A character with at least a 16 strength is definitely the most optimal way to go. My favorite playthrough was a Githyanki Abjuration Wizard G'kar, with a 16 STR and 16 INT. I gave him the great swords, and had Lae'zel use a glaive. I used the 5e Spells mod, which has the Shield spell. That really helped with keeping the Arcane Ward up. Lae'zel took Polearm Master at level 4 (More Feats mod).
My next strength based character was a Shield Dwarf Hunter Ranger, with the Dual Wielder feat and 2 battleaxes, no Lae'zel in that playthrough. I also tried a Half Drow Oath of Vengeance Paladin (another mod), oh and another Shield Dwarf that was a War Domain Cleric.
I tried a Wood Elf Beastmaster Ranger that was dex based. I used the animal companion as a tank. A High Elf Bladesinger Wizard that was dex based that tanked. I also played a Human Light Domain Cleric. I used only Lae'zel as a tank, enemies rarely got close.
