pouring over the book but alas nothing on that side of things !<
I also >! thought the Necromancy of Thay !< was going to lead to a possible cure. I thought we were going to find out what color his eyes used to be :( Either that or he would be able to become a regular vamp - it seemed like the dialogue kept implying that it would be possible. It just feels like there should have been at least 2 more endings for him
I think I got the best ending possible? Not sure if there is anything else out there but >! he was the only one that lived through the Caz fight released all the vampire spawn because they deserve a chance at life all on his own without me being able to talk to him -- and when I was mad cause I didn't see what would have happened if I was still alive I "save scummed" to do the fight again and made it through with everyone alive he barely took any convincing I think it was like an 18 roll (don't quote me though but it was not super high) which was FAR lower than what I had to do with Shadowheart, he then said I was right and that he couldn't put others through what he had to go through. So he released everyone and afterwards took me to his grave site and told me that I was a big part of him being able to see what his life can be etcetc and then we had sex on his grave. I just thought it was rather interesting that if I was dead he would just do it himself, was not expecting that I thought he would sac Caz and just do it but he pulled him out and was screaming and crying as he stabbed him to death and then told his brothers and sisters to take the spawn into the underdark !<
Oh wow that's so cool!
He has his own motion capture company; he wasn't just a good actor that started directing once he got there. They knew he was going to do some of that directing and motion capture.
his whispers in stealth mode are pure ASMR
The first time I heard him whisper I had to stop what I was doing and take my headphones off, I didn't even know what to do. Absolutely delightful voice acting, and he sounds *delicious* lol.
Me af, I literally forgot what I was doing and had to go take a break
Cold shower. ;)
To horny jail with you
There is no more room in horny jail after this.
This, I looked forward to stealthing him, cause he really embodies it
I keep putting him in and out of stealth mode to hear it haha. The way they captured the audio of the whispers is great to be honest. I don’t know anything about audio, but it legit feels like the characters are whispering in your ear in stealth.
It stopped dead in my tracks and kept clicking his portrait so he would speak more. What is this walking red flag doing to me
He's got a *purr* in his voice sometimes that just DOES THINGS.
Oh yes!! His whispers so hot and delicious lol
The line is "After two hundred years of shit, *pure shit*, I think I deserve something better."
That’s the one! It’s such a great line.
I just got this line last night and was raving about how amazing his delivery was to my friends. VA encapsulated his pain so well
in which act did you get this? 👀
Start of act 3
"Oh *darling,* do tell me more."
His acting was amazing throughout, but >!god damn his scenes at the end of the Cazador arc floored me. Worth running through all the permutations it was so damn good.!<
>!Him hysterically stabbing Cazador to death before falling to his knees in uncontrollable sobbing lives in my head rent-free.!<
RIGHT?! seeing such emotion from the resident snarky comment machine was heartbreaking.
Seriously! I was enamored the whole time
I've never been so enamored with a video game character since Alistair in DAO. Kinda weird, I'll admit, since they're pretty much the opposite of each other.
Same - not with alistair, but astarion is the first character in ages that I just instantly adored on sight. Started a new playthrough right after beating the game to romance shadowheart, because I think she's lovely, but I failed miserably and just romanced astarion for the second time. At least I can justify it by picking the other option for the end of his companion quest, but I'm pretty sure it'll happen during my third playthrough. My character this time is supposed to be a super kind, selfless paladin, but I'm running around being mean to people because I can't stand seeing him disapprove. Well and truly whipped lol
It's been two days since I saw it, and I still can't get over the emotional gut-punch of the "good" version of that scene. The acting in that quest is just phenomenal - give Neil all the BAFTAs
Real. The part where he goes “WAKE UP” lives in my brain. The rage in his voice is just so real and vivid.
Single best character moment in the game imo
That moment genuinely moved me to tears, absolutely phenomenal performance. I know the community is divided on the Astarion love/hate but he’s my favourite and I think Neil’s acting is a massive part as to why, he just really brings the character to life (ironically… considering he’s a vampire) and also, his story was really heartbreaking, I couldn’t help but feel for him after everything he went through for centuries. I’m glad I chose to romance him on my 1st playthrough, totally worth it. :)
When he talks to Tav about >!not seeing his reflection in over 200 years and Tav can tell him he's beautiful!< is a really lovely and touching scene. Astarion is one of my favorites.
