Assassin Gloomstalker dual wielding hand crossbows, and taking a swig of Elixir of Bloodlust. That's 8 attacks on turn 1, assuming he's initiating combat from stealth and killing an enemy.
Which I totally understand. But, it doesn't make him likeable to me.
It's like in the MCU Spiderman movies, how it shows Flash's parents don't really care about him and implies that's why he's a bully. Like sure, that is awful for him. But it doesn't make him not a bully anymore, you know?
And I also don't judge other people that do like him, to each their own. Just for me, his entire personality and character is like nails on a chalkboard.
You mean because he tried to bite you in your sleep? I was freaked out about that until I heard his backstory. It's quite tragic.
I liked that he was mischievous, and that he always had alternative ideas about what we should do. I wouldn't have even thought to do some of the things he suggested. If you're not playing a good alignment playthrough, then he's probably the best companion. I was planning a good alignment playthrough, but ended up more like chaotic neutral because of his influence.
Some of his reactions when I played a little bit of the Dark Urge really underlined just how little he cares about if you're good or bad, as long as you're interesting and fun to be around he's in
Also totally didn't surprise me when, while everyone else is all "I couldn't possibly use those tadpoles, what's the matter with you?!", Asterion is over here like "so when am I getting some?"
I liked him at first sight, got really annoyed and disappointed with him as a character as soon as I got to know him, but kept him around because the voice acting is stellar and I needed a thief.
What really made me fall in love with the character was his story arc. One of the best I've seen. The character is exceptionally well crafted, and what you go through together (especially when romanced) is something that surprised me in the best way.
So I'm not disagreeing with you. The rapey vibes are real. They're international. But do give him a chance on one of your playthroughs - even if it's just out of curiosity about what the writers were thinking.
Gloomstalker assassin action surge Durge with club of giant strength and titanstring bow is my solo honor mode build. Nuke an enemy and go invis with the Durge cape, drop out of combat and repeat. You can take out the whole game with this strat. I like running either halfling or deep gnome since they get stealth advantage and good saving throws.