From my very first hands-off preview of Baldur's Gate 3, I knew I was going to pick Astarion for my first playthrough. Like Divinity: Original Sin 2, Baldur's Gate 3 not only lets you design a custom character, it also gives you a selection of origin characters with predefined histories and unique hooks, who otherwise serve as companions. It's one of the things I adored about Original Sin 2, and a system I was eager to see return.
Astarion caught my eye because he's a sexy vampire spawn with quick wits, sharp fangs and a compulsion to drink the blood of his pals. Tragedy, sarcasm, blood—what more does one need? I also hoped this would allow me to sidestep the hours spent in the character creator. No more agonising decisions for me! But now Larian CEO Swen Vincke has thrown a spanner in the works and I'm second guessing myself.
