My interest in Astarion is less "I can fix him" and more "I wanna see what he sets on fire." Very much the same interest I have in Gojo Satoru and the Joker.
I have accepted the "walking red flags" and "outright villains" as my fictophile crushes. Got lucky my IRL partner is a golden retriever like Karlach....only after a series of IRL red flags before him. Fanfics help as an outlet for those problem crushes. 😆
I was all about Astarion, even after he turned me down at the party, rather brutally I might add. I would kill for him. I would die to kill Cazador for him if need be. ... And then I met Karlach. And while those things are still true, if Karlach were in danger and the only way to save her was to return Astarion to Cazador, I'd stuff him in a box tied with a ribbon and hand deliver him.
A demon from hell makes no sense in the DnD world. Devils are from the Nine Hells. Demons are from any of the infinite levels of the Abyss. The Lawful Evil Devils and the Chaotic Evil Demons absolutely hate each other. The first Devils were Lawful Good celestials who adopted evil only as a means to the end of protecting the cosmos from the primordial chaotic evil of the Demons. Both are distinct from the Daemons, who are Neutral Evil fiends from the three layers of Hades.
She wasn't even done with her first zoomie and I was absolutely smitten. SMITTEN. DONE. We were already married with children in my head. She picked out the wallpaper!
I didn't really like her that much in the beginning, but did really get into her story and saved the Prince for her in my first game. After that, I didn't really go for that anymore but now, after about 600 hours I realized that she is actually the kindest and least hostile Githyanki out there.
Halsin is the Poly representation that us old and tired people that had one too many Dark Astarions in our lives. I don't think he's a unicorn hunter. He's kitchen table poly with a good grasp of consent and would probably remind you to drink water and that you did a good job with the dishes today.... Then yes, the freaky comes out later. XD
@@fannien.8990 Officially going on 5 months with my own Irl Halsin and it's been glorious! And yes... Kinda have BG3 to thank for raising my standards. XD
He's so kind hearted, and definitely one of the most mature choices of the companions. I appreciate each of the companions stories, but Halsin and Karlach are the two that give me warm fuzzies. Astarion is amazing, but he, Shadowheart and Lae'zel are such mean girls a majority of rhe playthrough.
“Shadowheart is an emotionally unavailable person.” …she straight up develops an emotional reliance on Tav after like 3 successful dialogues. It’s legitimately difficult to fumble the bag with Shadowheart. Astarion on the other hand, I never know where his head’s at. My Druid is romancing him successfully rn, and he approves of me the least out of my three main companions.
REAL THO. Right now in my campaign, I'm romancing shadowheart as Tav, and one of the lines she says when I come talk to her is 'My day just got better' or 'I've ben smiling a lot recently, and I think it's your fault.' or something along those lines. So I would also say she's pretty emotionally available person.
Huh. I'm not romancing anyone yet, and he's currently tied with Shadowheart for third highest approval. (Gale and Wyll think I'm great, Karlach for some reason only has 28 approval of me even though I'm generally pretty nice, and Lae'zel merely tolerates me with a whopping 15 approval...)
Shadowheart likes to test other people's character, their beliefs. But there is no issue here if you pass her test just by staying consistent and respectful. I also did sweet little things to her as much as I wanted. I don't really understand why others call her a bitch. Roses have thorns.
Ngl...it was hot when he did that. I can totally see Lae'zel coming into the bedroom naked, holding a Githyanki sword and saying "Take your pants off!". Bonus points if she calls you an "istik"
i love astarion, for me, he triggers my parent instincts lol. when he has his soft, vulnerable moments, you realize he’s terrified of being enslaved or taken advantage of again, of being forced to do things he doesn’t want to and to be treated as an object again just because of his looks (which indeed, are absolutely beautiful and alluring, but it isn’t the only thing beautiful in him). i relate to him in some level as i also struggle a lot to say no and to set boundaries, but also, being friend of victims and being a victim myself makes you look at him on a whole other perspective. every time he would try to get his way by seducing me, i couldn’t help but to feel sad. i was like “hun, you don’t need to do that :[”, and the fact that he was used by Cazador as a sex worker makes it even the more heartbreaking. i just want to hug him and take care of him as i show him how the world works, he just needs a lot of patience as he can be REALLY stubborn, but i have plenty of that. as an autistic person, i would have liked to have someone to guide me also on how people work instead of handling everything on my own, learning through not pretty situations what to do or what not, what to say or how to act. i just feel with him the need to accompany him on his journey as no one ever did with me. but also, i’m no man’s slut, he will be the one begging for me and i’d gladly demolish him lol.
Gale can't stop talking about his ex because his ex was his groomer, and he doesn't realize that. He got that "chosen one" set up with her, and using magic was what she used to make him feel special, it's why he's allll up about it. It's what his personality surrounds because, after all, that's all he's good for. While I'm glad I went with my instincts on the first romance scene to not use an illusion for my Tav and him to spend the night, I feel the other version (kinda freakier from what I've heard) proves my point that he's trying so much to impress you, to prove he's worth something because he spent his life trying to impress Mystra and she used that, and it also got him in trouble. Doesn't help that his ex (his groomer) says he can have her forgiveness by killing himself, and only takes more interest when he finds something that could harm her, SO, there's that. He eventually stops talking about her and says in a big romantic scene in Act 3 "With you, I forget my goddess" which is character development. The only reason he continues to talk about her some is because she sticks her nose into our business regarding the crown. (Though probably doesn't help my point that I love the tragedy of Anakin and Padme from Star Wars. Then there's Gale being the "fallen" Chosen and talking about using the crown in Act 3 to become powerful like the gods) But anyway, it's really like the other characters and helping them heal better. The whole game isn't really "I can fix them" but you can choose "I can help them break free and we can put the broken pieces together to create something better." Or you can make them worse. Or YOU can be worse. Annnd I didn't mean to start an essay in the comments, but here we are.
