I have no problems with the new starter area behavior, to me it makes sense that you cannot grab your not-already-companions stuff. The starting area is so easy that no intense use of companion stuff is necessary. That Everburn can be achieved here (it's easy to get) for me is actually a fault, but ok, I just don't do it.
I would also prefer that all infected would start with the worst class related gear, so Lae'zel should have a 13 AC armor, like Shadowheart (although the worst medium armor is 12 AC, isn't it?). To be honest, I would perhaps only give them 10 AC clothes even, with a chance to loot some armor after the ship had crashed. If the mindflayers wanted to keep Lae'zels outfit on her for the looks, it could be a "damaged Gith 13 AC armor". Or if that's too much effort for the start, give her just a generic chainmail. She actually also has normal boots and not Gith sandals.
Last edited by geala; 05/04/22 09:57 AM.