@ TS, they unfortunately changed from the possibility to deploy companion's pre-level points in EA to the way you described. They are levelled up.
Well, with the ship start it is seemingly a bit difficult to reach Fort Joy before lvl 2. In the EA that was a big relieve, now it's a disadvantage. I read that you inevitably get lvl 2 before Fort Joy even if you skip any possible fight/xp. Did not test.
Try it with lvl 1. The companions are easily recruitable. Ifan and Lohse are behind the entrance of Fort Joy (try to solve the Elodi problem without fight, otherwise you get more xp
), Sebille is near the south-western shore at the end of Fort Joy, watching a sleeping lizard.
BTW these are also my companions.