I was gonna say this, but knew in my heart it had been said. Gale deserves better. Bro is groomed and needs a hug. Just how Halsin being kidnapped broke me when he told me. I was like, "Bud, you got trauma. Bud, BUDDY! OH MY GOD YOU NEED A HUG!"
I'd call "groomer" an exaggeration (we don't know how old Gale was, or even which one of them initiated), but it's very clear that relationship wasn't healthy for him. It reinforced the worst parts of his personality (defining his self-worth through his power as a wizard).
@@reaperwithnoname in Gale's words: he was a wizard prodigy at an "early age", so much so that it caught Mystra's attention. As per an epilogue letter from Elminsters, Mystra sent Elminster to meet Gale when Gale was 8 years old. She then, and I quote Gale here, "revealed herself to me, and became my teacher. In time, she became my muse, and later even my lover." So to make it explicit: He was a child when he caught her attention and started being tutored by her, and then later she transitioned from teacher to muse to lover. It doesn't matter if Gale initiated, it doesn't matter if he was of age when the lover stage happened. She had a hand in raising and shaping him. That is textbook grooming.
The best part about Halsin is when you're playing a Halfling or Gnome and the camera has to point straight up in the sky to get a clear view of his face as he looks down at you to say "what do you need, my love?"
@davibisco4617 counter point: if she was a real person, you’d want to be with her, or at least be her friend. If not, then you need some deep self reflection as to why you don’t love yourself enough to want such a good friend
I’m more of the Astarion camp of at first being like “ooo chaos buddies!” But then slowly developing a relationship to where I want to see him happy and able to actually have boundaries for himself
Girl, Astarion is just the only one who knows how to have any fun in that camp. He understands you can set some shit on fire, literally or metaphorically, and still be a good person.
@@Ailieorz Not everything. He doesn't like it if you unalive animals or give Scratch away, and approves of helping kids (though he'll also approve if you tell em to get lost cause let's be honest....that's indeed hilarious🤣). Ow and he disapproves of clowns, which are definitely evil incarnate. So there's some good in him after all.☺️✨ Those are just a few examples, there's probably more (probably not💀).
As a SA 'survivor', Astarion really touched my heart. At first, I thought he was really annoying, but then as I got to know him, I realized how much I relate with him. Snarky and sarcastic, but ultimately putting up an act to protect himself and in truth is very sweet. I understand the pain of the body being used, I understand acting to stay safe. I romanced him and did everything to make him feel safe and cared for, because he deserves it. I also showed him that he doesn't need to ascend to be something, that he's perfect just as he is. He's super funny and charming, just an overall amazing character I've also been obsessed with vampires for basically all my life but I liked him before I knew so :p
The _exact_ same reason I romanced him down to the fucking T. It was really nice and healing to romance him and basically heal each other. I love my sassy vampire boi.
I actually chose the Emperor in my first playthrough because Withers had said something like "Thou hast not romanced anyone, noob, lol, thou art a fucking virgin" and the next long rest i really wanted to prove him wrong Edit: i had to google if Withers was an actual romance option, i am utterly disappointed
The moment Lae’zel started cursing in her native tongue and talking about craving blood I knew that she was Klingon-coded and watching Star Trek while I was going through puberty had side effects.
Yea, that's all I could think. Githyanki are basically fantasy Klingons. Supposedly OP warlike race that end up jobbing every time the IP wants to introduce a new, bigger threat. The stupid guttural fake swear words to avoid the censor hammer always ticked me the wrong way. I always preferred the father ted and red dwarf approach. Where you'd just change a word slightly "Fek" or use a word most people wouldn't be that familiar with "smeg" and commit so they end up being as hard and intentional as the real deal words, but you still make watershed.
Man I am a Karlach simp. She’s the absolute beast on the battlefield and big cuddly warm teddy bear. She’s the sweetest character in the game you want to give EVERYTHING just to say her from her engine. Hell if it were a choice, I’d give her MY HEART!!
As a staunch Astarion stan... you're right about wanting to be someone's rock/stability/safe space. I'll give you that. I'll also say that I enjoy his natural sensuality, which is not the same thing as sexuality although they can complement each other; he enjoys luxury and comfort, drinking, cavorting, bed pleasures, he even has banter with Shadowheart where he's very specifically describing a scent profile (lamenting that he "missed his calling as a perfumer"). Though at a deeper level I do sort of relate to him. Not knowing how to set boundaries because he simply wasn't allowed to have them, using his sensuality and sexuality as the only way he felt some semblance of freedom and control over his own life, the fear of forever being a captive, isolated and alone in an environment that fosters emotional distrust and disunity... yeah, I feel that. His is taken to a dramatized extreme ofc, but the idea remains the same. I also want to ride him like I'm gunning for a photo finish at the Kentucky Derby, but that's another matter 😂
@@haleyfetsch1021 I have a perfect relationship with my Father and even he supports my delulu with this vampire, lol. Some of us just know what we like without shame!😂
I'm a Wyll and Gale girlie (gender neutral) and I genuinely don't think Gale would take advantage of me. I like him because he has the power of Autism, Bisexual, and also have you seen some of his romance dialogue?? That man worships the ground you walk on, dammit. ("With you I forget my goddess" COME ON MAN--) Wyll IS NOT BORING!! He is sweet and kind and have you seen his banter?? Man's got jokes! Also, he's a dancer. Ultimate fairytale romance and after everything i've been through I DESERVE THAT DAMMIT-- (Also, yes, he did get abandoned by the writers, I'm with you on that 100%) Also, the Emperor........... accurate. So accurate. (He was my first choice, and I am not sorry.) (Great video btw!)
