The cut material of Baldur's Gate 3 for Cazador had the right to remain in the tomb

Spoilers for Baldur's Gate 3 ahead

Baldur's Gate 3 A great game, but it was originally even bigger. Dataminers have found evidence of massive amounts of cut material, from weapons and spells to companions, quests, and areas to explore. Baldur's Gate 3.

One of the most notorious pieces of The cut material is the uptown area of the title city, which reportedly featured a more extensive arc—and possible redemption—for vampire antagonist Cazador Szarr. While fans will be happy to see most of the game's cut content restored, Cazador works well as a villain who fully deserved the ignominious death he received.

Cazador may have once played a role in a possible Uptown plot

In the final version of Baldur's Gate 3, The upper city, where the wealthy patriarch lives, is only briefly visited. Players traverse a small portion of the area as they make their way towards the game's final boss, the Netherbrain. However, datamined material indicates that the upper city once played a much larger role.

Any upper city content beyond the final battle seems to have been removed very early in development. In a community update in August 2023, Larian Studios stated, “Our intention was always for Upper City to be an epic, cinematic epilogue. Baldur's Gate 3 But Cazador Sajar, who lives in an elaborate mansion in the upper city, where he pretends to be a simple patriarch, would probably have been a major aspect of any such story. (In the endgame, players must access their mansion through the side entrance of the guard tower. The front entrance may have been in the cut-off area).

There are hints of what could be a more meaty story for Cazador. The Vampire Lord threw a masquerade ball before his Rite of Profane Ascension. Players can only find bloody consequences, but maybe they should have infiltrated his mansion as guests? In particular, the datamined material seems to indicate that Cazador was once a potential ally in the final battle against the Netherbrain.

Why Aiding Cazador doesn't feel right

Cazador's existence as a scrapped ally probably indicates that there was a version of the game where the player aided the vampire lord, rather than killing him or ignoring him. The possibility of an alliance with Cazador doesn't mean he'll get any sort of redemption arc. In the final version of the game, the player can get help from some pretty shady sources in the final battle, including the demon Mizora, hag Aunt Ethel, and Val, the God of Murder.

Who is that character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Who is that character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Easy (7.5 seconds) Medium (5.0 seconds) Hard (2.5 seconds) Permadeath (2.5 seconds)

Possible deductions indicate that Cazador was a staunch anti-Absolutist and would oppose the cult of Orin Red and Val. Working with a heroic ally against Val's army is potentially interesting, but Cazador is a poor choice to play this role. For one, it would likely involve losing access to Astarion, who would have to die for Cazador to Ascend. If the two were to somehow end up together, it would be a tough story to swallow. Forcing an Astarian to work with a man who has abused him for centuries is something not even the darkest of the Dark Ages could do.

Cazador is not a complex character – and that's okay

Baldur's Gate 3 Full of complex villains. The controversial Catheric Therm was once a really nice guy. Sharran is a former associate of Mother Superior Viconia deVir Baldur's Gate and Baldur's Gate 2 Which followed a dark path from the second game. Minthara Baenre, depending on the player's choices, can be a dangerous adversary or a loyal ally. Enver Gortash also has his endearing charisma, despite being far from the “handsome young man” the game promises.

Cazador Szarr is not one of these complex villains, and he doesn't need to be. He is the nightmare that haunted Astarion for two hundred years. He is a man who craves power, disregarding the seven thousand souls who must die for it. In many ways, Cazador is the archetypal vampire Dungeons and Dragons Describes them as: soulless, selfish, constantly thirsting for both power and blood.

The Vampire Lord works well in the role he plays in the game's story, as one of the most hated characters. Baldur's Gate 3. He is the obstacle Astarion must overcome to reclaim his freedom and his identity. He is evil at its most common: merciless, cruel for cruelty's sake, never satisfied with what he has. Players can learn a little about him by exploring his lands, discovering that he began life as a vampire suffering abuse under his master, Vellioth. But the fact that he perpetuates the abuse in the treatment of his spawn makes the end of his long life more satisfying than evoking sympathy.

The story of Ascended Astarion does this well

Another reason, and probably the reason why the option of collaborating with Cazador was finally cut, is a simple one: “working with a cruel, powerful vampire lord” is already present in the story. Baldur's Gate 3 As Ascended Astarion. Players can choose to allow Astarion to complete the Ritual of Unholy Ascension, sacrificing seven thousand souls (including Cazador) for infinite vampire power. Ascended Astarion is available as a potential ally against Absolute; His ability, “Vampire Lord's Retinue,” was probably used by Cazador.

Choosing to climb Astarion is an intense and emotional experience. Baldur's Gate 3 Players bear witness as all signs of kindness and true emotion begin to show Astarion during the journey, leaving in their place a harsh, calculating, and cruel vampire. He encourages the player to do bad things and delights in violence and death. Any potential romance between Astarion and the player is devoid of twists and feelings. He can choose to make the player his own spawn and abuse them, continuing the same cycle of abuse as Cazador himself.

The story of Absolute Vampire Ascendant working towards a common goal of ending the Absolute works very well with Astarion, with the player traveling for hours of gameplay. Cazador is not found until Act 3 of the game, and the players know little of him. Allying with him against the Netherbrain, perhaps after helping him complete the ritual, would feel unnecessary and far less satisfying than letting him die an ignominious death. (Sadly, the ability to push him into the abyss was long gone, but he can still cook with sunlight or love Otto's incredible dancing). Larian Studios' decision to focus on Ascended Astarion while eliminating a potential alliance with Cazador was a good one, and Baldur's Gate 3 It's a strong game for that.