Honestly made an act just to bitch and to vote in that poll Temohjyn posted. It feels kinda wild I can't fully customize a hierling (merc) - I'm fully content in one playthrough with my companions I just think there is infinite replay value in being able to run back the campaign with custom characters instead of sitting through the same stale companion quests and dialog you'll see over and over. Even if you love the companions or hate them it doesn't matter there is only so many lines of dialog created for us to consume. Sometimes I just want to play the game enjoy the mechanics and decisions without having to engage with the same content that my companions interact with - or just completely wanting to engage with the game with custom homies.

They're already put behind the barrier of gold and having to be level 3 and having to get withers. That is alright as other CRPGS also put the mercs behind some sorta progression wall. Pathfinder makes you pay gold based on level and I believe even hits them down a point or two on level (which feels insane to me). Just let me make a fully customized merc via the Tav creation kit. pls larian your game fucks