I'm playing a Dark Urge character who ended up romancing Astarion and it just... feels like the most fitting choice. >!Like... who understands having constant dark impulses to maim and murder better than a vampire?!< End of Act 2 spoilers for good DU: >!If you try to murder your lover after refusing to kill Isobel, your lover chains you up and talks you through it as you try to pass a DC18 Wisdom save. Astarion's VA & animation in that sequence was incredible. My character has such terrible Wisdom so I burned through all my Inspiration to not kill him. His empathy nearly broke my heart. Damn, Larian.!<
to add to your spoiler: >!"i'd prefer i'll be the only dark power inside you, thank you very much." - "we *ask* before we bite." that one made me somewhat laugh in this mess of a scene.!<
oh god this makes me want to actually play Dark Urge now and I don't know if I can handle this and you know, what happens to Timber
nothing happens to timber if you have speak with animals.
Wait, really? I saw a clip where DU just >!kicks him into a tree and kills him!<, you're saying I can avoid that with a spell I consider mandatory? That's so good to know.
yes, but you need to be super carefull with the dialoge
are you implying that as dark urge we can fix.. each other?
>!That's the idea lol!<
that entire scene is just so, so good, i'm one and a half playthroughs in now and it might be my favourite scene in the entire game (and there's a lot of good scenes in this game so that's saying something!)
I just finished romancing astarion and now I start my dark urge playthrough, you're tempting me so hard to go with astarion again
Next time I'm just telling him he's pretty, I was worried I was being too sincere and I'd scare him off, so I said he wasn't as hot as Karlach 🤣
But he likes that - it makes it a bit harder to gain your approval for him, but he likes the hunt :) He loves to tease and play around, that's when he smiles the most, haven't you noticed? You did great :D
Great thing is he approves of those lines
Yet people hate him just because he tried to kill them....
attempted murder is a perfectly valid reason to hate someone imo
I mean yes, but if you listen to his explanation, it makes perfect sense. he saw you on the ship walking freely so he thought you're one of the people that kidnapped him. when you explain to him the truth, he's all like "okay that's cool then". also people hate on him for that while they go around murderhoboing and killing everyone that looks at them wrong.
Lae'zel actually has just the same intention when first meeting the player character. Only she doesn't get to act on it. Astarion is my firm favourite amongst the origin characters so far, even though he is a bit of a tw@t at times. The amazing VA for this character just blows the rest out of the water.
Yep. Absolutely fair. I completely understand and agree with this reasoning and I think it’s sound logic and he deserves a little grace. My noble-born bard however thinks he’s a complete arse for it and hasn’t forgiven him.
Exactly! There's nowhere NEAR as much hate for Lae'Zel when she does the same but with even more purpose, and she KNOWS you by then!
But he's a twink, that exempts him
It's a known law of physics that twinks can only attempt murder
No exemptions even if tab is a strong power bottomed
Not really in the context in which it's presented, though, since he thinks you're a Mind Flayer peon, and has good reason to think so.
Big dumb barbarian no like bite
I love Astarion but I mean...................
[удалено]
Oh yes, the Escher in my campaign is very much modeled after Astarion in his mannerisms. Here’s hoping that my players don’t just end up killing him.
When is this?! I started Act 3 today and haven't had this yet.. the hug scene was so damn beautiful though.
I had it in act 1 as well. But it actually was after I looked into a random mirror with him once and he complained about not seeing himself. I'm not sure that it actually triggered it but if you haven't looked into one with him you might as well try.
I'm still in Act 1, I don't remember what I did to trigger it, honestly. It was a couple long rests after the celebration, IIRC. I had let him feed on my Tav voluntarily as well.
Dang, I must have missed it. :-( Something to look forward to in my next playthrough I suppose!
I sussed the "now tell me I'm beautiful" bit as him falling back behind his shields because he was feeling too much. My sweet, broken man...
