Hi all, because this cropped up in
another thread but I didn’t want to derail that further, I thought I’d start a new one to ask about folks’ hopes for additional companions in the full game. I know similar topics have come up before, but don’t recall a discussion specifically on this recently.
So far, we have the existing five EA companions, plus Minsc and Jaheira, and we assume Karlach as well. I know there was another datamined potential companion (Helia?) but am setting that aside as I don’t think we’ve had anything more than that on her. We are also expecting the ability to recruit custom mercenaries, who are unlikely to have much in the way of personalities.
Would you be satisfied with that as a roster of companions, or do you think that leaves significant gaps, and if so what are they?
Personally:
- I’d be disappointed if we don’t get at least one or two companions from the shorter races. I’d love it if Barcus Wroot became a full party member once saved from Grymforge, but I’d be sad if we don’t have at least one potential dwarf companion.
- I’m also feeling there’s a certain lack of variety with the male PCs, given the three we have so far all come from relatively privileged backgrounds, and while Minsc doesn’t fit that mould I’d hope that he’s not the only exception in the full game. Plus, with Minsc, three out of four are human.
- I like Halsin and certainly wouldn’t object if he became a companion, but it might leave druids feeling a bit over-represented on the assumption Jaheira is a druid or fighter/druid. I’d probably prefer he were a temporary companion that accompanied us at Moonrise Towers and a full companion slot were reserved for someone of a different class.
- Minthara might be an interesting companion if we decide to support her grove attack, though possibly too tied to one specific path that most players are unlikely to take unless the story is overhauled somewhat.
- Same problem for Nere, though there does seem to be a gap in caster classes for an evil path that would need addressing given Wyll is likely to jump ship and Gale at the very least needs some persuading if we get too nasty.
- We also seem to be lacking in rogue alternatives, and while I know we don’t strictly need one I think we should have more options than just Astarion. Of course, if we get multi-classing then Shadowheart or Wyll (especially if his Dex were improved) could make thematically and mechanically decent semi-rogues. Barcus might also make a good multi-class rogue (/artificer?).
- Healer options also seem to be limited, and while Shadowheart as the only cleric would be partly mitigated by being able to recruit Minthara as paladin (or Karlach, though I think later indications are that she’ll be a barbarian) and/or Jaheira/Halsin as druids, and again there are plenty of healing options without a pure cleric, but the lack of a good cleric still feels like a bit of a gap so far to me.
- I assume Minsc is going to be specced suitably for a strength-based ranger, possibly with an optional barbarian multiclass, and Karlach will be a barbarian or paladin, so that will give us some alternatives to Lae’zel on the front line, plus there’s the outside bet of Minthara as a paladin for evil playthroughs.
I’m fine if not every single class or race is represented amongst full companions as long as there’s a decent selection of diverse characters that can fulfill key party roles whatever our PC class, but it does feel as though we could do with at least a few more companions for real party flexibility and replay potential.
Of course, if Larian let us change classes of companions then that gives more flexibility, but I’d only really be comfortable with classes that made story and roleplay sense, so that’s not a perfect solution for any gaps as far as I’m concerned.
I would definitely feel there are still more gaps if companions are also going to be our only options for romance arcs for our PCs, but I think the better solution there would be to have recurring NPCs who can provide more choice than to create companions specifically as romantic interests.
