Companions

Discover the best companions in Shadows of Doubt! Learn about party roles, character alignments, and compatibility to build an unstoppable team for your investigations.

Alright, so you're diving into the gritty world of Shadows of Doubt, and you've probably noticed you can't do it all alone. You'll be rolling your own character, sure, but the real magic happens when you start recruiting the folks you meet on the street. Think of them as your backup, your muscle, your brains – whatever you need to crack the case. You can have a total of five companions tagging along with you at any given time, so choosing wisely is key. There’s even a special recruit you’ll meet way down the line, but we’ll get to him when the time’s right.

When you're building your crew, you gotta think about what each person brings to the table. Not everyone's cut out for the same job, and a well-rounded party makes all the difference. Here’s a breakdown of the roles you and your companions can fill:

• Front-line fighter: These are your go-to folks for getting up close and personal with the bad guys. They need to be tough, with high Strength being the main stat, followed by Dexterity and Constitution.
• Ranged fighter: These guys hang back and pick off enemies from a distance. High Dexterity is crucial here, and extra Strength is a nice bonus. Honestly, ranged combat isn't as vital in this game as it was in some others, so don't stress too much if your party isn't stacked with snipers.
• Tank: Your tank is the one who can soak up a ton of damage and keep the enemies focused on them. The most important thing is their ability to wear the heaviest armor, with high Constitution and/or Dexterity being super helpful for survivability.
• Scout: These are your eyes and ears on the ground. They can sneak ahead, spot trouble, and maybe even set up an ambush. A high stealth skill is the name of the game for a scout.
• Medic: When things get hairy, you'll want someone who can patch everyone up and cast those crucial party-wide buffs. For this role, a Cleric is generally better than a Druid. The healer needs to survive too, so armor proficiency and good Dexterity/Constitution are essential.
• Magic user: These are your specialists for blasting enemies or locking them down with spells. Mages usually outclass Bards here, though Bards get a boost in effective caster level later on, giving them some extra utility. Again, high Dexterity and/or Constitution are good for keeping them alive.
• Utility: This role covers all the handy stuff, like disabling traps (a Thief's specialty!), picking locks, lifting items from unsuspecting NPCs, and identifying gear. After Dexterity, a good Constitution and decent Strength are preferred.
• Leader: This is your party's 'face' – the one who handles interactions. They need high Charisma for positive reactions and a class that makes them a good first target for enemies.

Now, figuring out who's best for what can be a puzzle. Here’s a general ranking, from best to… well, still pretty good, for each role:

• Front-line fighter: Korgan, Mazzy, Dorn, Minsc, Anomen, Valygar, Haer'Dalis, Rasaad, Wilson, Cernd
• Ranged fighter: Mazzy, Valygar, Minsc
• Tank: Mazzy, Jaheira, Korgan, Viconia
• Scout: Valygar, Hexxat, Yoshimo, Minsc, Rasaad
• Medic: Viconia, Anomen, Cernd, Aerie, Jaheira
• Magic user: Edwin, Imoen, Neera, Nalia, Jan, Aerie, Haer'Dalis
• Utility: Jan, Imoen, Hexxat, Yoshimo, Haer'Dalis, Nalia
• Leader: Keldorn, Dorn, Jaheira

Keep in mind, some characters are versatile and can fill multiple roles, which is super handy!

Things to Keep in Mind

Familiar Faces

If you played the original Baldur's Gate, you'll recognize some familiar faces returning for the adventure: Edwin, Imoen, Jaheira, Minsc, and Viconia. Plus, the enhanced edition brings back Dorn, Neera, and Rasaad.

Moral Compass (Alignment)

Your companions' moral compass can affect how they react to your decisions and the overall party Reputation.

• Good-aligned: Aerie, Imoen, Keldorn, Mazzy, Minsc, Nalia, Rasaad, and Valygar won't cause you any trouble with Reputation.
• Neutral-aligned: Anomen, Cernd, Haer'Dalis, Jaheira, Jan, Neera, and Yoshimo might grumble about your heroic deeds.
• Evil-aligned: Dorn, Edwin, Hexxat, Korgan, and Viconia require careful Reputation management, as they might not always see eye-to-eye with good deeds.

Wilson, being a bear, is pretty chill about it all.

Party Drama (Compatibility)

This is where things can get spicy. Some companions just don't get along and might even come to blows, forcing you to make tough choices about who stays and who goes. Keep an eye out for these potential conflicts:

• Minsc has it out for Edwin.
• Korgan might push Aerie away.
• Anomen could end up fighting Aerie and Keldorn, depending on his personal quest.
• Keldorn will definitely clash with Viconia.
• Valygar might go after Edwin and, in rare cases, Viconia.
• Neera refuses to travel with Edwin.
• Most good-aligned NPCs will refuse to party up with Hexxat.
• Keldorn and Anomen won't travel with Dorn.

Gear Squabbles (Resource Competition)

Sometimes, the best gear is limited, and you might only have one of certain powerful items. If multiple companions desperately need the same stat boost, you'll have to prioritize.

For example, if someone's Strength is lacking, you might use the Gauntlets of Ogre Power or Girdle of Hill Giant Strength. Dexterity can be boosted by the Gauntlets of Dexterity, and Constitution by the Girdle of Fortitude. But remember, there's only one of each!

Here's who benefits most from specific stat boosts:

• Strength boost: Jaheira, Valygar, Viconia, Aerie
• Dexterity boost: Anomen, Keldorn, Korgan
• Constitution boost: Haer'Dalis, Viconia, Aerie

Choosing your companions is a big part of the game, so think about their roles, their personalities, and how they'll mesh together. A well-chosen party is half the battle!