I use Beowulf and Meliadoul primarily. Beowulf is, well, flat-out exceptional in his "squire" job, and I make Meliadoul carry her weight by changing her to a Priest with Equip Sword and moving her primary to the secondary. Since no one uses Mighty Sword for its damage, it fits right in nicely. Don't really place much stock in the other characters, though I do keep 'em around anyway. Always fun to do an all-female trek from NOGIAS to END.