Summary
- The most underrated RPG companions often excel in niche roles and provide unique benefits if given a chance to shine through patience and customization.
- Several companions, such as Virgil, Nordom, Freya Crescent, Atton Rand, Hiravias, Racter, and Shale, stand out for their hidden strengths and varied skill sets that can change the gameplay experience.
- Players who take the time to understand and invest in these underrated companions in RPGs can uncover their true potential and discover powerful abilities that significantly impact the game.
In the world of RPGs, the spotlight often burns the brightest on legendary heroes. We know the Stoic warriors and charismatic saviors by heart. Yet, for every celebrated protagonist, a legion of unsung companions stands in the shadows, their true brilliance often missed on a first playthrough. The very best role-playing games are crowded with these companions: sidekicks, misfits, and secondary allies who might not headline the adventure, but quietly transform it.
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Sometimes it’s a healer whose narrative arc outpaces their early-game utility. Sometimes, it’s a specialist locked behind a missable quest, or a personality whose presence makes the world richer, funnier, or more unpredictable. So, here’s a definitive ranking of the most underrated RPG companions—characters who prove that sometimes, the best allies aren’t the ones everyone talks about, but the ones who quietly change everything for players willing to pay attention.
7 Virgil (Arcanum: Of Steamworks And Magick Obscura)
The Annoying, Essential Savior Whose Real Power Is Patience
Arcanum: of Steamworks and Magick Obscura
- Released
- September 26, 2000
WHERE TO PLAY
Virgil is the first face players see after a chaotic zeppelin crash, and for many, he's also the first companion they ditch. Early in the game, he’s notorious for being outclassed by wolves and bandits alike, and his default AI loves charging into danger without a plan. Many party leaders replace him with brawnier, flashier companions at the first opportunity.
But here’s the trick: for players who stick with him, gear him up with heavier armor, or adjust his leveling scheme to focus on healing or support, Virgil becomes indispensable. His White Necromancy line keeps the party alive in Arcanum’s punishing encounters, and his utility skills (like lockpicking) can be quietly game-changing for non-thief builds.
6 Nordom (Planescape: Torment)
The Rogue Cog In The Great Machine
Planescape: Torment
- Released
- December 12, 1999
WHERE TO PLAY
Nordom’s underrated status comes from sheer inaccessibility. This rogue modron, a creature of pure logic warped by chaos, is locked away in the Modron Maze—a randomly generated, combat-heavy dungeon that feels completely at odds with Planescape: Torment’s dialogue-driven design. Many players, finding the maze tedious, ignore it entirely and thus never even meet him.
To even find him, one must acquire a specific item and crank the maze's difficulty to hard, which makes him one of the most deliberately hidden allies in RPG history. For those who do, Nordom delivers something the rest of the party can’t: devastating, upgradable ranged damage. Dual crossbows, ammo-generating “gear spirits,” and unique lens upgrades make him a backline terror.
5 Freya Crescent (Final Fantasy 9)
The Forgotten Knight Who Becomes A Goddess
Final Fantasy 9
- Released
- July 7, 2000
WHERE TO PLAY
Freya begins as a classic dragoon—her arc through Burmecia and Cleyra is one of Final Fantasy 9’s emotional high points. However, after her personal tragedy is resolved, she fades into the background, receiving fewer lines and less narrative relevance as the main plot shifts elsewhere. Players often bench her, assuming her story and usefulness are finished.
That’s a mistake. Freya is a hybrid damage dealer/support whose value skyrockets as the game progresses. Her “Reis’s Wind” grants party-wide regen; her “White Draw” restores MP; and her signature “Jump” ability can trivialize bosses by avoiding their deadliest attacks. However, her ultimate weapon is the “Dragon's Crest.” This skill's damage is based on the number of dragons the party has defeated, and it's remarkably easy to power it up to deal a consistent, unblockable 9,999 damage for a pittance of MP.
4 Atton Rand (KOTOR II: The Sith Lords)
Hidden Assassin with A Deceptive Build Path
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords
- Released
- December 6, 2004
WHERE TO PLAY
At first glance, Atton Rand feels like a “scoundrel.” All wisecracks and bravado, seemingly outclassed by Jedi specialists and heavier hitters. Even in dialogue, he’s dismissed as a “fool” by other characters, and his early-game pistol damage leaves much to be desired. Many party leaders make the mistake of relegating him to the sidelines once more impressive Force-users join up.
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But Atton is all about layers. The real twist is his secret past as a Sith assassin—a fact that, once uncovered and paired with the right build, transforms him into a lethal combat engine. Once he’s a Jedi Sentinel, he can set up his own stuns and mind tricks, chaining devastating crits that rival any party member. Unlocking his full story requires both influence and patience, but doing so turns him from comic relief into one of Star Wars’ most powerful characters.
3 Hiravias (Pillars Of Eternity)
The Profane Philosopher Who Is A Hybrid Warrior
Pillars of Eternity
- Released
- March 26, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
First impressions don't get much crasser than Hiravias, a foul-mouthed Druid discovered feasting on a deer carcass. His abrasive, profane personality is an immediate turn-off for many, and his starting stats aren't optimized for a pure spellcaster, leading min-maxers to dismiss him.
However, many players don’t realize that Hiravias is the ultimate hybrid, a battlefield terror who seamlessly shifts between roles. His Staelgar (werecat) Spiritshift form turns him into a melee DPS monster, capable of shredding enemies with lightning-fast claw attacks. Simultaneously, he wields some of the best area-of-effect and crowd-control spells in the game, with the huge advantage that many of his powerful Storm spells only target foes, making them safe to use in a chaotic brawl.
2 Racter (Shadowrun: Hong Kong)
The Ghost In The Machine
Shadowrun: Hong Kong
Racter, a cold, logical transhumanist and diagnosed psychopath, is a tough character to warm up to. His entire philosophy revolves around the weakness of flesh and the superiority of machines, making him distant and unsettling. Especially for players who roll a Rigger, Racter can feel redundant, another drone specialist at a party that only needs one.
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However, Racter’s brilliance lies in specialization. Koschei is a custom-built war machine that functions as a seventh party member, complete with devastating melee attacks, a powerful shotgun, and high-damage lasers. Because Koschei handles all the fighting, Racter is freed up to focus solely on being a pure support specialist. He can also use his actions to overclock his drone for extra turns or serve as the party's primary medic with his high Biotech skills.
1 Shale (Dragon Age: Origins)
This DLC-Locked Stone Golem Is The Ultimate Tactical Weapon
Dragon Age: Origins
- Released
- November 3, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
The most underrated RPG companion is one that a huge portion of the player base has never even met. Shale, a mighty golem with a grumpy disposition, was locked behind "The Stone Prisoner," a Day 1 DLC pack. Even for those who unlock her, Shale’s unique mechanics (no traditional gear, crystal-only upgrades) and tank role can seem redundant next to Alistair or Oghren.
But for those who add her to the party, Shale is the definition of versatility. Four crystal “stances” allow instant swapping between tank, melee DPS, ranged support, and party buff modes. Her area-of-effect attacks devastate mobs, her crowd control is top-tier, and she provides unique passive bonuses to archer-heavy teams. With the right crystals, she can be tailored for any encounter, making her arguably the most adaptable and underrated companion in Dragon Age: Origins.
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