Maia is a great choice too. As a ranger, she has her own set of skills, but more importantly, her family history and her relationship with the world around her are deeply intertwined with the game's story. She often provides unique insights during quests.
Tekehu is a must - consider. His jovial personality aside, his connection to the gods and his own journey of self - discovery are integral parts of the game's story. He can be a bit of an enigma at first, but as you get to know him, you'll see how much he adds to the overall story.
Pallegina can be a top pick as well. Her unique background as a paladin with ties to different factions brings in a new perspective to the story. Her moral code and how it clashes or aligns with the player's decisions throughout the game make for a great addition to the story experience.
Aloth is a great choice. He has a complex backstory involving his secretive order, which adds depth to the overall story. Another good one is Eder. His loyalty and the mystery surrounding his family's past are interesting elements that tie into the game's story.
Eder is a top pick. His simple - yet - deep personality, along with his connection to his brother and his past in the Dyrwood, makes him a great companion for the story. He often provides a down - to - earth perspective.
I think the Druid class is a strong contender for being the best class for the story. Druids are in tune with the cycles of nature and the spiritual forces within it. In the story of Pillars of Eternity, there are many elements related to the balance of nature, magic, and the consequences of disrupting it. A Druid's role in maintaining or restoring this balance can be a central part of the story. Their shape - shifting abilities also add a lot of flavor to the story, as they can transform into different animals which can have different implications in different story situations.
In my opinion, the Aumaua can be a great choice for the story. They have a rich history and cultural background in the game world. Their physical strength and connection to the sea can add interesting elements to the story, especially when it comes to certain quests related to the ocean or their ancestral heritage.
In my opinion, the rich lore and detailed world - building are great attributes. The game creates a complex and immersive world with a deep history that unfolds as you progress through the story. It gives a sense of authenticity to the narrative.
The Cipher class can be great for the story. Ciphers have a unique mental connection with the world around them, which ties in well with the game's lore and story elements. Their abilities often reflect this connection, and as you progress through the story, their powers can unfold in interesting ways that feel very much in tune with the overall narrative.
A party with a tanky character like Eder, a versatile mage like Aloth, and a sneaky rogue like Sagani can be great for the story. Eder can soak up damage, Aloth can deal with various magical threats, and Sagani provides some ranged and sneaky options.
A ranged cipher build can be great for the story. Ciphers have powerful mental abilities that can influence the story in interesting ways. Their ranged attacks also keep them relatively safe in combat situations which are common during the story quests.
In Pillars of Eternity 2, for the story, I'd say a party consisting of a ranger, a cipher, and a chanter along with a paladin makes a great combination. The ranger can do ranged damage and has a pet for extra help. The cipher can manipulate the minds of enemies, the chanter can boost the party with their chants, and the paladin is a strong front - line fighter with some healing and buffing abilities.