Yeah I had a similar thought when I saw Astarion's stats, like maybe they had plans for Astarion to be the new Tiax? Its a bit of a shame that they decided to open with a cap at lvl4, rather than 5 or even 6, because I think it makes people rather less likely to explore multi-class builds if they can't advance to at least the 3rd level in one of the classes before hitting a cap. Like as a general rule, I usually want to hit at least the second level in the initial class before I cross over into something new. Multi-Classing is obviously way more flexible now than it used to be when BG1/2 came out in second edition, certainly less preplanning required than Dual-Classing a human used to be, but even still I feel like you want to have some room to grow if developing a multi-class idea. I think its rather more stark when combined with the limit of just 4 PCs, but of course that's been talked about endlessly elsewhere. Like either they're going to take the party size gripe seriously or they're not, but either way, the low level cap nerfs a lot of otherwise interesting multiclass options. Its unfortunate, because I suspect there will be some bugs with at least a few combinations, and it would be helpful to work out how the UI is going to handled multiclassing in EA.
Anyhow, the idea of alts/subs for the current Companions, is sort of just an expedient jumping off point to think about what other companions might be fun. I suspect a lot of people will opt to keep Astarion around, but if not for whatever reason, I think it would be nice to have an alt that could also fill a solid support role.
So say they give us Sazza as a potential alt for Astarion, she might have similar wide ranging options to multi, maybe along different lines. Like perhaps she really discovers a calling as a Paladin of the Absolute, or who knows lol. But basically some flexible stats to provide some options there, for the whole reduplication/party balance idea. Or again if the Player chooses to keep both characters in the party, that they might be able to Multi in different support directions as a possible payoff. Like maybe he goes Dex based fighter or ranger, she might go caster or vice versa. I just really hope some of these fan favorite NPCs like Sazza make it into the roster. It was a total tease to let us spring her from the cell and tag along as a follower but then take her away hehe.
How about a Gale sub?
Gale: Human Wizard with an appetite His stats haven't changed yet I don't think, so STR 9, DEX 14, CON 15, INT 16, WIS 11, CHA 13 Other than the snazzy purple robe, his starting get up is pretty standard (Wizards are painfully plain in the style department right now) He's the Mage, and the only one so we've seen, so obviously we know what we're dealing with there. He's going to be misty stepping about and trying to hurl the big spells.
For a sub, this is a bit of a dilemma, because a proper BG game should give us more than one Wizard. Right now the only schools to choose from are Evocation and Abjuration, and of the two he strikes me as more of an Evoker, even though they don't set him up with magic missile by default. Just because he likes to talk and you can't evoke without a gift for the vox. Hopefully they plan to include more magical schools than just 2 (like of course my dream would be a party of 6 mages each with a different specialization, but that's for dreams.) So who do we got? For candidates among the NPCs who either look like they might be wizards or who sling spells at some point...
*spoilers* (I guess, although people should assume them by now in an EA)
Zevlor does toss some spells around in the gate battle, but he's also sporting Plate, so there's that. He could make for an interesting Battle Mage if companions are already multi-classed but that seems a bit limiting. I think a Gale alternate should be able to hold their own as a purist.
Rolan the Tiefling, the one arguing with his friends that they should leave when you first enter the grove. He looks the part, since he's wearing the lame wizards robes. He doesn't jump out at me as a fan favorite, but maybe we just need to get to know him lol.
Eramas the Tiefling, the one in the hallows who wants to leave the village. She doesn't seem to like the Druids or the Goblins so maybe she has the intelligence at least. Her main point of intrigue is that she is a tiefling wearing a hood. Which is a better look than I'd imagined. So hey, at least it's a cooler outfit than the usual robes.
Roah Moonglow the Halfling merchant in the Goblin Camp shattered sanctum. The idea of recruiting a merchant into the party is a bit of a stretch, but she's got some potions on her and that staff. So maybe wizarding is a possibility for her? Probably just because I'd like to see some shorty companions, but yeah.
Finally there's Florrick, she's the one trapped in the burning inn. They call her counsellor, which seems like a fairly wizardy job title, and she does have a quarterstaff. Of all the NPCs we run into I think she's probably the top contender for a possible alt wizard. And her outfit is at least pretty cool, sporting some feathers and some decorative flourishes. Obviously her familiar would be a raven
Thoughts?
ps. Oh I almost forgot about Nadria the Tiefling with the telescope (every other NPC in this game is a tiefling lol) but she could probably fit the bill too. I mean she is in there from the crash cinematic. They must be trying to kill her for a reason right? A pink necromancer might be fun, once she's seen the other side. Keeping that coin to pay the ferry man for a return trip?