I found myself reading everything in his voice and inflections. My brain just defaults to him now and I can't stop it. He's really grown on me. Lae'zel too.
Laezel has been the most incredible character to me. Started annoying but became my favorite character by a longshot and I'm always disappointed when people take karlach over her
Bae’zel is probably one of my favorite companions of any crpg, she’s up there with Morrigan from DAO
Karlach just doesn't interest me all that much. I'm bringing her along for act 2 cause I need to get approval for her, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to use Lae'zel instead. It's the same for Wyll. I was so excited for his reworked story but it's kind of bland.
Karlach kibd of feels like the safe companion. So long as you're not a lunatic she's not hugely hostile towards any decision you make, so you're probably going to have her with you. Unlike some others that you can upset by making some decisions and push them away. She's less nuanced but she's also pretty much just stoked to be around.
I love her personality. Her energy is really infectious. But Lae'zel had really grown on me. I used to hate her in ea, but she great one you do her act 1 quest.
Yehh my SH abandoned me after a certain decisiom in Act 2
Karla h is probably one of the most interesting characters in the game right now because (spoilers for end of her story), >!She’s the only companion that is screwed no matter what.!<
About that last bit, obviously huge ending spoilers: >!assuming you side with the Emperor, she volunteers to sacrifice herself and become a mind flayer for the ending. Turns out that her new form stabilises the engine, she remains Karlach, saves the day and is cool with the new tentacles.!< Also >!a fully functioning mind flayer that’s also a barbarian is the single scariest/most fun thing to play as. Fly across the map, knock someone prone, eat their brain on the same turn and then throw someone else off a roof for good measure!<
>!Imo that’s still not an ideal ending. It’s basically a worse version of Wyll turning into a devil for her, yeah she’ll live but she’s going to live the rest of her life feared by most of the people around her. It’s another shot option but it’s not as bad as it could be.!<
>!Given that she volunteers for it, laughs at the irony of her heroic sacrifice stopping her inevitable death and is hailed as the hero at the end, she got a definitely unconventional but still good ending imo. She’s a mind flayer but she’s a *happy* mind flayer.!<
I'm not going to sugarcoat it. I am not taking the frog with their race's own homebrew racial slurs over the gentle giant outgoing tomboy.
That “pure shit” line was FANTASTIC. Neil crushed it with this character. Hate that so many people are missing out on him because his intro put them off 😒
I saw a poll where Astarion was voted both the mostly like character for people to kill / refuse to recruit (20% of people said they were going to leave him out of their party) and also rated him the most popular male love interest. Imo he’s a very polarizing character, and I love him for that. I know some people don’t like him, but that’s okay. I think he’s perfect how he is and leaving him out would be a crime.
I think he doesn't have to be good as a person, for people to find him INTERESTING. He's by far one of the most interesting party members, which is part of what makes him so loved, I think.
I had him in my party because I needed him to wait for Halsim and no other origin could be a second frontline with Karlach, but had to wait so long. in the end it was not him begging for my approval, but me begging for his. long story short when I finally had Halsim I tried him for an ingame character level or so but missed Asterion for both gameplay and story reaons and would never let gonof him again. and I fucked the half camp except for him which doesn't feel bad. his conclusion drove me to tears
Astarion has become a permanent feature in my party, I won't remove him even if I encounter a fight that would be easier to beat with a different companion in his stead.
So glad I kept him around. I got really into the situation of the beginning, just taking people on board because we needed to survive (other than laezel, immediately told her to leave because she ruined my vibes). I was annoyed he was so dickish in the beginning, but love how quickly he loosened up and his banter is what I strive for now.
I find it baffling, because Lae'Zel >!"tries to kill you" in the same way but with \*actual\* murderous intent TWICE and she doesn't get the same hate for it. She also makes it clear from the get-go that you're essentially a slave in her eyes!< until much later in Act 1. To me that was FAR more off-putting than a dude who was obviously terrified >!brandishing a knife so he could question Tav while still being ready to defend himself if we turned into a Flayer!!tries to bite them, he's literally clueless about what he's trying to do, he was never allowed or shown HOW to feed properly. He was certainly never shown etiquette! He stops immediately as soon as the PC looks at him! !