As an ace, Karlach is my favorite by far because of just how much of a good person she is, incredibly down-to-earth, approving any time you do the right thing, and does not spare anyone undeserving of mercy She’s so gd silly too, I’ll be in camp watching her do a lil shimmy dance or humming to herself and I’ll be kicking my feet Also I love how her character is kind-of the rejection of the usual stereotype that “angry = mean” in characters, but she’s so incredibly nice you don’t expect her to be a barbarian unless you know beforehand It goes the other way too with the “nice = shy/timid” stereotype
YES THIS!!! As an ace person myself, I just ADORE Karlach! She's so cheerful and like, yea, she's got baggage but she's handling it! Plus, I like how your relationship with her isn't really sexual at first. Some of the other companions like Astarian start from a sexual place before your connection to them deepens. But as an ace person, that's a hard sell. I'm not here for the sex, I'm here for the person and DAMN is Karlach just an amazing person!
When i reached the end of the game I had a sudden idea of "what if Karlach has the opportunity to live a long life with a family?" and after that I can't get the Image out of my mind of the sweetest mother that you definitly don't want to make upset or angry because she can crush you till you reach the underdark
Before watching the ranking, who my favorite character is and why: I have two actually, Gale and Astarion, and why I like them kind of ties into each other. I love Astarion because I have gone through emotional and sexual abuse in my life, helping him through his arc is like helping me when I was in my darkest moment. Going through his story revealed things that I had not fully healed from despite thinking I had, and it really made me feel seen in a way I hadn't before because even though I have shared what I went through with others I never really spoke with others who experienced something similar. Even though he is fictional, playing through the part of Durge and being there for him while he was also there for me, it was like me being there for myself back then while also having a character give it in turn. Every moment of the romance and all the little dialogue parts outside of it were an absolute masterpiece, it is so hard to explain the things that playing through it did for me properly. Aside from that, I also love how funny and sassy he is, he is a wonderful comedic relief and some days I really need that. As for Gale, apart from being a massive socially awkward nerd myself, was that safe from the start option compared to Astarion's rugged growth. Gale is a funny, sweet guy that you can trust from the start. Sure, there's the orb thing, but if you do your best to help others he opens up to you pretty quickly and he really starts to befriend you fast if you are nice to him. The Weave scene was amazing to do in my first playthrough. I mean, *warning for spoilers for the romance*, the wholehearted I love you, the dinner date plans, the night in Waterdeep, the boat scene and its soft, quiet sincerity, and that proposal at the end... It was the pure saccharine that makes even the darkest days feel better. Gale felt safe, like a warm blanket after being outside in the cold for a while and it was just amazing. In addition, he is also super funny, wonderfully nerdy in an adorkable way, he cooks, and he loves cats. Just absolutely perfect.
I agree in both fronts. Gale scenes are romantic, genuinely so over the top romantic, he is unbelievably in love with Tav its not even funny. My heart literally skipped a beat when he said "I'm in love with you". He's so kind but egotistical it's a sweet balance. Basically Gale just wants to be told he's a good boy and sleep in your lap for a week.
These are exactly my feelings as well. Astarion will always be my first choice but Gale is right up there with him for exactly the reasons you mentioned. I hate how personally attached I’ve become to these pixel people. I miss them when I haven’t played in a while. It’s sad.
It’s so true! Gale is also a victim, though not to the same extent of Astarion. He was groomed from a young age to serve Mystra and nothing else. She went from mentor to lover, to ex, to telling him to kill himself for her forgiveness. Gale was also probably used by other people for his power with the weave, based off of some of his dialogue. He even tells you that you’re the first person to love him for who he is, and not what he can do and I relate to that so hard.
I love Lae'zel the most. I feel like she's underrated. Considering the fact she's a Gith, she is especially understanding and soft (maybe not in human scale). She goes through so much: extremely tough childhood, radical devotion, then denial, betrayal and finally she is changed into a whole different and better being. I rezonate with her so much, we just need to give her some love and try to understand her.
@@apharys8921 maybe it's because I have always felt like an outsider (I grew up in the deep south of the US as an asian person and have always been aware I am not America as both my physical appearance and my cultural experience) but that's what drew my to her. She is not the norm because of facts. She is strong. She is crazy.
@@apharys8921 It's not that hard. A lot of people relate to her. Including me. I live in Poland and I was raised as a Catholic. I quit that path because I started seeing how invasive and deceitful that was (at least for me). It took a long time to abandon that pride and addiction to feeling „better” that other people. I met a lot of people with similar experiences and some of them also relate to Lae'zel. I think there's more people like that in here. Bitter, but ready to love and fight.
@@apharys8921 But I get that somewhere else another character might be more popular. I think that doesn't mean she's difficult to relate to. She herself is quite difficult haha
People should think more about Laezel's story! Becoming a mindflayer is a fate worse than death for anyone but it's even more terrifying in her culture. She's lost, alone, and essentially doomed to hell. While the player and other characters might be suspicious of the githyanki cure, Laezel believes in it completely because that's all she's ever known. So with all that in mind, she does everything in her power to cure the entire party even though she knows bringing them along is punishable by death.
Fight me but Karlach is the most hero-like character. Sure, Wyll tries to reach towards that ideology but he suffers from a hero-complex which makes him stumble a little bit. Meanwhile Karlach just positively impacts everyone around her, wants to have good time and proceeds to destroy you with a simple "Are you okay?" showing genuine concern for you. You don't have to romance her for her to show that your well being as her traveling companion is important to her. Gods she is awesome!
No character in the game stands out to me as much as Karlach. I wouldn't say i have a particular interest in dommy muscle mommies but that combined with her good hearted demeanor and just god i love her.
Karlach is definitely my favorite, however I dont understand in the underdark slave camp area. Karlach disapproves of most things you do there, even if you decide to help the slaves, it makes no sense.
