One of my favourite aspects of PoE was being able to create my own party by hiring adventurers, and it's the only way I played the game; never using the companions. Has this feature been confirmed as in or out for Tyranny yet?
For sure I will play with premade companions the first time(s), in order to know them, their stories and their combos/interactions.
Created characters kill the spirit of party and all relations inside the party. Bad idea.
I agree. Though the game also has to offer choice in companions that allow you to make a versatile party. Until I got the Devil of Caroc in PoE's expansion (the only rogue NPC) I had to use a created rogue because none of the other NPCs were good at disarming traps or picking locks. Which was really annoying if I was forced to send someone to trigger a trap or leave chests/rooms behind that I couldn't access. And I'm not really keen on going to back places just to get some loot.
You don't need a rogue for traps in PoE. Anyone can learn the mechanics skill.
Thank you Captain Obvious. I know that and still at some point traps and locks were getting tougher than I was able to level mechanics. Hence I was forced to create a rogue specifically for that job until I got Devil of Caroc.
You said earlier: "I agree. Though the game also has to offer choice in companions that allow you to make a versatile party."
As I see it, this is not a problem with the game. You simply painted yourself into a corner by not planning ahead.