Yeah, BG III has you fighting an adamantine golem at level 4. at that level in the OG saga even a Flesh Golem is a difficult fight. The game seems somewhat insecure about starting low and building up. Which feels weird because so much of act I is dealing with the goblins, but then there's also the underdark, mindflayers, drow-stuff that was midgame in BG II.
Companions are in a similar boat. Vampire spawn, chosen, super heroes. Lae'zel is arguably the most normal one-since at least she's unremarkable by Gith standards!
Everyone being pansexual is a necessary compromise as I see it due to the unfortunately limited pool of companions. It was that or an even more limited pool of romance options.