@XFizzlepop-Berrytwist I think I remember that exact spot; I was confused too. Thinking more on it though, I'm guessing it was because in order to free the slaves, you have to back out of the original deal with the slavers to team up with them. Given Karlach's history with Gortash, I think it makes sense for her to disapprove of any backstabbing//betrayals/deal-breaking at the expense of someone else, even for a damn good cause like breaking some chains. I'll be interested to go back in my next playthrough, and see if that holds up in other similar situations
When I wanted to go on Astarion's route, I didn't even think "I can fix him". I was more amused by his sassy personality. It makes your gameplay so much more fun. Even so, I was on the fence between him and Will.
I'm glad you acknowledged what a legitimitely good person Halsin is. I found the shadow curse storyline very compelling and I adore Halsin's sweet personality and gentle banter. He is also basically a kinder version of my dad WHO SAID THAT
The fun fact is you could have easily thought that Halsin's issue is being too soft and kind. Like a teacher who never gives bad grades. But then you hear him scolding Kaugha and roasting Shadowheart during party banter and, nope, dude's absolutely flawless.
Yeah, tried denying it for a while but god Wyll’s got my whole heart. He’s so kind, he’s charismatic, he’s always striving to make others lives better, and he’s SUCH a dork while he does it. Dude made up a superhero alter ego to deal with his trauma and to (not) deal with his parental issues. He proposes to you with an acorn. He is the goofiest and most positive dude when you let him be, and I love that in a character Edit: oh yeah now that you mention it and not a day goes by where I’m not at least slightly mad about his writing in-game and the lack of it. Dude deserves more autonomy in his own story and to be seen as something more than a fairytale hero. He’s a dude! He has crippling self worth issues when he’s not trying to be The Blade! He apparently represses all of that cause we see the bare minimum of it in-game 💀
Agreed! I basically agree with this in every way. I'm so freaking sad about how he seemed to be cast aside by the writers, because I love everything about him. I love all the companions, but Wyll will always have my heart.
Yeah the game really goes "Wyll has a hero complex, this is a bad thing." and then he spends the rest of the game never dealing with it, and even validating it because the party really does save the day in the end through normal heroism and self-sacrifice. And even if he rejects Mizora's deal and chooses himself (something that's good for him), that's still bad because his first choice "for himself" condemns his father to death in his eyes and probably gives him lifelong guilt.
How playing BG3 usually goes for me Shadowheart: Your first experimental experiences with the same Gender back in Bandcamp Laezel: That relative you try to avoid unless you need help moving...or in that case fight Gale: That friend YOU tease the entire time but someone else looses one bad word about them and their done Wyll: The actual nice big brother treatment Karlach: Yes my adorable princess you get every thing you want I don´t care how much it costs!!!!!!!! Astarion: Aaaawww look how cutely my boyfriend begged to end that person though!!!!! Halsin: Oh no my blanket vanished...if only I could find something big enough to warm me at night *cough*
When I first played Baldur's Gate 3 and got to the point I met Karlach, my first immediate reaction was-- *Ma'am I will let you fold me like a garden chair and I will bend myself over backwards to give whatever you desire no matter what it costs*. 🤣
Literally I watched all the way through, laughing, agreeing, thinking about my friends who have favorite bg3 companions and how it fits them perfectly. Then we go to Astarion and bro, that almost hurt, shots fired.
I like Astarion. Growing up I was raised to be self reliant because my mom is kinda mentally stuck at 16 because of her horrible childhood, and my dad treated me like a second wife (ik ik ew). I had to be more mature then both my parents, but at the same time try not to step on their toes. My dad acted as if my mom was the child and I was the parent, if I made my mom cry for just saying something true, he'd come after me later when no one was around so he could berate me for making my mom upset. They left me in charge of my brother but I wasn't aloud to punish bad behavior, and they of course never punished him anyways. Where I really relate though is never feeling safe and having no one to go to. I couldn't go many places because I'm a girl, and I was homeschooled til highschool. I couldn't cry to anyone. My parents ignored my health and because of that I was hospitalized twice, the first time is because I had staff and strep A in my skin do to my parents ignoring my eczema. I almost died of blood poisoning. The second was my throat was so swollen that when I swallowed a small pill it got lodged in my esophagus for almost 24 hours. So in short I can understand feeling helpless and scared and in pain, and having no one to help me. I want to be that person that I wish had been there for me, to Astarion. It's really silly as he's not real but that's why I pick him. Sorry for the long read, if anyone does read this thanks!
It’s Halsin 🤷♀️ he’s a walking green flag who will absolutely ravage you. I didn’t think I’d be into him, and then…well, my first play through I was experimenting with a bunch of stuff, and avoiding companion romances so I could sleep around with the non companion options…anyway, shortly after I’d gone through the first mindflayer transformation, and was feeling just Really ugly, I got his confession scene, and it was so lovely…he just swept me off my feet 🤷♀️ and now I have a hard time romancing anyone else
Same! He's such a great romance option. He's kind, thoughtful, wise, and so beefy. A great kisser. And the game ending with him just really did it for me (Daddy Halsin 😍) . Plus I managed to missclick and start a conversation with him while we were heading into the elder brain fight and it was the absolute sweetest moment, my best missclick in the whole playthrough. I'm trying to romance the other companions on other playthroughs just to see their stories but Halsin has my heart. I wish they would give Karlach a story option where we could end with her on a happier note. I think she would be almost as satisfying as Halsin.
EXACTLY he’s like the type of man that people want to be with romantically God I wish I had someone like him He’s so sweet, protective, caring, honest, kind and always checking on you why can’t men like him exist in the world we live in
I love Gale. He's sweet, honest, compassionate and just wants to be good enough for someone and it's so rewarding to help him see he's good enough by himself
Karlach is just the best. She's cool, endlessly capable, more upfront with you than any of the other party members, has your back, and her idea of a cute date would include throwing Molotov cocktails at a police station.