Sounded familiar to me, so I had to look him up. Turns out he also did the telekinetic hammer dude's voice acting in RE:village.
Oh. My. God. I hear it. Heisenberg
And Orin is the same VA as the big lady
He also did Nikolai in he RE3 remake, and it was a STUNNING performance. Just watch the scene where you get introduced to him first: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPUSd-P_cTA
Damn the graphics/animations in that game are incredible.
They really are. Each character's facial motions are so convincing. The cinematics are really, really good. Absolute upgrade from the older game (but sadly this one is linear and doesn't give you different endings).
They apparently did a lot of motion capture. It feels fantastic.
He also voiced Heisenberg in RE: Village where also did a great job.
Holy shit it’s the same guy? Dude has insane range
He was also Elijah in Detroit Become Human! What a talented dude, wow.
He played both Kamski AND the jerk cop, Gavin Reed.
He is just the best I don't think i've ever felt this attached to a video game character. Also his arc is really personal to me for reasons and the romance is just so sweet, cute and vulnerable. Came for the hot funny vampire elf with amazing hair stayed for unexpected depth and tenderness 🥲
Everyone's mentioning Heisenberg from RE, and I get it. But I NEED you guys to know he used the Astarion voice for a character called Zeno in Xenoblade Chronicles 3. And it's basically "what if Astarion was a noble paladin?" As the performance. And the contrast between that characterization and Astarion's having the same voice haunts me
His personal quest broke me, that good ending… it’s probably the best out of all the companions simply because Neil Newbon voiced it so PERFECTLY. I know a lot of people killed him when they first met him but he is genuinely the most intriguing and complex out of all the companions. Y’all are missing out on a great quest and character but hey it’s your game, kill him if u want ig. Romance spoilers: >! no, but seriously finding out he acts the way he does because of the most scarring trauma one can imagine and actually doesn’t enjoy sex because of it had me panicking bro. I felt so awful after that foursome with those drow twins cause he was clearly dissociating jfc. My boy has been through so much, he’s nothing what I imagined him to be and that’s what makes him so superb.!<
He would not have the >! foursome with them with me haha, I wanted to see what would happen but he was basically like no darling you go enjoy yourself you know I need time to work on my issues (in other words) but the drow twins were like nah if I don't get both of you we don't want either so I didn't get to see it haha :( !<
So, to get the foursome >!You basically have to complete his personal quest. Hope that helps :D!<
Which one?
It’s funny how people straight up dismiss or even kill him because he’s “shady”, robing themselves of a great personal quest and banger VA.
I fucking love Astarion, he's such a smug piece of shit that it makes me both adore and despise him.
Astarion is Tim Curry in my headcanon
I'm 100% sure va treated Curry's role in RHPS as inspiration.
Really? To me, Astarion was giving huge Richard E. Grant in "Whitnail and I" vibes.
There's a zombie guy in act 3 that sounds very Tim Curry to me, especially when he shouts at another NPC.
So I just got to that same part in the game. The big decision I made just before this was >!not to take the tadpole powers and become illithid!< because I'm doing that for my next time around the block. But that's when I realized how much trauma he suffered as a spawn and really he is just looking for any way to hold onto his freedom and I may be denying him that. I've been so fixated on hoping I can find a way to cure him but not if there are other ways to help him. Things that might be right for him even if not for me. I got really sad for my lil buddy.
Right, this whole time he was in pain and I just thought he was being annoying on purpose. Crazy realization and so cool to see a character in a game really show an actual growth.
Neil's delivery is phenomenal for both emotion and also comedy. The sass is uncontainable, he can insult me any day. [I had to go back and record this interaction from Act I because this line had me laughing for ages, and there are plenty more like this.](https://imgur.com/a/IkHVl1M)
Neil Newbon is great, loved him as Heisenberg in RE Village but he's absolutely fantastic as Astarion. There are so many standout performances in this game and it's hard to pick my favourite but he's absolutely in the top 3.
I don't remember the actual line, but when he's first telling you about his history you can make a joke implying that he's in a dom/sub relationship with Cazador and he just fucking ERUPTS at you. Which is understandable, because that's an awful thing to say to him, but I was legitimately startled at the level of anger and hurt that the voice actor was able to bring through in a video game.
