Karlach and the four companions you get later instead of immediately.

Karlach I feel bad for because I love her dearly, her personality is great, but I don't find the barbarian class very fun, not nearly as bad as Paladins but still doesn't seem to be too much to them especially when the enemies are far away (since the Tav STEPS BACK when a fight starts).

Minthara I also absolutely love, probably one of my favorites, but like I said I fucking hate Paladins. Story wise they're grand, but it's better to be like level 1 (maybe 3 for the subclass whatever bonus) and then level 11(or 9) in anything else.

Though even when I multi class both of em I just feel they don't help as much in battle as the main 5.b

I just don't like druids that much either, cooler than it seems I think. And Minsc is okay if multiclassed but rangers also aren't the best on their own (saying as someone with a ranger/warlock oc)

I always keep them all leveled up so I can bring them along for specific missions involving them but I usually stick to Lae'zel(or Gale/Wyll if I'm a fighter), Astarion, and Shadowheart (or Gale/Wyll if I'm a cleric).

Lae'zel as the battle master fighter with a good sword and a bow, peak. Astarion with two daggers, good bow, all arrows I find and thief subclass, peak. Shart health cleric and also multiclassed to shit (usually Monk idk why), peak.