I'm curious. Based on what you've seen of the various companions so far, which do you find so unbearable/annoying/awful that they won't survive very long around you for your first playthrough? Personally I dislike Astarion and if hirelings are fully customizable and thus an option, he's being replaced ASAP. I don't think he's badly written, quite the opposite, I just find foppish snobs very annoying.
I answered poll in perspective that what co panions I will not be using.
I never kill any companions unless they attack me first.
We are all heroes, you and Boo and I! Hamsters and rangers everywhere, rejoice!