Expanded Companions (Which NPC's to Promote - More diverse races)

[jokerahh]

Halsin was originally not intended to be a companion character, yet due to his immense popularity among players, the developers at LS decided to upgrade his role. This opens up the possibility that we might see similar upgrades in future editions of the game, perhaps in a "Game of the Year" or "Gold Edition" where previously cut content is reintroduced.

I'm currently running an evil campaign, and I find that many of the available companions don't mesh well with that narrative. Hence, I'm advocating for more evil-aligned companions. Here are my top picks:

Brakkal/Sazzar: One of my primary criticisms about the current companion roster is its lack of diversity; most characters are human or at least half-human. In a world teeming with diverse creatures, it seems odd to have such a homogenous cast. So, I'd love to see a goblin companion—either Sazza, who we're already familiar with, or Brakkal, the faithful follower of Maglubiyet found in the goblin camp. And yes, let's make them romanceable! I find it highly disappointing that we can't recruit any goblins, especially when allying with them against the grove.

Barcus Wroot: This character frequently appears throughout the story, making it surprising that he hasn't been expanded into a full companion. He adds another layer of non-human diversity to the party.

Bernard: Taking it a step further, I'd like to suggest Bernard, the automaton atop the Arcane Tower in the Underdark. It would be fascinating to have the option to reprogram him, thus initiating a storyline that explores the automaton's quest for purpose.

Suggested by others:

Alfira the Bard as a Bard Companion is clearly popular.

Stonemason Kith - someone finally remembered his name, a good one I think as an evil Cleric.

Araj Oblodra - another good suggestion, not sure 100% which class to go, someone suggested druid but I will say again, we have plenty druids. Perhaps Rouge, ranger or a straight up second fighter would be good.

Nettie also has some support though I would argue that we have enough druids.

He Who Was. A very interesting suggestion for getting at the start of Act 2. A nice evil neutral character.

A shadow druid is suggested, though I will argue that we have enough druids again.

Isoble also suggested. I am not for it but I think she will be popular with many.

Love to know which evil characters people would like to add?

Overall, I'm advocating for a more diverse, less human-centric companion selection. Who would you choose for this role?

[Quillithe]

Originally posted by jokerahh:

Originally posted by Quillithe:

Question is who - the humans are out, every non-human in both BG1&2 is already in the game.

A lot of the BG 1 only companions are a bit one-note and I'm not sure any stand out as exciting enough to repeat instead of making a new character (despite how much I like Xan)

That leaves Korgan, Aerie, Jan Jansen as the only options (I think Mazzy would be too old).

As much as I love Jan Jansen I don't think any of these are a terribly natural choice.

I think one of the bigger issues is that the BG1 and BG2 characters are not going to mean much to most of the player base, you got to remember those are old games who barely sold more than 2 million copies in its entire life time. BG3 is nearing the 10 million copies sold mark and the console launch will push them over that easily. So even if every single player who ever played BG1 & 2 played is playing BG3 then for every 1 of them there is still 4 players going why the ♥♥♥♥ is they guy talking to a hamster, so the BG1 characters don't really carry much weight for the majority of the player base. I imagine more players would enjoy getting more involvement with characters we have met in BG3 than having BG1 & 2 character return.

That too - and like I say they already put in all the most obvious and famous ones that aren't dead by this point.

[Character Name]

Lassandra the harper needs to live and become a companion. :)

[TwoArmedMan15]

I can't remember their names, but the two humans you encounter with the dead True Soul on the road, who you can join fight the owlbear. They seem unsure about themselves, so I think they could be swayed to go good or evil. It would be nice having a human fighter and another default cleric than Shadowheart.

[The Konrad]

Originally posted by jokerahh:

Originally posted by The Konrad:

Voss' Red Dragon companion/mount/lover , later shapeshifted into a red Dragonkin waiting in the filthy sewers doing naughty things with Voss no doubt...

