In chapter one we get quite the team Roy as our swordsman main unit can obviously not be dropped.Wolt is framed as his best friend, and while underused in the story, I think deserves his spot. I'm not a fan of Jeigans myself, but Marcus also has a big enough role not to drop. That leaves Bors, Lance and Alen who all seem expendable to me. But having Roy have no knights with him also leaves something missing, and at least one cavalier would be nice to have. I'll write down Lance and Bors as possible sacrifices, since Alen seems to add more personality to me.
In chapter 2 we have our first healer leading us to plot. Ellen can't be scrapped completely in my eyes, and I really like her, but if she were a green unit that left after chapter 3, that'd be understandable, since Clarine joins there. (her AI would need to be written well though) As others have said just having one of Wade or Lott is plenty for early axes, and they both kind of add the same to the story. Dieck and Thany can't be scrapped imo. Let's say Wade and Ellen are possible sacrifices. (and I actually like the Merlinus idea, though it could be improved upon.)
For chapter 3 and 4, Chad and Lugh introduce necessary new gameplay mechanics, and the Rutger and Clarine story is too much fun to scrap, they're keepers.
Chapter 6, the role of the church comes in with Saul, which makes him a keeper. He can't be traveling without a bodyguard now can he? Dorothy stays (maybe I'm biased because I like her too much). However, 2 archers in 1 chapter? Better make Dorothy a soldier class or something, because we can't scrap Sue, she has too much potential importance to the story.
Then Zealot, Treck and Noah come in with chapter 7. Do we really need this many cavaliers? It pains my heart to say this, because I recently read his supports and noticed what a great character he was, but yes, Treck can easily be scrapped here.
Chapter 8, oh boy. I never really got the point of Astohl, except that they suddenly hit you in the face with massive amounts of chests. If they chapters weren't designed around having 2 thieves here, you really wouldn't need a second thief. Let's sacrifice him. Then the knight squad rolls in, and yes, Wendy is terrible as a unit, but I just love her being a female knight. scrapping Oujay would mean we possibly only have 1 mercenary, which would be sad. Plus having Wendy come in alone seems like a bad idea.... Oh right, Barthe was there, yeah no, he can be scrapped. (and make Douglas part of the knight triangle attack if we want to keep that) Also, Lilina is Lilina, give her more story importance while we're at it.
So what's the point of Shin? Fir can carry the plot this chapter, no need for Shin, I'll gladly sacrifice him.
Not going to give many words to this, I believe Gonzales, Geese, Klein and Tate add enough to stay.
As for the Lalum vs Ellfin debate, I personally prefer Lalum as a playable character, and Ellfin just as a plot device where needed, but it really doesn't matter much, one can go to the npc corner.
Bartre/Echidna are fine, keep them, no big opinion on them.
Cath! Yes keep her! Except make thieves gain exp from opening chests and make them promote and stuff, make her a bit of an Est archetype too, I just like her okay.
Raigh is cool, keeper.
Milady, Percival, Cecilia, all keepers, no question about that.
Sophia, I just like the challenge she gives, I'm just going to say keeper (even though, objectively, yeah she could be cut).
Igrene and Garret, sure cut them, I don't think either will be missed, they don't add enough to not make this list.
Don't even want to mention Fae, I mean, come on.
Hugh, I guess we could use another mage at this point, but his story really doesn't add anything to the game. drop. Zeiss adds a little, and more wyverns is good. If they were to make Gale recruitable though, dropping Zeiss would be a small price to pay.
Douglas, Niime, Yodel, Juno, they all add plenty, keepers.
Dayan and Karel, not so sure about these guys, let's see how far we get to 10 without them.
