How to save Astarion from the ritual in Baldur’s Gate 3

Taking down Cazador in Baldur’s Gate 3 is not an easy feat, especially because it’s a partially-timed fight. Once you enter Cazador’s Palace and unlock the Sinister Door, you’ll find Cazador in the dungeons. He’s ready to enact the ritual, and as soon as Astarion slips up, he traps him in it to sacrifice him. You only have a couple rounds before Cazador ascends, taking Astarion’s life with him. Let me explain how you can save Astarion from the ritual in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Baldur’s Gate 3: How to stop the ritual and save Astarion

It’s nearly impossible to defeat Cazador before the ritual completes, which means you have to save Astarion. Getting him free means that you disrupted the ritual, and you can spend the rest of the fight actually trying to defeat Cazador. How you can save Astarion from the ritual in Baldur’s Gate 3 is by using the Help action.

Screenshot by PC Invasion

At first, I was confused as to how I could kill Cazador in such a short amount of time. I didn’t realize that you can actually use the Help action on Astarion to free him from the ritual’s binds. If one of your allies is restrained, sleeping, or even burning, the Help action is very useful.

Once combat begins, Cazador and his minions will be on you quickly. There’s no timer showing as well, so you’re not sure how soon Cazador will ascend. I recommend drinking a Potion of Speed if you have one on you. This will double your movement speed, and give you an extra Action, which will make it easier for you to quickly aid him.

Screenshot by PC Invasion

Karlach has a better movement speed than my other party members, so I gave her the potion. It only took one turn for her to Dash all the way to Astarion, then she used her Help action to help him out of the restraints. Click the icon in your Action bar that looks like two hands holding each other. That’s really how simple it is to save Astarion from the ritual! Once you defeat Cazador, you must decide whether Astarion should Ascend.

Baldur’s Gate 3 is available on Steam.