I doubt this thread is being monitored anymore but I wanted to bring up how the failure to increase the party size negatively impacted the development of the story.
The problem: Wyll's lack of popularity
Wyll got a complete rewrite and it left him with nothing to say. Which is shame because I like both versions of Wyll but he's almost as quiet as a merc.
The authors have acknowledged that he's a disadvantage because he's at the grove and by that time you've become attached to your existing party. But they failed to acknowledge that this wouldn't be a barrier with a 6 member party.
Wyll's rewrite really ended up deleting the first half of story so we don't see him grow as a character. Wyll 1.0 was a charlatan with a sincere desire to be a hero. His conflict was about: "do I look like a devil but act like an angel or do look like an angel but act like a devil" It was the story of Dorian Grey in video game.
I buried the lede, here it is:
Wyll is the least favorite companion but I don't think his lack of popularity springs from flaws in his story, instead they spring from the mechanical failures of the game engine and the nature of his class.
Again, the grove disadvantage wouldn't apply in a six person party. Just pick up and go.
Wyll is also a disadvantage because Warlock is a decent class for a Tav but is weak class in terms of DPS and party support. As the main character you get to speak with animals, persuade people and see in the dark. But why would you waste a class feature on speak with animals if you aren't the MC? Most people want their Tav to be the voice of the party.
And, frankly, Warlock is just not a great class - which is why WotC keeps trying to change it.
TL;DR - Larian revised Wyll thinking his lack of popularity sprang from flaws in his story. In truth his unpopularity is rooted in the flaws of the engine and game mechanics.