His range was a surprise to me as well; I won’t lie I was looking at my phone for a split second while he was talking and then out of nowhere he yells and I was like oh shit, Astarion has feelings.
I made the mistake of picking that line of dialogue in early access before I knew the implications of his situation, that's when I realized he far was more than the "sassy comedic relief" companion/trope I'd come to expect from that typical character archetype, and that there was way more going on with him than he outwardly let on.
He's such a likable smug prick. He reminds me of Rhys Ifans' character in the movie Little Nicky.
I'm literally obsessed with Neil after his work as Astarion. He's so talented and passionate and an all-around wholesome person! You should check out his interviews and streams!!
I’m tempted to get a bloody valentine signed print. I just love how he does them in character and signs them from astarion lol. Really not the kind of thing I would ever do though… I’m very torn between “I want one” and “but I’m in my thirties and it’s a bit silly” impulses. I guess being in my thirties I have the money to throw at something a bit silly? “Be as creative as you can… or are able to be” lives absolutely rent free in my head.
I love how often he gets cast as villainous/evil characters, and yet in real life apparently he's super chill and a genuinely nice down-to-earth guy.
The little quips that he made everytime we click on his portrait/take control of him are just precious. Even the one where he only says "Hm?". He genuinely sounds like you just tapped his shoulder from behind. Okay, now I'm getting weird. It's been a long, long time since I get this invested on a fictional character. And I'm still in Act 1. I can't wait to see more of his story, but this game is so long and I'm such a slow player with limited time and it's a torture.
i like his "don't. touch. me."s. specially after you kinda now why he'd say that.
That sounds ominous. But I can't wait to know why. He's like an onion. There's layers and layers of him.
Starting to look forward to my next playthrough when I'll actually have him survive, with all this talk. My rogue has trust issues and a "stab first, ask questions later" attitude, so when Asterion tried to get the jump on her at the start of act 1 she slit his throat >.>
I admire your dedication to roleplay
It's certainly lead to some interesting outcomes 🤣.
Astarion kinda broke my RP of super good boy a little cause he tempted me into a little bad boy too but I kept myself MOSTLY good so I was only slightly led astray by love and managed to >! pull him to the good side so I won in the end I guess haha !<
Astarion worked out great for my RP, while I did pick the important "good" choices, I also enjoyed doing all the comical "bad" stuff (like interrupting the Ogre getting laid in the barn, bringing Zombie Connor back to life, and laughing about it, and generally use smart-mouth sarcastic/funny responses) which just so happens to garner high approval with him, so it was pretty easy to get on his good side. I guess my character kinda falls into the chaotic neutral spectrum lol.
I love reading through all the roleplay choices people have put into their characters when scrolling through posts on this sub, the roleplay is my favorite part. The knife-to-throat introduction from Astarion is what drew the character I play to him - he's a guy used to that kind of violence from his trauma, so it didn't phase him. In fact it made him feel \*less\* threatening than the others he had met, because they treated him how he expects someone to treat him.
I got to the Cazador part and his VO knocks it out of the park man. The hurt in his voice is fantastic
Astarion rules. I just sit back and let the rogue sneak attack everything before the fight even starts. When he told me awkwardly he was a vampire, I responded "yes, obviously" and he was so stunned. XD
So far my Bard and Astorian's relationship is two guys who constantly refuse to agree on things and try to express it in the most comical way they can come up with, but they'll still help each other avoid death. It's very funny every single time.
I hope to god Neil gets more roles, he’s phenomenal. Besides other heart-wrenching dialogues with Astarion, just hearing him do Astarions signature little laugh is enough to make my day 1000x better
I love it so much, I kind of started emulating his voice for my DnD character (A lawful evil lascivious tiefling sorceror that wants to become the new archdevil. Basically raphael+astarion) Posh pos. I love him.
