Overview: (18)

Compare Imoen and Safana in Sword of the Sea. Imoen has better Thief stats like Dexterity and Constitution, and can dual-class into a Mage.

When choosing a Thief companion in Sword of the Sea, if you do not want Imoen, Safana is a viable alternative. However, Imoen possesses superior Thief stats, including higher Dexterity and a good Constitution. The difference in Strength is not significant, as Safana does not gain any bonuses to hit or damage, and Thieves are not typically suited for heavy armor. A key distinction is that Safana cannot dual-class into a Mage, making her less versatile than Imoen. While it's possible to increase Safana's Intelligence with the Tome of Clear Thought, this item is acquired very late in the game, and using it on her would prevent your main character from carrying over those stats to Baldur's Gate 2. In summary, Safana is a competent Thief, but Imoen offers more advantages.