The "Upfront" bit is really hitting among your companions. Shart, well who cares. Wyll "Well I'm actually in a relationship already. With a Devil. Hope you enjoy a polycule" Gale "Hey, I'm super normal and TOTALY NOT a walking nuke luv me uwu", and Astarion "OH, Who left this boar laying around drained of blood, a mystery?!"
why does that sound so much like me just less traumatised HAHAHA - unfortunately, in rl people don't enjoy throwing molotov cocktails around as much as in games 😢
Hannibal Lecter (from the show) is my favorite fictional character of all time, and Astarion is one of my favorites. I literally laughed so hard I had a coughing fit, I’ve never been so called out in my LIFE
Look, I love Gale because we have the same language in flirting and we are both autistic and adhd and severely depressed but hopelessly romantic. You also get a library and a cat (tressym I'm sorry) and delicious home cook meal every day. I also want to (this part is redacted) (redacted) (more redacted). But yeah you are mostly right xD Oh and I'm not jealous of exes but Mystra can catch these hands. On behalf of my friends you missed honourable mentions like Raphael, Rolan and Withers. Yes. Withers.
YES YES YES!! As a fellow autistic man who is Obsessed with Gale I am glad to see someone else say this!! And as a Wizard he is The Only fictional wizard that I have Ever felt not only connected to but enamored with! Gods I fxcking LOVE Gale. I am so glad that other Autistic people appreciate Gale. Gods I love Gale! 💜❤️💜❤️ As for the jealousy note I realized I was lividly jealous of Asterion when I immediately stopped hating him once I got Gale, I think I subconsciously saw him as competition for Gale. 💜
@max_the_mantis5173 It's like somebody finally flirting on the same channel xD Same though, I rarely get smitten personally with game characters but Gale
Astarion is my favorite, and also the reason I started the game in the first place. I am definitely guilty of the "I can fix him" mindset, but also I adore the sass and as an abuse survivor, seeing him go through his experiences throughout the game teaches me more things about myself. Hearing him say certain things just make some of my experiences click in a way that has never happened before, and makes me look at myself and how i feel a bit more deeply. And he's good on the eyes, too 😂
I like getting to see him heal and grow and stop resenting people recieving help where he didn't and actually start approving of it. I've definitely been guilty of those flashes of resentment myself. When I gave Yenna money and he approved I was so happy I wanted to hug him. And I love getting to kill his abuser. It's cathartic.
Okay I resent a lot of what was said with Shadowheart (particularly that I am in fact queer, thank you very much) but I will not deny you kinda nailed me with the therapist friend thing bc YUP, THAT'S ME. I enjoy being there for my friends in real life, and in fiction I'm a sucker for arcs like Shadowheart’s where people are recovering from deeply fucked up shit and learning to be better people than they thought they could be.
Astarion is my favourite but jokes on you Im Ace and having a relationship that doesnt need intimacy like that to thrive is so rare that i was immediately hooked. Im also a lover of sarcasm and getting to help him discover himself outside cazadors shadow is a gift to watch. He is in survival mode when you first meet him and as you slowly show him how people SHOULD treat others, he feels safe enough to share his true self with you, not just his mask.
Does it make it better or worse knowing that bears have an actual bone in there… takes boning him to a whole new level - but don’t worry - he’s a great healer 😂🤭
I insta fell for gale as he was very nerdy and had alot of charm to him but my goodness I never thought it would get that serious and dark. him starting as this confident powerful wizard that ascended to near godhood and ended up sleeping with the godess of magic, then the twist as you find who he really is. A lost empty soul believing he's no real purpose in life left, chasing at power thats beyond unattainable to where he concludes his only purpose left that will serve everyone he knows best in his life.. Is to unlive himself and that he doesn't care to live anymore. That was quite emotional when that was revealed. But finally gaining his trust, you become his new purpose in life and it's full hard-core romance novel story after that. Ill defend gale to the bitter end lol 😤! Best character arc up there with astarion and lae'zel hands down.
But I'm also a bi ADHD person and I just want to hyper fixate and over share in excitement, in front of a fire in a library with him while our energies ounce off each other
I liked Karlach because she was a huge sexy joy to be around, I wanted to stick with her because I can relate with her about being depressed and never felt human touch in almost 10 years, and realizing we're digging our own grave every day. Now I'm there for her because I found out she's probably the most mentally stable character out of everyone in the party aside from Halsin. Would I date any of them in real life? Probably not, but I'd hang with Karlach any day.
I will protect Gale with my life. The second he started infodumping about magic and The Weave I just fell on the floor. He's so adorkable (if anyone still uses that adjective). His nerdiness and having such a passion for learning is something I relate to very hard. He also loves so deeply and selflessly. It only makes it more heartbreaking when you find out how he views himself which is...basically nothing without his magic AND I'M SO READY TO FIGHT MYSTRA. THAT BITCH GOTTA GO. Especially after what Minsc comments about her...watch me claw her eyes out, goddess of The Weave be damned.
i think your take on astarion fans is hilarious and very true. however, i saw someone say this about him and i can’t get it out of my head and it’s exactly how i feel about him and why i like him. they basically said, “it’s not that i think i could fix him, i want to save him” and i love that take. also, i know that he wouldn’t judge me for the ways i process my trauma and shtuff.
But why would you want to? Honestly why? He has literally no redeeming qualities. And it's not that he wouldn't judge you, he just doesn't care darling
Yes this! Especially romancing him as Durge. He is the most understanding with what you are fighting. And literally cheers you on that he knows you can do this and not let someone else control you. The scence with him by your side all night the night you LITERALLY try to murder him, telling you that you will get through this and he will be there for you. And then just totally takes it all in stride in the morning, no judgment.❤❤❤❤
My friends were dragging me through my first multiplayer game and I had no idea what anything was and the SECOND I met Withers I leaned in real close to the mic and said basically “please tell me I can smooch the old zombie man” and the absolute WAIL that left me when my friends said no you can’t was was truly a thing of despair. Please withers please I just wanna smooch. I wanna listen to you talk all day.