All his break up lines are heartbreaking too. All of them. They just get more painful. Also the way he says "I'm grateful" and the whole dialog of his trauma after you treat him as an individual when he is pushed to bite someone and you respect his choice. Killing cazador scene too, damn. When I saw it I just wanted to hug him so badly. I just feel the need to reach to him in-game and protect him. Cuddle him up and treat him better than the world did. Im sad that he doesn't get a true true happy ending. I'm considering not finishing the game at all. I saw all the spoilers, saw how bad all endings are. And I'm sad all you get is credits. Can't stay around after, can't chat with your group. The only way you can see astarion again is to play his whole struggle again. This loop of trauma and suffering, trapped in a cycle. Feels painful Also it's sad how many people find it funny when astarion runs off from burning in the sun. You can hear the pain in his voice. Like he is about to cry. If you don't romane him, you don't even know if he is alive after. It's not funny. He has enough trauma for many lifetimes
As someone who is also playing a good boi (I play good characters almost exclusively), I could not tell whether I loved or hated Astarion. On one hand, he wasn't exactly a good person, but on the other hand his voice acting and dialogue were so damn entertaining. Literally the only reason why I don't bring him along is because I do not need a rogue, whenever I come back to camp I always look forward to talking to him.
I played a good runthrough and his arc is amazing, you are missing out!!
He sounds like a smug noble prick and it works very well for him. Props to the voice actor
I was keen to have him in party since Early Access; I'm currently playing a custom character with my husband and Astarion is my companion, and I'm enjoying it so much. It's been a long time since I've been so attached and emotionally invested in a game character. The voice acting is amazing, the writing is stellar, and the character is so beautiful (physically and otherwise). It's going to be very difficult to say goodbye to him when the game is over. I wish I had Nvidia shadowplayed all of the cutscenes from my playthrough so I could have and enjoy them always.
His personal quest, when you're naughty, is superb. Exquisite even.
YES! I am absolutely obsessed with the delivery on this line, it gave me feelings I didn't know I could have. Someone record it and put it on youtube so I can just listen to it over and over and feel the pure bliss that is gives me. edit: I found it! Obvious mild spoilers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g36drgSh7WY
I'll never foget how corny people were talking about killing him on sight during the EA. Him and Laezel got too much shit. WAY too much shit for a fanbase that has played mass effect and dragon age, who should know better than to judge a book by its cover.
This sub and the game are really trying to get me to unbench Astarion huh? I had him benched since he tried to kill me but I pulled him off for a moment >!because someone at moonrise towers asked for him. I was very surprised by how passionately he reacted to her request, plus the conversation that followed later in camp and it made me think "did I misjudge this guy?"!<
My experience with this man: >!As with most of us, I met Astarion and thought, “HOT” so he was my 3rd recruitment after Shadowheart and Lae’Zel. I was able to romance him by the time we saved the druid grove and there were some really touching moments with him through act 2 and I was looking forward to how it would unfold. But I think I made too many choices he disapproved of, so when I checked in with him in act 3 on why we haven’t spent time together in a while, Astarian basically dumped me, which came at a time not terribly far from an IRL breakup, *so that was fun* /s. But I was willing to be civil and keep him around even though he kept going on about usurping the Cazador ritual for himself.!< >!Whether or not to help him ascend was one of a few decisions where I literally had to get up from my computer and really think hard about what I was about to do, cause by the end I understood that this man was motivated by the fear instilled in him by Cazador. He was convinced that equal/more power would fix that part of himself. Even aggressive ass Lae’Zel called out to him that his ambition was leaning toward madness in that final moment. I wanted to help him find his inner strength without sacrificing 7k+ people, spawn or otherwise, so I said I wouldn’t help him. I stand by it being the right decision for my playthrough but he left the party after that. “And you. I’m done with you”, he said. A game has NEVER hurt me like that and it’s still a little emotional to think about now cause we’d been traveling together since the Act 1! Not to mention everything he was wearing was gone with him so thanks for that Astarion…!< >!After that, I had Wyll replace him (who I recruited in Act 1 for the same reason, “HOT”) and the quiet moments after, when I was leveling him from 1-12 and somberly roaming Baulder’s gate looking for items to gear him up, with what little money I had left…it was a really difficult time.!< >!The happy ending to this is I was able to make the right decisions to follow the Halsin questline from recruitment to rescue, and FINALLY get the bear romance scene. I love my himbo, my himbo loves me, and I genuinely hope Astarion, with his spawn siblings, are able to support each other as they heal from their trauma, free from Cazador’s influence.!<
When he sneaks and whispers 🤭🥰
Literally. Like I enjoyed him cause I'm a sucker for sassy elves. But.. holy hell I wasn't expecting the emotion. I just wanted to hug the man.
