Having just 3 options after Act 1 would be really lame, unless they added non-origin companions after Act 1. Would be cool but doubtful.
Being able to recruit non-origin companions after Act 1 is the only way that killing off all but 3 origin companions could work at all. Especially since the current origin companions are some of the more essential D&D classes (rogue for lockpicking, cleric for healing/buffing, wizard for spell versatility).
If we can recruit a non-origin companion for every class after Act 1 (mercenaries don't count), then I'll grudgingly accept Act 1 party locking. But I'm highly doubtful that Larian will add 12 non-origin companions...