This reminds me of my feelings for JUSTICE from Awakening. Fuck Bioware for what they did to him in DA2 and fuck every fangirl who only cared about 'poor tragic Anders'. So yes... I wasn't down bad for Withers but damn is he lovable. We're freaks but we're based freaks!
I was so scared and then he read me correctly. I want a challenge, I want that challenge, I need it. Every girl that I've had a meaningful relationship with has done that to me. (I also know I have mommy issues)
I just love Minthara, she has her whole "I was mind controlled and all the bad stuff I did was not of my own free will and now I'm kinda freaking out" plot going on which I really like. Plus she's just weirdly optimistic??? If you ask her if she thinks you guys can beat the final boss the literally just goes "Oh course. If you have doubts, get rid of them, they're infectious." And it's just really refreshing having someone optimistic in the party.
she's also way more friendly to you than laezel even though they have similar beliefs at first, minthara will actually agree to disagree and keep being friendly. after you rescue her from moonrise she's just loyal to you which is surprising coming from her but kind of makes sense
@@bumblerbree she is also very strategic and logical. She perfectly understands what is going on, when describing the overall plans on the mission she talks upsides and downsides but has strong "warrior doesn't dwell on loosing" mindset, that is why she is so optimistic. Her evil is not too badly written, yet is not obvious and needs deep analysis in drow culture, cause that's kinda all there is for her backstory. She is very goal oriented and loves to hurt people, it seems like it contributes to her aristocratic woman drow status, you don't help weak, you don't even listen to them, because they can't give you much and it's better to get rid of them, it would be so nice to see more official writing. It is sad that her trust issues are awfully written when it comes to MC (kinda same to Shadow), I think her "u saved me and I am loyal to you now" is kinda strange considering her story and both logical and strategical thinking............ I just wish we had more character writing when it comes to her, Halsin and Wyll. (Her being the most wanted one, because evil stories are just top notch but only in my head and she is like the only one that is like actually EVIL option.........)
To me the best thing about BG3 is that the companion's personalities are genuinely unique and so diverse that there's something for everyone. The only gripe I have, especially in regards to romance, is that Wyll seems to be pushed to the sidelines and his romance barely even exists. I agree with you saying his character is kind of boring and it being the fault of the writers. Wyll's character as a whole has so much potential but... nothing really happens with him throughout the course of the story when you compare it to the other companions. A while ago I also saw a post on twitter that summarizes the total length of romance scenes for each companion, and Wyll was literally at the bottom with about ~6 hours meanwhile Astarion has twice as much (iirc).
I feel like Wyll's story would have been a lot better with one small change; if Mizora being evil was less obvious and he truly believed she was a force for good. That way, he could have more of an arc rather than things simply happening to him and him remaining largely the same throughout the game. The whole Karlach conflict could have caused a small but growing crisis of faith in him, or if he kills her, it becomes that much harder for him to doubt Mizora's intentions. Perhaps you have to show him that Mizora is fooling and abusing him similar to how you can point out Shar's abuse of Shadowheart--maybe he was even infatuated with her and she is using that to her advantage. He was rewritten so entirely in half the time that Shadowheart, Astarion, Gale and Laezel were written and it unfortunately does show--same with Karlach. Neither are bad imo, but the writing definitely shows its stitches a lot more and could have been stronger.
I dont think the problem is that "hes boring" or anything like that. He simply does not have much content. For god's sake im in a 120 hours playthrough and I only got one romance scene (the dancing one)! Things do happen to him, in act 2 there is the quest to save mizora and his father, in act 3 there is his fathers quest, a dillema (save his dad or get out the pact) and ansurs quest. I just wanted more romance scenes :(
@@DanyelAzamor-lh7yg Him not having much content is what makes him boring. It's just that when someone says he's boring people tend to take it as a direct attack on his personality (or even skin color, according to the lovely people on twitter), when in reality it's just the writing, in this case lack thereof, that's the problem.
TBH on top of him being the worst written with least content, his VA is extremely boring and out of his league. I have no clue what they were thinking hiring someone so inexperienced that he has only one vocal tone and that's earnest nice guy. His friends can be dying on the docks and he's just calmly spouting some pleasantries about his time with them. He's such a non character.
Aww I love all of the characters in BG3. I have not romanced Lae'zel yet but she is my fave. My first run I hit 100 approval with her in act 1, waaaay before the others without even trying and I was playing as a generally heroic but highly survivalist character! Her arc moves me to tears and the transition of her dialogues going from brusquely saying "Speak," "you must have questions," "I'm listening" to "is something burdening you?" is sooo sweet and I LOVE her cutscene if you save her from orin. Best girl. I kinda love that one spends a "romance" (or strong friendship) arc in Barbie's Gate 3 letting the romance-able male interests know that they ARE Kenough and letting the romanceable ladies heal from indoctrination/forced servitude under toxic matriarchal figures. Just finished a run where I romanced Halsin monogamously as a nice drow and while nothing compares to the writing for Astarion + Durge, holy shit, his love confession when you are single is so precious and earnest. Plus the nifty extra dialogue after doing your date in the brothel lol, esp as a drow. He always comes with me to Jaheira's house for Druid Enrichment since he actually knows what her scroll for extending life is and he has this quiet, underrated line about admiring Jaheira having a family and how he was never afforded the chance to have a family of his own because "serving nature ALWAYS had to come first." The delivery is so subtle but impactful. If you try to get him to talk to some Tielfing NPCS (not all, but the kids, Rolan, a few adults) they refuse to and the narrator says they are still shaken by events in the grove. Like wyll, I wish he'd been given more from the writers; they have so many compelling and conflicting story beats that are less polished because these characters exhibit severe emotional damage less overtly than the others. So far Halsin has been my fave romance to take to the epilogue party. Act 3 involves a lot of securing endings for most of origin characters but if minthara and halsin are still in your party for act 3, they've already earned their happy endings (and probs the players' happy endings based on their elf-form spicy scenes).
