But with how bossy all the companions are being, Tav has a bit of sidekick energy... which I dislike.
I can’t disagree, I just hope that Larian find a way to deal with this by making our Tavs display more character rather than the companions less. I know not everyone agrees, but just having the controlled character speak more in dialogues would help for me. And the next level would be using background, interactions and actions to influence and develop how the character is presented. But that’s off-topic, sorry!
Some companions were 'optimized' but some you just took along, regardless of party comp, for their personalities & dialogue (Valentine, Garrus, Xzar, Haer'Dalis, Neeshka, Gann, Daeran, and Regill were some of the ones I'd always pick, even if they didn't fit the party setup)
Agree, though for me it was Tiax and Xan in BG1, and Deekin in the NWN follow-ups. Though I fully recognise that one person’s hilariously quirky can be another’s unbearably irritating (looking at you Jan Jansen!).
Astarion can be 'fun' if your idea of fun is sadistic entertainment. Everyone else is too 'busy and important'.
I don’t know, I always find making Gale sneak good for a giggle! But yes, I do hope there will be more lighter moments and personalities in amongst the horror as the game progresses.
