Larian Studios Forums Divinity: Original Sin 2 Divinity - Original Sin 2 - General How do companions work?

I am beginning the game tomorrow, and I wanted to know if someone could explain the mechanics of companions. The mechanics will affect my playstyle, which is why I'd like to know before I begin.

Basically, I want to know:

Are there are advantages to playing an Origin as opposed to making your own character and learning the Companions' stories that way?

If we don't constantly cycle the Companions into our party, do they get woefully under-leveled? Or do they level with us whether or not they're active?

If we aren't playing an Origin, can we change that Companions' default class, skills, etc.?

Any other advice anyone wants to offer?

I really enjoy NPC companions, so I'd like to get the most out of it. I'd rather not finally figure out all the mechanics 20 hours in and end up wishing I'd gone in a different direction. (I don't really have the free time for multiple playthroughs of games.)

Companion offers additional story but come with forced choice you must make or suffer attitude issues. That's all. Stat-wise, they just come with a preset you can choose when you recruit them and when you finish act 1, you can respec them all you want.

You can chose and change them on act 1. At the start of act 2, you select the final 3 that will stick with you until they hate you enough that they leave you. It's best you decide who you really love and stick with them since act 1 so you can do their story quests and improve the relationship.

Playing as the companion is required if you get to see some of the dialogues that get hidden by the narrator though but that mean you can't make your own char to go to bed with them.

Also Red prince is the best and should be in every team for his personality and looks.

I can answer a few of these:

Playing an origin as your main character is essentially another nice story arc. I'd suggest doing it rather than rolling a custom character: Of course you can follow the story arc of the companions you invite into your party as well and see the origin story that way, but I personally think the richer the story of 'my' character in a RPG, the more interesting and fun it is.

Your companions always auto-level to your xp when you invite them back into the party. That said, I'd suggest picking a fixed set of three companions for your playthrough and not to cycle them. The reasons are twofold: a- you can easily miss important location- or encounter-triggered dialogues that may be essential to furthering that companion's questline (read: that questline will be irrevocably stuck if the relevant companion happens to not be in your party at that specific time) and b- that way you have new stuff to see for a 2nd playthrough, once you do find the time to do one.

Most aspects of your companions (attributes, skills, etc.) can be changed when you recruit them, and also again (at will, by the way) once you have access to a certain location (spoilerspoiler).

Thanks,guys. I really appreciate the feedback. I'm torn between rolling my own male elf battlemage or playing as Sebille (probably as a witch) to maximize four stories. (Maybe even using her to romance Red Prince, assuming that's even possible from what little I already know.)

Any opinions on the most interesting companions to focus on? Fane is a lock for me 'cuz he's too interesting to pass up. I'm not worried about the best companions for combat since that can be tweaked. Who's the most fun to "hang out with" and have the most interesting commentary as you're out adventuring?

I chose Fane for my character, so I can't speak about him as a companion. My party is:

Fane (Pyro/Necro/Geo/Summoner)
Red Prince (Tank/Geo)
Beast (Melee DPS, Aero, Hydro Healer)
Lohse (Huntsman/Scoundrel/Backup Healer)

At first I thought I wasn't going to like Red Prince, and was considering dismissing him but after some time it turns I'm liking him the most overall as a companion. Followed by Lohse, who I feel like will have a larger impact later on.