I'm not a fan of a potential character lock, and it's not fearmongering, it's what Larian has hinted at, so let's have a discussion about it.
I don't really see any upsides in having a character lock after Act 1, neither story- nor gameplay-wise..
Actually, there is a possible link to the story with all the foreshadowing about the tadpoles in companion conversations at the campsite. Like "If you start turning into a Mind Flayer, how would you like to be killed?" Or Laz'el almost attacking the MC when she thinks the change is starting.
So, the companions you don't choose for the locked party after Act 1 turn into proto-Mind Flayers, and you have an epic 4v4 battle at the campsite before moving on to Act 2. I'm not predicting it, just saying it's possible given the heavy foreshadowing in Act 1 conversations.