Ahhh I see, well I think that might be a bit OP for companion haha

No no no no,
RAPHAEL as BARD COMPANION would be OP.
Now that's DLC I would pay for. Raphy my boi is the only one whose singing I can stand in this game...

[deepgreenbear]

I think it would be so cool if you could basically recruit any NPC as a party companion!

[M13908]

The game really needs more non-human, non-elf/tiefling, and most of all more truly neutral+evil leaning fleshed out party members. Going evil you lose the only default mage companion and several others potentially. There are two druids, both of them lean toward good which is kind of silly/redundant and somehow there is no dragonborn companion or hirelings.

Probably would come off as jokish, but I'd find it amusing for Shovel or Popper to somehow end up as party members. Shovel is easy enough, Popper can simply be reasoned as needing to make it back to the circus, and then choosing to stay with the party.

Honestly, I don't even mind if potential inhuman party members don't visually change armor and only changed weapons.

[Umbral Knight]

+1 for Brakkal/Sazza. For a Tiefling companion maybe that one person before the githyanki knight with the dragon on the bridge, Zevlor, or of course Alfira. Seriously her song immediately made me think she was going to be some Leliana of the party.
I think Kagha would've made a decent alternative companion to (or replacement) Halsin. Stonemason Kith is definitely a great option. I don't recall what that guy's name is, but he's talking to a Raven when you encounter him before Moonrise Towers. Could've been a nice addition imo.

I don't wager Volo could be a companion due to his lore inside and outside of BG3.

[Sir Seanicus, Esq.]

Kagha would have been waaaay cooler if you did the redemption part...better than Halsin I'll say.

[jokerahh]

Originally posted by Dark Knight Xanthos:

+1 for Brakkal/Sazza. For a Tiefling companion maybe that one person before the githyanki knight with the dragon on the bridge, Zevlor, or of course Alfira. Seriously her song immediately made me think she was going to be some Leliana of the party.
I think Kagha would've made a decent alternative companion to (or replacement) Halsin. Stonemason Kith is definitely a great option. I don't recall what that guy's name is, but he's talking to a Raven when you encounter him before Moonrise Towers. Could've been a nice addition imo.

I don't wager Volo could be a companion due to his lore inside and outside of BG3.

I am surprised how many people want to add more druids when we already have 2. Alfira I think we are all surprised wasn't a companion but I'd still rather have more exotic characters likes gnomes or goblins than another teifling.

[slow_cheetah]

TBH, in BG1&2 Alfira would have been that kind of character you would meet and swoop up with your party after a sidequest, opening a new line of sidequests and being able to romance her.

[jokerahh]

Originally posted by slow_cheetah:

TBH, in BG1&2 Alfira would have been that kind of character you would meet and swoop up with your party after a sidequest, opening a new line of sidequests and being able to romance her.

Yeah I think having more companions tied to other content and story changes would have been a big bonus. Everyone's stories so far is a bit to tied to the main story line.

[seandeven]

Alfira Yes please shes the best

Barcus Wroot - The man the myth the legend

Sazza - c'mon pricks show sazza some sugar

Isobel- But as a good paladin

Omeluum - Either as a mirror to the Emperor or because of that ring IS secretly the emperor shielding his identity

[Qubert]

Originally posted by deepgreenbear:

I think it would be so cool if you could basically recruit any NPC as a party companion!

Yes, at least be able to try. They may give you a story why they couldn't at that time, try them later or say something like I'm just a farmer sorry I can't help you.

[Sister of Silence]

I want the dream lover back, this guardian thing is meh

ps. I vote Abdirak for companion and camp mascotte

[I'm A Distraction!]

I'd love a kobold companion character purely because they would have to add a kobold race option for you to play, and I'll finally be happy, lol.

Other wise, I imagine expanding the roster with some that have default classes that aren't currently covered (so bard and monk, although the ranger comes in at ACT III so an earlier ranger wouldn't be amiss).