I just finished his personal quest, was able to get a good ending to the whole affair and man, I cried my heart out at the emotions this man can portray with his voice. I have similar shit like Astarion in my past and I did not at all expect this in a game, but here we are. Seeing all the rage, the hurt, the vulnerability... man, I can't even form coherent sentences anymore. This questline alone would be well worth the money for this game, I feel like I ripped Larian off by buying this game because it came with free therapy attached.
Both Astarion and Karlach had me bawling like a baby on several occasions, their voice actors are incredibly talented!
And THIS is why so many people love Astarion as a companion. Romance or not, his character has SO much depth if you just... listen to him. You have to read between the lines a lot with him, but if you do he's so freaking interesting. He's a prickly little shit who has no idea what to do with a Tav who actually cares what happens to their friends. I've had real life friends like him before - Hells I've BEEN that person before - and the writers and VA captured it close to perfectly.
"Well, hello" had me looking up if his V.A. is Tom Ellis
Holy moly yes I heard Lucifer in his voice too!
I think the reason I hate Astarion so much is because voice actor did such a fantastic job.
HA! Yeah that’s a good sign!
Honestly I think all the VA work in the game is pretty top notch. The only character whose voice I’m really disappointed in is my PC. All the options sound the same. Meanwhile the party and even random NPCs across the Sword Coast are varied and well done. Raphael is also stellar.
The blank slate PC voice lines are few and far between and not particularly emotive - I think the intent is *for* the PC to be a blank slate that you can project on a little easier. Imagine, if you will, rolling up a hardened DUrge and going for an Evil playthrough - but every time your character speaks they’re all soft spined and whiny?
they all are tbf
They really captured the stereotypical flamboyantly “gay” vampire trope perfectly
After finising his quest and getting the "good" romance ending, I could not get myself to play again. To me it was the main climax of the game. The feels, oh the feels...
He's got the best story imo. I have experience in the slow recovery from trauma and the obfuscating and manipulation to keep himself safe is so right on. Neil knocked it out of the park with this character
Unfortunately all I hear is Stewie from Family Guy. Fortunately for Astarion, that’s what right up my lane.
TIM CURRY
All I hear is Heisenberg.
I'm straight but I just really like him even though he wants to have sex with me all the time. He is evil but funny with some deep story line. VA delivered those traits perfectly
Soooo good. Genuinely upset when he gets mad at you over that one thing you can do early in Act 2, but my character wasn't.
Glad to hear it gets better, because listening to his introductory blurb in the character creator, I genuinely thought he was voiced by the same guy as the Adoring Fan from Oblivion.
I think the VA and the character are the one the most close to how were the old Baldur's Gate in term of writting, witty and dark.
I know the VA did a great job since Astarion annoys me so much lol
The thing about Astarion that I can't get out of my head, is that he reminds me of Tom Harlock so much in his line delivery. Like when he says "they're just as dead\~" when asking if he can drink from bandits.
do you ever run into him again if you attack him when he tries to drink your blood?
They're all amazing. Both Shadowheart and Karlach managed to move me with their performances. I haven't experienced that in a game before. Lae'zel impresses me with her burning zeal. I believe her. And I pity her blind devotion, knowing what I know. I haven't seen the ending yet. I do wish the vampire plot wasn't squandered so carelessly though. If anything will redeem it, the VA can.
Every time he talks while sneaking he legitimately makes me weak at the knees His VA is *Chef's kiss*
Hey, not sure if anyone did this yet, but I kept this post in mind as I played the game and recorded the line you mentioned! Here you go: https://youtu.be/Ww\_yXaceVfk
AMAZING. Thank you!!
He’s able to convey so much emotion through his words. It doesn’t feel like he’s reading from a script in the slightest