As an indomitable Wyll enjoyer, this was very accurate and not offensive at all! As you said, it’s truly sad that the writing department butchered him. But despite that, he’s still my favorite companion, especially romance-wise. As someone who dreams of a stable and romantic relationship with a man (I’ll never have it), Wyll is the best choice. I love his personality, his sense of morality, his voice and the way he speaks, his mannerism and his looks! Various people don’t see the appeal and I can understand. To be fair, various people don’t find his romance interesting because he doesn’t have explicit sex scenes and… well… I’m in the ace spectrum, so not only I’m not bothered by the lack of sex scenes but I’m actually pleased by it and that makes Wyll the only character I feel truly comfortable with when I romance him.
I had this feeling that his lack of sexual interest was what really put me off more than anything and I wondered if it could make the other end of the spectrum happy lol. I am glad you get to live a cute fantasy, very different but still similar to mine. I like being able to romance someone that would never exist for me in real life -Halsin- too.
The Lae'zel part is truly spoken like someone who never romanced her and seen her sunrise scene, Lae'zel is easily one of the most loyal and loving romances by the end.
@@praserdanser5407 Maybe, but personally I see the inner cuteness, whenever she's caught off guard for either positive or negative reasons. She holds all that toughness up as a facade for her fear of being without defense, legit a realistic tsundere even.
To be fair this isn’t anyones whole romance vibe. This is purely first instinct from the people. If you are instant attracted to xyz off rip then you probably are/like xyz.
Honestly, I love Lae'zel (Yes, I'll freely admit I have mommy issues) but I really appreciate her story arc and character development. She went through the worst thing she's been taught she can be put through by her culture. She's SCARED, terrified even but she doesn't just leave. Yes she's abrasive but she could be harsher. She could have just left you immediately to get help by herself but she takes the party with her to the place she's been taught she can be cured and turns her back on her culture after learning the truth about it, looking to make things better. Hell, her talking about Gale and valuing him as a companion and about self worth in the face of the start of Act 2 sold me about her even before all that.
THANK YOU! Istg, the Lae'zel hate is not it! Like, both her, Shadowheart and Minthara have gone through serious brainwashing from how they were raised and where they were raised (different kinds of brainwashing each one but still). Lae'zel has the worst day of her life when she meets Tav yet sticks around to help and is probably terrified. Under all those layers of roughness and learnt shitty behavior lies a woman more vulnerable than she'd like to admit. While they have differences in their personalities, I find the trauma of those 3 girlies to be very similar in nature, aka learnt behavior/ brainwashing. But somehow, Lae'zel is the most hated. Like, just say you like Shadowheart more cause she's pretty!
@rayofmoonshine3735 I also think Lae'zel is actively cute too. Like, look at those eyes! I did romance Shadowheart at first because, I am basic and I wasn't aware of the true Bae'zel. I think a lot of guys (specifically) hate Lae'zel because they think she's a woman who's rude/mean (to them) and I think that's fucking coward talk. She's abrasive at first, but she's not actively demeaning, plus she's actively an alien raised in a culture that looks down on anyone that isn't them. Once you get to actually know her in game/crack her shell, she's ride or die even without romancing her and actively values her companions. I love all the companions. I need to do a second playthrough with Astarion actually in the party for once though. Wasn't a huge fan of him due to him being contrary and just kind of negative so often but liked him in the Epilogue after I convinced him to reject Ascension, he seemed much freer and happier. I do love all the companions though.
Honestly I picked shadowheart first but on my honor mode run I'm rocking with lae'zel and honestly? Yea. Lol Karlach is so wholesome and awesome but I never pick her path, she deserves wyll.
@@jammerthebaws4287 I'm not typically a shipper but I fucking ship Wyll and Karlach. I headcanon that they rest at the House of Hope occasionally just for a break.
Ah I see you have also seen that short floating around, but even before then I liked lae'zel I was just able to more accurately put my feelings in place when talking about her after seeing it. Like I think shadowhearts redemption story is probably the best and just because of my interest in that (and yeah I'm basic my taste for women always leaned into the goth side) I ended up romancing her first. But like after seeing how both Kar'lachs and Lae'zels romance plots go I love both of them with lae'zel pulling ahead just a little. Both are very caring and direct but in different ways. Kar'lach would ask what you would like for breakfast in the morning and has plans for the day. Lae'zel forces you up at 5am for pre workout and then hands you an either hearty or slimming breakfast afterwards with the things she knows you like. Also as a side note I find her being called a fascist is a bit harsh. Like her actions up until you meet her are fascistic but as it's been pointed out she has been brainwashed and when you show her that the doctrine is wrong she believes you and fights against it. Like she is an actually lawful good character just the original laws she followed sucked ass. TL:DR Imma dyke who likes directness and women who can break and crush me. And people are too harsh on Lae'zel
Gale to me simply clicks. I don't think I've ever felt more comfortable with any fictional character ever. I honestly think I'll eventually marry someone like him because he just fits me so well. His dry humor, kindness and passion for his career is the most relatable thing I've seen in a while. But not only that, I see myself in every nerdy and awkward interaction he ever has (ex. The conversation about the "pleasure domes" being a perfectly legitimate architectural feature). In fact, I was once talking to him and at some point during the conversation, I remembered a study I read about the connection between danger/fear and arousal (it's a very interesting topic tbh), and next thing I hear is him talking about that EXACT thing. Saying "he's just like me frfr" is putting it lightly. He's my ideal partner.
Never romanced him but I still think he's my favorite. Maybe the best written and performed in an all-star cast? He's the funniest at least or at least on par w Astarion
Danny you forgot one very important demographic of the Wyll enjoyers... The swashbuckling bards. The people who watched Pirates of the Caribbean and fell head over heels for Will and Jack, who dream of the swashbuckling life that the modern world just doesn't offer. Wyll is our romantic swashbuckling dream and poor writing be damned we will love him with all our probably trans and pan little hearts.
