What is the best companion for me. choose?

[Array]

I created a paladin cavalier, and I wanted to know which is the best companion for this class

[Wicket W. Warrick]

Only one? Jan.
A group? There are a lot of combos, choose whoever you like. I would probably go Jaheira, Valygar, Nalia-->Imoen, Jan and rotate the last one ending with who you like ( I would take wilson, otherwise Mazzy).

[D'amarr from Darshiva]

A custom companion you mean? Or a story companion?

In case you refer to the "Create Party" button and adding a single companion to your first player character, anything would be plausible. Depending on your role-playing goals. Depending on difficulty mode, too.

I would create a pure cleric - if not picking up Branwen early. Or a dual-class capable berserker, who can become a mage or cleric later - perhaps in BG2EE. Or, if you know what you are doing, a sorcerer. There aren't so many wizards in the first BG game. Some mages, but a sorcerer choosing a very helpful set of spells (with BG2EE in mind) makes a difference. Interesting are also the classes/roles that are no covered by companions. Such as a dual-class capable Kensai becoming a mage eventually.

[Array]

Originally posted by D'amarr from Darshiva:

A custom companion you mean? Or a story companion?

In case you refer to the "Create Party" button and adding a single companion to your first player character, anything would be plausible. Depending on your role-playing goals. Depending on difficulty mode, too.

I would create a pure cleric - if not picking up Branwen early. Or a dual-class capable berserker, who can become a mage or cleric later - perhaps in BG2EE. Or, if you know what you are doing, a sorcerer. There aren't so many wizards in the first BG game. Some mages, but a sorcerer choosing a very helpful set of spells (with BG2EE in mind) makes a difference. Interesting are also the classes/roles that are no covered by companions. Such as a dual-class capable Kensai becoming a mage eventually.

Story companions. I want to see the best companions that match my class, and that are good on the battlefield

[Array]

Originally posted by stef.corsi:

Only one? Jan.
A group? There are a lot of combos, choose whoever you like. I would probably go Jaheira, Valygar, Nalia-->Imoen, Jan and rotate the last one ending with who you like ( I would take wilson, otherwise Mazzy).

Thanks for your recommendation!

[LukanGamer]

Ya don't worry about it there plenty of options and its even less important in base game 1. (Less worries, difficulty, and story).

Jaheira, Imoen, Minsc, And his witch are the "cannon" ending ones (the ones the 2nd game will assume were with you in the end rather that be 1-2 or now SoD-2)

Otherwise just suggest making sure you have a lockpicker+disarm but even then not a huge deal in this 1 but more so next ones along with a mage of some sort.

Also the suggested ones by stef in case you didn't know are mostly BG2 not Bg1/SoD

[wendigo211]

A Cavalier is a warrior, so you probably want a Cleric (or Druid), Mage and Thief.

I'll suggest Jaheira (who comes with Khalid, a Fighter) as your Druid. Your other choices are Branwen, Yeslick and Quayle. Jaheira is better than Branwen, but probably not as good as Yeslick. The problem with Yeslick is that you get him about 1/2 way through the game. You get Quayle a little later than Yeslick, he's a Cleric/Mage, so he can pitch in as both a Cleric and a Mage, but you will want a Cleric and a Mage prior to recruiting him.

For a Mage, your choices are Dynaheir (who comes with Minsc, a Ranger), Xan, Quayle and Imoen (who needs to be dual classed), You could also go with a Bard which opens up Garrick as a choice. I'd go with Xan (as an Enchanter enemies have a +2 penalty to resist his enchantment spells such as Sleep and Emotion:Hopelessness) or Imoen. Just avoid Neera (recruit her for the Gem bag though)

For a Thief, your choices are really Imoen, Safana and Coran. There are some others like Skie and Alora but they come really late and you probably won't use them for a first run. Coran is a really good archer and Safana and Imoen are largely interchangeable (they have similar stats). If you're not using Imoen as a Mage, make her your Thief. Otherwise use Safana and replace her with Coran when he becomes available.

For the rest of the party you have some options. More Warriors and Mages are pretty safe choices. You definitely don't need another Thief, and none of the Cleric/Druids are well made. If you want another Warrior, I recommend: Khalid (Fighter), Kivan (Ranger), Minsc (Ranger) and Ajantis (Paladin) in that order. You could also leave a slot or two open. XP is divided by the number of party members, so a smaller party levels up faster.

