I'm not sure if this issue has been raised before, but I believe it definitely needs more attention.
Champions that you get after starting a new game are not balanced well. I am mainly talking about level 1-3 champs and chimps (I name them this way for their usefulness). While some are VERY useful for their level, some are as about as useful as a sovereign with no traits, who can be molded into something, but is still quite gimped by default.
Let's take a look.
A good example of a champ I love every game is Kallus Hairto (Empire)
-Krax Blood (fortify, a win in my books anyday)
-Administrator (a fine trait for a town sitter)
-Water magic (which is has quite useful global spells AND fine starting ones...)
-Obsession (a spell which boosts production is instant win in my books)
-Dodge 1 (combines awesomely with fortify... try hitting THAT)
Bonus points for the dagger, which, like swords, can be considered the best weapon type. Combines with Fortify really well too, two attacks a round with more accuracy.
(by the way, his older brother Endis Steelhand is even more awesome administrator due to road building... leading a settler to a new place and staying there to ease the start of a new town is quite nice)
By far, the best example of a chimp is Irayne (Kingdom).
-Ironeer Blood - good for a fighter hero. Extra HP ftw. Spell resist... fiiiine.
-Enmity - 25% weapon damage against fallen. Mmm... not worth it in my books, especially when starting, +2 damage against one type of enemy? Hardly a comparison to Finesse, which, while with Initiative condition, gives +3 attack against all enemies.
-Fire magic. Yes, FIRE MAGIC. For an Ironeer. Why not slap a really mana consuming and mostly tactical spell based magic school on an Ironeer, so that it'd even more wasteful? Not to mention how well it works with Enmity.
Bonus sucker points for a spear. Not the worst (think hammers), but not a sword. You REALLY don't want to face monsters that have any noticeable defense with such a weapon, which makes its bonus ineffective. At least it doesn't drop your Ini, thank God for that.
Oh and... thats it. 2 skills without blood traits. By comparison, most champs have 3, some - 4.
There's also those who fail by comparison. Think Janusk (level 3 with ONLY merchant 2) vs Leadanna (picked this one since she has same as Janusk, except 10% exp is to the ARMY and Mancer Blood gives +1 acc/level, though she suffers from weakness, which can mostly be fixed by a horse). Can't even compare her to champs like Arissa (Amarian Life mage with passive Research bonus.. doesn't that sound cool to you?).
Now just a few other chimps. There are more, but I'm too lazy to list them all without a full champ list with abilities.
Ralle Langet (Mancer with two magic schools... yeah, that accuracy bonus will be REALLY useful). Axes work with accuracy OR magic really well too you know...
Svenn (attack skill and fire magic... dude, just pick one...)
Othollio (precise fire apprentice? At least he's got exp bonus, but still)
Cuessa (what is she, a merchant, fighter by blood, or a fire mage? Still not decided by level 3?)
Lisbeth the Light - random mess of blood/skill perks with slapped weakness on top. Yay.
It would be nice if you could list more gimped or OP champions. Thoughts and comments are more than appreciated though, so please voice your thoughts on this matter. I, for one, would like my start to be of about the same difficulty no matter which heroes I find next to me.