THIS. Also not to get too freudian but you love him like a parent at a soccer game. He's the best kid on the field, raised right. Out there to have fun (honourably). Will help other players if they're down. I just feel proud of the guy.
15:22 "you're like a non-Newtonian fluid: strong under pressure, but the second anyone checks in on you, you're going to fucking DIE" I feel both more seen and more called out than ever before in my goddamned life. I can at least admit I'm bisexual though, got that going for me.
Personally appreciate Astarion because relatable. It was really gratifying seeing him improve so much, and it gives me inspiration I can do the same. Shout out to Karlach and Wyll too, though.
I’m just now seeing this and it’s so scary how Danny was able to CLEAR me about every character that I fell for (Astarian, Karlach, AND Halsin) and confirmed why I didn’t like the other ones that much….😂😂😂 not too much on me tho😅😅😅
I like lae’zel because she’s so intense all the time, and yes, I want someone who will commit crimes to protect me. That being said I broke it off with her for Astarion in act two because I resonate so much with his backstory and worldview.
Gonna put in my favorite before Danny rips me apart in the video. I like Gale. The man has had it rough. He was in abusive relationship with a goddess from childhood (it’s grooming, let’s be real) and everyone in his life treated it like a good thing. He has deep self worth issues tied to only ever being praised for his next big magical accomplishment, moving from one to the next searching for that hit of gifted kid dopamine. Now that he’s an adult, he injects humor into everything to hide his loneliness behind a mask, thinking that his failure to become a GOD makes him worthless. He doesn’t need fixed. He needs loved. He needs someone to actually care about him for more than what magic he can perform like a trained animal. And the only one who has given him that has been a damn CAT. Even his “friend” Elminster just pops in and casually says, “Mystra say K yourself” and pops out like Gale means nothing. As an AuDHD person with former gifted kid issues and a humor shield, I can relate. Gale is funny and he cares too much what people think of him and I feel like loving him is just as rewarding as him loving Tav back. (In case it’s not obvious, I’m only in Act 2, but I am already lost on this man.)
I relate to and agree with all of this, every sentence. Just wanted to let you know, if you are already like this in act 2 the rest is going to hit you like a ton of bricks in the best way possible. Enjoy the rest of the ride dear person.
Here to appreciate my mental siblings in love towards that best man ever. Jeez, also so relate to him as a former gifted child who tries not to do everything in purpose to amuse people and proof what I am worthy
Be warned though, dont push TOO hard on anti-mystra sentiment because that sends Gale down a rabbithole you might think is great at first but is very morally dubious and not the best way for him to end up. No spoilers, just, be careful
The GASP I let out when Danny said my favorite fictional man is Hannibal Lecter was out of this world. I felt so called out it was like a bitchslap across the face 💀
Mine is a tie between Karlach and Astarion. I love Astarion because I see a lot of myself in him, especially when it comes to the trauma and his response and coping mechanisms. To see someone who’s gone through much of the same traumas represent the emotions nearly identical to my own is extremely comforting. And I love Karlach because even though she’s been through literal hells and suffered so much, she keeps a happy and positive energy and outlook. She keeps hope in that things will get better, and is loving and kind to those she cares for. She reminds me to always try and see the good instead of focusing on the bad. [Edit]: Post ranking…you’re right, Danny. Absolutely right
Karlach is my favorite. She seems like somebody I could actually chill with, she had a bit more energy than me but im sure she could convince me to match her energy. Shes also so sweet.
Astarion, Hated him untill i did his romance with durge, and it really sells the "we are fucked up beyond help, but we are try" relationship. Because that is kinda me and my own boyfriend's relationship, with less murder and outher unsavory things.
shes the most honest and realistic of all the characters despite being quite agressive and often violent, deep down shes a good person.. that enjoys killing people that used her like a tool
Yeah, when he gave his take on her, I couldn't help but think that it was more of a reflection of his own insecurity and shallowness because Minthara's character wouldn't even lie with the kind of cuck he described is in to her. I don't think he understands much of what she has to say, because she is a rather nuanced character. She's probably the most mature character in the game if you ask me. A little homicidal, but in a violent environment as the fantasy setting of baldurs gate is, she doesn't actually stand out, lol. I fell in love with her character because she keeps it so 100 all the time, even with her own shortcomings. The only thing I don't like about her is her belief that she can rob the freedom of others because she knows better. That, and she's a bit of a sadist, lol.
Omfg you are so frickin hilarious! How the hell did you know I was on Tumblr in 2014 ;) but seriously, not only did you have me laughing my ass off, I love how you show respect to all the characters, even those you're not as fond of. Props to you young dude!
Astarion and Karlach are my faves and WHY THE FUCK EVERYTHING IS SO ON POINT (exept the Hannibal part, my fav fictional man is Mettaton (i see some connection here))
I don't even know who did like it, tbh. Probably the same girls who want to be Harley Quinn. So gross. WE are fucked up subs with daddy issues of much more refined tastes than that, thankyou~
With the Halsin part, you absolutely eviscerated me and put my organs on display like damn. For someone not attracted to Halsin, you have a crystal clear, ultra HD, laser refined concept of exactly why he's likeable and it's both impressive and also makes me drool. I love Halsin sm Also tho when you were like, "You're going to hurt [Karlach]," I was like, "*gasp*! No! I wouldn't!" and then I remembered that I accidentally manipulated her into going back to the hells temporarily and I got sad and embarrassed...
The forehead-to-forehead moment following the kiss at the epilogue with Halsin is pure serotonin. Top it off with his “gift”, and that scene alone has ruined all other men for me 😔
I honestly respect the fact you at least gave Halsin a try even if its not for you :D As much as I love muscle mommy I cant do her storyline, just not for me