Deadfire: Are Ciphers extra bad when not used by the PC compared to other classes? Ditching Serafen for any other party member feels like an upgrade.

I never used Serafen. Always backstabbed him, sold him out, sold him into slavery, let him die etc. This playthrough I wanted to actually use him in my party composition.

Playing PoTD difficulty. Pallegina as crusader tank, Maia with red hand + gouging strike against bosses and difficult enemies, Teheku as druid + chanter, me as Herald healer support, last spot Serafen.

Serafen don't seem to actually do much good. Mediocre damage, CC, AOE etc. He feels like the weak link in my party. Switching him out with anyone else feels like an upgrade.

I play like this: I micromanage everyone's positioning. But I mostly let the AI script handle companions' skill use. And not babysitting Serafen he feels really bad. Like he isn't doing much value.

I was just wondering if this alligns with you guys' experience. Is cipher AI worse than other classes? Do you have to micromanage ciphers more than other classes? Cause Serafen is looking more and more like he belongs in a Skaen bloodpool to me.