A character can make jokes without being comic relief.
Atleast BG2 made Edwin and even minsc, fleshed out characters. especially Edwin. Minsc is still a bit but the banter with him explores his character passed where you can say its all he is.Edwin has plenty character exploration going on and a repeating icarius character arc. Tiax is really the comic relief character I'd point to of the early games, and while he rules all, I think I'm in the majority when I say I didn't really ever use him or care about him. I did Edwin.
Minthara is the best character and she NEEDS to be recruitable if you side with the grove! Also- I support the important thread in the suggestions: Let everyone in the Party Speak
