Yes that basicaly means
Karlach, Minsc and Helia ... presuming they were not cut out for some reason?
Have you concidered allowing us to recruit them as other classes?
I mean if some of them is suppose to be Paladin (acording to datamining) ... why not let us recruit him as a Cleric? Just for now, as a placeholder.
If someone is supposed to be a Barbarian ... why not let us recrtuit him as a Fighter?
I mean dont get me wrong, we have amazing and interesting companions (and Shadowheart) ... but it would be great to have option to switch them a little more. :-/
If you choose evil playthrough you are basicaly stuck with 3 ppl.

+ As i mentioned please concider creating Origin character for each class ... that would imediatly give us (at least two) other companions to play with. :3