Astarion is my second favorite companion. Karlach is too cool to not be my first favorite, but Astarion with his scheming and sassy attitude is such fun! Astarion was also my most powerful companion, and group face in my first playthrough, so I very much needed him in the party. This time I’m playing as a Bard and don’t need him, but I just added him back to the party to take on Cazador, and he’s still a badass. I’m rolling with him as a Monk/Thief now and he kicks major ass, and doubles as a pack mule.