Should I hire mercenaries?

[Shug Dynamite]

Hello, I just started the game and I'm wondering if I should create some mercenaries or if the party will fill out with "storied" characters soon.

[Frostfeather]

Whatever you want to do. I usually hire all mercs but sometimes I use some companions too. Eder & Aloth are possibly worth it just for Matt Mercer's stellar voice acting.

[Gilmoy]

You (can) have easy access to 4 free followers in Act 1:
- 2 in Gilded Vale
- 2 on the way to Caed Nua
You may wish to hire 1 merc early, to be a full party of 6 before the Caed Nua fights.

After you unlock Act 2, you can get 2 more en route to, and within, Defiance Bay.
Also, you can unlock WM1 and get 3 more there.
By then, you'll have 8-11 followers to choose from (pick any 5 ).
Your starting 1 merc, if you hired one, fades into the crowd.

~~~~

For 1 run, maybe use the free followers, just to hear all of their silly barks on map entry.
Later, if you don't like their stats, or you want to try a non-Magran Priest, roll your own.

[D'amarr from Darshiva]

Depends on factors like difficulty mode, role-playing goals, how much you want to do companion quests, companion banter and interactions.

Various existing topics comment on it. Guides, too.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2745389422

[Woofy]

I like hiring 1 Paladin because I didn't like the Paladin you get later as an Npc. It's always good to have 1 Merc or NPC in reserve to do Castle quests.

[lolic_lol]

Also you can install mod for 12 characters party, lol.

[Dorian Gray]

I usually hire a Rogue at level 2, before it gets too expensive.