[Wicket W. Warrick]

Originally posted by Mr courier:

Originally posted by stef.corsi:

Only one? Jan.
A group? There are a lot of combos, choose whoever you like. I would probably go Jaheira, Valygar, Nalia-->Imoen, Jan and rotate the last one ending with who you like ( I would take wilson, otherwise Mazzy).

Thanks for your recommendation!

No, sorry, they're BG2 companions, I thought I was in BG2 forum....that was really stupid from me.
In BG1 you can go. Imoen-->Coran, Branwen, Dynaheir, Khalid, Jaheira
Imoen-->Coran, Branwen, Dynaheir, Minsc, Sir Garrick

[D'amarr from Darshiva]

Originally posted by Mr courier:

Story companions. I want to see the best companions that match my class, and that are good on the battlefield

"Best" depends on personal preferences, strategies and tactics - and which ones to choose as companions for a cavalier also depends on chosen difficulty mode.

There are 29 story companions in the enhanced editions. Some can do wonders in specific situations, but are not necessarily the "best" all the time.

Going with the canon story companions Imoen, Khalid & Jaheira, Minsc & Dynaheir wouldn't be a bad choice.

From the good/neutral aligned guys I also like Branwen (a pure cleric, but clerics can equip heavy armor and a shield and become frontliners), Ajantis (a paladin, but two warriors wouldn't hurt), Neera (only if you can accept wild surges, since she's a wild mage), Safana (a thief who reappears in Siege of Dragonspear and a non-companion event in BG2), Yeslick (a fighter/cleric to get rather late, but that's not a big issue in BG1).

[Sin]

Originally posted by Mr courier:

I created a paladin cavalier, and I wanted to know which is the best companion for this class

Paladin guarding some form of spellcaster sounds about right... or the classic:
A cleric. I am suuuuuuuuure a Paladin would LOVE to take Viconia under his wing for protection... *cough*

[Pieshaman]

My favourite group is Imoen, Jaheira. Khalid. Minsc and Dynaheir.
When I bought enhanced edition I was wondering forever what class I would go play but when I finally installed it I see the enhanced edition got that hard choice covered for me and it was a no brainer

[anferFFmax]

Davaeorn in youtube has the best BG1 companion guide I have seen so far.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ts8fynwWUs

If you like his video make sure you sub and like to support him. His work is very comprehensive

[valky]

^ yay...YT-stuff

https://baldursgate.fandom.com/wiki/Companions

is the better read for reasons. Even if it was probably settled after a month, Pieshaman is right on the spot.
But for my personal taste I usually get rid of Minsc or ignore him entirely or even kill him for good. (latter only, while playing 'evil'). It's prolly the only character I actually hate....

I like to have Kivan as archer: Paladin + Jaheira + Khalid + Imoen + Kivan + Dynaheir is a solid 'good' party, that shouldn't struggle for a bit.

edit: Cavalier would also make a decent import-character; hence Carsormyr is still a borderline broken OP weapon for Paladins. And that Kit can at least cast a few spells and isn't restricted like Keldorn.
It's actually a good choice....
(Immune to Poison: that nullifies the strongest encounter in game2 + bonus damage against demons! might contain watchers-keep spoilers *cough*)

good pick: kudos!

(I'd be lying, if I kill Minsc only while playing evil - lol, the most pointless and annoying character - he splatters pretty well)

[anferFFmax]

Originally posted by valky:

But for my personal taste I usually get rid of Minsc or ignore him entirely or even kill him for good. (latter only, while playing 'evil'). It's prolly the only character I actually hate....

BLASPHEMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pieshaman]

Originally posted by anfermin:

Originally posted by valky:

But for my personal taste I usually get rid of Minsc or ignore him entirely or even kill him for good. (latter only, while playing 'evil'). It's prolly the only character I actually hate....

BLASPHEMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I could never make boo an orphan. Kivan is also a badass yes. One of the better bowmen and he made short work of a lot of gnolls with a halberd to rescue dynaheir.
Too bad he stays at the spot where Dynaheir was, so it looks like he got captured and never will know I avenged his wife for him.

[Littl3Diamonds]

Always find a spot for Coran, broken pg (20 dex if I recall it right). Also is good alignment, that can go with your character